USL unveils Open Cup qualifying format
Layout similar to 2007, but changes made to PDL
USOPENCUP.COM
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http://www.usopencup.com/home/242053.html

The qualifying format for the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will
look a lot like the 2007 format, according to the United Soccer
Leagues Web site.

An official announcement hasn't been made by U.S. Soccer, which runs
the tournament.

Each league participating in the Open Cup this year - Major League
Soccer, USL First and Second Divisions, Premier Development League
and the United States Adult Soccer Association - will have eight
entries, marking the first time every league will have the same
number of teams entered.

As has been previously reported by Major League Soccer team news
releases, MLS again will use the play-in system that was introduced
in 2007. It was the first year that the country's top flight
scheduled separate matches to narrow the number of clubs down to
eight. The details of all of the play-in matches have not yet been
released.

Once again, every U.S.-based USL First Division team will take part
in the tournament - last year, two of those clubs advanced to the
Open Cup semifinals (Seattle Sounders, Carolina RailHawks). As
defending USL Second Division champions, the Harrisburg City
Islanders are assurred a place in the tournament, but the remaining
eight teams will battle for the seven remaining spots. The standings
will be based on the same "point percentage" system that has been
used for the last three years.

The major change for USL qualifying is found in the Premier
Development League. The number of qualifying teams remains at eight,
but how the teams will qualify will change. The Eastern and Central
conferences each will send its top two teams, while the remaining
four entries will be determined by division play. The best team from
the Mid-South, Southeast, Northwest, and Southwest divisions will
punch their ticket for the tournament. The standings are based on
results from pre-determined league games through May 26 that will
double as Open Cup qualifiers.

USASA qualifying remains unchanged, with each of the four regions
sending their top two teams to the Open Cup.



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2008 U.S. Open Cup
Participants
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MLS (8 teams): Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, DC United,
Chivas USA, FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls. Two teams to qualify
through play-in games.

USL-1 (8 teams): Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Charleston
Battery, Miami FC Blues, Minnesota Thunder, Portland Timbers,
Rochester Rhinos, Seattle Sounders.

USL-2 (8 teams): Harrisburg City Islanders (defending league
champion). Seven teams to advance through qualifying.

PDL (8 teams): Top two teams from the Eastern Conference and the
Central Conference. Top team from Mid-South, Southeast, Northwest,
Southwest divisions.

USASA (8 teams): Top two teams from each of the four regions.