The USASA Region II tournament is complete with Detroit United’s 1-0 win over their rival Ann Arbor FC Elite in the
Michigan Open Cup championship. This was the third straight year that the two teams had met in the state competition, with Ann Arbor winning the first two years.
| 2010 Michigan Open Cup Final Sunday, April 11, 2010 Saline High School | Saline, MI |
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| Ann Arbor FC Elite | 0:1 | Detroit United |
| 75th – Tommy Eller | ||
| Photo gallery by Matthew Carey | ||
The match was hosted by Ann Arbor at Saline High School in Saline, Michigan, located just outside of the city of Ann Arbor on a cool evening. The home team controlled the majority of the possession through the first half, but neither team was able to break the scoreless tie. Ann Arbor did manage to put the ball in the back of the net, but the play was ruled offside. After a poor defensive clearance by Detroit, AAFC midfielder David Dwaihy sent the ball immediately to the right wing and when the ball was crossed to Yaacov Rubin in front of goal, he scored, but the flag went up.
Detroit created a few more chances in the second half, but the Ann Arbor defense, led by former New England Revolution goalkeeper TJ Tomasso, held strong until the 75th minute. After a corner kick, Ann Arbor attempted to clear, but the ball was collected, settled, and played square to Tommy Eller just outside the penalty area, who fired a laser into the back of the net to break the tie.
| Ann Arbor FC Elite vs. Detroit United in Michigan Open Cup tournament |
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| 2010 Final | Ann Arbor FC Elite |
0:1 | Detroit United |
| 2009 Final | Ann Arbor FC Elite | 6:5 | Detroit United |
| 2008 Semifinal | Ann Arbor FC Elite | 3:2 | Detroit United |
| Both teams were entered into the 2007 Region II Finals and did not play each other. Both reached the semifinals of the regional tournament, leaving themselves one win away from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, but both were eliminated. Ann Arbor lost 6-0 to Bavarian SC (WI) Detroit lost 3-0 to RWB Adria (IL). |
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Ann Arbor threw everything forward for the remaining 15 minutes and seemed to have equalized a few minutes after the goal was scored when Drew Ducker was sent through on the left side of the penalty area. His shot beat Detroit goalkeeper Ryan Mathe, but the play was called offside. After a frantic final ten minutes, Detroit would hold on for their first state championship since 2007.
Ann Arbor head coach Casey Bantle was very disappointed after the game. “This was one of the best teams I’ve ever put on a soccer field,” he said.
Detroit’s reward for winning is a spot in the Region II tournament where they will travel to Wisconsin to take on the Milwaukee Kickers on Saturday, May 1.
Ann Arbor FC Elite lineup:
TJ Tomasso (GK)
CB: Andy Gutowski
CB: Bobby Raymond
RB: Charlie Watts
LB: Dan Clatterbuck
CM: David Dwaihy
CM: Miki Djerisilo
RM: Drew Ducker
LM: Scott Tomlins
ST: Yaacov Rubin
ST: Blake Ordell
USASA Region II tournament schedule
Saturday, May 1
(All games at 3 p.m. ET)
Detroit United (Michigan) at Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
Fire SC ‘00 (Minnesota) at AAC Eagles (Illinois) – 3 p.m. at Toyota Park turf field
St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL Midwest) at 402 Academy (Nebraska)
KC Athletics (Kansas) at Des Moines Menace USASA (Iowa)