US Open Cup Update

The US' oldest soccer tournament is down to five teams - with the last quarterfinal match scheduled for July 21st. With a ton of action over the past few weeks - World Cup & the MLS and several new tournaments about to kick off - CONCACAF Champions League & SuperLiga - the US Open Cup still remains in the background. This tournament has such great potential with its long history if it could just get more support from the MLS and get a TV contract. With that being said here is a recap of the 3rd and 4th rounds.

Final 16:

•  Harrisonburg City Islanders 1-0 New York Red Bulls
• DC United 2-0 Richmond Kickers
• Charleston Battery 0-0 Chicago Fire - Charleston 3-0 on penalties
• Columbus Crew 1-0 Rochester Rhinos
• Chivas USA 1-0 Austin Aztex
• Houston Dynamo 1-0 Miami FC
• LA Galaxy 2-0 AC St. Louis
• Seattle Sounders 1-1 Portland Timbers - Seattle 4-3 on penalties

Quarterfinals:

• Harrisonburg City Islanders vs. DC United - Scheduled for July 21st
• Columbus Crew 3-0 Charleston Battery
• Chivas USA 3-1 Houston Dynamo
• Seattle Sounders 2-0 LA Galaxy

Semi-Finals:

• Columbus Crew vs. Harrisonburg/DC United winner
• Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders

Of the remaining teams Columbus would look the clear favorite on paper, but the Crew are most likely to put forth the B-team in this tournament with the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS action on the schedule during the same weeks. Chivas and Seattle are also in additional tournaments of their own this summer, leaving DC United as the sole MLS club only focused on the Cup (in addition to league play). I think DC United will push forward if they make it to the final four as this is their best chance for hardware this year after a horrible start in the MLS. 

Thoughts? Predictions?