On paper, the Utah Blitzz have no business stepping onto the field with the Portland Timbers tonight. The Timbers are bigger, faster and simply better than the Blitzz. Case in point, 30-year-old Fadi Afash was released by Portland at the start of the season to clear roster space for a younger player, and now he's Utah's best striker.

Fortunately for the Blitzz, soccer isn't played on paper, and in their case, it's played on synthetic grass and shredded tires where anything can happen.

History, records and trends are irrelevant when Utah hosts Portland in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 7:30. The winner advances to next month's fourth round against the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS. The Blitzz are itching for a shot against the big boys. Utah's only game against an MLS team was a 4-0 exhibition loss during its inaugural season in 2000.

"For us, with as much success as we've had, (the Open Cup) is certainly something we feel we haven't achieved our full potential," said Utah coach Chris Agnello. "Our goal has always been to get an MLS team in here when something is on the line. That's a thirst that needs to be quenched."

First, however, the Blitzz must figure out how to beat the Timbers.

Utah is actually 2-0 against the A-League team from the Northwest, with a pair of wins in previous Open Cup competitions. Both of those wins came several years ago, before injuries and age began catching up with the Blitzz.

The Blitzz's record is 7-5-3 this year competing in the Pro Select League. Conversely, Portland is 8-4-0 competing in the A-League, a notch higher than Utah's league.

If previous games against upper-division teams are any indicator, the Blitzz will likely play a very cautious, defensive brand of soccer during the first 60 or so minutes to keep things close.

"The Open Cup is a special event," said Agnello. "If you can get to that next round and play the division above you, and in our case two divisions, it's exciting. It adds a certain element of excitement that may not exist at the league level."

The U.S. Open Cup, which crowns the top teams in American soccer, runs concurrently with Utah's PSL season, and includes 40 teams from three professional leagues and a pair of amateur leagues.

Through the years, the Blitzz have had mixed Open Cup results.

During its expansion year in 2000, the Blitzz failed to qualify for the Open Cup. In 2001 Utah lost in the second round to Milwaukee of the A-League, and then in 2002 bowed out to another A-League team, Seattle, in the second round.

Last year the Blitzz were blasted by Fresno 4-0 in the first round.

ENDLINES: Even though Afash plays with the Blitzz, he still lives in Portland and trains with his former Portland teammates.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com