(To subscribers of Soccer America's MLS Confidential: Due to ongoing computer problems, we were unable to distribute via e-mail the Tuesday edition of MLS Confidential. The following is part of the Tuesday edition, which has been posted on our web site for your reading.)
The good news is Fox Sports World paid a rights fee to U.S. Soccer so the network could televise the Open Cup final live. That's a sign the tournament is growing in stature.
The bad news is with FSW locked into an 8 p.m. Eastern time slot, there was no way the Fire could host the final at Soldier Field, since TV commitments were in place for Mexico to play Uruguay at 8 p.m. Central (9 p.m. Eastern) to accommodate a live national broadcast on Telemundo.
An Open Cup/Mexico doubleheader could have drawn more than 40,000 but Fire fans would have had to arrive early for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
The Telemundo telecast of the Mexico game is being blacked out locally, yet no such restrictions will be in force for the Open Cup final. It will be televised live not only on FSW but also on the Metros' broadcast partner MSG.