If a US Open Cup quarter-final takes place and nobody sees it, does it really happen?

Tonight, MLS' two most storied franchises face-off in yet another knockout grudge match, as the Fire travel to Maryland to take on DC United in the Open Cup.

Yet not only is the tie of the round not on television, online video streaming was not planned by the Fire, DC United or US Soccer (last minute efforts are being made by Section 8 Chicago to co-ordinate a webcast at the time of writing).

This blackout demonstrates short-sighted vision and a lack of planning by US Soccer, who did not respond when asked yesterday by Backdraft for comment. A tournament that could be central to showcasing the joy and drama of knockout soccer, and the depth of the game across the country, is dying due to failures of marketing and promotion such as that shown in this instance.

In the case of the Fire, it's particularly disappointing. For if there's one team and one set of supporters that has shown a commitment to the Open Cup deserving of its long history, it's Chicago, who have dominated the tournament in the modern era.

It's not as if online video streaming would be novel. The Fire's two previous Open Cup games, in Peoria and Chicago, were both streamed online. The previous game was broadcast by the Cleveland City Stars, a USL-2 team who were able to gather the resources to put together a webcast that was welcomed by many Fire fans unable to make it to the game.

What do the Fire have to say about this?

Gregg Elkin, their VP for Communications, told Backdraft that "The Fire wishes all of our games can be televised, unfortunately situations arise where a broadcast is not possible." Elkin added that, "Obviously, the technology exists today for games to be broadcast games via the internet. However, if the Fire is going to produce such a webcast, it would, and will be, of the highest quality. We are not going to put forth a product to our fans that is done with only one camera or does not have professional announcers."

"We wish tonight's game was available for people to watch," Elkin continued. "As an alternative, the game can be listened to in English and Spanish via the D.C. United stations and the action can be followed by the MLS Match Tracker system at mlsnet.com.

"As the organization looks to the future, webcasts and an overall improvement of our website is a priority," Elkin said.

Meanwhile, Section 8 Chicago has made it a priority to try and get video coverage of the game online tonight. Please check back here later for details.

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6 Comments

El Guapo July 08, 2008	How does U.S. Soccer expect fans to really embrace the U.S. Open Cup especially now with a Champions spot on the line that they cannot get at least online video of this match. I cannot comprehend the lack of initiavtive from the Fire and D.C United. We have a billion dollar owner who could just make a call and have the highest quality of video equipment at the game in a heart beat. I thought he knew that we have won this tournament four times now. It took members of the ISA (Section 8) to make this happen. When it does happen I cannot wait to write a letter and make phone calls to the media contacts that I know. This is going to be all over the press. After tonight there should be an opening at the VP of comunications.
Jesse(S*L) July 08, 2008	So how are we gonna be able to watch the game?
Tom Dunmore July 08, 2008	We're not, unfortunately.
Pattrick July 08, 2008	see Tom we could be driving to DC right now....
Acme July 08, 2008	Bullshit say nothing answer. Gregg, you embarrass me, and that doesn't make me happy. That a college that isn't even playing the game they are streaming and a USL2 team can out preform you at your job should be embarrassing to you.
Joe C July 08, 2008	He's got a point about announcers, if i wanted to hear someone talk to himself i'd call my uncle. But why should we have to suffer through the other team's broadcast? As it is, it only means an extra 5-6 games if we go all the way. I think the embarrassment is that the fans might take this more seriously than some of the brass.