RSL draws Sounders for U.S. Open Cup

Real Salt Lake will begin its quest to qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, April 28, with an away match at the Seattle Sounders. The top six point getters in the MLS regular season automatically qualify for the tournament, whereas the other eight U.S.-based teams have a mini playoff for the remaining two automatic MLS berths.

The winner of the Seattle-RSL match faces the winner Colorado-L.A. Galaxy match at a yet-to-be-determined date, wit the winner advancing to the U.S. Open Cup. The other play-in bracket features New York, San Jose, FC Dallas and D.C. United.

The U.S. Open Cup is an annual single-elimination competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.

Real Salt Lake kicks off the 2009 regular season on March 28 at Seattle as well. Its first home game is slated for Saturday, April 4 against defending champion Columbus.