Game Preview: Timbers Begin US Open Cup Against Sonoma County

Portland Timbers

VS

Sonoma County Sol

Tuesday June 15th
7pm @ PGE Park
Online Live at PortlandTimbers.com
Radio on 95.5 The Game

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament is set to begin as first round games will be played all across the country Tuesday evening. The Portland Timbers will play host to the Sonoma County Sol of the National Premiere Soccer League (NASL) with kickoff set for 7pm at PGE Park. Since 1914, the US Open Cup (originally known as the National Challenge Cup), has been a single-elimination tournament open to all US soccer teams that are recognized by the United States Soccer Federation. It provides an opportunity for teams from all levels of soccer, from the MLS to the NASL, to play one another and compete for a mutual championship. MLS and Division-2 level clubs automatically qualify for the tournament, while lower level teams must first survive qualifying rounds in order to gain entry. The US Open Cup is played throughout the summer and fall, each round played in a day or two, with the championship match scheduled for October 5th.

In 2009, the Timbers defeated the Sonoma County Sol and the Kitsap Pumas to reach the 3rd round of play, before losing to the eventual Cup Champions, the Seattle Sounders. Twice Portland has moved into the 4th round of tournament play before being eliminated, marking the deepest the team has advanced in the history of the franchise. Since the birth of the MLS in 1996, an MLS team has won the US Open Cup every year with only one exception. In 1999, the Division-2 level Rochester Rhinos defeated 4 MLS teams on their way to the Cup, a truly amazing historic run. Can the Timbers, in their last year as a Division-2 club, find some magic and be the Cinderellas of this year's US Open Cup?

It's one step at a time, however. With Portland's poor play in the last month, winless in their last 7 league games, the Timbers will have plenty of reason to focus and play their best 90 minutes of soccer, something they've failed to accomplish all season. Sonoma County should present an opportunity for the Timbers to build up their confidence and hopefully gain a little momentum back before returning to league play. Sonoma County plays in the NASL, which is considered to be the 4th level of soccer in the "American soccer pyramid". The MLS represents the top level of the pyramid, the Division-2 USSF existing as the second tier, and the USSF-Under 23 league representing the 3rd tier, although many consider the U-23 to be near or on par with NASL. Of course, the main difference is that the NASL has players of all ages on their rosters, while the U-23 is a developmental farm-league for the USSF.

Bottom line - the Timbers should completely over match the Sol and scoring goals shouldn't be an issue. So, how many goals will the Timbers score on Tuesday night? Any predictions?