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Mutiny-MetroStars could be more than Open Cup game

By Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

Tonight's Tampa Bay Mutiny at the New York/New Jersey MetroStars game is officially part of the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

But it just as easily could be a preview of an MLS playoff showdown, what with the MetroStars leading the Eastern Division and the Mutiny on top in the Central.

The U.S. Open Cup matches top pro soccer leagues in the U.S. with amateur and semi-pro leagues. Thirty-two teams began the tournament in June, and they will be narrowed to eight after this week. Nine of the 15 remaining teams are from MLS.

Tampa Bay-MetroStars: The Mutiny have lost their last three games against the MetroStars, but with a win can reach the quarterfinals of the tournament for the fifth year in a row. Tampa Bay will be without goalkeeper Scott Garlick and defender Chris Houser, who received red cards in their last game.

Mid-Michigan Bucks-Miami Fusion: The Bucks of the Professional Developmental League (Division 4), feature college players and a few pros. They've outscored foes 7-0 through the first two rounds, including a 1-0 win against New England (MLS) in round two.

West bracket: Two Chicago teams face each other, as the Fire (MLS) take on the defending PDL champion Sockers. The Sockers defeated MLS-leading Kansas City on penalty kicks (7-6) after a scoreless tie in the second round.

The high-scoring Minnesota Thunder (A-League) will host the Dallas Burn (MLS). The defending A-League champion Thunder, who have racked up 52 goals in 21 games, are led by striker JonnyMenyonger, who scored a hat trick in Minnesota's last victory.

MLS All-Star reserves: East coach Octavio Zambrano and the West's Bob Gansler picked their reserve players for the All-Star Game on Saturday in Columbus.

Commissioner Don Garber also selected two players: Luis Hernandez (Los Angeles) in the West and Brian McBride (Columbus) in the East. McBride is the seventh player to be chosen for five All-Star games.

Fans selected the starters last week. Preki (Kansas City) and Carlos Valderrama (Tampa) will serve as team captains.