I thought it was guaranteed away unless Stars the league ponies up $15k for the "right". If both pay its a coin toss and away teams money returned.
No joke, this is the most Mickey Mouse operation I have ever seen. Where can you find out information on how later rounds' home/away status is determined? I know it used to be determined by bid, but I thought they got rid of that in part.
The twitter machine tells me that the draw will be made today for round 3. Who are we hoping for, KC or Chicago?
Edit: Ok, I found it buried: "All hosts will pay the USSF 15% of any gross receipts over $100,000. In addition, in Round 3, the hosts must pay the federation a $12,000 fee in advance, which increases in to $18,000 in Round 4, and $25,000 in the Quarterfinals."
http://thecup.us/ussf-announces-monumental-format-changes-to-2012-us-open-cup/