Their (F.A.) Cup Runneth Over - Not

The English F.A. Cup completed its 4th Round this weekend and there were some mixed feelings among the clubs and their fans.

The Cup is open to teams from the Premier League down to the low levels of semi-pro sides and theoretically one of these clubs of part-timers could knock off a Manchester United or Chelsea.  Sort of like the Lakewood Blue Claws, a Phillies Single A farm team, playing the Boston Red Sox in a play-off.  It never really happens but the fans can dream.

This raises the dilemma of whether it is better for one of the "minnows" as the lower level teams are called, playing a peer against whom they have a chance, but with a lower profit, or facing a Premier League side which would guarantee a large crowd and probable television money.  It's sort of like the lower level college Football Bowl Division teams playing the Ohio States, Florida States and Alabamas of the world in the opening weeks of the season.  In return for being cannon fodder, they get a big payday.  The difference is they have a choice.  In the Cup, there is a random draw after each round. 

Sam Borden has an interesting piece on this topic in today's New York Times.  For all the information on this tournament that dates back to 1871, see the Cup's website.  The 5th round begins February 15.