If you’re looking for the route that takes you directly to a berth in CONCACAF Champions League, look no further than the U.S. Open Cup, which, for the New England Revolution, kicks off on Wednesday night at Harvard.
A fourth-round match-up—which is to say, round of 32 in the nationwide elimination bracket—features a contest against the Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League side that’s struggling hard in its division. Through 10 league games, the Independence have collected just 12 points and sit below playoff contention.
That the Independence have had trouble hacking it in a division that’s nowhere near as competitive as Major League Soccer has no bearing on the threat they pose to the Revolution on Wednesday night.
The Independence’s roster is surprisingly eclectic despite its team’s struggles. It features Ghanaian midfielder Haminu Draman, who scored against the U.S. at the 2006 World Cup, in addition to a slew of former MLS players. There are even some former Revs in the crowd, including defender Bilal Duckett and midfielder Paolo DelPiccolo.
Then consider that the Revolution will purposefully not be at full strength. And that makes sense; with a critical match-up versus first place D.C. United coming up this weekend, the Revolution clearly have eyes on resting most if not all of their starters. Revolution coach Jay Heaps has already stated that Academy product Zach Herivaux will feature in the game. Don’t expect Bobby Shuttleworth to start in goal, either. Depending on the depth at each position, it won’t be a stretch to see the likes of Steve Neumann, Sean Okoli, Jeremy Hall, and Daigo Kobayashi earn significant minutes as well
But while giving the usual second-stringers a chance has its advantages, there are obvious sacrifices, too. Mainly that the group Heaps chooses to put on the field doesn’t have as much in-game, competitive experience.
On paper, the Revolution are certainly better than Charlotte. But the match-up will certainly be tighter with any kind of lineup changes that are made, especially since Charlotte, despite all of their struggles in USL, will be up for the game.
If you want to reach Julian email him at julianccardillo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @juliancardillo
