By Jimmy LaRoue

For anyone who’s tried to keep up with U.S. Open Cup coverage, TheCup.us has been the best resource, by far, for this, and it’s thanks in large part to the efforts of Josh Hakala, the senior editor and creator of the site.

Through the fundraising website indiegogo, he’s trying to raise $10,000 to make improvements to the site and enhance its already outstanding coverage of the U.S. Open Cup.

For instance, if you’re not already following along to the site’s coverage of The First Cup, check out the latest installment and then go back through the others on the site.

I’m a bit biased here because I’ve known Josh for a number of years and know just how much of his own time he’s put into what is already a comprehensive U.S. Open Cup resource.

But that shouldn’t stop anyone with the means to donate money to the cause, or, in absence of that, donate time or other expertise to help out with the site. It’s a one-stop location for a treasure-trove of information about a tournament that deserves more attention and respect throughout the U.S. soccer landscape. With as much as the site does now, by reaching the fundraising goal here, TheCup.us plans a site upgrade, as well as funding historical research on the U.S. Open Cup and putting together a more visual history of the tournament, among other things.

Here’s more information on the TheCup.us fundraising campaign and how it will work. So far, it has raised $900 from 27 donors in the time in which it has been active. The campaign, as of Thursday, Jan. 24, has 27 days left to meet its $10,000 goal.

If you’re so inclined, here’s a great soccer-related cause to help out with, in whatever manner you can.