However, the New England Revolution declined entry and DC United and the Galaxy withdrew due to their participation in the 1998 Copa Merconorte. This left the Colorado Rapids, Kansas City Wizards, Metrostars, Los Angeles Galaxy, Tampa Bay Mutiny and the second expansion team Miami Fusion to play qualifying games, which were just regular season games doubling as qualifiers. The defending champion Dallas Burn joined the Columbus Crew, DC United, San Jose Clash and expansion team Chicago Fire were automatically entered into the 1998 US Open Cup by a blind draw. The Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy did not enter. The Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn, defending champion DC United, Kansas City Wizards, Metrostars, New England Revolution, San Jose Clash and Tampa Bay Mutiny entered the 1997 US Open Cup. An unplanned fifth team was added when the Colorado Foxes (A-League) withdrew from the tournament ( read more about that here), only to be replaced by the Colorado Rapids in the Quarterfinals. However, Los Angeles Galaxy would drop out of the tournament citing fixture congestion and were replaced by eventual champion DC United. The Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz, Los Angeles Galaxy and Tampa Bay Mutiny were chosen by Major League Soccer as the participants in the 1996 US Open Cup. Here is a look back at past US Open Cup qualifying results for MLS: ![]() The games were very poorly attended and in 2012, the federation announced that going forward, every US-based professional team would take part in the US Open Cup. However, the way the teams have been chosen over the years had changed considerably over the years.Īfter doing away with the qualifying process from 2000-06, a pre-tournament competition was brought back from 2007-11. Major League Soccer has been the United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) Division I league since its inception in 1996 and has taken part in the US Open Cup since that inaugural season. Since he doesn't know when the season will end, he doesn't know when the championship game will be played.Michael Videira of the Chicago Fire battles for the ball against the Colorado Rapids in Wednesday’s US Open Cup qualifying match. 1.īut Garber still hasn't determined whether the 2000 schedule will be shortened to 28 games or remain at 32. MLS CUP UPDATE: Not only is the site for MLS Cup 2000 undetermined, but the date is in doubt. Our strategy is to shore up the core soccer fan instead of leaping over them to attract fans that we don't really know exist." They watch international soccer and want to see it played that way. "Through the fervor raised by soccer fans and media we've discovered that there are millions of soccer fans who've played the game without a shootout. "What we found is that the concept was based on the thought that the American soccer fan had different tastes than soccer fans outside the U.S.," Garber said. Garber said the changes were brought about after visiting MLS cities and talking with fans. Those three networks also will televise a Saturday "Game of the Week" beginning March 25.ĮSPN2 plans to run a weekly one-hour MLS show on Mondays at 11 p.m. Twenty-eight league matches over 19 weeks will be televised by ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. MLS also improved its television package. Tampa Bay was in the Eastern Conference the first four years, as MLS had two balanced conferences. "I'm not really doing back flips over it, but I think it's good for the league." ![]() "We're in one hell of a division, I'll say that," Mutiny president and general manager Nick Sakiewicz said. ![]() The conference champions, and five wild-card teams determined by most points, will advance to the playoffs. Colorado, Kansas City, San Jose and Los Angeles will play in West. ![]() Miami, D.C., New York/New Jersey and New England will be in the East. Tampa Bay, Dallas, Columbus and Chicago will be in the Central Conference. In the second half, the clock will count from 45 to 90 minutes. The clock will count up to 45 next season instead of down. In the past, when the 45-minute stadium clock ran out, the half, or game, was over. Teams get three points for a regulation or overtime win and one point for a tie.Īlso, referees will keep time on the field, with injury time added at the end of halves. It was a unanimous decision (by the board of trustees) to have it eliminated." "But so are foul shots to determine the winner of an NBA game, and you don't see them doing that. "I don't think anyone would argue shootouts are exciting," Garber said. The shootout, in which five players from each team have five seconds to score from 35 yards, was unique to MLS.
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