The Daily Dirt, August 9: Trophies

For the first time, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals will both be broadcast on national TV. This is a huge step for the nation’s oldest tournament. Late last year, amateur teams started the qualifying process for this year’s tournament that is now down to its final four teams.

The winner gets a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League next year, demonstrating the importance of this trophy. Increased prize money of $250,000 for the winning team also helps make this a lucrative win.

This year’s semifinalists are in different places in their regular season. Dallas currently leads the Supporters’ Shield table and is currently juggling three competitions. They will travel to Los Angeles tomorrow night to face the Galaxy. LA is starting their traditional summer run and has not lost in eight league matches. A tough Sunday night game with the Red Bulls over the weekend might result in some squad rotation.

In tonight’s match, New England is barely holding onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference of MLS, trying to hold off Orlando and DC United. Chicago is having an awful regular season and the Open Cup means everything to them at this point. Winning this trophy, like DC United did in 2013 with one of the worst teams in MLS history, can salvage a season.

After the U.S. Women’s National Team takes care of business in the Olympics at 6:00 p.m., change it over to ESPN2 to watch Chicago host New England. Hopefully, this is the start of sustained growth for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Domestic

Giuseppe Rossi to the New York Red Bulls? (Once a Metro)

The U.S. Women’s National Team plays their final Olympics group stage game against Colombia today at 6:00 p.m. on NBCSN (Stars and Stripes FC)

How has the NWSL positively impacted the USWNT? (CSN Mid Atlantic)

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals start tonight with Chicago hosting New England at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN2 (MLS)

Reports have Swedish forward Henok Goitom headed to San Jose to join the Earthquakes (Center Line Soccer)

NYCFC star David Villa made one of the biggest appearances of his career yesterday:

Catch up on all of the expansion rumors for MLS, NASL, USL, and Canada (Midfield Press)

One new one is Nashville pushing for MLS (The Tennessean)

International

Crystal Palace reopens talks with Liverpool on a Christian Benteke deal (Telegraph)

Local

Is Keanu Neal’s injury anything to worry about for the Falcons? (The Falcoholic)

Braves win 4-3 in 12 innings over Milwaukee (Talking Chop)