If you thought that world class football ended after the World Cup, then you have been ignoring the wonderful action and the fantastic stories that have been brewing here in the 2010 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

These cup ties have been exciting to watch on the internet, listen to on the internet, or following a live blog on the internet. Another match for Miami FC had to be won during stoppage time. A one goal lead stood from the middle of the first half all the way to the end of regulation. Or how about a side that has been down and out of luck since the season started and somehow have found a way to get two positive results in the first two rounds of the US Open Cup.

NSC MINNESOTA STARS 0:1 AC ST. LOUIS
This expansion side that got started in this new US Soccer Division II league has had bad luck written all over it. We already heard of the financial troubles this side got themselves into. They were forced to cut loose their WPS Side in the Athletica. Local hero Steve Ralston was allowed to return to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer & now using emergency funds to pay their players.

But in two consecutive rounds of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup it would be AC St. Louis with a one goal win and now will face their toughest test in round three proper as they will face the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center. A 35th minute tally by Mike Ambersley stood and a major upset has happened once again with this miracle side.

You can have a crap league season, but once you get to a FA Cup tournament and steal some wins, you can have some form of hope to save the season. So far AC St. Louis has done it.

MIAMI FC 2:1 FC TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (A.E.T.)
All I can say about Miami FC is that when they get into extra time, that’s when they win the match. How fitting in this new chapter of the Florida Derby that these two sides met up in the US Open Cup and played a great match.

Paulo Araujo Jr. continued his hot scoring as he converts a second minute tally off the cross bar and put in the rebound off the shot from Christian Gomez. But Yendry Diaz converts the equalizer in the 82nd minute to force extra time. That’s when former FC Dallas striker Abe Thompson took a penalty in the 98th minute and converted it to advance into round three.

HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS 1:0 L.I. ROUGH RIDERS
It was a 33rd minute tally from Geoff Bloes that gave the Islanders the win and a gutsy performance in net by former New York Red Bulls keeper Danny Cepero. With this win Cepero will be looking for revenge from the club that cut him from spring training , after he became the first keeper in Major League Soccer to score a goal back in 2008 against the Columbus Crew

OTHER ROUND 2 SCORES
Richmond Kickers 3:1 Real Maryland
Charleston Battery 2:1 Carolina Railhawks
Rochester Rhinos 3:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Austin Aztex 3:1 Arizona Sahuaros
Kitsap Pumas 0:4 Portland Timbers

ROUND 3 MATCH-UPS

Tuesday, June 29th
#25 Harrisburg City Islanders Vs New York Red Bulls 7:00PM EDT
At Skyline Sports Complex, Harrisburg, PA.

#26 DC United Vs Richmond Kickers 7:30PM EDT
At George Mason Stadium, Fairfax, VA.

#27 Chicago Fire Vs Charleston Battery 7:30PM CDT
At Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL.

#28 Columbus Crew Vs Rochester Rhinos 7:30PM EDT
At Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH

#29 Los Angeles Galaxy Vs AC St. Louis 7:30PM PDT
At Home Depot Center, Carson, CA

#30 Houston Dynamo Vs Miami FC 7:30PM CDT
At Robertson Stadium, Houston, TX

#31 CD Chivas-USA Vs Austin Aztex 7:30PM PDT
At California State-Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

Wednesday, June 30th
#32 Portland Timbers Vs Seattle Sounders FC 7:00PM PDT
At PGE Park, Portland, OR

Feuerstein’s Fire World Cup Re-Cap Algeria Vs USA show 1 hour
Wednesday, June 23rd 1:00PM EDT – 10:00AM PDT
Guest: Kartik Krishnaiyer of World Cup Buzz Podcasts

US Open Cup Round 2 Proper Re-Cap show 1 hour
Thursday, June 24th 8:00PM EDT – 5:00PM PDT
Guests: Brian Quarstad of Inside Minnesota Soccer
Mikey Buytus Charleston Battery Supporter