Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed this week. After watching almost all of the A-League clubs left in the U.S. Open Cup crash out in various ways on Tuesday and Wednesday I can't help but feel a bit down. Oh well, though, after all almost every game was close with each team having their opportunities. At least it appears that now, more than ever, MLS clubs are taking this competition much more seriously than before.
That being said there was hardly any domination to discuss in these matches… well, unless we're talking about rather one-sided scorelines in Minnesota and Columbus. The Crew did admit to having their troubles with Richmond during the first half but Kyle Martino went a long way to ensuring the Crew's passage into the next phase of the competition. At the same time, the Kickers tried valiantly but in the end were undone by last year's A-League goalkeeper of the year, Jon Busch.
Meanwhile, the Thunder didn't quite have a whole lot going for them as the defending Open Cup champs, LA Galaxy, fairly soundly beat them. It was a less than convincing performance for Jakob Fenger and company but one they'll be sure to shrug off as they head back into league play. Such is the way of life, though, for the Thunder these days, as it appears that they can't find a way to get on a roll. One has to wonder if at some point the unthinkable happens and maybe Buzz starts to re-think his position with the club.
Lagos is an icon to Minnesota professional soccer and I think he deserves the carte blanche he currently enjoys but at the same time one has to wonder if the writing is on the wall. After all, someone is going to wind up being blamed for the recent lack of success and some may ask questions about what or who the problem is, Buzz or GM Jim Froslid or someone else? Either way, when or if a guy the caliber of Buzz Lagos decides it is time to go it should be his decision alone.
That brings us to a matter that I touched on briefly last week. Kai Haaskivi and Thomas Niendorf were both removed from their respective positions as head coaches of Pittsburgh and Calgary a couple of weeks back. Most folks in Pittsburgh seem to be happy with the decision but there seems to be a fairly indifferent response from the Calgary faithful. Calgary's PDL coach Tommy Wheeldon replaced Niendorf. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, Tim Carter took over for the embattled Haaskivi and will now look to right that particular ship.
One thing seems painfully obvious in Calgary and partially in Pittsburgh as well. These are two teams that can compete but have had almost no success in winning games. The Storm have players who will be very good in a couple of years' time but it's doubtful ownership will give them that long at this level to keep managing one or two wins a year. The Riverhounds have a lot of talent so it's quite confounding how they manage to play such a disjointed game. Let's hope it's something a tweak of the tactics can turn around in the not too distant future. I'd also like to see Calgary management stick it out with Wheeldon as it seems that he has a decent plan that only needs time to bear fruit.
There was some positive news to come out of all of the mid-week Open Cup play and that was the Milwaukee Rampage sneaking a late win against the Chicago Fire. The Rampage was able to pull off the upset through a Goljanin goal in the 54th minute and the outstanding goalkeeping of Dan Popik. It was largely Popik who carried the Ramps on his back as the Fire tried to mount a comeback. Alas, it was for naught as at least one A-League team will carry the banner into the next round where they will host Kansas City. It was Kansas City who came out on top in Webster, NY, where the Rhinos had to relocate for the evening, in a 3-2 overtime thriller that degenerated into a wrestling main event thanks to an alleged slur and some already frayed nerves from some questionable calls.
I can't forget, though, that a tip of the cap is in order to all of the A-League clubs that competed in the Cup this week as Charleston, Rochester, Seattle, Hampton Roads, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Richmond, and Atlanta all gave it a run. The Silverbacks, Rhinos, Battery, Mariners, and Sounders all lost in heart-breaking fashion and will be anxious to take their shots in next year's tournament. That will have to wait, though, as these teams prepare for the stretch run that will lead some into the playoffs. Every game begins to take on more importance as we get closer to playoff time and the next few weeks should have some great action especially games that might be between Atlanta and Milwaukee on a certain sports channel tonight.
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