Coin Toss To Contention; RBNY v. Union To Start US Open Cup Play In

By: Dave Martinez | March 4th, 2010

Philadelphia-union You’ve got to love the MLS rule book. From discovery claims to draft picks, they have more bureaucracy and guidelines than the federal tax code. They play by their own rules; foregoing youth academies for draft picks, reserve leagues for an expanded roster, even the international calender year to play in the damning heat of an American summer.

So why should qualification to a play-in tournament be any different? . . . oh wait. I think I could have added “play in tournament” to the list above too! Hmmm.

Anyhow. Yesterday, it was the hand of VP of Marketing and Sales, Andrew Lafiosca, that decided the Red Bulls fate. And that fate rested on a single coin toss. Win, and you are named the home team for the first game of the play in tournament. Lose, and your home advantage will be but a dream. Andy called heads, and the tri-state area cheered.

That is how the Bulls wound up as the home team against MLS expansion side Philadelphia. After losing their toss, the Union considered changing their name to Failedelphia. Discussions are still underway on that front.

The road ahead is not an easy one. The Bulls will need seven victories (3 to just play in to the tournament, 4 once they are actually qualified) in order to sniff a championship. But the fact that New England lost its home team advantage to a coin toss allows the possibility for the Bulls to open the first two rounds as the home side.

Hosting Philadelphia is huge. This is anticipated to be one of the fiercest rivalries in the league, and what a better way to start things off than with a one and done qualification round?

Dates will be announced shortly.

What do you think? Share your thoughts below.

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