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The qualifying process for the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the USL Second Division and Premier Development League comes to a close Memorial Day weekend. Five of the six USL-2 berths have been clinched and all eight PDL spots are still up for grabs going into the final days of qualifying.
Qualifying in the PDL is notoriously difficult, usually requiring teams to finish their four qualification matches with a perfect record. Some teams occasionally advance to the tournament with a draw on their record.
Three groups are very close to determining their participants for the tournament.
The Southeast is down to the simplest of scenarios as the current leader Central Florida Kraze visit Taurean Manders and the Bradenton Academics in a head-to-head showdown Monday for the final berth.
The Southwest’s berth will be earned by San Jose Frogs or the Los Angeles Legends with the outcome of LA’s match at home against San Fernando Valley Friday night being the decider. San Jose finished 3-0-1 and the Legends (2-0-1) will need a win by two goals to advance via the Goal Difference tiebreaker.
The Mid South’s berth is slightly more complicated, but a head-to-head showdown between the two current leaders Laredo and Austin (both 2-0-1) Friday night will like drive the outcome. A win by either the Aztex or Heat will eliminate the other, leaving Mississippi (1-0-1) in a scoring challenge in addition to earning victories. The Brilla, who visit Houston Saturday and DFW Sunday, currently trail Austin by four and Laredo by one in Goal Difference would have to make up the gap in their two road contests to move atop the table. A draw in Laredo Friday would bust the door wide open for Mississippi.
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