Paul Frederiksen-USA Today Sports
The U.S. Open Cup Final is almost here. DC United will take on hosts Real Salt Lake Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST and will be televised on GolTV. If you have been following MLS this season, you know that United has played poorly, but somehow they advanced all the way to the USOC Final. On the other hand, Real Salt Lake has been a solid contender in MLS play and is looking for the win.
With both teams having MLS matches over the weekend, both managers elected to sit key players and most of their starters ahead of Tuesday’s finals. There is a lot on the line. For starters, the winner earns a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League for 2014. Currently, four U.S. club teams make it each year with one being the USOC Champion.
Additionally, this is all United has going for them this season. They are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. If they win Tuesday’s final, there will be much celebration by the team and their fans. Moreover, they will have pulled out one of the biggest USOC Final upsets.
On the other hand, going off of only MLS standings I think RSL deserve the win more. They are clearly the better squad this season. However, game results aren’t based on paper but how the teams play on any given day. Upsets make sports thrilling to watch, and the USOC Final could be another upset in the making.
It should be an intense battle with both teams resting their best players. However, it could easily become a blowout as well. United has the chance of upsetting RSL. Once the final whistle is sounded on Tuesday after 90 minutes, we will know who wins the 2013 U.S. Open Cup Title, but until then the final score is up in the air.
Phil Naegely is a soccer writer for Rant Sports. Like him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @PnaegelyRS, and add him on Google.
