“Clearly teams are taking the tournament more seriously.” When Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer makes statements like this about the U.S. Open Cup, you have to listen. Hanauer’s teams have won back-to-back titles in 2009 & 2010, and have qualified as far as the semi-finals every year since 2007. The Sounders GM knows a thing or two about how teams who take this competition seriously, and have the resources to put the right players on the field and apply pressure, good things can happen. The Los Angeles Galaxy have the unique opportunity to do just that.
The Sounders once again meet the Galaxy in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup. The clash will take place at Starfire Stadium in lovely Tukwila, WA. Game time is set to kick at 7 p.m. (PST) and there’s a live web stream that you can enjoy at SoundersFC.com.
Seattle played this past Sunday versus Cascadia rivals the Portland Timbers. After an exhausting full 90, the Sounders battled from behind to earn the victory. No doubt that Sigi Schmid and the boys concentrated their efforts and solely prepared for that match. Now they have an important Open Cup meeting to get ready for just three days later, and on Saturday the MLS champion Colorado Rapids come to town. That’s three very big games in less than a week.
Although the Sounders organization takes the USOC very seriously, there is no doubt that certain players and coaches will be resting and preparing for this weekend’s league match and in a way those resources will be looking past the Galaxy. Seattle has great depth and will still run out an extremely competitive squad for the quarter finals, and in no way am I saying they’re looking past this competition. The truth is that we have a lot to prepare for. Los Angeles is in a position to make a move if they so choose.
Yes, the Galaxy played a league match this past Saturday. Yes, they take their quest for the Shield very seriously. Absolutely, Bruce Arena and his team would love nothing more than to knock out the tourney champs, stop the quest for a “three-peat” and get some revenge for their dismissal at the hands of the Sounders last year. Truth be told, it all stops there for that team.
The Galaxy are a well coached side, and when they’re done with their USOC preparation and play against the Sounders, their next opponent is simply a friendly match against La Liga powerhouse, Real Madrid. Los Angeles could choose to play at full strength Wednesday against Seattle. They’ve never really committed their full efforts outside of league play, but with only a friendly to “prepare” for this weekend, they have all to gain and nothing to lose.
Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said, “There’s nothing that hinders them from throwing out their best team, unless they feel the Real Madrid game is more important than the Open Cup game.” We’ll have to await the quality Bruce Arena puts on the field to clearly know his answer to that challenge.
I expect to see the Sounders do what they’ve always done in this competition. They will give the reserve squad an opportunity to shine, with some help from key starters. I also expect to see “Electricity” on the home boys, and a re-match of 3rd kits, just like on the 4th in Carson. Regardless what they dress in, Sigi and company will be prepared with a good game plan, and will fight towards a quest for a “three-peat”.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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