2012 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Maryland Qualifying down to four with Christos FC, Charm City wins

Posted on 17. Feb, 2012 by Steven Bayley in Uncategorized

Christos FC and Charm City emerged victorious in the first round of the Maryland state tournament in 2012 US Open Cup qualifying action.  Christos moves on to play Maryland Bays in the semifinals while Charm City will take on Baltimore Juniors FC.  The semis will take place at Western Regional Park, Field #5 on Sunday February 19.

Christos and the Bays will be kicking things off at 11 a.m. with the Charm City contest against Baltimore Juniors following immediately after at approximately 1 p.m. The state championship match will be held two weeks later, March 4, at the same location at 1 p.m.

Christos FC defeated Baltimore Kickers 3-1 in the opening round this past Sunday amid tough conditions and a frozen pitch with temperatures below freezing.  With winds gusting at 25 miles per hour, it was a rough going in the first half. Christos, however, carried the run of play throughout and were rewarded for their efforts via a goal from Benny Kujawa.

Ryan Sears knotted the game at 1-1 when he connected for Baltimore.

In the second half Christos made their superior quality felt and cashed in on chances from Glenn Leitch and Daniel Ankrah to take the 3-1 win.  Christos moves on to face 2011 Maryland US Open Cup champion Maryland Bays.

On the other side of the bracket, Charm City manhandled a thoroughly outclassed and inexperienced Juniors United FC side, making their USASA Open Cup debut. The match finished 9-1, even with Charm City making six substitutions at the half.

Open Cup competition proved to be too big a step up in quality from the Cosmopolitan League for Junior United, and credit to Charm City for handling themselves with class throughout.

Charm City opened the scoring on the eight-minute mark with Noah Merl slotting home a goal from Scott Zakroski.  The tone was set. After Pat Crawford connected in the 14th and Lou Burnetti in the 32nd, Tarik Walker slammed a penalty kick home from the spot to head to the break up 4-0.

Josh Robinson and Ben Delisle each tallied twice for Charm City in the second half and Wiji Jones got in on the action in the 81st minute as well.

Juniors United’s lone tally was a penalty.  Charm City will take on Baltimore Juniors FC in the second game of the semifinals this Sunday.

Maryland USASA Open Cup First Round

Western Regional Park, – Woodbine, MD

Christos FC 3:1 Baltimore Kickers

Christos: Benny Kujawa
Baltimore: Ryan Sears
Christos: Glenn Leitch
Christos: Daniel Ankrah

Charm City 9:1 Juniors United FC

Charm City: Noah Merl (Scott Zakroski) 8
Charm City: Pat Crawford (Mike Svhela) 14
Charm City: Lou Burnetti (Noah Merl) 32
Charm City: Tarik Walker penalty 45
Charm City: Ben Delisle (Wiji Jones) 66
Charm City: Josh Robinson (Wiji Jones) 67
Charm City: Ben Delisle (Josh Robinson) 73
Charm City: Wiji Jones (Todd Clingan) 81
Juniors United: Josh Robinson penalty 89

Maryland USASA Open Cup Semifinals
Sunday, February 19
Western Regional Park, – Woodbine, MD

Christos FC vs. Maryland Bays – 11 a.m.
Baltimore Juniors FC vs. Charm City FC – 1 p.m.