It was a situation of in with the old and out with the new in the Eastern New York Semifinals as the New York Greek American Atlas defeated Fenerbahce USA 4-1 For the fourth time in the last five years, the New York Greek American Atlas will face the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the state’s Open Cup championship.
The Semifinal game, which took place at Center Island Beach Field in Bayville, NY, was a matchup of one of the newest teams in the Eastern NY region in Fenerbahce and Greek American Atlas who has been playing since 1946.
A week earlier, Fenerbahce USA eliminated New York in the US Amateur Cup tournament. The match finished tied 2-2, but Fenerbahce advanced on penalty kicks.
The Greek Americans jumped out to an early lead on this cold and rainy night, thanks to left back Diego Velasquez who scored on a free kick about 10 minutes into the game. 10 minutes later, another set piece put them up 2-0 when Patrick Figueiredo’s corner kick found the head of Javier Gonzales.
They continued to pressure the Fenerbahce goal, but former Greek American goalkeeper EJ Xikis made two exceptional saves. One of them on a shot from distance by Michael Todd and the other by forward Josh Trott.
New York, who was already in control of the match, received an additional advantage early in the second half when Fenerbahce’s sweeper was shown a red card when he tackled Trott from behind.
With the extra man, the Greek Americans struck again in the 75th minute when Trott sent a through ball to former DC United and Houston Dynamo forward Guy Kpene, who dribbled through the defense and slipped the ball past Xikis.
Fenerbahce would pull one back about five minutes later when a poor tackle in the penalty area awarded them with a PK. After the spot kick was converted, five minutes later, the Greek Americans put any hope of a comeback to bed with their fourth goal.
The final goal came as a result of another through ball from midfield, which found the feet of Trott, who split the two central defenders and collided with Xikis who tried to make the save. The ball took a deflection and Trott was able to recover and beat the keeper to the ball and tapped it into the empty net.
The Greek Americans, who have won the Open Cup three times (1967, 1968, 1969), are attempting to qualify for the tournament for the fourth time in the Professional Era (1995-present). In each of their three Pro Era appearances (1998, 2004, 2005), they lost in the opening round.
UPDATE: After the match, Fenerbahce USA protested the match, claiming that the Greek Americans used an ineligible player.
New York Greek American Atlas lineup
GK: Steven Diaz RB: Chris Cox, LB: Diego Velasquez, CB: Javier Gonzales, Arman Osooli CM: Kevin Meyer (75′ Alexandru Grigorita), Michael Todd, RM: Patrick Figueiredo (85′ Felix Flugo), LM: Adrien Papaluca, ST: Josh Trott, Guy Kpene (75′ Ricardo Ordain)
New York Greek American Atlas recent Eastern NY tournament history
2010 – Will face NY Pancyprian Freedoms in the Final
2009 – Lost in the Semifinals vs. SV Olympic 76 (1-1, 5-4 PKs)
2008 – Lost 1-0 (aet) vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms in the Final (Freedoms scored game-winner in 115th minute)
2007 – Won 2-0 vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms in the Final
(Lost in PKs vs. Aegean Hawks in the Semifinals of the Region I tournament)
2006 – Lost 2-0 vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms in the Final
2005 – Won the Eastern NY tournament (Advanced to the Final of the USASA Region I tournament)
2004 – Won the Eastern NY tournament (Lost in the Final of the USASA Region I tournament)
2003 – Won the Eastern NY tournament (Lost in the Semifinals of the USASA Region I tournament)