Why are there so few amateur Oregon clubs in the US Open Cup?

[Guest]

Not up for the Cup: Why so few amateur Cascadian clubs enter the US Open Cup
TheCup.us

The US Open Cup is perhaps the most compelling sport competition in the United States. An opportunity for amateur clubs to pit their skills against the best professional sides in competitive play – the only such tournament in the “big five” American team sports – is what makes it truly special. A pub team that plays in mismatched kits down at your local park on Sundays could, in theory, end up facing the Major League Soccer champions.

In one of the country’s key soccer regions, Washington and Oregon, despairingly few amateur clubs participate in the Open Cup. Why is this? Will recent changes to US Open Cup qualification entice more of these amateur Cascadian clubs to join?

READ MORE

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...pseofl7kli.jpg

[Slow Xavi]

Historical and Cost

No great reason, except that historically (at least the last 15 years or so) the top (men) amateur teams tended to play regional tournaments like the Kennedy Cup where travel would be limited to BC, Washington, or Oregon. When folks traveled out, they tended to go to US Amateur regionals and the over35 variety. Those tournaments tended to have more predictable costs.

One thing that has changed with the proliferation of pro teams in the NW is that it does make US Open Cup more predictable in terms of costs (unilkely to be traveling across country for early games because they tend to schedule regionally). Plus the prize money they offer up to the top amateur team in the Open Cup should make it more attractive.

Personally, I think Open Cup is one of the hidden gems of US Soccer - never know what is going to happen in middle rounds even if the final 4 is inevitably MLS teams (although Cosmos made a nice run last year).

[Unregistered]

only a certain number can qualify

in oregon only one amateur men's team can qualify. and they have to beat cali teams to do so. that one year eric wynalda's cal fc did well, our men's team lost to them.

[Slow Xavi]

Just read the article posted - hits lots of the high points.

[Unregistered]

love those articles claiming to expose something, but just adding copy on copy

Just read the article posted - hits lots of the high points.

read it. largely a waste of time. shoulda called it, They Changed The Way Amateur Teams Qualify for US Open Cup.

[Slow Xavi]

read it. largely a waste of time. shoulda called it, They Changed The Way Amateur Teams Qualify for US Open Cup.

Don't know, addressed a reasonable question with some of the issues that come into play.