Every year, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup includes a new batch of amateur clubs hoping to be the tournament’s latest Cinderella story. And every year, TheCup.us introduces soccer fans across the country to these teams that have been the heart and soul of this competition for more than a century. This year, we are expanding our annual “Meet the USASA” series to include the USSSA and US Club Soccer. We bring you “Meet the Underdogs.”
Founded in 1941, the New York Greek American Soccer Club, also known as “The Greeks” are the second oldest soccer club outside Greece representing members of the Greek community. This Astoria-based neighborhood club, which is a long-time member of the historic New York Cosmopolitan League, has a rich history in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, winning the crown four times: in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1974. They are one of just seven clubs in the tournament’s 102 year history to win four titles, one shy of the all-time record of five.
This year, the club is back for the sixth time in the modern era (1995-present), seeking to carry over their winning tradition into success in the 21st century.
Unlike other amateur leagues, the Cosmopolitan League and the USASA provide players the opportunity to play year-round. The Greek Americans are typically comprised of two types of players: former professional players who need a club to play with before moving on to their next professional team, and aspiring professional players who are looking for exposure in tournaments like the US Open Cup. The club provides year-round training and cup competition experience at both the amateur and professional level.
In the 2014 edition of the US Open Cup, the Greeks snapped a five-game tournament losing streak by taking down one of the Premier Development League’s biggest giant killers, the Ocean City Nor’Easters. They won the game 2-0 on the strength of a pair of goals by Josh Trott before falling to the USL Pro’s Richmond Kickers 2-1 in the third round.
The Greeks have qualified for the tournament for the second year in a row through the USASA’s Amateur Cup. In 2013, USASA Region I decided to award their two Open Cup spots to the region’s Amateur Cup and Open Cup champions, rather than the Open Cup winner and the runner-up. The Greeks won the Region I Amateur Cup title each of the last two years to punch their ticket to the tournament. They clinched their tournament berth with a 5-1 win over Western New York’s Italian American Sport Club in the Region I Amateur Cup Final back on June 13, 2013. Chris Megaloudis scored four goals and Stephan Pierce added another to lead the route.
This season, the Greeks hope to capitalize on last year’s successes and use their momentum to make a run this year’s Cup. The Greeks have already been preparing and believe sound preparation and a steady roster will make a difference in the success of lower division teams in the tournament.
“Preparation and quality does make a difference,” said head coach Stavros Zomopoulos. “We have to be better prepared and our players need to know what we’re getting into.”
The Greeks will look to the leadership and experience of their players heading into the cup stretch. Two notable players to look out for are Megaloudis and Stephan Barea. In last season’s US Open Cup, Megaloudis scored off of a Barea assist to take a 1-0 lead on professional side Richmond Kickers. Both players will be looking to make an impact again this year’s competition.
The Greeks will also look to have a formulated plan as they head into their second round cup matchup against the PDL’s Jersey Express on May 13 in Newark, New Jersey. If the Greeks win, they are scheduled for a third round matchup against the New York Red Bulls II (USL) at Red Bull Arena on May 20. The Greeks will also attempt to reclaim back-to-back USASA National Amateur Championships from May 26-29 in Chattanooga, Tenn., meaning that fitness and training will be a priority going into the next few weeks.