In his Soccer Insider blog on the Washington Post website, Steven Goff has learned that the defending U.S. Open Cup champions will have to qualify for the 2009 tournament. (Click here for the full story)

According to Goff, United will face F.C. Dallas in the opening round of qualifying and will face either the New York Red Bulls or the San Jose Earthquakes in the next round. Based on that, it can be assumed that the MLS qualifying matchups will look something like this:

2008 Overall MLS Standings (without Toronto F.C.)

7. Real Salt Lake
8. New York Red Bulls
9. Colorado Rapids
10. D.C. United
11. F.C. Dallas
12. Los Angeles Galaxy
13. San Jose Earthquakes
14. Seattle Sounders F.C.*

*2009 Expansion Team

MLS Qualifying First Round

7. Real Salt Lake vs. 14. Seattle Sounders F.C.
8. New York Red Bulls vs. 13. San Jose Earthquakes
9. Colorado Rapids vs. 12. Los Angeles Galaxy
10. D.C. United vs. 11. F.C. Dallas

MLS Qualifying Second Round

RSL/SEA winner vs. COL/LAG winner
DCU/FCD winner vs. NYR/SJE winner

Winners of the Second Round join Columbus, Houston, Chicago, New England, Chivas USA, and Kansas City in the 2009 U.S. Open Cup.