There was plenty of drama entering the Eastern New York Open Cup Final. The game featured Fenerbahce USA, a second-year club that reached the championship game due to a controversial protest filed after they lost 4-1 to the New York Greek American Atlas in the Semifinals. When the decision was made to disqualify the Greek Americans, New York Pancyprian Freedoms general manager George Halkidis, stepped to the defense of his rivals in an interview with FirstTouchOnline.com.
“It’s a shame what happened to . Games are decided on the field and not on paper,” said Halkidis. “It’s OK though because I promise that this team, , will not advance. Not on the field nor on paper. Pancyprians will take care of business.”
Halkidis made good on that promise as the Freedoms dispatched Fenerbahce 4-1 to continue their dominance over Eastern NY. For New York, it was their third straight Open Cup title and their fourth in the last five years.
Jeff Matteo, Chris Megaloudis, Julio Cesar DoSantos and Tasos Polydefkis all scored for the Freedoms as they qualify for the 2010 USASA Region I Finals that will be held next Spring. Last year, they lost in the opening round to Emigrantes Das Ilhas of Massachusetts, but they earned a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2008 after advancing to the Region I title game.
More details to follow …
Entries for the 2010 USASA Region I Finals
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (Eastern NY)
Phoenix SC (Eastern PA)
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (Massachusetts)
Entries for the 2010 USASA Region II Finals
Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
AAC Eagles (Illinois)