San Jose Open Cup clash awaits as Phoenix Rising looks to make history
History could be made this week by Phoenix Rising as the club seeks its first-ever win over Major League Soccer opposition in the U. S. Open Cup .
Rising travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes in the final match of this year’s third round at PayPal Park. It’s the first time the two sides have ever met in competitive play. “I know a lot of people will look at it and say we are underdogs,” Rising coach Pa-Modou Kah said.
“I never look at our team or myself as an underdog. We are equal once we step on the pitch. ” The Open Cup, organized by the U.
S. Soccer Federation since 1914, allows clubs at all levels of the game to compete in a single tournament. Based on a revised format due to the World Cup , 16 MLS teams are competing in this year’s edition of the cup.
They joined the 16 second round winners, made up of nine teams from USL Championship , six from USL League One and one from MLS NEXT Pro. “Everybody was excited [at the draw] because it’s an opportunity for some of us,” Rising forward Ihsan Sacko said. “We have some young players in the team, so it’s a big chance for us.
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