This story was submitted by reader Patrick Shea, who got a chance to talk with some folks after the Portland Timbers' win over Real Salt Lake a while back at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The winners of these games will face each other. Perhaps we'll be adding an asterisk to this year's Rocky Mountain Cup competition if we see Real Salt Lake in Commerce City on June 24 or 25.
Hold your horses, however. Orlando City (USL Pro, tier 3) spanked the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL, tier 2) 4-1 to earn a trip to Colorado on June 17. Remember, the Lions dispatched the Rapids last year, and the club will be jumping from the third-tier USL Pro to MLS in 2015. Against the Rowdies, Kevin Molino scored twice. Austin da Luz added a goal in the 22nd minute, and Adama Mbengue pumped in another. It was 4-0 at halftime. Molino has been called up for friendlies with Trinidad and Tobago.
Cinderella can dance all night.
"We're not even close to that yet," Borchers said. "We've got to worry about Atlanta first. Of course, we always like the chance to win some silverware. But it's not an easy road when you're starting in Atlanta cross-country. We'll give it everything we've got."
"We've struggled against USL teams," Borchers said, "partly because we don't know the teams very well."
Borchers might not know where all the teams fall in the theoretical pecking order, but he understands it doesn't matter.
"Those teams get up for it," Borchers said. "They battle. They're really tough games. It's not going to be an easy game."
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Matt Pollard 