Massachusetts-based Global Premier Soccer (GPS) Omens kicked off their first open division qualifying match in the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was much easier than originally expected.
Thanks to two goals and two assists from Keith Caldwell, GPS Omens beat Boston Olympiakos FC 5-0 on Sunday, Oct. 18. GPS, who were known as GPS Massachusetts last year, are aiming to qualify for the US Open Cup fourth year in a row. That quest got off to a nice start as Omens scored two goals in the first 13 minutes as Olympiakos started the match with just eight players. The first goal came from the penalty spot as former Colorado Rapids draftee Caldwell converted and then later assisted on a goal by former US youth international Scott Prozeller. Boston added two more players before halftime and outlasted the Omens attack and headed into the break trailing 2-0.
Caldwell was at the center of the offense after halftime, assisting on a Jake Johnson goal in the 50th minute. Three minutes later, Charlie Romero gave GPS a four-goal lead to put the game out of reach against 10-man Boston.
Olympiakos had a pair of chances to get back in the game midway through the second half, and so did GPS as they were awarded another penalty kick, but Romero’s attempt was saved by the Boston netminder.
Omens put the nail in the coffin when Caldwell scored his second goal when he ran past the Olympiakos back line and chipped the ball in for the fifth and final goal. Omens had a chance to score a sixth with two minutes left, but the shot sailed over the bar.
Omens is now undefeated in the last five league and cup games dating back to Sept. 19. They take on Boston-based rivals Southie FC in the next round of the Open Cup on Nov. 15 at Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Mass. with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.