Just got here and I’m already disappearing for a week or so. Went down to Charleston for a loooong Memorial Day Weekend and took in a Charleston Battery game, the Isle of Palms, the Buccaneer Restaurant, all while enjoying seafood galore. Much has happened in a week and as Bryan has noted – we could have our coach as early as today. I will make sure to track the rumors as they float about and try and track down some information of my own. For now, the US Open Cup – after the Sounders played their way in last night in a 1-0 victory over Colorado – is starting to swing into high gear. Local teams are a strong presence early on. Let’s take a quick look…

Carmichael, Barons biggest weapon

 

The US Open Cup just released “the bracket”. This year, it’s conveniently grouped into geographical regions doing away with cross country trips for fledgling teams. In our region, our most local team the Ocean City Barons will take on USL-2 Crystal Palace Baltimore while the USL-2 Harrisburg City Islanders will face PDL Reading Rage. It’s pretty amazing the Barons continue to make it into the tournament (3 out of the last 5 years), especiallyconsidering how tough it is to qualify out of over 50 PDL squads. It requires the best record out of your first four games in your respective geographic region. The Barons grabbed 10 points out of 12 to clinch the spot and a go at Baltimore. I still remember working as an intern during the 2005 4-0 upset of the USL-2 Long Island Rough Riders and the Barons, and if their attack now can rival years past, they have a good shot. The torch has past, however, from the likes of Rochester’s Ryan Heins, Montreal’s Tony Donatelli, and Ruben Mingo to burgeoning talents in Boston College’s Karl Reddick,  BC keeper Tunde Ogunbiyi (picked as part of Nigeria’s Olympic squad), Temple midfielder JT Noone – a Division I All-American, and Holy Cross striker – Bishop Eustace grad – Kyle Miller. The one constant between 2005 and 2009? Veteran striker Byron Carmichael, formerly selected by the Kansas City Wizards in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. Carmichael continues to add to his Barons scoring record while acting as a huge influence on a young offense.

Severs, OC-export, star Harrisburg striker

The Islanders beat up on the Charlotte Eagles, 3-0, over the holiday weekend in USL-2 play and a challenging Open Cup tie awaits with the Mid-Atlantic PDL qualifiers, Reading. They sit atop the standings and have received – once again – invaluable contributions from the duo of Ocean City [NJ] native Chad Severs (back after a stint with Rochester), rookie Ty Shipalane, and Mo Odour. They have helped produce a league leading 13 goal with Shipalane and Severs connecting on more than one occasion. The Islanders defense deserve recognition, conceding on average less than a goal a game, allowing Harrisburg to win comfortably and often. They’ll be the key to shutting down Reading Rage forward Aaron Wheeler and Lehigh product Adam Gazda on June 9th.  

Take a look at the USOC schedule. Who’s prone to upset?  The overall first round fixtures look like this.

Other news:

No doubt you watched the UEFA Champions League final.  Wayne Rooney provided an amazingly forgettable performance while it was sad to see Giggsy’s last possible European final go to waste. The star of the show was Barcelona passing. It was crisp, nonchalant, fast, and downright pretty. Messi looked set to disappear early in the game but once Eto’o’s goal hit net, Leo’s confidence was overflowing (could this be the turning point in Messi over Ronaldo best player in the world argument?). The undeniable hero on the night was Xavi, simply brilliant, his feints on-the-ball, endless work ethic, pinpoint passing – a fitting appearance for a guy that has been with Barca from the beginning. What were your thoughts? Disappointments?

It seems so small after a UEFA Champions League tangent but the Montreal Impact, dark horses the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Champions League, were brushed aside by Vancouver last night – effectively ending their quest for a second consecutive berth. Vancouver’s Ethan Gage, an 18-year old residency program product, did the damage with a beautiful first professional goal. The Whitecaps will face Toronto this coming Tuesday, a match that could send the Reds to their first CCL. Montreal could still play the role of spoiler for Toronto on June 18th if the match next Tuesday doesn’t yield any concrete results.