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Peterson strikes again
Stoppage time goal sends Rapids to the U.S. Open Cup
For the second year in a row, Jacob Peterson of the Colorado Rapids is the reason that Real Salt Lake is eliminated from the Open Cup. His stoppage time goal, his second of the game, in the 93rd minute lifted the Colorado Rapids to a 2-1 win over their Rocky Mountain rivals. In 2006, Peterson scored the lone goal in the fourth round Open Cup match between these two clubs.
The match was the final play-in game for Major League Soccer, as eight of the 12 teams will enter the tournament in the third round, set to begin July 10. 
Thrilling finish sends LA to the Cup
Gary Richards from The 2 G's radio show recaps the match
The very thought of these two household names, within MLS and U.S. soccer history, conjures up classic games. East coast versus West coast.  Lakers vs. Knicks. Kings vs. Rangers. Now, Galaxy vs. Red Bulls. You name it in any sport, New York versus Los Angeles is ‘BIG’. So why, you ask, is this game different? Well The powers that be at MLS and U.S. Soccer headquarters, I guess, have differing opinions. There is no TV. Not even tape delay. Radio...Huh! You try to find it. This game and the whole enchilada, needs coverage.
Thank god for the fans. If this becomes a classic game (and it could!), only the fans passing it around the office, will make the difference. For the Galaxy, it is a must-win. A franchise built on success and now even more at stake as David Beckham needs to be on a winning team. The Galaxy needs to be a ‘winner’. When he arrives the team needs to be in all competitions and competing rigorously for trophies.
For the New York Red Bulls, a recent name change, a new coach, and an influx of talent from abroad. Yes, abroad. Juan Pablo Angel from Aston Villa of the EPL and also Claudio Reyna, the U.S. international who had a splendid career both in the English and Scottish top flight. They have arrived at a good time for New York along with Clint Mathis. Bruce Arena has instilled a terrific balance of youth, experience and knowledge. However, anything other than the progression into the later rounds of U.S. Open cup will be considered a massive failure. The fact that these two sides, even have to qualify at this stage, is unto itself an irony with massive implications.
Galaxy survive the Crew 1-0
LA will host Red Bulls for the Open Cup berth
Nate Jaqua scored an opportunistic goal in the 17th minute, and backup goalkeeper Steve Cronin made the narrow lead stand up as the
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"Win & You’re In"
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New York Red Bulls
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Los Angeles Galaxy
May 8th - 10:30 p.m. EST
Real Salt Lake
at
Colorado Rapids
May 23rd - 9:00 p.m. EST
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Los Angeles Galaxy held off the Columbus Crew 1-0 in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio.
With the victory, the Galaxy will play host to the New York Red Bulls, with the winner earning a spot in the U.S. Open Cup. The date and time of the match will be announced Wednesday.
Landon Donovan set up the lone goal, cruising down the left side and sending a cross into the box. Crew keeper Bill Gaudette, though, mishandled the ball and Jaqua swooped in and scored the easy goal to give last year’s U.S. Open Cup runners-up the early advantage.
RSL eliminate KC in extra time
Rocky mountain matchup on tap for the final round of qualifying
For the second year in a row, Andy Williams was the hero for Real Salt Lake in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He scored the game-winner 19 minutes into extra time as RSL defeated the Kansas City Wizards 2-1 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
With the victory, RSL will travel to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to take on the Colorado Rapids on May 28. The winner will qualify for the 2007 tournament. This is the first time since 2002 that MLS has not entered every one of their teams into the U.S. Open Cup. In addition, this is the debut of a "play-in" qualifying system for MLS with games separate from regular season play.
Freddy Adu helped open the scoring early in the first half when he drew a penalty after Wizards’ goalkeeper Kevin Hartman fouled him in the area. Jeff Cunningham, who already has two goals in the opening two regular season games, converted the spot kick to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
The game seemed to be in hand until the 88th minute when rookie Chris Seitz made a great save on a shot by Will John, but the rebound was buried by Sasha Victorine to send the match into extra time.
MLS play-in dates revealed
Four teams square off in April with hopes of qualifying
MLS’ new Open Cup qualifying will begin in April with four teams hoping to earn a place in the tournament. Real Salt Lake will host the Kansas City Wizards on April 18 and the Los Angeles Galaxy will travel to Columbus to take on the Crew on April 24.
The winner of the match between Los Angeles and Columbus match will play the New York Red Bulls. Due to the result of a coin toss, if Los Angeles wins they will host New York, and if Columbus wins, the game will be played at Giants Stadium.
Whoever comes out on top between Real Salt Lake and Kansas City will take on the Colorado Rapids. A flip of the coin determined that if the Wizards win, they will host the Rapids and if Salt Lake wins, the Rapids will host.
The dates for the next round of MLS qualifying have not yet been announced. The deadline for Open Cup qualifying is May 28.
MLS to feature Open Cup play-in for '07
Six teams to take part in games before May 28 deadline
Major League Soccer today announced details regarding qualification for the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Only eight MLS teams will enter the U.S. Open Cup during tournament play, but all 12 U.S.-based teams will be eligible to enter and win the tournament when it kicks off in June.
US Soccer finalizes 2007 Open Cup format
MLS qualification in place, all remaining clubs to start in first round
 A total of 40 teams, including 24 professional and 16 amateur clubs, will compete in the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when it kicks off in June for the 94th consecutive year.
With the busiest summer in the history of soccer in the United States approaching for both professional clubs and the U.S. National Teams, the number of Major League Soccer teams that will enter the tournament proper has been reduced to eight teams. However, every U.S.-based MLS squad will participate in the tournament either in qualifying rounds or in the tournament proper.
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