12 teams from California, Arizona and Washington to battle for 2 Region IV Open Cup spots

Posted on 05. May, 2010 by Tavio Palazzolo in 2010, 2010 USOC Qualifying, Qualification, USASA

2010 US Open Cup qualification is set for USASA Region IV, and it will take place during the weekend of May 21-23 in Sacramento, California. Qualifying will be slightly different from previous years, as there are 12 entrants to the competition instead of eight. Three groups of four will compete for the right to play in the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The three group winners, as well as the best second-place finisher, will advance to a newly-created semifinal round. The winners of the semifinal matches will qualify.

Participants range from old regulars to new kids on the block. The team possibly most recognizable in the group is the Arizona Sahuaros. They are only participating team that has previously qualified for the US Open Cup, having done so four times. Their most recent appearance, in 2008, resulted in a First Round loss to the USL’s Seattle Sounders in extra time. Other teams that have previously played in Region IV qualifying include Doxa-Italia, FC Hasental, and San Diego United, who all competed in 2009 qualifying. Ironically, they all competed in the same group last year, and finished below 2009 qualifier Sonoma County Sol, who did not re-enter Region IV qualifying (their reason is explained below). Newcomers include the French Soccer Academy and Yakima United, the first qualifying entries from the State of Washington in at least the past 10 years. Both look to be the first USASA team from Washington to qualify since FTI (Seattle) made the First Round back in 1993 (before the Pro Era).

Some might wonder where Open Cup regulars Sonoma County Sol is. Well, they are taking a different path to the Open Cup. If the tournament followed the format from last year, with all of the second division and third division professional teams along with eight USASA, MLS and PDL teams, the total number of teams would add up to 39. That leaves the competition one team short of keeping an even bracket, so the USSF announced that they would add an extra amateur play-in game. The Sonoma County Sol, who has qualified for the Open Cup three times in the last five years, will take on fellow California club PSA Los Gatos Storm. The two clubs met in a friendly on April 25, with the Sol winning 3-0. The winner of the amateur play-in game will be the 17th amateur club (8 USASA, 8 PDL) entered into the tournament.

Qualified Clubs:

Arizona Pros (Arizona)

Arizona Sahuaros (NPSL – on hiatus)

Bay Area Ambassadors (NPSL)

Doxa-Italia (California South)

FC Hasental (California South)

French Soccer Academy (Washington)

Real San Jose (NPSL)

Sacramento Gold (NPSL)

San Diego Boca FC (NPSL)

San Diego United (NPSL – on hiatus)

San Francisco Italian Athletics (California North)

Yakima United (Washington)

All times Eastern

All times Eastern

All times Eastern

Tags: 2010 USASA Qualifying, USASA Region IV