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the fun round of the US Open Cup is today and tomorrow by plaid_pants

I am pretty sure all of the US Open cup games are streamed live on youtube.

DC United takes on an amateur pub team tonight - Christos FC from Baltimore. It's not quite Chico's Bail Bonds, but Christos is the neighborhood liquor store. DC United have looked pretty toothless this season. It will be fun to root for the amateurs in this one.

Portland plays Seattle in the nightcap tonight. Last year, this game was the Clint Dempsey stealing the refs red card and tearing it up incident. I imagine both teams will be playing their back-ups tonight. Jeremy Ebobisse is just back from the U20 World Cup and will likely start up top for the Timbers.

The early game tomorrow of note is FC Cincinnati vs Columbus in what is essentially a try-out for an MLS expansion slot. They are predicting a US Open Cup attendance record for this game and a demonstration of how hot this rivalry can get. Columbus is seeing sagging attendances and could use a little excitement nearby. You have to be pulling for Cincinnati in this one.

Similarly, Chicago is playing St. Louis FC and Orlando is playing Miami FC. St. Louis's MLS expansion hopes plunged a bit after a failed stadium vote, but this game could also showcase a potential rivalry. I don't see this one as hot as the Cinci-Columbus game but you never know. Meanwhile, Florida fans are claiming that a Beckham Miami team would be ignored in Orlando - meaning that natural rivals of Miami are NY and LA and not in-state. I get what they are saying, but I think Orlando is going to want to pummel Miami in this game.

NYCFC and NYRB get an evening game tomorrow. People are predicting one of the lowest attendances ever for this game. For some reason, Red Bull Arena decided to charge premium ticket pricing ($60) for a midweek US Open Cup game. The Red Bull coach has been suspended from this game and there are rumors that the NYCFC coach will be taking over St. Ettienne in France this summer. I like this rivalry too much not to watch.

The Wednesday nightcap is another MLS expansion preview with Sacramento Republic FC taking on the struggling Real Salt Lake. Republic stand a good chance of winning this one, and I think by default with other stadium deals falling through, they have the best shot at the next MLS expansion slot. If Republic win, their next game is likely against the LA Galaxy. If I were Don Garber, I would be hoping for some WWE like theatrics in some of these games. A new league needs interesting history to build a long standing foundation.

Rounding out the regional round competition are some other potentially interesting fan tifo opportunities:

Harrisburg vs Philadelphia
Atlanta vs Charleston
Dallas vs Tulsa

I will be pulling for a Harrisburg vs Christos pub team 5th round game on JUne 28th.