We have the first regional champion of the 2026 National Amateur Cup. Tar Devils SC of North Carolina won the USASA Region III (South) Amateur Cup on Sunday afternoon after playing four games in two days. The final challenge saw Tar Devils beat Arkansas Wolves FC, 1-0, in the final.
The trophy marks Tar Devils’ first Region III crown, and their first trip to the USASA Amateur Cup National Finals as well. Milwaukee (July 24-25) awaits as Tar Devils continue their quest to become the first club from North Carolina to win the National Amateur Cup. If they are able to win the tournament, they would qualify for the 2027 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup – becoming the 12th club from the Tar Heel State to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Era (1995-present).
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The Region III men’s regional amateur cup tournament at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn. saw four teams compete in a round robin group. These included;
- Arkansas Wolves FC – Arkansas, NISA Nation
- Strikers – Tennessee, Tennessee State Soccer Association
- Tar Devils SC – North Carolina, North Carolina Soccer League
- Terminus FC – Georgia, Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League
Of the group, Tar Devils and Terminus qualified as champions of their respective state cups. Arkansas was granted entry the weekend prior through their state soccer association. Strikers, however, were a last minute replacement team comprised mostly of local players from a nearby “international” league.
The group stage would take place over Saturday and finish Sunday morning after every team had played one another. The top two teams at the conclusion of the group stage would advance to Sunday afternoon’s final with only a few hours of rest. The points system in the group stage was also unique, with the following parameters.
- WIN = 6 points
- TIE = 3 points
- LOSS = 0 points
- GOALS SCORED (Up to 3) = 1 point each
- CLEAN SHEET = 1 point
Meaning a team could end a game with a maximum of 10 points if it ended 3-0, along with other combinations of points for both teams in a game.
After an early-morning end to the group stage which saw Arkansas Wolves beat a rotated Tar Devils SC 1-0 thanks to a 58th minute goal from Jared Nunes, the NCSL side from North Carolina fielded a more rested, full strength lineup for the rematch in the USASA Region III Final. The Tar Devils had qualified for the final on Saturday night after winning their second game. The Wolves needed a draw or better on Sunday morning to overcome Terminus, who earned a perfect 10 points in their final game thanks to a forfeit by Strikers.
The Tar Devils’ fresher legs were clearly evident throughout the match, as they largely dictated the tempo and intensity of the game. The lone goal in the 18th minute saw Michael Pasca round the Arkansas keeper on a transition and tap home what would become the winner.
Pasca finished regionals with two goals, three assists, and enough exaustian that he needed the help of his teammates to join the group during the trophy celebration.
The Devils kept it going in the second half, even nearly finding a second early in the final 45 minutes, only to be foiled by the woodwork.
Arkansas mounted a frantic comeback attempt as the time on the clock ticked closer and closer to the final whistle, but every question asked of the Tar Devil backline was answered emphatically. For all the possession Arkansas was able to muster late, they couldn’t quite offer a serious threat to the Tar Devil goal, leaving the scoresheet unaltered.
Below is a complete recap of the entire Region III tournament, with scores from each of the group stage games and the final.
Saturday, May 30 – 9 AM
Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
10:0
Strikers (TN, TSSA)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 1 – Murfreesboro, TN
TDSC:
- Donovan Carey x4
- Taylor Vincent x2
- Shak Adams
- Luc Madrid
- Bilal Nachet
- Michael Pasca
Terminus FC (GA, ADASL)
1:1
Arkansas Wolves FC (AR, NN)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 2 – Murfreesboro, TN
TFC:
- Erik Holmen
AWFC:
- Jared Nunes
Saturday, May 30 – 5 PM
Strikers (TN, TSSA)
2:3
Arkansas Wolves FC (AR, NN)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 1 – Murfreesboro, TN
Strikers:
- Goal scorers unknown at this time
AWFC:
- Jared Nunes
- Lesego Maloma
- Kananelo Motaung
Terminus FC (GA, ADASL)
1:5
Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 2 – Murfreesboro, TN
TFC:
- Sebastian Lopez – Goal
- Brynn Thompson – Early red card
TDSC:
- Shak Adams x2
- Bilal Nachet
- Donovan Carey
- Ahce Lhadj
Sunday, May 31 – 9 AM
Strikers (TN, TSSA)
L:W
Terminus FC (GA, ADASL)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 1 – Murfreesboro, TN
Strikers forfeit the match due to not having enough players for the game. Terminus was awarded a 3-0 win, and 10 points in the table. Needing Wolves to lose their final game and not score three goal in defeat to advance.
Arkansas Wolves FC (AR, NN)
1:0
Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 2 – Murfreesboro, TN
AWFC:
- Jared Nunes
Sunday, May 31 – 1 PM
USASA Region III Final
Arkansas Wolves FC (AR, NN)
0:1
Tar Devils SC (NC, NCSL)
Richard Siegel Soccer Complex Field 1 – Murfreesboro, TN
TDSC:
- Michael Pasca
Final group standings
