PHOTO: Steve Jolley of New York/New Jersey battles Dema Kovalenko of Chicago for control. The two teams resume play in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. (Brian Kersey, AP)

MLS teams on top at U.S. Open Cup

By José Alfredo Flores, USA TODAY

Call it a sneak preview of the MLS playoffs.

The U.S. Open Cup, which resumes tonight with quarterfinal games, features only Major League Soccer teams.

"We had to show who is the top league in this country," says New York/New Jersey MetroStars coach Octavio Zambrano.

"And we've done that."

By doing that, MLS avoids having a team such as the Rochester Rhinos, a second-division A-League squad, win the tournament, which is 87 years old and open to all amateur and pro teams associated with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

German superstar Lothar Matthaeus might make his return to the MetroStars, who play at Columbus. Matthaeus hasn't played for the MetroStars since June 28 because of injuries and national team commitments, although he did play 45 minutes for the East in the All-Star Game.

"It's an important match for us," Zambrano says. "Our team is one that has underachieved in the past and picking up some hardware would mean a lot."

Despite losing two consecutive MLS games, the MetroStars (13-9-2) lead the Eastern Division, after going an MLS-record worst 7-25 last season.

"That team has really turned it around," says Columbus coach Tom Fitzgerald. "The guy who made that happen is Clint Mathis, who combined with (Adolfo) Valencia, are a hard forward combo to deal with."

In another Open Cup game, arguably the best rivalry in the MLS will add another chapter, as Dallas travels to Chicago.

"It's the most exciting series in the league," says Burn coach Dave Dir. "A rivalry like this is great for the league."

The Fire defeated Dallas 3-2 in the tournament semifinals in 1998.

The Burn then beat Chicago three-games-to-two in a 1999 Western Conference semifinal.

Chicago leads the all-time series 8-6.

"There's a lot of respect between these two teams," says Fire coach Bob Bradley. "We've had some terrific battles against them."

Chicago midfielder Diego Gutierrez (ankle) and defender Lubos Kubik (knee) are out. Midfielder Peter Nowak (shin) and defender Evan Whitfield (ankle) are questionable.

"We have a lot of guys who are banged up," says Chicago rookie defender Carlos Bocanegra.

"It's a big game and my teammates have faith in me."