Tomorrow, soccer fans across the country get a rare treat in the under-appreciated US Open Cup. The Seattle Sounders FC, the expansion MLS side this year, takes on the Portland Timbers, their arch rivals from the USL. Portland will is scheduled to become an MLS team in 2011. This game will be first between the two teams in recent memory where they haven't been in the same division.
With the first four games of this round already being played, three MLS teams were upset by lower league competition. With the game in Portland, I certainly wouldn't count Portland out of adding to that total.
But because it is a rivalry game, expect the MLS side to not field a weakened team either. I'm a Sounders fan though, so I'm clearly biased.
The game is nationally televised on FSN I believe (a remarkable feat for a US Open Cup game - just shows how important of a rivalry this is). The game kicks off at 7pm PT.
The circumstances are right for an upset: home field advantage for the underdog, rivalry game meaning they'll be pumped up for it, and a large and vocal crowd on their side. Regardless of that, it should be a fantastic game as most rivalry games are. I encourage you all to tune in to experience what will be coming to the MLS in 2 years time.
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