Three days after they became the first Rhode Island-based side to advance to the Region I Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup in recent memory, AC Blaugrana was disqualified from the historic tournament after one of its players was ruled ineligible.
Alencar ‘Junior’ Ventura, who scored Blaugrana’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Mass Premier Soccer in last Sunday’s preliminary round clash, was ineligible to play after he suited up for Mass United FC in the state semifinals last fall. Players are deemed ‘cup-tied’ to their original club during the course of an ongoing tournament.
With Blaugrana out, Mass Premier advances to the Region I Quarterfinals for the third straight year. They will host New Jersey-based Icon FC at Framingham State University on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Brian O’Connell is one of the founders of New England Soccer Today. Follow him on Twitter @BrianOConnell21.