It's another day in the land of American Soccer where we are questioning the motives of Major League Soccer and the reasons why they want to disrespect and shelve the Open Cup. We are also wondering why US Soccer once again bowed down to the might of MLS when they should've continued to put their foot down, not allowing the first division league to dictate their terms no matter what.
Photo from For Soccer
Once again, the only ones who promote the cup are those writers here at Beyond the 90, the great writers at the cup .us. and other bloggers who consider this cup competition part of the fabric that makes this game so great. The one tournament that binds American Soccer as a whole to give David's a test against the goliaths of the game here in the country. MLS marketing department Soccer United Marketing had the job of promoting US Soccet; they barely lifted a finger to give the Open Cup any respect whatsoever.
But now I just learned that a similar cup competition trophy was making the rounds on the streets of New York City. England's FA Cup trophy was taking a visit and promoting their Fifth Round matches. Alexis Guerrero of Morning Footy on CBS Sports Golazo Network was seen going around different businesses to introduce the silverware to many people. Former US Men's National Team goalkeeper, current NBC Sports Studio Analyst of the Premier League, and now soon to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Tim Howard was hosting watch parties in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan.
So it's time to talk a little turkey here to MLS, USL, NISA, NPSL, amateur leagues, and US Soccer. When will we have a trophy tour of the US Open Cup Trophy? In fact, why can't we have a trophy tour for the Lamar Hunt Cup, and while we are at it, why can't the former Dewar Cup also join in on a possible journey across the country and share the love and history of the Open Cup? Talking about the Open Cup is not enough anymore; actions speak louder than words, and when there is only one-way traffic with certain leagues' actions, it's always toward the negative.
Tim Howard took the FA Cup trophy to Madison Square Garden for New York Knicks Guard Josh Hart to take a look at because he is a Chelsea fan. Drove to Long Island toward a New York Islanders U.K. fan group to get a look at the trophy. John Olivier had a moment while in his dressing room at the Beacon Theater. Finally, Tim Howard had an interview with WNYW FOX 5 Sports reporter and my friend Tina Cervasio while at a soccer shop standing next to the FA Cup itself and many others. So, the English FA was able to give their famed FA Cup trophy a beautiful tour around New York City, but our US Open Cup doesn't get that luxury?
How are we supposed to grow the game and the tournament if US Soccer and all the leagues don't do their job to show the actual trophy and the reason why every soccer player wants to fight for it; then what's the point of saying we care, or we want more for the tournament its self. When CBS Sports took over the broadcast for the Semi-Finals and the Championship Final, the production work and the editing job to discuss the Open Cup was brilliant. Peter Radovich Jr. stepped up as no other executive producer has ever done. He knew what was important and showcased the cup in last season's Championship Final when Inter Miami hosted the Houston Dynamo.
That's all we need to see. We need more care and more positives to show why this tournament matters. Why this sport truly matters and the reasons for playing for a trophy like the Lamar Hunt Cup. I have seen trophy tours involving the CONCACAF Gold Cup, The FIFA World Cup, and the NHL's Stanley Cup. It's breathtaking and inspiring that those types of trophies our professional athletes want to play for, and the fans of those clubs, want to revel in the celebrations with them as well.
So all I ask from US Soccer and all of our leagues is to start a trophy tour every season to all corners of our great land, all forty-eight states on the mainland, and a visit to Alaska and Hawaii. If London comes calling, then let's take a trip and show them we have our version of the FA Cup, and maybe bring back the Dewar Cup to visit the home or the family of Sir Thomas Dewar and show them it's been taken good care of. That's what it means to grow the game the proper way. It's time to get it right for once and no longer hide it in the dark corner of the room.
That would be great. In 2013 when D.C. United played the Richmond Kickers (at City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia), they took their two USOC cups. They let the fans take pictures with the trophies … even the Kickers fans lined up! That game ended in a tie, and it was only the USL team that required penalty kicks to decide the game with D.C. United. The subsequent four MLS teams fell to United that year in the open cup. That year United only won three MLS regular season games. That 2013 championship is pretty special.
Where does the budget to promote the FA Cup come from? Somebody is paying for Tim Howard's time, the camera and production crews, and the shipping, handling, and insurance of the trophy itself! It's hard to imagine the Premier League having the unity and motive to fund this FA Cup tour, so the $$ must be coming from somewhere else!