MORE on TheCup.us:
* 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup bracket
* 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup participant map
* TheCup.us’ 2012 Meet The USASA series
* Things you should know about the First Round

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Due to heavy rain, the match between FC Sonic Lehigh Valley and Long Island Rough Riders has been moved to the turf field at Whitehall High School.

The 99th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks off tonight with the First Round, which includes 16 games starting at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The opening round consists of 32 amateur teams from the USL’s Premier Development League (PDL), the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and one team from US Club Soccer (USCS). The winners of Tuesday night’s contests will earn a date with a lower division professional team in Round 2 the following Tuesday.

Join TheCup.us right here for a live blog as we will have live updates coming in from all 16 games from our correspondents  from coast to coast. To join the conversation, either enter the blog, or include #USOC in your tweets to share your thoughts or ask a question.

Also stay tuned for PotHunting trivia for your chance to win a throwback soccer shirt from PotHunting.com.

Follow TheCup.us on Twitter (@USOpenCup) for updated scores and news throughout the night (no play-by-play)

Here’s your guide to the entire First Round:

Croatian Eagles (USASA) at Chicago Fire PDL (PDL)
Toyota Park Practice Field; Bridgeview, Ill. – 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios:
If Eagles win … vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) Site TBA
If Chicago wins … home vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro)

Surprisingly, the Fire have had only two home game in their 10 Open Cup matches, playing on the road for the last four since hosting Bavarian SC in the First Round of 2009. Chicago and Wisconsin clubs have met six times in the Modern Pro Era, with Chicago teams leading the series split with 3 wins each (Milwaukee clubs are 2-2-0 vs. Chicago clubs). The Fire are 4-4 in the Open Cup. The Fire are one of three PDL clubs that enter the tournament without having kicked off their league campaign.  |  Meet the USASA – Croatian Eagles

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Chicago Fire PDL: 6-4-0 overall, 2-0-0 at home, 5-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 3 (2004, 2011), Last entry: 2011 (Round 3, Lost 3-1 at Sporting KC)
Croatian Eagles: 0-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 away, 0-1-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: 2006 (Qualifying Round, Lost 4-1 at Des Moines Menace), Last entry: 2006 (Qualifying Round, Lost 4-1 at Des Moines Menace)

NY Greek American Atlas SC (USASA) at Reading United AC (PDL)
Shirk Stadium, Albright College; Reading, Pa. – 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenario: Winner plays at Charleston Battery (USL Pro)

The Greeks are a four-time US Open Cup champion (1967-69, 1974) and are back in the tournament for the first time since 2005. They are trying to get in the win column for the first time in the Modern Era, sporting an 0-3 record since 1995, including two losses to PDL teams and a forfeit. Reading United, who are making their fourth straight tournament appearance and sixth overall, are looking for their first Open Cup victory (0-5-0). United have also not left the state of Pennsylvania for an Open Cup game since 2003. Reading opened their 2012 PDL season at home Saturday against the New Jersey Express. They got off to a fast start with a goal from Paul Wyatt in the first minute only to see the victory spoiled three minutes from time by a 1-1 equalizer.  |  Meet the USASA – NY GAA

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
NY Greek American Atlas: 0-3-0 overall, 0-2-0 at home, 0-2-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (3 times), Last entry: 2005 (Round 1, lost 3-0 vs. Ocean City Barons)
Reading United: 0-5-0 overall (0-3-0 as PDL), 0-1-0 at home (0-1-0 as PDL), 0-1-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (4 times), Last entry: 2011 (Round 1, Lost 2-1 at Harrisburg City Islanders)

Jacksonville United (NPSL) at Orlando City U-23s (PDL)
Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla. – 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenario: The winner hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL)

Orlando, formerly the Central Florida Kraze, are making their third straight appearance in the Open Cup. The defending NPSL champion, who has a number of players from Lynch’s Irish Pub, a 3-time Open Cup qualifier. Both teams (including the Lynch’s Irish Pub records) are seeking their first Open Cup win. After opening the season with a scoreless draw against Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy, Orlando City found plenty of offense over the weekend in a second meeting with a 6-0 trouncing. Four different players scored in the first half with Nicolas Russo adding two off the bench in the second. Jacksonville United, meanwhile, won their opener on the road, downing Mississippi Storm, 4-2. Over the weekend they drubbed visiting Myrtle Beach, 7-1.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Jacksonville United: N/A
Orlando City U23s: 0-4-0 overall, 0-1-0 at home, 0-1-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (4 times), Last entry: 2011 (Round 1, Lost 4-0 at Wilmington Hammerheads)

Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at FC Sonic Lehigh Valley (NPSL)
Whitehall High School; Whitehall, Pa. – 7:05 p.m. ET  << CHANGED 5/15/12
Broadcast: Local TV (Service Electric)
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)

Long Island returns to the Keystone State for the first time since losing to the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Second Round of the 2010 tournament. The Rough Riders made the Quarterfinals in 1997, but have gone 1-5 since then. This match marks the first time in the Modern Pro Era (1995-present) that the city of Bethlehem, PA, home of the five-time tournament champion Bethlehem Steel, has hosted an Open Cup game. FC Sonic finished 2nd in the NPSL’s Keystone Division last year, but qualified when division champion Erie Admirals declined to participate. Lehigh Valley begins its season next weekend and Long Island is one of three PDL clubs that has not opened the regular season campaign.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Long Island Rough Riders: 3-5-0 overall (1-2-0 as PDL), 1-4-0 away (0-2-0 as PDL), 2-2-0 vs. amateur clubs (1-0-0 as PDL), Best Finish: Quarterfinals (1997, Lost 1-0 after sudden death extra time vs. Metrostars), Last entry: 2010 (Round 2, Lost 1-0 at Harrisburg City Islanders)
FC Sonic Lehigh Valley: N/A

Carolina Dynamo (PDL) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA)
Maryland Soccerplex Stadium; Boyds, Md. – 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios:
If Aegean Hawks win … home vs. Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
If Carolina Dynamo win … play at Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)

The Dynamo are on the road for only the third time in 10 games since Macpherson Stadium opened in 2002. They are 1-3 in road games. It is the first home game for the Hawks in three appearances, who are seeking their first win. The Dynamo kicked off their campaign at home with a 5-1 win against Real Maryland. After giving up the opening goal eight minutes in Saturday, Shaun Sloan equalized two minutes later. Then Donnie Smith set up the next two streaks, including the first of two from Karo Okiomah.  |  Meet the USASA – Aegean Hawks

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Carolina Dynamo: 10-8-0 overall (5-3 as PDL), 2-6-0 away (0-1-0 as PDL), 6-1-0 vs. amateur clubs (2-0-0 as PDL), Best Finish: Quarterfinals (1996, Lost 2-0 at DC United), Last entry: 2011 (Round 1, Lost 3-1 vs. Charlotte Eagles)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks: 0-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 at home, 0-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (twice), Last entry: 2009 (Round 1, Lost 1-0 at Real Maryland Monarchs)

Jersey Shore Boca (USASA) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich. – 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)

Since 2000, the Bucks have hosted all but one game (6 of 7 games) against non-MLS opposition (Richmond Kickers, 2007). Michigan is 2-0 against amateur teams in the Open Cup, defeating Jerry D’s 6-0 in 2000 and Chaldean Arsenal 3-0 in 2001. The Bucks are among the trio of PDL clubs that will not begin the regular season prior to the First Round.  |  Meet the USASA – Jersey Shore Boca

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Jersey Shore Boca: N/A
Michigan Bucks: 9-7-1 overall, 6-4-1 (0-1 in PKs) at home, 2-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 3 (2006, Lost 4-1 vs. Columbus Crew), Last entry: 2008 (Round 1, Lost 2-1 vs. Cleveland City Stars)

Mississippi Brilla FC (PDL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL)
RYSA Soccerplex; Conyers, Ga. – 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios:
If Georgia wins … home vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
If Mississippi wins … at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)

In the First Round’s battle of the two most inexperienced teams, Mississippi lost in their only Open Cup appearance in 2009 (vs. USL First Division’s Austin Aztex) and the Revolution are making their debut. The winner will not be traveling far, as Mississippi would travel to play the Atlanta Silverbacks in the second round, while Georgia would be hosting Atlanta. Georgia opened its campaign with a bang, stomping Mississippi Storm, 7-1, on Saturday with goals from five different players, two from Kwadwo Poku, and an own goal. Brilla, on the other hand, fell at home, 1-0, to the Ocala Stampede in only the second loss at home in five years for the club.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Mississippi Brilla: 0-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (2009, Lost 2-0 at Austin Aztex), Last entry: 2009 Round 1 (Lost 2-0 at Austin Aztex)
Georgia Revolution: N/A

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
Memorial Field, Deering High School; Portland, Maine – 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro)

While TheCup.us does not have a record of every game of the last 98 years of the US Open Cup (most of them, but not all) and there is no record of a team from Maine participating in the US Open Cup. The Italians are a two-time Open Cup champion (1979, 1991). Brooklyn is also seeking their first win in the Pro Era, having lost in the first round the past two competitions. Brooklyn is off to a good start. They dropped visiting FC New York, 2-1, in the league opener and won 4-1 on the road against Mass United three days later. Over the weekend they picked up a 1-0 road win against the Rhode Island Reds to move to 3-0-0. GPS Portland kicked off their season Saturday, taking a 2-1 victory against visiting Vermont Voltage with an opener from Itode Fubara and the winner from Chris Banks.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Brooklyn Italians: 0-2-0 overall, 0-2-0 away, 0-1-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (twice), Last entry: 2011 (Round 1, Lost 2-1 at NY Pancyprian Freedoms)
GPS Portland Phoenix: N/A

Des Moines Menace (PDL) at Milwaukee Bavarians (NPSL)
Bavarian Soccer Park; Glendale, Wis. – 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner hosts Minnesota Stars FC (NASL)

Home field is a consolation prize for the organization that had its USASA club miss out on Open Cup qualifying because the state association lost their paperwork last year. Now, the Bavarians’ NPSL team are in the tournament for the first time, hoping to carry on the Milwaukee club’s tradition against the Des Moines Menace, one of the elite PDL teams. This game marks the first road game for the Menace against an equal or lesser division opponent, including a 2003 loss, 2-1, to the USASA’s Bavarian SC in sudden death overtime. Milwaukee is 2-3 in the Pro Era (though were semifinalists in 1993 and finalists in 1994), while Des Moines is 6-6 all-time, and 1-1 against amateur teams. The Bavarians have not begun their NPSL campaign. The Menace, meanwhile, are coming into the contest on a positive note having downed visiting St Louis Lions, 4-1, Saturday courtesy of a hat trick from Husref Jupic. They were winless in the first three contests playing to a 1-1 draw and 1-0 loss on the road against Real Colorado Foxes and another 1-0 loss away to Springfield Demize.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Des Moines Menace: 6-5-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall, 2-3-0 away, 2-1-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 4 (2005, Lost 6-1 at Kansas City Wizards), Last entry: 2010 (Round 1, Lost 1-0 vs. AC St. Louis)
Milwaukee Bavarians: N/A

KC Athletics (USASA) at Real Colorado Foxes (PDL)
Colorado School of Mines Soccer Stadium; Golden, Colo. – 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Online video (CoachesAid.com- $8.00)
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Orlando City SC (USL Pro)

The Athletics are back in the tournament for the second time in three years, losing their debut against NSC Minnesota Stars in 2010. Real Colorado are making their second straight appearance, having won in their debut last year at home against DV8 Defenders from the USASA, before losing at the Kitsap Pumas in Round 2. Real Colorado played to a scoreless draw at home Sunday versus WSA Winnipeg. The week prior they had another pair of close-fought outings with a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 victory against the visiting Des Moines Menace.  |  Meet the USASA – KC Athletics

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
KC Athletics: 0-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (2010, Lost 4-2 vs. NCS Minnesota Stars), Last entry: 2010 (Round 1, lost 4-2 vs. NCS Minnesota Stars)
Real Colorado: 1-1-0 overall, 1-0-0 home, 1-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 2 (2011, Lost 3-1 at Kitsap Pumas), Last entry: 2011 (Round 2, Lost 3-1 at Kitsap Pumas)

ASC New Stars (USASA) at Laredo Heat (PDL)
Texas A&M International University; Laredo, Texas – 9:15 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)

ASC New Stars are making their second appearance in a row and their third in the last five years. They are shooting for their first tournament win, in what will be their first game against an amateur side. Laredo hasn’t qualified since making their debut in 2006, when they nearly kept the historic run of Dallas Roma FC from ever happening, falling short 4-2 in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw. The Laredo Heat dropped their first game of the season, falling 2-0 on the road to the Texas Dutch Lions.  |  Meet the USASA – ASC New Stars

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
ASC New Stars: 0-2-0 overall, 0-2-0 away, 0-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (twice), Last entry: 2011 (Round 1, Lost at Orlando City SC, 4-0)
Laredo Heat: 0-0-1 (0-1 in PKs) overall, 0-0-0 at home, 0-0-1 (0-1 in PKs) vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 1 (2006, Draw 2-2 vs. Dallas Roma FC, Lost 4-2 in PKs), Last entry: 2006 (Round 1, Draw 2-2 vs. Dallas Roma FC, Lost 4-2 in PKs)

North Texas Rayados (USASA) at El Paso Patriots (PDL)
Patriots Stadium; El Paso, Texas – 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner will host the Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro)

The Rayados, making their first appearance in the tournament out of USASA’s Region III, will face a club with a rich history in the competition at multiple levels. The Patriots were a professional team from their founding in 1991 until 2004 when they joined the PDL, and were 1995 finalists. El Paso has a .500 Open Cup Record at 9-9, including 3-4 as a PDL team. Enrique Cervantes, son of the club owner, scored the lone goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win at home against the Austin Aztex. The Patriots previously played to a 1-1 draw in their opener on the road versus West Texas.  |  Meet the USASA – NTX Rayados

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
NTX Rayados: N/A
El Paso Patriots: 8-7-3 (1-2 in PKs) overall (2-3-2, 1-1 in PKs as PDL), 7-5-3 at home (2-1-2, 1-1 in PKs), 4-1-2 (0-2 in PKs) vs. amateur clubs (2-0-1 as PDL), Best Finish: 1995 US Open Cup runner-up, Last entry: 2011 (Round 1, Draw 0-0, Lost 6-5 in PKs vs. Kitsap Pumas)

Fresno Fuego (PDL) at Stanislaus United Turlock Express (US Club Soccer)
Academica Fields; Turlock, Calif. – 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL)

The Fuego have been one of the better PDL teams over the last decade, but have only qualified once. They accomplished that in their inaugural season in 2003, and what a run it was, winning three games, upsetting two professional teams (Utah Blitzz of the PSL and the El Paso Patriots of the A-League) before falling 3-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center. The Fuego are one of just three PDL teams to ever reach beyond the Third Round (Carolina Dynamo, Des Moines Menace). They will face off against the Stanislaus United Turlock Express (no relation to the Stanislaus United Cruisers who qualified in 2000), who are the first US Club Soccer team to compete in the Open Cup. The Fuego are off to a fantastic start. They posted a pair of victories against LA Misioneros, 4-1 at home and 3-1 away, and a 2-1 win against FC Tucson before dropping their first points Friday in a 1-1 road draw against Orange County Blue Star.  |  Meet the USCS – Stanislaus United Turlock Express

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Fresno Fuego: 3-1-0 overall, 1-1-0 away, 1-0-0 vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 4 (2003, Lost 3-1 at LA Galaxy), Last entry: 2003 (Round 4, Lost 3-1 at LA Galaxy)
SU Turlock Express: N/A

Ventura County Fusion (PDL) vs. Fullerton Rangers (NPSL)
Santa Ana Stadium; – Santa Ana, Calif. – 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: Online video (LiveStream.com)
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro)

This is the third straight Open Cup appearance for the Fusion, as well as their first road game (1-2 at home). The Rangers qualified tournament in their inaugural season, as NPSL decided to hold a tournament due to major lineup changes. The Fusion are off to a surprisingly slow start with two losses. They fell on the road against LA Misioneros, 1-0, Sunday after an initial 1-1 draw with them at home previously. Fullerton, meanwhile, has faced all five other clubs in the West-Southern Conference and has a 3-2 record. They were idle over the weekend.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Ventura County Fusion: 1-1-1 (0-1 in PKs) overall, 0-0-0 away, 1-0-1 (0-1 in PKs) vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 2 (2011, Lost 1-0 vs. LA Blues), Last entry: 2011 (Round 2, Lost 1-0 vs. LA Blues)
Fullerton Rangers: N/A

PSA Elite (USASA) at Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL)
Jeld-Wen Field; Portland, Ore. – 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Carolina RailHawks (NASL)

The Timbers PDL square are making their first appearance in the US Open Cup after missing out last year despite finishing qualifying with an undefeated record (3-0-1). Rather than going through a tiebreaker, they decided to have the Kitsap Pumas and the Timbers U23s use their regular season game on double as a play-in game, where Kitsap won 3-2. PSA Elite are making their first appearance in the tournament after emerging from the USASA Region IV tournament. The Timbers got off to a fast start in their opening game Friday with a three-goal first half in the 3-0 win against visiting Fraser Valley. Mark Sherrod scored twice with Emery Welshman providing the second tally.

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
PSA Elite: N/A
Timbers U23s: N/A

16. Cal FC (USASA) at Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
Bremerton Memorial Stadium; Bremerton, Wash. – 10:15 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Round 2 scenarios: Winner plays at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)

This is the fourth consecutive year that Kitsap will kick off the tournament at home. The Pumas reached the third round last year, falling 2-1 to three-time champion Seattle Sounders FC, and hold a 3-3 Open Cup record. USASA Region IV qualifier Cal FC are led by a mix of young players and former professional players and their manager, former US international Eric Wynalda. After opening the season with a 3-0 loss north of the border to the Vancouver Whitecaps U23, the Pumas rebounded in their home opener by drubbing Canada’s Fraser Valley Mariners, 6-0.  |  Meet the USASA – Cal FC

Modern Pro Era Open Cup Records:
Cal FC: N/A
Kitsap Pumas: 2-3-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall, 2-2-0 at home, 2-0-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. amateur clubs, Best Finish: Round 3 (2011, Lost 2-1 at Seattle Sounders), Last entry: 2011 (Round 3, Lost 2-1 at Seattle Sounders)

2010 has not been a particularly kind year to the Sol as they sit in fourth place in the NPSL Northeast Conference with nine points and a 2-3-2 record. However, the Sol have been strong in the US Open Cup prior, advancing to the second round in 2006 and 2009.

The Sol’s road to the US Open Cup this season was a bit different than years past, as they were placed in a one-off match against PSA Los Gatos Storm of US Club Soccer.  Undaunted by the ‘Win and You’re In’ match, the Sol rolled to a 3-0 victory.

Sonoma open the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against the USSF-2nd Division’s Portland Timbers at PGE Park. The Timbers dismissed the Sol 3-0 last year in the second round of the tournament.

The Sol are no strangers to the US Open Cup, having qualified four times in the last six years (2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010).  Last season the Sol defeated the Orange County Blue Star 5-2 in the opening round and were one of only two amateur teams to advance to the second round.

The team is truly a family affair, in many ways. First is the way the club is funded. Each player pays $500 each for the season, and they also raise money through hosting a golf tournament, and having friends and family volunteer on game days. Also helping fund the team is the Sol “100” Club, in which individuals who donate $100 towards the team receive a season pass, having their name mentioned on the team website and being honored at the final home game of the year.

In addition to running the club as a team, almost all of the players on the roster are locals. Many players have played, or still play, at Sonoma State, where Sol head coach Benjamin Ziemer is an assistant coach, under his brother Marcus, who has been head the head coach at SSU for 18 seasons. The other players on the team either attend Santa Rosa Junior College, or are local players who have played college soccer elsewhere.

Ziemer recalls when he applied to coach the Sol two years ago. “I told the board we could compete using primarily local players.” The success of the Sol has proven he was correct. “Although not all believed it (was) possible, we have 16 players from Sonoma County, another 5 who have been here 5-6 years to attend Sonoma State University and a few others who have moved from out of town for work.” Ziemer says.

On top of all that, Benjamin Ziemer and his three brothers grew up playing the game, and then some. As kids, they played the game on a small field their father built for them, which included lights, playing 1-v-1 and 2-v-2 for hours until they all moved away from home. When the boys were in their teens, a man named Peter Reynaud moved into their area, and the way they viewed and played soccer changed. Reynaud was the head coach at Sonoma State, and exposed the boys to a different way of training and playing.

Three of the brothers, Benjamin, Andrew, and Christopher, went on to play for Reynaud at Sonoma State for the 1989-90 season, and then for their brother Marcus for the 1990-91 season, when Reynauld stepped down to concentrate on the women’s team. During that first year, Sonoma State went undefeated, and the following year both the men’s and women’s teams reached the NCSAA Division II championship game.

While Marcus stayed on as head coach at Sonoma State, the other three Ziemer boys eventually made their way to Germany. The first to go was Christopher. After their father decided the cost of another regional camp was not worth the money. Right around this time a German team came to the area and played against Christopher’s ODP team, after which their father asked the German coach if he could set Christopher up with a youth team. Christopher then went to Germany and soon after called Andrew and Benjamin to come join him. Soon the three were playing in the 3rd and 4th division in Germany, the country where their father was born.

Andrew then went to Holland to study soccer and attend coaching courses, but he ended up playing with Quick Den Haag – a top level amateur club. While there he went to Ajax a few days a week to watch professional and youth trainings. During this time he met Frans Hoek, who working at Ajax. Frans has assisted the Ziemer brothers in studying at 50+ clubs in Holland, Spain, Belgium, Germany, England and Italy. Together, the brothers run Ziemer Brothers Soccer, where Benjamin has directed over 150 camps in Northern and Southern California, Oregon and Nevada.

In addition to all of that, Benjamin has also coached for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) State Teams, been a Hoek Method Camp coach for over eight years, currently holds a USSF ‘A’ coaching license and German ‘B’ license, currently manages the NorCal Premier Soccer League, and was recently named the boys soccer coach at Sonoma Academy.

However, when asked who his standout players are, Ziemer has just one answer, “Our standout is the team.” Those words sum up what the NPSL club is all about, on and off the field.

The Freedoms hold the distinction as the last team to win back-to-back Open Cup titles when they won it all in 1982 and ’83. They have lifted the Dewar Trophy three times in all, capturing their first championship in 1980.

The Queens-based club has been a part of New York City’s famed Cosmopolitan League since their inaugural season in 1974. They have captured five Cosmopolitan championships (1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 2002-03, 2003-04) and over the years, have been one of the more consistent teams in the league. In fact, the last two years they have lost in the championship game of the league playoffs.

“The CSL, in my opinion, is the premier amateur league in the country,” said Halkidis. “The quality and history of some of the teams is second to none. As a whole, the first division teams could hold their own against any amateur side in the country. We have traveled enough and seen most of the top teams in the country to make such a bold statement. But again if you look at the history, personnel and results of these teams from top to bottom you’ll agree.

They will open the 2010 edition of the tournament against fellow amateur club Long Island Rough Riders of the USL’s Premier Development League on June 15. Long Island will host the match at Cy Donnelly Stadium in South Huntington, NY at 7:30 p.m.

The Freedoms had a difficult path through Open Cup qualifying, beginning with state qualifying in the Eastern New York Soccer Association. Tasso Polydefkis and Puerto Rican international Chris Megaloudis scored to lead the club to a 2-0 win over Barstonworth Rovers in the opening round. In the semifinals, it was another 2-0 victory, this time over New York Athletic club. Megaloudis and veteran Jeff Matteo were responsible for the scoring.

The championship game was a controversial one as the Freedoms found themselves matched up with Fenerbahce USA, a team who had lost their semifinal match 4-1 to the New York Greek American Atlas. Fenerbahce reached the final because they filed a protest because the Greeks had mistakenly written down the name of a player on their roster who had left the club weeks earlier to play professionally overseas.

Freedoms general manager George Halkidis was not pleased with the controversial decision to disqualify the Greek Americans by the Eastern New York cup commissioner, Gus Xikis, the father of Fenerbahce goalkeeper EJ Xikis.

“It’s a shame what happened to [Atlas]. Games are decided on the field and not on paper,” said Halkidis. “It’s OK though because I promise that this team, [Fenerbahce USA], will not advance. Not on the field nor on paper.  Pancyprians will take care of business.”

And they did just that, dispatching Fenerbahce 4-1 on goals by Matteo, Megaloudis, Polydefkis and Julio Cesar Dos Santos.

Dos Santos, one of the best players in USL history according to USLSoccer.com, continued to play well into the USASA Region I tournament. After falling behind 2-0 to Phoenix SC of Eastern Pennsylvania in the first half, Dos Santos scored two goals and assisted on another to lead the Freedoms to a 3-2 victory.

Dos Santos rescued New York again in the quarterfinals, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to eliminate the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks from Washington D.C., 2-1. In the semifinals, a win would send the Freedoms to the US Open Cup, and they needed penalty kicks to get past the United German Hungarians of Eastern Pennsylvania. After a scoreless draw through regulation and extra time, and playing a man short from the 43rd minute on, New York would qualify for the US Open Cup for the fourth time in the Professional Era (1995-present) with a 3-0 shootout victory over UGH.

“We feel that the teams we have to play in order to qualify [in Eastern New York] are of high quality,” said Halkidis. “Having to play six games to get in has prepared us for what’s ahead.”

What’s ahead is the Long Island Rough Riders of the PDL who have yet to lose a game in their first six league contests (4-0-2). If the Freedoms are able to advance, they will play the winner of fellow New York club Brooklyn Italians and the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division. Potentially, all the Freedoms would have to do is defeat a PDL team on Tuesday, then turn around and beat either a fellow amateur club or a last place USL-2 club to earn a date with a Major League Soccer team.

After years of competing in the Cosmopolitan League and the US Open Cup, the Freedoms branched out and created a second team in 1999 (called simply, the “New York Freedoms”) that joined the USL Premier Development League. They wasted no time in carrying over their success to the new league, winning the Northeast Division title and advancing to the PDL national semifinals in their inaugural season. They also qualified for the US Open Cup, where they upset the Cape Cod Crusaders of the USL D3 Pro League in the first round and nearly eliminated the A-League’s Rochester Raging Rhinos falling 2-1 in extra time to the eventual champions.

They spent two more years in the PDL before taking the club to the next level to play in the D3 Pro League. Their best year in the third division was in 2002 when current New England Revolution star Shalrie Joseph helped them advance to the league quarterfinals and qualify for the Open Cup. They defeated Chicago’s AAC Eagles from USASA Region II in the first round before losing to the A-League’s Milwaukee Rampage.

After the 2003 season, the club left the USL to focus on the Cosmopolitan League team.

The last time New York qualified for the Open Cup was in 2008 and they nearly pulled off an upset on the road against the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division.

“The game was originally scheduled for a Tuesday night but because of lightning, the match was re-scheduled for Friday,” said Halkidis. “So within four days we traveled back and forth to Maryland. The match was very competitive, but we lost in overtime after going down a man during regulation [around the 75th minute]. We felt that if we did not lose a man we could of left with the win.”

Dos Santos and Matia Damiani both scored for New York that night, while George Halkidis’ son Panagoitis was the man sent off.

The core of the team from that 2008 season are still with the club this year, led by veterans who have been with the club for a number of seasons like Dos Santos, Matteo, Megaloudis, Damiani, Chris Zisimatos, Panagiotis Halkidis and goalkeeper Chad Calderone.

After earned All-American honors at St. John’s University, where he played home games at Belson Stadium (where the Freedoms call home), Matteo graduated and signed with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew in 2002. After that, his path through the pros saw him play for the New York Red Bulls, Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) and the Charleston Battery (USL-1). Now he is an assistant coach for his alma mater and is entering his ninth season with the Freedoms.

Another player that the Freedoms will be counting on will be one of the club’s all-time greats, Dos Santos. The Brazilian, who grew up playing with World Cup winner Bebeto, has scored 248 goals in 211 matches over the last nine seasons for New York.

His first club was the legendary Rio de Janeiro club Vasco da Gama, and his first professional team was American, where he was tasked with helping create chances for a young striker named Ronaldo.

Dos Santos moved to the U.S. and joined the New Jersey Stallions where he scored 115 goals in 111 games for the professional side. He then hooked on with the Freedoms in 2003 when they were a professional team. He finished third in the league in scoring with 11 goals, two assists and 24 points.

The club takes a lot of pride in the young talent that they develop and help them move on to professional careers.

Another youth team product is Chris Megaloudis, who has four caps for the Puerto Rican national team and spent time with the New York Red Bulls. Megaloudis graduated from Stony Brook and also spent time with the same club they Freedoms will face on Tuesday, the Long Island Rough Riders and the Westchester Flames.

A couple of new additions with significant play are Joel Gustafsson (former St John’s Univ.), John Koutsounadis (Adelphi University), Andreas Paphitis (Fordham Univ.) and Gabe Ortega (Loyolla Maryland).

The team is lead by head coach Luka Lukovic, who knows a thing or two about the U.S. Open Cup, too. He was the starting goalkeeper for New York-based A.O. Krete when it won the 1984 US Open Cup title. His professional career during the 1970s and ’80s included stops in his home country of Yugoslavia and Greece before he moved to the United States.

“We are looking forward to our first round game against the Long Island Rough Riders,” said Halkidis. “We feel confident that we can get by our opponent. I think we match up well against them.

New York Pancyprian Freedoms
1999 (as New York Freedoms in the PDL)
1r – v. Cape Cod Crusaders (D3), 3-1
2r – v. Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-Lg), 1-2 (aet)
2002 (as New York Freedoms in the USL D3 Pro League)
1r – v. AAC Eagles (USASA), 1-0 (aet)
2r – v. Milwaukee Rampage (A-Lg), 0-4
2008
1r – v. Real Maryland Monarchs (USL2), 2-3 (aet)

Local social clubs were a popular gathering ground for men to play cards and talk amongst themselves.  However in 1949, a group of Italian immigrants inhabiting the Brooklyn area decided that playing cards at the local social club was just not enough. They decided to mesh their old way of life with their new country. The result was the Brooklyn Italians Football Club.

The Brooklyn Italians found success in its early years, winning the first two championships in the Metropolitan League.  However, after changing the club name to Palermo Football Club in 1950, they went on to having an unlucky streak of seasons and underwent numerous club presidency changes.  Then, in 1974, Corrado “Joe” Manfredi became club president and the club soon found success.  The Palermo Football Club once again became known as the Brooklyn Italians Football Club and went on to be the first Italian-American soccer club to win the National Challenge Cup (which is now known as the Lamar U.S. Open Cup) in 1979 against Croatia S.C.  After winning the championship, the Brooklyn Italians did not win again for many years.

Not only were the Brooklyn Italians looking for success on the field, but they were also looking for success off the field in the form of club presidents. They were searching for a leader who could take the Brooklyn Italians Football Club to the next level. After ten club presidents, they finally found a leader, in 1987, when Jerry Valerio took the seat as president.  For 13 years, Valerio served as club president, winning local, state, and international trophies.  In 1991, the Brooklyn Italians won its second U.S. Open Cup against the Richardson Rockets out of Texas.  A few years later, in 1994, the U-14 Brooklyn Italians won the “Enzo Ferrari” International Youth Tournament in Italy, beating Club Napoli of Palomonte in penalties.

Today, the Brooklyn Italians compete in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in Eastern New York. Valerio has concentrated on youth soccer with teams ranging from the ages of U-8 to U-18 and an over 30’s men team. Not only do they play at a competitive local level, but you can also find them in national tournaments; the Dallas Cup, Presidents Day Tournament in Phoenix, and other college showcases, as well as international tournaments.

Because players are exposed to the highest levels of training and competition, the Brooklyn Italians have been providing a haven for undiscovered and discovered talent since its creation in 1949.  They have developed players who are, or have been, part of the U.S. National Team, European Teams, USL, and the MLS.  Such players include New England Revolution standout Shalrie Joseph, Juan Carlos Osorio, former New York Red Bulls coach, and Chivas USA assistant coach Carlos Llamosa.

In 2010 the Brooklyn Italians first team took a next step in their growth and left the Cosmopolitan Soccer League to join the National Premier Soccer League.  Under the leadership of first year head coach Joe Barone, the Italians maintain a 5-1-0 record and are tied for first place in the Atlantic Conference in the Northeast Region.

This year the Brooklyn Italians took an unconventional route into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.  Italians lost their first match against Imigrantes Das Ilhas but were given the win when Imigrantes were discovered to have fielded an ineligible player.  They then won their next match against Go Soccer FC and defeated Fenerbachce USA 4-0 in their Region I final.

With over 100 trophies in 50 years, you can truly say the Brooklyn Italians are building a soccer empire and are here to stay.  So next time you visit Coney Island, grab a hot dog from Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and head over to John Dewey High School to catch a glimpse of the oldest Italian American soccer club, the Brooklyn Italians.  Who knows, you may just be watching the next Pelé.

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA) at Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
7:30 p.m. ET – Cy Donnelly Stadium; South Huntington, NY
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

NY Pancyprian Freedoms
Founded: 1974
Head Coach: Luka Lukovic
Record: 10-4-2 32 Pts. 38 GF 20 GA, 1st in Cosmopolitan Soccer League First Division East
Recent League Form: (LWWW) (League & Open Cup qualifying)
Open Cup History: Though this is only their second appearance in the Open Cup as a USASA club in the Pro Era (they qualified as a USL club in 1999 & 2002), the Pancyprian Freedoms have won the Cup three times (1980, 1982 and 1983)
Meet the USASA: NY Pancyprian Freedoms

Long Island Rough Riders
Founded: 1994
Location: South Huntington, New York
Head Coach: Paul Roderick
Record: 4-0-2 14 Pts., 11 GF 3 GA, 1st in PDL Northeast Division
Recent League Form: 2-0-2 in last four games (WTTW)
Open Cup History: Most of the Rough Riders’ Open Cup participation came when they were a professional club, as they have qualified only one other time as a PDL team. Of their three Pro appearances, their biggest splash came in 1997 when they reached the Quarterfinals after a 4-3 extra time win over the New England Revolution.
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Brooklyn Italians (USASA) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2)
7 p.m. ET – Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, PA
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Brooklyn Italians
Founded: 1949 (Note: The NPSL team was started in 2010)
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Head Coach: Joe Barronerhi
Record: 4-1-0 13 Pts. 14 GF 5 GA, 2nd in  NPSL Atlantic Conference
Recent League Form: e-0-1 in last four games (WWTW)
Open Cup History: While the Brooklyn Italians senior team has won the Open Cup twice (1979 as the Brooklyn Dodgers and 1991 as the Brooklyn Italians), this is the debut in the tournament for their NPSL club.
MEET THE USASA: Brooklyn Italians

Harrisburg City Islanders
Founded: 2004
Location: Harrisburg, Pa.
Head Coach: Bill Becher
Record: 1-5-4  7 pts. 10 GF 17 GA, 6th in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 0-3-1 in last four games (TTLT)
Open Cup History: Harrisburg has made three appearances in the US Open Cup, and has reached the Quarterfinals twice. In 2007, they upset DC United 1-0 in the third round before falling to the New England Revolution, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. In 2009, it was New England on the end of a 2-1 loss to the City Islanders, who fell to DC in the quarterfinals by the same score.
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Real Maryland FC Monarchs (USL-2) at Reading United AC (PDL)
7:30 p.m. ET – Don Thomas Stadium; Reading, PA
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Real Maryland Monarchs
Founded: 2008
Location: Rockville, Maryland
Head Coach: Anthony Hudson
Record: 3-3-5  14 Pts. 10 GF 9 GA, 3rd in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 1-0-3 in last four games (TTTW)
Open Cup History: The Monarchs have not had much success in the Open Cup in their two appearances. Both times they got past their USASA opponents by the slimmest of margins, a 3-2 OT win vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms in 2008, and a storm shortened 1-0 win over Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in 2009. Both times their tournament run ended in the next round, both 1-0 losses, to the Carolina RailHawks (USL-1) in 2008 and Ocean City FC (PDL) in 2009.

Reading United AC
Founded: 1996 (as Reading Rage)
Location: Reading, PA
Head Coach: Brendan Burke
Record: 6-1-1 19 Pts., 18 GF 4 GA, 2nd in PSL Mid-Atlantic Division
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (TWWL)
Open Cup History: Reading has made two previous Cup appearances, both as a professional team. Each ended after their opening match, a 7-2 thrashing from the Richmond Kickers (A-League) in 2001, and a 1-0 loss to USASA team Bavarian SC in 2003.
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Crystal Palace Baltimore (D2) at Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
7 p.m. ET – University of Richmond Stadium; Richmond, VA
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Crystal Palace Baltimore
Founded: 2006
Location: Cantonsville, MD
Head Coach: Jim Cherneski
Record: 3-6-2  11 Pts. 10 GF 15 GA, 5th in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: 1-2-1 in last four games (WLTL)
Open Cup History: CP Baltimore had progressed past the first round only once in their three Open Cup tries. In 2008, they reached the Quarterfinals after knocking off the New York Red Bulls 2-0, and then fell to New England on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. Their other two tournaments ended in the first round at the hands of the PDL’s Ocean City Nor’easters (then known as the Barons) in 2007 and 2009.

Richmond Kickers
Founded: 1993
Location: Richmond, VA
Head Coach: Leigh Cowlishaw
Record: 4-3-3  15 pts. 15 GF 14 GA, 2nd in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 3-1-0 in last four games (WWWL)
Open Cup History: The Kickers were the first Open Cup champions of the Pro Era, defeating the El Paso Patriots on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 1995. Since then, their best success has been a pair of Quarterfinal appearances in 2004 and 2007.
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Capital Area Soccer League Elite (USASA) at Charleston Battery (USL-2)
7:30 p.m. ET – Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, SC
Radio: None | Video: TBA | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

CASL Elite
Founded: 2009
Location: Raleigh, NC
Head Coach – Scott McGuinn
Record: 3-0-1 10 Pts. 10 GA 3 GA (Open Cup qualifying)
Recent League Form: (TWWW) (Open Cup qualifying)
Open Cup History: The CASL Elite are making their debut in the US Open Cup. However, the CASL organization has been involved in the tournament before. In 2002 and 2003, their PDL club reached the second round. In 2006 the CASL organization severed it’s tied to the team, which eventually was known as the Cary Clarets before folding after the 2009 season.
MEET THE USASA: CASL Elite

Charleston Battery
Founded: 1993
Location: Charleston, SC
Head Coach: Michael Anhaeuser
Record: 7-2-3  24 pts. 24 GF 17 GA, 1st in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (TTLW)
Open Cup History: Behind the Rochester Rhinos, Charleston may be the most famous USL club in the Open Cup. The team has made one Finals appearance (2008), two semifinal appearances (1999 & 2004), and has claimed the scalp of six MLS teams.
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Charlotte Eagles (USL-2) at Carolina RailHawks (D2)
7:05 p.m. ET – WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
Radio: None | Video: Carolina | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Charlotte Eagles
Founded: 1991
Location: Charlotte, NC
Head Coach: Mark Steffans
Record: 4-4-2  14 pts. 11 GF 12 GA, 4th in USL Second Division
Recent League Form:1-1-2 in last four games (TTWL)
Open Cup History: Charlotte’s Open Cup runs have never progressed past two rounds, and are yet to record a cup win over a professional club. Their most famous moment came in 2005, when Chivas USA needed a last minute extra time goal to escape the Eagles upset bid in Charlotte.

Carolina RailHawks
Founded: 2006
Location: Cary, NC
Head Coach: Martin Rennie
Record: 3-2-4  13 Pts. 11 GF 8 GA, 4th in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-0-2 in last four games (WWTT)
Open Cup History: Carolina reached the Semifinals in their initial effort in 2007, but since then, their success has gradually decreased in 2008 (third round) and 2009 (second round)

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Dayton Dutch Lions FC (PDL) at Rochester Rhinos (D2)
7:05 p.m. ET – Marina Auto Stadium; Rochester, NY
Radio: Rochester | Video: Rochester | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Dayton Dutch Lions
Founded: 2009
Location: Bellbrook, OH
Head Coach: Sonny Silooy
Record: 4-1-3  15 pts. 15 GF 9 GA, 1st place in PDL Great Lakes Division
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (WTLW)
Open Cup History: The Dayton Dutch Lions are making their debut in the US Open Cup

Rochester Rhinos
Founded: 1996
Location: Rochester, NY
Head Coach: Bob Lilley
Record: 5-3-3  18 Pts. 13 GF 10 GA, 3rd in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form:  2-1-1 in last four games (LWTW)
Open Cup History: Champions in 1999, runners up in 1996, the Rhinos are the most successful USL club in the Open Cup. It’s almost a given that the Rhinos will face at least one MLS club in each tournament. Only once (2001) have they exited after a single game.

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Detroit United SC (USASA) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2)
7 p.m. ET – Chartiers Valley High School; Bridgeville, PA
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Detroit United
Founded: 2002
Location: Detroit, MI
Head Coach – George Juncaj
Record: 1-0-0  3 Pts. 4 GF 1 GA, 3rd in Michigan Premier Soccer League Premier Division
Recent League Form: (WWTW) (League & Open Cup qualifying)
Open Cup History: Detroit United are making their debut in the US Open Cup
MEET THE USASA: Detroit United

Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Founded: 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Head Coach: Justin Evans
Record: 1-3-5 8pts. 10 GF 11 GA, 5th in USL Second Division
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (LWTT)
Open Cup History: Only two of Pittsburgh’s seven Cup attempts have seen them progress past their opening game. One of those resulted in a spot in the Quarterfinals in 2001, after they defeated the Colorado Rapids in the second round, and lost to the Chicago Fire in the Quafterfinals in extra time, 3-2.

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Kansas City Athletics (USASA) at NSC Minnesota Stars (D2)
8 p.m. ET – National Sports Center; Blaine, MN
Radio: Minnesota | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Kansas City Athletics
Founded: 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
Head Coach: Kyle Perkins
Record: n/a
Recent League Form: n/a
Open Cup History: KC Athletics are making their debut in the US Open Cup
MEET THE USASA: KC Athletics

NSC Minnesota Stars
Founded: 2009
Location: Blaine, Minnesota
Head Coach: Manny Lagos
Record: 4-7-2  14 Pts. 11 GF 19 GA, 4th in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (LWTW)
Open Cup History: The NSC Minnesota Stars are making their US Open Cup debut.

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AC St. Louis (D2) at Des Moines Menace (PDL)
8:30 p.m. ET – Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

AC St. Louis
Founded: 2009
Location: Fenton, Missouri
Head Coach: 2009
Record: 2-7-1  7 Pts. 7 GF 17 GA, 6th in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: q-2-1 in last four games (TLLW)
Open Cup History: AC St. Louis are making their debut in the US Open Cup

Des Moines Menace
Founded: 1994
Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
Head Coach: Laurie Calloway
Record: 4-1-4 16 Pts. 14 GF 9 GA, 2nd in PDL Heartland Division
Recent League Form: 0-0-4 in last four games (TTTT)
Open Cup History: This is the first Cup appearance for the Menace since 2006, but their runs in ’05 and ’06 made them famous for knocking off professional teams. Des Moines is 5-1 against USL Pro teams, but a win over an MLS team has eluded them.
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Central Florida Kraze (PDL) at Miami FC (D2)
7:30 p.m. ET – Lockhart Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, FL
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Central Florida Kraze
Founded: 1998
Location: Winter Park, FL
Head Coach: Joe Avallone
Record: 3-1-2 11 Pts. 12 GF 3 GA, 5th in PDL Southeast Division
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (WWTL)
Open Cup History: Central Florida have made two previous Cup appearances. Both ended in first round losses in 2000 (2-1 to USASA club Uruguay SC) and 2007 (3-0 to the Charleston Battery).

Miami FC
Founded: 2006
Location: Miami, FL
Head Coach: Victor Pastora
Record: 2-2-7  13 Pts. 13 GF 15 GA, 3rd in USSF D2 NASL Conference
Recent League Form: 1-1-2 in last four games (LTTW)
Open Cup History: Miami FC have little to brag about in the Open Cup record. They were the first pro team to lose to a USASA side (Dallas Roma in 2006). They managed to reach the Third round in 2008, the extent of their Cup success.

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Tampa Bay Rowdies (D2) at Legends FC (USASA)
9 p.m. ET – Richland Stadium; Dallas, Texas
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Tampa Bay Rowdies
Founded: 2009
Location: Tampa, FL
Head Coach: Paul Dalglish
Record: 5-3-3  18 Pts. 18 GF 13 GA, 2nd in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-2-0 in last four games (WWLL)
Open Cup History: FC Tampa Bay Rowdies are making their US Open Cup debut.

Legends FC
Founded: 1992
Location: Dallas, TX
Head Coach: Kanish Ali
Record: 8-0-1  25 Pts. 30 GF 5 GA, 1st in North Texas Premier Soccer Association Division 1A
Recent League Form: (WWWL) (Open Cup qualifying)
Open Cup History: Legends FC’s two Open Cup runs (2004 & 2006) have lasted one match each, both losses to PDL clubs.
MEET THE USASA: Legends FC

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Dallas-Fort Worth Tornados (PDL) at Austin Aztex (D2)
8:30 p.m. ET – House Park; Austin, TX
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Dallas Fort Worth Tornados
Founded: 1986
Location: Bedford, Texas
Head Coach: Paul Robinson
Record: 4-2-2 14 Pts., 18 GF 8 GA, 1st in PDL Mid South Division
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four (WTLW)
Open Cup History: This is the Tornados’ fourth Open Cup appearance, but their first since 2004, the only year they advanced past their opening game.

Austin Aztex
Founded: 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Head Coach: Adrian Heath
Record: 7-2-3  24 Pts. 22 GF 14 GA, 1st in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (WWTL)
Open Cup History: Austin’s debut cup appearance in 2009 took them to the third round, where they fell to the Houston Dynamo 3-0.

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Arizona Sahuaros (USASA) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
10:05 p.m. ET – Ventura College; Ventura, Calif.
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Arizona Sahuaros
Founded: 1989
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Head Coach: Petar Draksin
Record: 2-2-1 7 Pts. 11 GF 6 GA (Open Cup qualifying)
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (WTWL) (Open Cup qualifying)
Open Cup History: This year marks the third Open Cup appearance in a row for the Sahuaros, and their fourth in five years. They also have two tournaments played in 1998 and 1999 as a USL D3 Pro League club under their belts.
MEET THE USASA: Arizona Sahuaros

Ventura County Fusion
Founded: 2006
Location: Ventura, California
Head Coach: Ole Mikkelsen
Record: 5-2-1 16 Pts. 15 GF 5 GA, 3rd in PDL Southwest Division
Recent League Form: 1-2-1 in last four games (LLTW)
Open Cup History: The Ventura County Fusion are making their debut in the US Open Cup

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Sonoma County Sol (USASA) at Portland Timbers (D2)
10 p.m. ET – PGE Park; Portland, Ore.
Radio: Portland | Video: Portland | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Sonoma County Sol
Founded: 2004
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Head Coach: Benjamin Ziemer
Record: 2-3-2  9 Pts. 16 GF 12 GA, 4th in NPSL Northwest Division
Recent League Form: 2-1-1 in last four games (LWTW)
Open Cup History: The Sol have qualified for the Open Cup for the fourth time in the last six years (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010) and for the second year in a row. The defending NPSL champions have only advanced beyond the first round twice, defeating the PDL’s Ogden Outlaws in a penalty kick shootout in 2006, and getting their first regulation win last year, thrashing the PDL’s Orange County Blue Star, 5-2.
MEET THE USASA: Sonoma County Sol

Portland Timbers
Founded: 2001
Location: Portland, Oregon
Head Coach: Gavin Wilkinson
Record: 3-4-4  13 Pts. 10 GF 9 GA, 5th in USSF D2 USL Conference
Recent League Form: 0-2-2 in last four games (LTTL)
Open Cup History: The Timbers Open Cup pedigree is not much to brag about. 2009 marked the first time they advanced past the third round in six tries.

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Bay Area Ambassadors FC (USASA) at Kitsap Pumas (PDL)
10 p.m. ET – Bremerton Memorial Stadium; Bremerton, WA
Radio: None | Video: None | Updates: TheCup.us Live Blog

Bay Area Ambassadors
Founded: 2009
Location: Hayward, California
Head Coach: Ajit Rana & Roland Tillak
Record: 3-2-3  11 Pts. 20 GF 17 GA, 3rd in NPSL Northwest Division
Recent League Form: 2-1-2 in last five games (WTLTW)
Open Cup History: This is the Bay Area Ambassadors’ debut in the US Open Cup.
MEET THE USASA: Bay Area Ambassadors

Kitsap Pumas
Founded: 2008
Location: Bremerton, WA
Head Coach: Peter Fewing
Record: 6-1-0 18 Pts. 18 GF 5 GA, 3rd in PDL Northwest Division
Recent League Form: e-1-0 in last four games (WWLW)
Open Cup History: Kitsap qualified for the Open Cup in their debut season in 2009, but fell to the Portland Timbers 3-0 in the opening round.

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL – Region I)

Kansas City Athletics (Kansas – Region II)

Detroit United (Michigan – Region II)

CASL Elite (North Carolina – Region III)

Legends FC (North Texas – Region III)

Bay Area Ambassadors (NPSL – Region IV)

Arizona Sahuaros (Region IV)

Sonoma County Sol (NPSL Champions)

It’s  a momentous occasion for the club from Hayward, Calif., a member of the NPSL Northwest Division. The Bay Area Ambassadors  were in fifth place in the six-team NPSL Northwest heading into their opening round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game, but overcame adversity and emerged  as the winner of the Region IV tourney in Sacramento last month and thus earned a spot in the 97th edition of the tournament.

Not bad for a franchise in only its third year of existence. BAFC was started in 2008 by former Nigerian Olympic team member Tony Igwe and local businessman and real-estate broker Arif Khan to bring the highest level of amateur/semi-pro soccer to the Bay Area, Khan said.

Igwe, the team’s technical advisor, and Khan, the general manager, chose the NPSL for their club because there were several other teams in Northern California. The Ambassadors practice and play at Chabot College in Hayward.

While goalkeeper Sergio Valle is the main player to watch, the Ambassadors feature a mix of local college and non-college players. Coach Mohammed Mohammed has several players he’s developed from his youth club, including Yusuf Samy, Stefan Clemens and Pedro Osorio.

BAFC didn’t have it easy at the Region IV tournament. Three of its players were injured in the tournament opener. But the club made the regional final and won it with no substitutes, playing two games with only 10 men due to the injuries and two players unable to get international clearance.

Even with the obstacles, the Ambassadors cruised through group play, only allowing one goal in three matches. They defeated San Diego Boca FC, 2-0, Arizona Pros, 1-0, and the French Soccer Academy, 5-1. In the semifinals, it was a battle of unbeatens as Bay Area knocked off the Sacramento Gold 1-0 to qualify for the Open Cup. With the tournament berth already in place, Bay Area carried the momentum into the Region IV Open Cup final and booked a spot in the USASA National Cup Finals with a 2-0 win over fellow qualifier Arizona Sahuaros.

The Ambassadors fly into Seattle-Tacoma Airport on June 15 and play that evening at 7 p.m. in nearby Bremerton, home of the Kitsap Pumas, the Premier Development League qualifier from the Northwest Division.

Detroit United poses for a team photo.

Owner/manager George Juncaj started his soccer journey immigrating to the United States in 1983. He played semi-pro in Southern California for his first few years, before coming to Michigan when a new opportunity arose in 1993. He played with various amateur teams around Metro Detroit until fights between players and spectators (fueled by ethnic hatred) forced him to hang up his boots.

Juncaj returned to the local soccer scene in 2002, playing simple pick-up with some friends, when younger players started to come around and join in the action. At some point, others started to cause trouble, and that’s when he decided it’s time to start a team in a structured league.

The new team that Juncaj started would come to be known as Detroit United, and the name comes from his past experiences at the amateur level, as well as inflicting a change in how an amateur team in Detroit comes to be:

The logo for Detroit United

“The reason I came to [the decision to name the team] Detroit United, I looked, and … you basically have ethnic groups. You have the White Eagles (a Polish club), you have Drita (Albanian), you have the [Carpathia] Kickers (German), etc. … So I said, you know what, I’m going to put Detroit United, where it’s going to be an option, whoever lives in Detroit, they can come play for this team. And that’s exactly what’s happened. I have two, three guys from Africa, I have a guy from Israel, I have many from Europe, I have an Argentinean, I have a Brazilian, and I used to have a Chinese guy. I used to have a Japanese guy, but he left soccer, and he went to play pro baseball in Japan.”

Juncaj feels that it’s important to not have any barriers keeping certain players from his team, unlike the many ethnic clubs that dot the soccer landscape in the Detroit area. “I never ask a person ‘where are you from?’ It doesn’t mean anything to me.”

As mentioned earlier, there are many international players on the squad. However, the core group of the team is mostly American. The first player Juncaj was quick to point out is Tommy Eller. He’s described as a fast player, controlling the ball very well, and one of the most unselfish players in the game (winning an award in that respect). According to his coach, “he might be one of the better players in the state of Michigan.” Other players mentioned include his captain, defender Tom Stark, as well as goalkeeper Ryan Mathe, Zach Wilkes, and Worteh Sampson (the last two formerly suiting up for the pro indoor team Detroit Ignition). Sampson also played for a time with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division. Those five players are the core group of the team.

Another player that might be recognizable, if you have been following this year’s road to qualification, is Fernando Gatica. He scored twice in Milwaukee in the win over the Kickers, then scored again in the semifinal battle with Nebraska’s 402 Academy. Juncaj has praise for him, but mentions that his ego is a little inflated. “He’s not a star yet. He’s a very good player; he controls the ball, which basic Argentineans do. But, he’s also got to be a team player. … Nobody can win a game alone.”

Taiwo Olorunnimbe does an acrobatic goal celebration after putting Detroit United up 5-4 in overtime. Photo: Josh Hakala

Speaking of that Kickers win, Detroit United managed to finish the match with only 11 healthy players. 14 were set to make the trip, but two were held back as they traveled separately, then were involved in a minor car accident before even leaving the area. Then, early in the Milwaukee match, a Detroit United player had to be removed from the pitch due to an injury, forcing the team to make the only substitution they had.

Although Detroit United is a new entry into the tournament, they have a little history in qualifying. They made a run in 2007, qualifying for the Region II tournament along with Ann Arbor FC Elite (the team they defeated earlier this year 1-0 for the Michigan title that qualified them for the Region II tournament). In the quarterfinals, they defeated the NPSL’s Princeton-56ers 2-1 on a late goal by Humberto Toscan, then matched up with famed Chicago club RWB Adria with a spot in the Open Cup on the line. Unfortunately for the club, they lost 3-0, and with AAFC Elite also losing in the semifinals (to Bavarians SC), the state of Michigan lost both their chances for a tournament bid at the very end.

George Juncaj has high hopes for both his club, as well as soccer in Detroit in general. He feels his team could compete in the National Premier Soccer League, but believes there’s a structural problem with the league itself. “I want to go to the NPSL, but there’s really nothing there, not enough teams. You’d be playing the same team four or five times. It’s not fun. They only have five teams [in the Midwest]. (currently there are six in 2010) I told them, you get eight to ten teams, you call me.” He mentioned the Premier Development League as an option, but currently the rights to Detroit (as well as the rights to any USL level team) are held by Michigan Bucks owner Dan Duggan, who remains committed to his team, even after Juncaj says he sent Duggan offers to buy the club.

As for professional soccer in the area, Juncaj believes there’s a good chance for Detroit to provide great support. “I really do think we have enough people who love the game in which we can have not just a USL team, but we can have an MLS team…. I think that would be the goal for the younger generation. I love seeing Chicago, I love seeing Columbus playing because you feel closer to your home.” He hopes investors come around and give Detroit a spot on the big stage, and feels that between all the soccer-loving Americans in town and the different ethnic groups, support for a professional club could be outstanding.

Detroit United is set to open their 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, June 15, as they play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Second Division. They look to show the ‘Hounds that United’s players are up to the task and well prepared to advance in the tournament.

Founded in 2001 as a merger of Legends Soccer Club and the Kansas City Football Club, KC Athletics won regionals in its first year competing in the Snickers Nationals and ended up finishing third nationally in the competition. The following year, their Under 20 team won the national championship, but then the club went on hiatus with many of the players joining nearby PDL clubs like the Des Moines Menace and the Kansas City Brass. In 2004, the KC Athletics were reborn.

With many of the players from the Under-20 team still with the club, the Athletics entered US Open Cup qualifying for the first time this year. They became the first Kansas-based team to enter the tournament in several years.

Kansas City’s first qualifier was a thriller on the road against the Des Moines Menace USASA side. The Athletics overcame a 3-1 second half deficit, but then fell behind 4-3 late in the game, but battled back to tie it up. Player/coach Kyle Perkins scored three of the team’s four goals, as the match went into a penalty kick shootout. In the ninth round of the tiebreaker, goalkeeper Zach Brennan saved Des Moines’ attempt, and then immediately turned around to score the game-winning spot kick to send the Athletics into the semifinals.

In their final four match against AAC Eagles of Illinois, a “Win & You’re In” match, they played another high-scoring nail biter, this time in front of their home fans. The Kansas City Wizards offered the team a chance to play their Open Cup match against the Chicago-based Eagles at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, immediately following the Wizards Major League Soccer match against the Chicago Fire.

In the pouring rain, some loyal fans, as well as some of the Wizards players, stuck around to watch the Athletics come back to tie the game up twice and then took the lead in the 59th minute on Perkins’ second goal of the match. However, the Eagles would equalize in the 75th minute, and just like their previous game, a scoreless extra time period would send the match into penalty kicks. Just one save needed to be made, as KC advanced 5-3 in the shootout to qualify for their first US Open Cup

According to Perkins, one of the biggest surprises the team had was facing the level of organization that the other sides brought to the competition, something which he feels put them at the start at a bit of a disadvantage, as the amount of training time available for the team has been less than he would like.

They will travel to the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. for their opening round match with the NSC Minnesota Stars on Tuesday. They are dealing with a number of injury and scheduling issues, as any USASA team does, so they will be without key players like former Kansas City Wizard Brian Roberts, and former Kansas City Comet Jason Woods. To replace them, the team has recruited former MLS player Scott Vermillion (Kansas City Wizards, Colorado Rapids, DC United),and local college standouts David Russell and youngster Larry Mason.

Perkins feels that they are better prepared moving forward and hope that their mix of former pros and local soccer talent will provide them with the ability to play up to the level of the 2nd Division Stars. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, he has been able to watch a few of the Stars’ matches and they have a gameplan, but knows that it’s hard to know how the team is going to react to playing against a professional team.

“I don’t know what to expect really [with Tuesday's match],” said Perkins. “We’ve got a starting 11 that we believe in and I think we’ll be alright.”

Such is the case with the Arizona Sahuaros, a highly regarded USASA club on hiatus for the second straight year from the NPSL. The Sahuaros might be the lonely oasis of soccer in the hot and dusty Arizona desert, but they have two things going for them as they head into the first round of the US Open Cup in 2010: History in the Open Cup and a defense-first mentality that causes opponents fits.

The Sahuaros under first-year coach Orhan Kraja, a native of Albania who has coached third-division football in Italy, have never advanced past the second round of the Open Cup. But their match against the defending PDL champion Ventura County Fusion Tuesday night will mark their third straight Open Cup berth.

Arizona’s roster is always in flux with its mixture of college players trying to stay in shape over the summer, young players trying to stay in the game and advance their careers and experienced veterans who have cut their teeth in higher professional ranks.  The Sahuaros are led by veteran goalkeeper Brad Swenby, who has played for the USL’s Minnesota Thunder and commutes to key Sahuaros games from Wisconsin.

The Arizona Sahuaros pose for a team photo with Boca Juniors of Argentina as part of the 2007 Copa PanAmericana. The Sahuaros played exhibition games against Boca and Mexican clubs Cruz Azul and Club America. Photo: Arizona Sahuaros.

Swenby and defender Mike Duhaney, the 1997 MLS Rookie of the Year with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, are expected to be with the club in California when they face the Fusion. Former MLS players Greg Vanney and Mike Munoz have other commitments and will not play.

That said, the Sahuaros bring a young team, for the most part, to Ventura. Those young players, with Swenby the rock in the net, played well enough at the USASA Region IV Cup in Sacramento last month to earn the second and final berth into the US Open Cup from the region, a credit to team president Ali Alexander and GM Mark Nabity for their work  and commitment to fielding a competitive team.

The Sahuaros run through the Region IV tournament was a difficult one, finishing 1-1-1 in group play. A 1-0 loss to the Sacramento Gold in their opener forced Arizona to get points in their last two matches.  The next match was a 10-1 drubbing of Yakima United, while the last was a 2-2 draw against Doxa Italia.

The nine-goal blowout proved to be the most important result as Arizona tied with three other clubs with four points, as the best second place team would book a place in the semifinals. With a plus-8 goal differencial, the Sahuaros would edge out Doxa-Italia (+6), San Diego Boca FC (+0), and the French Soccer Academy (-2) for a spot in the final four.

In the semifinals, the Sahuaros defeated Real San Jose 2-1 on a pair of goals from Pat Perkins. The second goal appeared to be a handball, but after consulting with the AR, the center ref let the goal stand.  Real San Jose pulled one back in the second half but it was too little, too late.

“I think our goalkeeper Brad Swenby was the key to our success this weekend.” said former long-time Sahuaros head coach Petar Draskin.  ”A few other players to recognize were Skelly Keller, Mitch Garcia, defenders Chris Green and Brian Green, midfielder Paul La Larva and forward Pat Perkins. This was the youngest team Sahuaros have ever brought to this event. Also, Seth George, a former pro, made his first appearance in a Sahuaros jersey.”

This year, the Arizona Sahuaros have become only the third USASA club to qualify for the US Open Cup three seasons in a row (2008, 2009, 2010). Los Lobos (Oklahoma) qualified from 1997-1999 and Mexico SC qualified four years in a row from 1999-2002.

The Sahuaros have been able to make it hard on PDL and USL teams in past Cups because of their emphasis on defense. Arizona’s belief in a system despite a constantly changing roster is what they claim to be the key to their success, along with playing games throughout Arizona to increase their exposure and tap into young talent from outside greater Phoenix.