MLS: U.S. Open Cup participants announced

Eight teams to participate in U.S. Open Cup

Defending U.S. Open Cup champion D.C. United will be among the eight MLS teams vying for the 1997 championship, the league announced today. Four teams from the Eastern Conference (D.C. United, New England, Tampa Bay and the MetroStars) and four from the Western Conference (Colorado, Dallas, Kansas City and San Jose) will compete. Columbus and Los Angeles will not participate due to scheduling difficulties. Here is the schedule for the 1997 U.S. Open Cup:

Round	Dates	Matchups
First	June 18-24	8 D3 Pro League teams vs. 4 Premier/4 USASA teams
Second	July 2-8	Round one winners vs. 8 A-League teams
Third	July 23-331	Round two winners vs. 8 MLS teams
Quarterfinals	August 13-21	Round three winners
Semifinals	August 30	Quarterfinal winners
*Championship	Sept. 1	If a non-MLS team reaches the final
*Championship	Sept. 7	If both teams are from MLS

Exhibition Results Dallas fell to its A-League affiliate, the El Paso Patriots, 2-1 in a shootout in an exhibition match played June 11 in El Paso. Wade Webber opened the scoring for Dallas, but former Kansas City and Columbus forward Ricci Greenwood equalized for the Patriots in the second half…. Tampa Bay defeated its A-League affiliate, the Jacksonville Cyclones, 2-1 in an exhibition June 11 in Jacksonville.

MLS notes

Dallas will loan forward Damian Alvarez to 1997 Mexican league champion Chivas of Guadalajara following the completion of the MLS season (Alvarez will return to Dallas after the 1998 Torneo Verano). In return, Chivas will travel to Dallas to play the Burn in an exhibition later this summer…. Chivas will also face the Colorado Rapids in an exhibition, which will be played July 16 at Mile High Stadium…. Kansas City defender Scott Uderitz is out for the season following additional surgery on his left knee…. Tampa Bay has loaned defender David Moxom to its A-League affiliate in Jacksonville for the Cyclones match against the Nashville Metros this weekend.