Qualifying for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is already underway in Eastern Pennsylvania, which kicked off its tournament on Oct. 27, when the four-time Open Cup winners Ukrainian Nationals defeated Cavalla FC 2-0. The eight remaining teams in the competition also include the two-time reigning Eastern PA champions and a two-time Open Cup runner-up. Five of the eight teams have won Eastern PA championships since 1997. The quarterfinals take place on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. at four different locations.
West Chester United vs. Ukrainian Nationals – 2 p.m.
West Chester Area Sports Association Complex in West Chester, PA
West Chester United enters this year’s tournament as two-time reigning champions and the top seed. Despite winning Eastern PA two years in a row, the squad fell twice in Region I qualifying, and is still looking for its first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup berth. As top seed, United has hosting rights throughout the tournament and is poised to make a deep run for the third year in a row.
Fellow United Soccer League side Ukrainian Nationals defeated Cavalla FC 2-0 in the play-in game on Oct. 27. The Nationals, who won the US Open Cup in 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1966, are looking to return to the tournament for the first time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). The club hopes to end a state tournament drought as well as they haven’t won an Eastern Pennsylvania title since 2006.
Phoenix SC vs. Salone FC – 2 p.m.
Phoenix Sport Club, Feasterville, PA
Phoenix SC is currently top of the United Soccer League and riding a three-game win streak. The club won the 2010 and 2011 editions of the tournament and qualified for the Open Cup in 2011. Phoenix, who first entered the Open Cup back in the 1940s, fell early in last year’s tournament to Nether United in penalty kicks.
Salone FC is the only team in the competition from Philadelphia proper. The squad fell in last year’s quarterfinals, 4-0 to Cavalla FC. Salone is one of just three teams left that have not won an Eastern Pennsylvania championship.
Colonial Ultra vs. Upper Moreland Celtic – 2 p.m.
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, Plymouth Meeting, PA
In the only match-up featuring teams that have yet to win an Eastern Pennsylvania tournament, Colonial Ultra takes on Upper Moreland Celtic. Colonial Ultra is leading the Inter-County Soccer League at 5-0-1. Last year, the Ultras fell 3-2 to Quakertown in the first round.
Fellow ICSL side Upper Moreland Celtic used to be known as Mayfair Celtic. The squad lost to Junior Lone Star 6-0 in last year’s tournament.
United German Hungarians vs. Vereinigung Erzgebirge – 2 p.m.
United German Hungarian Club, Oakford, PA
The United German Hungarians began playing soccer in 1922. Since then, the club has been Open Cup runner-up twice, in 1977 and 1993. The German Hungarians have won the state title five times since 1997. Currently, the side is languishing in sixth place in the United Soccer League (out of seven teams), but are seeded second in this tournament due to advancing to the championship game last year.
Vereinigung Erzgebirge are no slouches when it comes to soccer history either. The club was founded in 1931. VE last qualified for the Open Cup in 2002, and won state titles in 2007 and 2009. VE is currently in second place in the United Soccer League.