UPDATE: Results from the rest of Round 1
The opening weekend of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament is in the books with 10 East Coast teams punching their ticket to Round 2. 20 amateur clubs from the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and one from US Club Soccer squared off between Saturday and Sunday to determine which teams would take another step toward qualifying for the 103rd edition of the US Open Cup.
The remainder of the opening round will take place Oct. 24-25, with the second planned for mid-November. After the third round (scheduled for April 1-2, 2016) is complete, eight teams will emerge to join 15 Premier Development League teams and 13 National Premier Soccer League teams in next year’s competition.
Below is a summary of each open division qualifying game with the updated schedule (full match reports will be added):
SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 2015
Southie FC (MA) 2:0 Battery Park Gunners (MA)
With a noon start on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Battery Park Gunners hosting Southie FC was officially the first qualifying game of the season. In the end, it was an early goal off a set piece that proved to be the game-winner as Southie FC headed home a goal in the 18th minute and added another to win the game 2-0. This was Southie’s second attempt at qualifying for the tournament after falling in the Massachusetts state semifinals the year before. The team that beat them 6-2 that day is the same team they will host in Round 2: Global Premier Soccer Omens (Nov. 15, 4 p.m. ET). FULL MATCH REPORT
Salone FC (EAST PA) 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EAST PA)
Salone FC edged fellow Philadelphia area club Vereinigung Erzgebirge 1-0 to advance to Round 2. It was a defensive battle until Salone finally broke through in the 81st minute when a loose ball was tapped-in from close range to give the Philadelphia Premier Soccer League team the victory. VE, who qualified for the Open Cup in 2002 will have wait until next year, while Salone FC moves on to host United Soccer League of Pennsylvania opponent in West Chester United on Nov. 15. FULL MATCH REPORT
Aromas Café FC (DC/VA) 3:1 Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (WEST PA)
Aromas Cafe from Virginia were making their first attempt to qualify for the US Open Cup and they were victorious in their opener against the Tartan Devils Oak Avalon, 3-1. Aromas opened the scoring in the 40th minute with Price Thomas. Just after halftime, #6 converted a penalty kick to double the lead in the 48th minute. Seven minutes later, Travis McKenzie pulled one back for the Pittsburgh-based club, but the Devils had a stroke of bad luck in the 70th minute. One of their players, Frye, had to leave the game due to injury and the Devils didn’t have any substitutes available, so they played shorthanded for the remainder of the game. Tartan held strong until the 90th minute when Thomas scored his second goal against the 10-man Devils to put the game away. Aromas will host another local team, the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks, in Round 2 on Nov. 15 in Crozet, Va. FULL MATCH REPORT
Junior Lone Star FC (EAST PA) 1:2 (AET) West Chester United (EAST PA)
It was another Philadelphia Premier Soccer League vs. United Soccer League of Philadelphia matchup when West Chester United hosted Junior Lone Star in Wayne, Pa. The two teams needed overtime to decide it and it was a controversial one. After a scorless first half, the two teams traded long-distance goals early in the second half but regulation would finish tied at 1-1. It appeared as though the match was going to a penalty kick shootout, but instead, United was awarded a disputed penalty kick in the 116th minute and that would prove to be the difference. West Chester has represented Eastern Pennsylvania at the regional tournament in each of the last three years, but have fallen short each time. They advance to Round 2 to play at Salone FC on Nov. 15. FULL MATCH REPORT
Jersey Shore Boca (NJ) 2:1 South Jersey Elite Barons (NJ)
Another match was decided on a late penalty kick as 2012 qualifier Jersey Shore Boca edged the South Jersey Elite Barons 2-1. The Barons struck first in the 25th minute, but Boca would equalize and in the 90th minute earned a penalty kick that they converted to move on to Round 2. There they will have a tall task as they head into the city to take on the three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms on Nov. 14. FULL MATCH REPORT
Lansdowne Bhoys FC (EAST NY) 3:0 Newtown Pride FC (CT)
A new powerhouse from New York’s famed Cosmopolitan League is hoping to follow up their Eastern New York Open Cup championship a year ago with a berth in the 2016 US Open Cup. The Lansdowne Bhoys began that journey with a 3-0 home win over the Newtown Pride FC. They will head to New England for Round 2 as they take on Worcester FC on Nov. 14.
SUNDAY, OCT. 18, 2015
Global Premier Soccer Omens (MA) 5:0 Boston Olympiakos FC (MA)
Global Premier Soccer Omens had an easy day at the office as they defeated a shorthanded Boston Olympiakos squad and won 5-0. Boston were unable to field a full squad and after starting the match with eight players, they would eventually add two more and play most of the match with 10 men. GPS, who has qualified for the Open Cup in each of the last three years, will play at Southie FC on Nov. 15 in Round 2. FULL MATCH REPORT
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD) 2:1 (AET) Maryland Bays (MD)
The Aegean Hawks, representing the Maryland side of the Washington D.C.-area these days, took on last year’s USASA Region I Open Cup champion, the Maryland Bays. On this day, it was the Hawks who avenged last year’s 4-0 loss in the Region I semifinals with a dramatic 2-1 extra time win. After a scoreless first half, the Bays converted a penalty kick five minutes after the restart, and it looked like they were going to survive but former Bucknell standout Patrick Selwood scored a stoppage time equalizer to send the match into extra time. Much like the Jersey Shore Boca / South Jersey Elite Barons match, it appeared like the match was heading to penalty kicks, but former Georgetown Hoya Scott Larrabee scored the game-winner with five minutes left in the extra frame. The Hawks will travel to Virginia to take on Aromas Cafe FC in Round 2 on Nov. 15. FULL MATCH REPORT
NY Greek American SC (EAST NY) 2:4 (AET) NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY)
With seven US Open Cup titles between them (Greeks with 4, Pancyprians with 3) and countless matches over the last several decades, the headline match of the opening round of qualifying was between the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and the New York Greek American SC at the historic Metropolitan Oval. Since 2003, one of these two powerhouses have won the Eastern New York Open Cup tournament in all but two years and the two powerhouses would need extra time to decide the latest meeting. After entering extra time tied at 2-2, Panagiotis Halkidis put the Freedoms in front in the 98th minute and Chris Megaloudis added his second of the game in the 114th minute to seal the deal. While they won the title three times in 1980, 1982 and 1983, but they haven’t qualified for the tournament since 2011. With the win, they will host Jersey Shore Boca on Nov. 14 at St. John’s University in Round 2. FULL MATCH REPORT
Worcester FC (MA) 2:0 Newport FC (RI)
Marcus Pizzetti struck twice before halftime to send Worcester FC to a 2-0 win over Newport FC on Sunday at Foley Stadium in Worcester, Mass. In their first Open Cup qualifying appearance, Worcester moves on to host Lansdowne Bhoys in a New York-New England battle in Auburn, Mass. on Nov. 14.
QUALIFYING: FIRST ROUND (All Times Eastern)
OCT. 17, 2015
Southie FC (MA) 1:0 Battery Park Gunners (MA)
Salone FC (EAST PA) 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EAST PA)
Aromas Café FC (DC/VA) 3:1 Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (WEST PA)
Junior Lone Star FC (EAST PA) 1:2 (AET) West Chester United (EAST PA)
Jersey Shore Boca (NJ) 2:1 South Jersey Elite Barons (NJ)
Lansdowne Bhoys FC (EAST NY) 3:0 Newtown Pride FC (CT)
OCT. 18, 2015
Global Premier Soccer Omens (MA) 5:0 Boston Olympiakos FC (MA)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD) 2:1 (AET) Maryland Bays (MD)
NY Greek American SC (EAST NY) 2:4 (AET) NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY)
Worcester FC (MA) 2:1 Newport FC (RI)
OCT. 24, 2015
NTX Rayados (NORTH TX) at Austin Real Cuauhtemoc (SOUTH TX)
San Gabriel Park; Georgetown, Texas – 4 p.m.
Colorado Rovers (CO) at Harpo’s FC (CO)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. – 6:30 p.m.
La Maquina (SOUTH CA) at Strikers FC South Coast (SOUTH CA)
Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center; Lake Forest, Calif. – 9 p.m.
San Nicolas FC (SOUTH CA) at Corinthians USA (SOUTH CA)
Rialto High School; Rialto, Calif. – 10 p.m.
Footballers Academy (SOUTH CA) at San Pedro Monsters FC (SOUTH CA)
Daniel’s Field; San Pedro, Calif. – 10 p.m.
Del Rey City SC (SOUTH CA) at LA Wolves FC (SOUTH CA)
Toyota Sports Complex; Torrence, Calif. – 11 p.m.
OCT. 25, 2015
Boca Raton FC (FL) at Real Miami Club of Football (FL)
St. John Bosco Football Stadium; Miami, Fla. – 4:30 p.m.
Colorado Rush (CO) at FC Boulder (CO)
Pleasant View Soccer Complex; Boulder, Colo. – 5 p.m.
El Farolito (NORTH CA) at San Francisco City FC (NORTH CA)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif. – 6 p.m.
Outbreak FC (SOUTH CA) at Buena Park FC (SOUTH CA)
John F. Kennedy High School; La Palma, Calif. – 6 p.m.
Charlotte Sporting Soccer Academy FC (NC) at Queen City United FC (NC)
West Mecklenburg Stadium; Charlotte, N.C. – 7 p.m.
Real Sociedad (SOUTH CA) at Ozzy’s Laguna FC (SOUTH CA)
East Los Angeles College; Monterey Park, Calif. – 7 p.m.
Red Force FC (FL) at Uruguay Kendall FC (FL)
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, Fla. – 8 p.m.
Davis Legacy (NORTH CA) at IFX Ballistic (NORTH CA)
Las Positas College; Livermore, Calif. – 8 p.m.
Valley United SC (SOUTH CA) at Cal FC (SOUTH CA)
Agoura High School; Agoura Hills, Calif. – 10 p.m.
Chula Vista FC (SOUTH CA) at Temecula Football Club (SOUTH CA)
Linfield Christian School; Temecula, Calif. – 10 p.m.
Tobacco Road FC (NC) at CD Motagua of New Orleans (LA)
NOTE: Tobacco Road FC withdrawn (Travel). CD Motagua advances to Round 2
KC Athletics (KS) at International Portland Select (OR)
NOTE: KC Athletics have withdrawn (Travel) IPS advances to Round 2
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QUALIFYING: SECOND ROUND (All Times Eastern)
GPS Omens (MA) at Southie FC (MA)
Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium; Lawrence, Mass. – Nov. 15, 4 p.m.
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Lansdowne Bhoys (EAST NY) at Worcester FC (MA)
Pappas Recreation Center; Auburn, Mass. – Nov. 14, 5 p.m.
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Jersey Shore Boca (NJ) at NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY)
Belson Stadium, St John’s University; Jamaica, N.Y. – Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
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West Chester United (EAST PA) at Salone FC (EAST PA)
Marcus Foster; Philadelphia, Pa. – Nov. 15, 4 p.m.
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Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD) at Aromas Cafe FC (DC/VA)
Western Allenade High School; Crozet, Va. – Nov. 15, 3 p.m.
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La Maquina / Strikers FC South Coast winner at Chula Vista FC
Eastlake High; Chula Vista, Calif. – Nov. 21, 11 p.m.
OR
La Maquina / Strikers FC South Coast winner at Temecula FC
Temecula Valley High School; Temecula, Calif. – Nov. 21, 10 p.m.
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Boca Raton FC / Real Miami winner at Uruguay Kendall FC
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, Fla. – Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
OR
Boca Raton FC / Real Miami winner at Red Force FC
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, Fla. – Nov. 22, 6 p.m.
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Colorado Rush / FC Boulder winner at Colorado Rovers
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. – Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.
OR
Colorado Rush / FC Boulder winner at Harpo’s FC
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. – Nov. 22, 12 p.m.
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Davis Legacy / IFX Ballistic winner at San Francisco City FC
Crocker Amazon Field; San Francisco, Calif. – Nov. 21, 4 p.m.
OR
Davis Legacy / IFX Ballistic winner at El Farolito
Boxer Stadium; San Francisco, Calif. – Nov. 22, 4 p.m.
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Valley United SC / Cal FC winner at LA Wolves FC
Mira Costa High School; Manhattan Beach, Calif. – Nov. 21, 10:30 p.m.
OR
Valley United SC / Cal FC winner at Del Rey City SC
St. Bernard High School; Playa Del Rey, Calif. – Nov. 22, 8:30 p.m.
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Outbreak FC / Buena Park FC winner at San Pedro Monsters FC
Daniel’s Field; San Pedro, Calif. – Nov. 21, 10 p.m.
OR
Outbreak FC / Buena Park FC winner at Footballers Academy
Orange County Great Park; Irvine, Calif. – Nov. 22, 11 p.m.
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San Nicolas FC / Corinthians USA winner at Ozzy’s Laguna FC
Santa Ana Stadium; Santa Ana, Calif. – Nov. 22, 7 p.m.
OR
San Nicolas FC / Corinthians USA winner at Real Sociedad
St. John Bosco Football Stadium; Bellflower, Calif. – Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
NOV. 21 or 22
Charlotte Sporting / Queen City United winner vs. CD Motagua (LA)
Site / Date TBD
NTX Rayados / Austin Real Cuauhtemoc winner vs. International Portland Select
Site / Date TBD
QUALIFYING: THIRD ROUND
April 1-2, 2016
US OPEN CUP FIRST ROUND: May 11, 2016