Emigrantes Das Ilhas took a step toward returning to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-1 win over Alianca CV in the Semifinals of the Massachusetts Open Cup tournament. Emigrantes, who made their debut in the Open Cup last year, rebounded from an early deficit and will advance to the state championship game.
In a match played at Pepe Amaral Field in Taunton, Mass., the two teams battled to a scoreless draw after the first half, but Alianca CV took the lead 10 minutes into the second half thanks to an own goal. However, Emigrantes would level the game five minutes later with a goal by Dany Xavier.
Emigrantes, who compete in the New England Luso American Soccer League, would put the game away with about 20 minutes left to go when Alianca was called for a foul in the penalty area. Ernesto Lopes converted the PK and the defense held on for the remainder of the match to put Emigrantes into the Massachusetts final for the second year in a row.
Last year, the club defeated three teams to win the Massachusetts tournament, earning them a place in the USASA Region I Finals. This year, they will play the winner of MPS and Boston Olympiakos, who are scheduled to play on November 18.
Emigrantes Das Ilhas lineup
GK: Jordan Mota
DEF: Carlos Amado, Carlos Gomes, Aderito Pina, Jailson Pina
MID: Edens Cherry, Ernesto Lopes, Julio Gonsalves, Ze Veiga
FWD: Zico Veiga, Daniel Xavier