ZeekLTK's US Open Cup (Precursor to a Dynasty)

[ZeekLTK]

This is a "warmup" dynasty before I begin my main one. I'm exactly half way done with the teams (by half way I mean like 85% but I have 50% of them 100% complete, so in other words; half of them are completely done)...

So I have 34 completed teams, I'm going to do a tournament with 32 of them. Detroit and Frankfort were drawn as the odd teams out.

Since my ML team, Lansing, won't be created until I start the ML, I have to use one of my future opponents... so I'll be playing as Little Rock, who I randomly picked.

The groups are:

Group A
Charleston SC
Nashville
Atlanta
Louisville

Group B
Baltimore
Chicago
Sacramento
Phoenix

Group C
Boise
Minneapolis
Kansas City
Philadelphia

Group D
Austin
Tampa
St. Louis
Pittsburgh

Group E
Indianapolis
Trenton
Providence
Concord

Group F
New Orleans
Little Rock
San Diego
Memphis

Group G
Montpelier
Denver
Springfield
San Francisco

Group H
Cincinnati
San Francisco
Miami
St. Paul

[ZeekLTK]

Little Rock Expected to Do Damage in Open Cup
Little Rock - A professional sports club has finally arrived in Arkansas and they will be kicking off their first competitive match in the US Open Cup, a pre-season tournament for select teams from across the country. The team is expected to represent the state well with its plethora of international superstars, most of whom have made a name for themselves by scoring a lot of goals on the international stage. Some of the names lining up for the pride of Arkansas include Danish superstar Jon Dal Tomasson as well as some great African strikers such as Dos Santos from Tunisia and Idorissou from Cameroon. James McFadden, an accomplished Scottish striker is also available, as well as the American youth sensation himself, Freddy Adu.

Little Rock's Roster
1: DF - Nesta
2: FW - Tomasson
3: FW - Dos Santos
4: FW - Idorissou
5: MF - Pitroipa
6: FW - Adu
7: DF - Chique Arce
8: DF - Martinez
9: FW - McFadden
10: GK - Bats
11: MF - Vanenburg
12: MF - Davies
13: GK - Ricardo Lopez
14: DF - Lee Young Pyo
15: MF - Grosso
16: MF - Zauri
17: FW - Bazzani
18: MF - Albelda
19: DF - Raul Bravo
20: DF - Van Buyten
21: FW - Dani
22: DF - Vanhalmen
23: DF - Cetto
24: MF - Kadeu

Obviously it's a very offensive heavy lineup, so the fans will expect the team to be able to score a lot in the tournament. This might be easier said than done though, as Little Rock have been drawn into an extremely hard group against New Orleans, San Diego, and Memphis. "There are no easy games in this group", the new coach said at the press conference. "Anyone who advances will have earned it."

New Orleans are lead by a duo of European strikers, Pauleta and Podolski. The Louisiana squad has a very solid defensive line as well. Anchored by Romanian destroyer Chivu - O'Brien, Bergdolmo, and Keown present an extremely difficult challenge for opposing offenses. To make matters worse, the squad has two excellent goal keepers to rotate inbetween the pipes, with either Canizares or Higuita to choose from.

San Diego will present a huge challenge for Little Rock's defense. The team is lead by a pair of legends in the shape of Larsson and Daglish. These two don't have too much support, but Kobiashvili, Heunongas, and Saul Martinez are all capable of doing damage to unsuspecting defenders. Tending the net for the California squad will be either Hislop or Cudicini.

Finally, Memphis is the team Little Rock will begin its campaign against. Memphis are lead up front by Brian Laudrup who will likely be accompanied by either Damian Duff, Mbama, or Boakye. The real strength of Memphis is from the midfield where Rosicky, Salihamidzic, N. Kovac, David Pizzaro, A. Svensson, and Amado Guevara present a plethora of problems for their opponents. Memphis also has an American on their roster, Greg Vanney, though it's unlikely he will be featured in the game. The defender has some stiff competition to get onto the field from Desailly, Pereira, and C. Metzelder. Memphis also has a good custodian in the nets - Mark Schwarzer, the Australian keeper, is their starter.

[ZeekLTK]

Little Rock vs Memphis

Lineups

Memphis
----------------Schwarzer----------------
-----Desailly---Luiz Pereira---C.Metzelder--
------------------Rosicky-----------------
--Salihamidzic------------------N. Kovac--
---------A. Svensson----D. Pizzaro--------
-------Duff----------Brian Laudrup---------


-------Tomasson------Dos Santos----------
----------------Zauri----------------------
---Grosso---------------------Vanenburg--
----------------Albelda--------------------
--L.Y. Pyo--G. Martinez---Nesta---C. Arce--
------------------Bats---------------------
Little Rock


Summary

It was an absolute disaster start for Little Rock when Memphis came right down the field on a counter attack after stealing the kickoff from Zuari. David Pizzaro was set to go through on goal when Nesta caught him from behind and poked the ball away before a shot could be taken. Unfortunately, G. Martinez was not in position to clear the loose ball, and instead Brian Laudrup swooped in, collected the ball, and easily beat Bats for the opening score.

It took all of 11 minutes for Little Rock to regroup though. Fourteen minutes were off the clock when Dos Santos received a ball putting him one on one against Desailly. The Tunisian striker made it look simple as he rounded the French defender. With just the keeper to beat, a booming shot to the near post gave the Australian keeper absolutely no chance and the game was even again.

Right before half time Little Rock struck again. A free kick just outside the box was lobbed into the middle and somehow Dos Santos found himself alone. A nice and easy flick off the back of his head put the ball just out of Schwarzer's reach and gave Little Rock a 2-1 advantage heading into the break.

Neither side could break through again in the second half and the score held until the final whistle. New Orleans and San Diego had been unable to determine a winner in their match, drawing 1-1, leaving Little Rock in first place at the start of the tournament.

Video Highlights (http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1279697440&channel=1278014006&lineup=-1)

Little Rock 2 - 1 Memphis
Dos Santos (14', 45') -- Brian Laudrup (3')

Shots: LTR 13 - 8 MEM
On Target: LTR 7 - 4 MEM
Free Kicks: LTR 7 - 3 MEM
Corners: LTR 3 - 2 MEM
Fouls: LTR 3 - 7 MEM
Offsides: LTR 2 - 1 MEM
Cautions: LTR 1 - 0 MEM
Possession: LTR 52 - 48 MEM

[ZeekLTK]

Little Rock vs San Diego

Lineups

San Diego
------------------Hislop----------------
-----Fatih A.----Battiston---Rehmer-----
------------------Leko------------------
---Etxeberria----------------Kobiashvili--
----------Dalglish-----Heunonhas--------
-------Larsson------------Dario----------

--------Idorissou------Dos Santos----------
----------------Tomasson------------------
---Grosso---------------------Vanenburg--
----------------Albelda--------------------
--L.Y. Pyo--Vanhalmen--Nesta--G. Martinez--
------------------Bats---------------------
Little Rock


Summary

Almost exactly opposite of the last game, it was Little Rock who came out swinging in this encounter. After a couple of minutes Grosso ended up with the ball near the top of the box. He began to dribble towards the sideline, drawing defenders to his position, when he suddenly swiveled around and sent the ball right back to the top of the box. Tomasson was in perfect position and drilled the shot right past Shaka Hislop into the lower left corner.

The sides went back and forth for the remainder of the first half but neither were able to add to the scoreboard. Little Rock might have been getting a bit complacent, but San Diego woke them up in the 2nd half. Just two minutes after kickoff San Diego were attacking again. Heunongas got into the box and was bumped into by Albelda. Heunongas took a great spill as Nesta blasted the ball away. The ref blew the whistle and, to everyone's surprise, produced a straight red card for Albelda. The defensive midfielder was stunned and held his arms out as if to say "are you serious?" The ref wasn't persuaded and continued to point to the spot. Larsson stepped up and drilled it past Bats to level the game at 1-1.

This infuriated Little Rock and they came out firing at the California squad. Six minutes after the penalty kick, order was restored. Grosso had assisted Tomasson on the first goal, and this time the Dane returned the favor. A perfect through ball lead Grosso ahead of Fatih A. and the Italian went far post on Hislop. "Off the post and in!" exclaimed the announcer as Little Rock reclaimed the lead.

Just to make sure, in the 72nd minute a free kick in nearly the exact same spot as the one taken against Memphis was awarded to Little Rock. And, just like Memphis, it was the same result. The ball was chipped into the box and this time it was Idorissou who rose above Battiston to nudge the ball goal bound. Hislop was never going to get it and as it fell into the back of the net the Cameroonian striker ran off to celebrate the 3-1 lead. It was a lead that San Diego were not able to overcome. The victory, combined with New Orleans' win over Memphis clinched a spot in the second round for Little Rock.

After the match, Albelda responded to the sending off: "I think it was absolute crap. I didn't slide, I didn't even hit him. There was just a small bit of contact and he took a huge dive. He sold it to the ref and the ref bought the whole thing. It was a complete crap call but the boys responded for me and we got the win. Next week doesn't matter so I'll serve my suspension and get ready for the knockout round. San Diego can enjoy their last game against Memphis, because I promise they won't be going to the second round with us."

Video Highlights (http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1274059399&channel=1278014006)

Little Rock 3 - 1 San Diego
Tomasson (6'), Grosso (53'), Idorissou (72') -- Larsson (47')

Shots: LTR 15 - 13 SD
On Target: LTR 7 - 7 SD
Free Kicks: LTR 10 - 4 SD
Corners: LTR 4 - 2 SD
Fouls: LTR 5 - 10 SD
Offsides: LTR 2 - 5 SD
Cautions: LTR 0 - 1 SD
Possession: LTR 50 - 50 SD

*Albelda (LTR) sent off in 47'

[ZeekLTK]

I updated the video links. The old site I uploaded to sucks ass so now they should work.

[ZeekLTK]

Little Rock vs New Orleans

Lineups


New Orleans
----------------Canizarez----------------
---Bergdolmo--Keown--O'Brien---Chivu---
----------------Xavi Alonso--------------
---Benjamin--------------------Dede-----
-----------------Giannini-----------------
---------Pauleta---------Bobic-----------

------------Adu-----------Bezzani---------
------------------Pitroipa------------------
----Kadeu-----------------------Davies----
----------------Van Buyten----------------
--Raul Bravo--Vanhalmen--Nesta---Cetto---
---------------Ricardo Lopez---------------
Little Rock

Summary

Having already clinched a spot in the second round, Little Rock decided to test the backups against a New Orleans squad that would be throwing everything they had at the Arkansas squad in order to move on themselves. The result was not pretty.

New Orleans were already out to get a point that would eliminate San Diego and put themselves through, but the blatant use of backups (9/11 new starters for Little Rock) maybe raised some issues of disrespect that the Louisiana squad was not about to tolerate.

And they did not tolerate it at all. They made it clear from the opening kickoff who the superior side was as they sliced through the new Little Rock squad like a hot knife through butter, scoring in the opening minute of the match through Bobic. Things only got worse when Giannini just let a shot rip from about 30 meters out, leaving Ricardo Lopez with no shot at the perfectly struck ball.

It was 2-0 at half time, Little Rock refused to put in any true starters, so New Orleans kept punishing them. In the 51st minute Bobic struck again and then, just to rub it in a bit, Dede made fools of the defenders in the closing minutes and smashed another by. It was a comprehensive victory by one team's starters over another's backups, but New Orleans were unsympathetic towards their opposition afterwards, saying "we came here to play a tournament. We play our best players and we try to win every game. If you do not do the same, you get embarrassed like this. Let this be a lesson to Little Rock that they must take every game seriously."

Little Rock's response was a little less animated, the coach saying "we were already through, there's no need to risk starters being injured or suspended in a meaningless match. We're healthy and everyone is back from suspension heading into the knockout round, so everything we needed to accomplish from today did so." Albelda mentioned that he was pleased that San Diego was eliminated due to the result as well, though the rest of the team made it clear that the match had not been thrown in any way, their backups were just not as good as New Orleans' starters.

Video Highlights (http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1274059414&channel=1278014006&lineup=-1)


Little Rock 0 - 4 New Orleans
Bobic (1', 51'), Giannini (24'), Dede (81')

Shots: LTR 5 - 9 NO
On Target: LTR 4 - 6 NO
Free Kicks: LTR 8 - 7 NO
Corners: LTR 0 - 1 NO
Fouls: LTR 7 - 8 NO
Offsides: LTR 3 - 2 NO
Cautions: LTR 0 - 1 NO
Possession: LTR 45 - 55 NO

[ZeekLTK]

Group A
1. Nashville - 7 pts +4 GD
2. Charleston SC - 7 pts +3 GD
3. Atlanta - 3 pts -2 GD
4. Louisville - 0 pts -5 GD

Charleston SC 2 - 1 Atlanta
Nashville 2 - 0 Louisville

Louisville 0 - 2 Charleston SC
Atlanta 0 - 2 Nashville

Nashville 0 - 0 Charleston SC
Atlanta 1 - 0 Louisville



Group B
1. Phoenix - 9 pts +3 GD
2. Chicago - 6 pts +2 GD
3. Sacramento - 3 pts -2 GD
4. Baltimore - 0 pts -3 GD

Baltimore 1 - 2 Sacramento
Chicago 1 - 2 Phoenix

Phoenix 2 - 1 Baltimore
Sacramento 1 - 3 Chicago

Chicago 1 - 0 Baltimore
Sacramento 1 - 2 Phoenix



Group C
1. Kansas City - 6 pts +3 GD
2. Boise - 6 pts +1 GD
3. Minneapolis - 3 pts -2 GD
4. Philadelphia - 3 pts -2 GD

Boise 1 - 0 Kansas City
Minneapolis 0 - 1 Philadelphia

Philadelphia 0 - 2 Boise
Kansas City 3 - 0 Minneapolis

Minneapolis 2 - 0 Boise
Kansas City 1 - 0 Philadelphia



Group D
1. St. Louis - 6 pts +3 GD
2. Austin - 4 pts +0 GD
3. Pittsburgh - 4 pts -1 GD
4. Tampa - 3 pts -2 GD

Austin 2 - 1 St. Louis
Tampa 0 - 1 Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 1 - 1 Austin
St. Louis 2 - 0 Tampa

Tampa 3 - 2 Austin
St. Louis 2 - 0 Pittsburgh



Group E
1. Indianapolis - 7 pts +4 GD
2. Providence - 6 pts +0 GD
3. Concord - 3 pts -2 GD
4. Trenton - 1 pt -2 GD

Indianapolis 2 - 0 Providence
Trenton 1 - 2 Concord

Concord 0 - 2 Indianapolis
Providence 2 - 1 Trenton

Trenton 1 - 1 Indianapolis
Providence 2 - 1 Concord



Group F
1. New Orleans - 7 pts +5 GD
2. Little Rock - 6 pts -1 GD
3. San Diego - 4 pts -1 GD
4. Memphis - 0 pts -3 GD

New Orleans 1 - 1 San Diego
Little Rock 2 - 1 Memphis

Memphis 1 - 2 New Orleans
San Diego 1 - 3 Little Rock

Little Rock 0 - 4 New Orleans
San Diego 3 - 2 Memphis



Group G
1. Tallahassee - 7 pts +5 GD
2. Denver - 4 pts -2 GD
3. Montpelier - 3 pts -1 GD
4. Springfield - 2 pts -2 GD

Montpelier 2 - 0 Springfield
Denver 1 - 4 Tallahassee

Tallahassee 4 - 2 Montpelier
Springfield 2 - 2 Denver

Denver 1 - 0 Montpelier
Springfield 2 - 2 Tallahassee



Group H
1. St. Paul - 7 pts
2. Cincinnati - 3 pts +0 GD
3. Miami - 2 pts -1 GD
4. San Francisco - 2 pts -2 GD

Cincinnati 0 - 0 Miami
San Francisco 0 - 2 St. Paul

St. Paul 1 - 1 Cincinnati
Miami 1 - 1 San Francisco

San Francisco 1 - 1 Cincinnati
Miami 0 - 1 St. Paul

[ZeekLTK]

Little Rock Gets Easier Path Than Expected
Little Rock - When the team fell 0-4 to New Orleans to drop to 2nd place, everyone expected that Little Rock would have to face Group E Champions, and pre-tournament favorites, Indianapolis in the 2nd round. These fans, including this columnist, hadn't checked into the tournament set up apparently, and everyone was pleased to see that instead of getting Indianapolis, the team would face Nashville instead. Nashville are a good team in their own right, but they certainly aren't as loaded as Indy. With this matchup, and the overall path to the final, instead of what had initially been anticipated, it is fully possible for Little Rock to make a run at the title in this tournament.

The draw for the elimination phase looks like this:

Nashville vs Little Rock
Kansas City vs Cincinnati

Charleston SC vs New Orleans
Boise vs St. Paul

Denver vs St. Louis
Providence vs Phoenix

Austin vs Tallahassee
Chicago vs Indianapolis


Little Rock will get another Midwest squad (either Kansas City or Cincinnati) in the quarterfinals, should they defeat Nashville in the first round. Following that is a potential rematch with New Orleans in the semifinals followed by, most likely, the real meeting with Indianapolis who many have picked to win the tournament. Indy will have a tough task themselves though, as they are forced to go through Chicago and, likely, Tallahassee just to reach the semifinals.

[ZeekLTK]

Little Rock vs Nashville

Lineups

Nashville
----------------Jennings-------------------
------Cuciuffo---Butcher---Legrottaglie-----
---------------Baumann--------------------
---Djorkaeff-------------------Malouda-----
------------------Revant-------------------
-----Charlton------Fowler-----Forlan--------

--------Idorissou------Dos Santos----------
----------------Tomasson------------------
---Grosso---------------------Vanenburg--
----------------Albelda--------------------
--L.Y. Pyo--G. Martinez---Nesta---C. Arce--
------------------Bats---------------------
Little Rock

Summary

Well rested and ready to go, Little Rock began the knockout stage against Nashville, who had managed to top a fairly tough group that included Charleston, Louisville, and Atlanta. This game actually didn't produce a goal in the opening 10 minutes, a new twist for Little Rock fans and players alike. However, they didn't have to wait that much longer. In the 23rd minute, Idorissou chased down a loose ball in the box and saved it from crossing the end line. He turned and chipped the ball across the middle where Tomasson had snuck in behind the defense and was able to rise above the defense and head it into the goal to take a 1-0 lead.

The sides went back and forth but no one could produce a goal despite some good attempts by both sides. It looked like it would take a stroke of luck for another goal in this match, and Lady Luck smiled on Nashville in the 72nd minute to produce the equalizer. Malouda sent a cross in towards Charlton that was fairly well defended. However, Charlton missed the ball completely when he went up for the header and it continued towards the back post. Bats had anticipated a shot from Charlton's head and was not quick enough to react as Fowler stood near the far post and reacted quickly to tap the ball into the net before anyone else could get to it.

Little Rock were not phased by the blow though. They regrouped and went forward again. Idorissou had provided the ball to Tomasson for the first goal, so the Dane repaid the favor when he sent a brilliant through-pass to Idorissou. The first touch was suspect, but it was enough to get past the defense and then the Cameroonian striker had enough savvy to place his shot beyond Jenning's reach. The team swarmed around him in celebration as, with just five minutes remaining, it was surely the game winner. It was, and Little Rock will advance to face Kansas City, who had edged Cincinnati 3-2..

Video Highlights (http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1283265941&channel=1278014006)


Little Rock 2 - 1 Nashville
Tomasson (23'), Idorissou (85') -- Fowler (72')

Shots: LTR 11 - 11 NSH
On Target: LTR 8 - 6 NSH
Free Kicks: LTR 4 - 5 NSH
Corners: LTR 3 - 2 NSH
Fouls: LTR 5 - 4 NSH
Offsides: LTR 1 - 1 NSH
Cautions: LTR 0 - 0 NSH
Possession: LTR 51 - 49 NSH


Second Round
Little Rock 2 - 1 Nashville
Kansas City 3 - 2 Cincinnati

Charleston SC 1 - 0 New Orleans [OT]
Boise 2 - 1 St. Paul

St. Louis 3 - 1 Denver
Phoenix 1 - 0 Providence

Austin 1 - 0 Tallahassee
Indianapolis 1 - 0 Chicago