I groused about the US Open Cup start time last week, a post that got me branded a rampant East Coast elitist; though that wasn't my intention (I should have simply stated that the final should be moved to a weekend), it is certainly discouraging that much of the country would need AM bedtimes to see the game (much less the trophy ceremony) in its entirety.


Consider me mollified on the selfish bit about the start time, because kickoff has been pushed from 8 PM PT to 7 PM PT.  The final should still be on a weekend, but at least those of us on the right side of the country will get an extra hour of sleep.  From Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer:

"In working with U.S. Soccer and Fox Soccer Channel to change the kickoff, we all decided this is in the best interest of the fans," said Sounders FC Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. "This is a Cup Final and whether it's the record crowd expected to be on hand in Seattle or those in Columbus and around the country watching on television, everyone involved wants as many people as possible to experience it."

Speaking of that record crowd, the Sounders have sold over 19,000 tickets to this point (per US Soccer) and with just about a month before the game, should have no trouble selling a few thousand more.  This means the game will likely break the attendance record for a final, set way back in 1929, as well as the modern era record set in 2000.  Seattle apparently cares about this trophy.


Hooray for earlier start times, and hooray for lots of people showing up for the final of a tournament that deserves better than it usually gets.   Also, go read Sounder at Heart's chat with TheCup.us lead dog Josh Hakala.  Josh states the very simple truth about the Open Cup: that it will take an investment in promotion to turn it into anything other than an afterthought.