Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Evan Ream

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: Cal FC stuns Doxa Italia twice to unofficially qualify from USASA Region IV

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It took 120 minutes, but when the dust settled at the Manhattan Village Field in Manhattan Beach, Calif. on Saturday night, Cal FC defeated Doxa Italia 3-2. The win earned an expected return to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time since their dream run to the fourth round in 2012.

The one-game playoff between USASA teams was decided in the second overtime when Jaime Chavez scored his second goal of the game in a scramble in the box after a long ball was played in.

The game was sent to extra time on a stoppage time equalizer and penalty kicks were narrowly avoided as the game-winner was scored in the final minute of overtime.

“We didn’t practice (before the game),” said Cal FC manager Michael Friedman. “Most of these guys on the field never even had touched a ball with each other. Part of the game was just getting acclimated to the style of play and getting accustomed to the speed of play.”

This is the third year in a row that the two clubs have met with an Open Cup berth on the line. Cal FC edged Doxa Italia 4-3 in group play in 2012, and last year, Doxa won 2-1 to earn their second trip to the tournament in three years. With the USASA’s Open Cup qualifying deadline moved up to Dec. 31, the two teams were chosen for the play-in game since they are the two most recnet clubs to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Cal FC defeated Doxa Italia 3-2 in extra time to unofficially punch their ticket to the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Photo: John Santos

With the win, Cal FC is expected to join 2013 Region IV Open Cup champion PSA Elite as the region’s two entries in the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The reason their Open Cup spot is unofficial is because the US Soccer Federation has yet to announce the tournament’s 2014 format, so the region’s two spots are not set in stone. However, USASA officials have told TheCup.us they expect to retain their eight entries (two per region) for the 11th year in a row.

The Cal FC side, which made a name for themselves in 2012 by upsetting Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers in the third round, were managed by  Friedman and former US international Eric Wynalda. This year, Wynalda is still involved with the club, but it is unclear if he will be roaming the sidelines for the team during this year’s cup run.

Down 2-1, thanks to two goals from Doxa Italia midfielder and former New England Revolution player Bryan Byrne, Cal FC substitute German Alfaro headed in a cross in the 93rd minute to force overtime.

Doxa Italia had subbed out Byrne late in the game, so they were forced to play the remainder of the game without their star attacker.

“The ball was in our defensive third for most of the game,” said Friedman. “It wasn’t until the last 10 minutes of the half that we started connecting and were able to transition the ball from the midfield to our target forward, Jaime.”

“In the second half, we were just schooling these guys.”

The game was not without controversy. When Cal FC scored their second and third goals of the game, the Italia bench erupted with calls for offside, but the officials, and Cal FC, saw it differently.

“There was excellent refereeing. There were no problems with that,” said Friedman, who did earlier admit that he had trouble seeing across the field due to the foggy conditions and poor lighting.

Despite falling short of a second straight Open Cup berth, Doxa Italia manager Joe Cartlidge was proud of his team’s effort.

“Undoubtedly, we’re disappointed with the loss but we played extraordinarily well as a team,” said Cartlidge. “We defended as a single unit, our communication was the best it’s been all season and we had two stellar goals.”

The Cal FC continued the state of California’s recent dominance of Region IV with their victory. 2014 will mark the fourth year in a row that both of the region’s entries will be from the Golden State.


PAST US OPEN CUP ENTRIES FROM REGION IV

2014: Cal FC (SCA), PSA Elite (SCA)
2013: Doxa Italia (SCA), PSA Elite (SCA)
2012: Cal FC (SCA), PSA Elite (SCA)
2011: Doxa Italia (SCA), DV8 Defenders (NCA)
2010: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ), Bay Area Ambassadors (NPSL)
2009: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ), Sonoma County Sol (NCA)
2008: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ – NPSL), Hollywood United (SCA)
2007: Banat Arsenal (AZ), El Paso Indios (NPSL)
2006: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ), Sonoma County Sol (NCA – NPSL)
2005: Salinas Valley Samba (NPSL), Sonoma County Sol (NCA – NPSL)
2004: Chico Rooks (NCA – NPSL), Sacramento Knights (NCA – NPSL)
2003: Chico Rooks (NCA – NPSL)
2002: Mexico SC (NCA)
2001: Mexico SC (NCA)
2000: Mexico SC (NCA)
1999:  Mexico SC (NCA)
1998: San Nicolas (CSA)
1997: Inter SC (NCA)
1996: San Jose Oaks (NCA)
1995: Flamengo SC (UT)

2013 US Open Cup Preliminary Round: FC Hasental win tournament debut, 5-3 over Fresno Fuego Future (VIDEO)

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UPDATE: Video of FC Hasental goals added below.

First-time US Open Cup entry FC Hasental of the National Premier Soccer League posted an impressive result in their debut, registering a 5-2 victory at Chukchansi Park in Fresno Tuesday night against the Fuego, who were 13-3-2 at home in league play the last two years.

And the visitors had to come from behind as well to do it. The Fuego took the initial advantage three minutes into the contest when they capitalized on a defensive error that resulted in Alexander Caceres finding Paul Islas for the opening goal.

Unfortunately for the Fuego, FC Hasental would score four straight goals and five total to set up a first round match-up with Ventura County Fusion next Tuesday at Ventura College.

The 1-0 margin stood until Gustavo Villalobos nailed a volley past Gilbert Vega in the 29th minute off a ball from Joel Contreras.

The visitors nearly took the lead in the first minute of the second half when Alberto Anguiano sent a chip off the crossbar, but the Agoura Hills side would find the go-ahead strike four minutes later when Armando Gaitan struck on a 20 yard free kick.

It was the first of three consecutive for Hasental. Manny Cazares found Villalobos for his second on the hour mark and seven minutes later set up Anguiano to make it 4-1 in favor of the NPSL entry.

Fresno answered through Abraham Campos in the 75th, but saw the visitors answer right back three minutes later through Anguiano to restore the three-goal margin. Ferid Celosmanovic capped the match for Fresno with a tally in the 90th minute.

FC Hasental advances to the First Round of the tournament where they will play the Ventura County Fusion of the PDL on May 14 at Ventura College.

Scoring Summary
FRE: Paul Islas (Alexander Caceres) – 3rd min
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos (Joel Contreras) – 29th min
HAS: Armando Gaitan – 50th min
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos (Manny Cazares) – 60th min
HAS: Alberto Anguiano (Manny Cazares) – 67th min
FRE: Abraham Campos – 75th min
HAS: Alberto Anguiano – 78th min
FRE: Ferid Celosmanovic – 90th min

Discipline
HAS: Gustavo Villalobos 45, Kleber Ortiz 62
FRE: N/A #20 55, Gaston Cignetti 66

Starting Lineups
FC Hasental : Mitchell, Rodriguez, Ortiz, Ramos, Contreras, Rosas, Cazarez, Gaitan, Villalobos, Anguiano, Cazares

Fresno Fuego: Gilbert Vega; Jesus Garcia, M. Gutierrez, Justin Finch, Trevor Spurgeon; Abraham Campos, Gaston Cignetti, Alexander Caceres; Tyler Reinhart, Paul Islas, Eligio Morales

FC HASENTAL GOALS IN ORDER:





#USOC100

Fresno Fuego Future to represent US Club Soccer in 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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The Fresno Fuego Future celebrate their US Club Soccer Open Cup championship. Photo: Dan Perlea Photography

Star forward Tyler Reinhart scored two goals, tallied an assist, and drew a penalty in a man-of-the match performance that helped the Fresno Fuego Future qualify for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 5-1 victory over APJCC Los Gatos Storm on Saturday.

The championship game of US Club Soccer’s Open Cup qualifying tournament took place at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif. Saturday. The Fuego, who also compete in the USL’s Premier Development League, didn’t qualify for the 2013 tournament based on their 2012 PDL results, but entered a team in the US Club Soccer tournament.

The Fuego will begin Open Cup play on May 7 in the Play-In Round against NPSL club FC Hasental. According to a local media report, the Fuego claim they will host that game at Chukchansi Park, but no official announcement has been made.

Reinhart opened the scoring in the 34th minute when a shot saved by Storm goalkeeper Jairo Zermano dropped right to him in the penalty area.

The Cal Poly Pamona product expertly finished the chance with a one-time shot that seemed minutes in the making as Fuego had been controlling much of the match to that point.

Just seven minutes later, Chivas USA Supplemental Draft pick Paul Islas made a long run through the midfield before playing a smart one-two with Rienhart at the top of the box. Islas side-footed the ball into the corner of the net to give Fuego a deserving 2-0 lead just before the break.

The Fresno Fuego Future celebrate their US Club Soccer Open Cup championship. Photo: Dan Perlea Photography

“We really wanted to come out strong,” said Reinhart. “Luckily we were able to get a couple of early goals.”

If there was any question to the result, Reinhart ended all speculation when he completed his brace, finishing from a tight angle after some nice interplay down the left side from Islas and Robert Garcia in the 49th minute.

Islas, who described his own play as “mediocre” was a nuisance for the Storm all day, continually making probing runs from midfield, and losing his marker with deft touches and quick interplay with teammates.

The Fuego weren’t close to being done though. When Storm defender Felix Alvarez misplayed a back-pass, Reinhart was the quickest to pounce, getting the ball behind the defender with just the keeper to beat. The hulking Alvarez was left with no choice but to pull down Rienhart, earning Fresno a penalty kick and a red card for Alvarez.

Fuego captain Caston Cignetti coolly converted the spot kick in the 57th minute, ending any chances of a Los Gatos comeback.

As the result was assured, both teams played out the rest of the game somewhat nonchalantly in the 90 degree heat.

In the 63rd minute Storm captain, and former California Cougar, Enrique Tovar played a lofted through ball to Steven Sanchez who finally beat Fuego keeper Gilbert Vega with a low shot that shaved the inside of the left upright.

Three minutes later, another Paul Islas run drew the keeper off his line. Islas slotted the ball back to the onrushing Robert Garcia who finished the ball in the corner of the back of the net to end the night’s scoring at 5-1.

“We’re playing really well right now,” said Islas. “The Open Cup opens up opportunities for us so hopefully we can be a part of it for as long as possible.”

In the 73rd minute Enrique Tovar hit the crossbar with a penalty kick after Fuego defender Eddie Gonzalez brought down a Storm player in the box. Gonzalez was immediately substituted afterwards.

2013 will mark the third time a team from the Fuego organization will be a part of the US Open Cup. In 2003, the team’s inaugural season in the PDL, they put together one of the top Open Cup runs of the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). After defeating MPSL (now known as the NPSL) side Chico Rooks , they upset two professional teams (Utah Blitzz and the El Paso Patriots) before falling to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

It would be almost a decade before they would qualify again, reaching the tournament last year. The Fuego defeated last year’s US Club Soccer representative Stanislaus United Turlock Express 2-0 in the opening round before they were eliminated by the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers .

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: US Club Soccer

Bracket A PTS W L D GD
x-San Ramon SC 9 3 0 0 +11
x-Cap FC 6 2 1 0 +6
North Coast Tsunami 3 1 2 0 -4
Southern Oregon Fuego 0 0 3 0 -13

March 16
Cap FC 0:3 San Ramon SC
North Coast Tsunami 1:0 Southern Oregon Fuego

March 23
Southern Oregon Fuego 0:5 San Ramon SC

March 24
Cap FC 4:2 North Coast Tsunami

March 29
San Ramon SC 3:0 North Coast Tsunami

March 30
Southern Oregon Fuego 0:7 Cap FC

Bracket B PTS W L D GD
x-Fresno Fuego Future 7 2 0 1 +3
x-APJCC Los Gatos Storm 6 2 1 0 +3
Stanislaus United 2 0 1 2 -1
Bullard United 1 0 2 1 -5

March 16
Fresno Fuego Future 1:0 APJCC Los Gatos Storm

March 17
APJCC Los Gatos Storm 3:2 Stanislaus United

March 22
Bullard United 0:3 APJCC Los Gatos Storm

March 24
Stanislaus United 2:2 Fresno Fuego Future

March 27
Fresno Fuego Future 3:1 Bullard United

March 30
Bullard United 1:1 Stanislaus United

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Semifinals (April 6)
Cap FC 2:10 Fresno Fuego Future

Semifinals (Replay – April 21)
San Ramon FC 0:2 (AET) APJCC Los Gatos Storm
* Original match on April 6 suspended when the lights went out at the stadium with the score tied 1-1 in extra time.

Final (April 27)
Fresno Fuego Future 5:1 APJCC Los Gatos Storm
Chukchansi Park (Fresno, CA)

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: US Club Soccer spot down to Fresno Fuego Future, Los Gatos Storm after semis

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The US Club Soccer Semifinals in the path for the organization’s lone berth into the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup could not have any more different as the Fresno Fuego Future cruised to an easy win while Los Gatos Storm emerged from a near two full overtime game standoff with San Ramon following a replay in which both games went to extra time.

The winner of the final will face a yet-to-be named National Premier Soccer League team in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Play-In Round on May 7.

Fresno Fuego Future 10 Cap FC 2

Forward Tyler Reinhart scored a hat trick to help the Fresno Fuego Future dominate Cap FC 10-2 Saturday at Clovis East High School in Clovis, Calif on April 6.

Reinhart scored in the 11th, 44th, and 55th minutes, while also setting up two goals to help the Fuego cruise to the US Club Soccer US Open Cup qualifying tournament final on Saturday at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif.

The Fuego started off the game fast with Eligio Morales breaking the deadlock after being sent behind the defense by Reinhart in just the eighth minute.

Three minutes later the Fuego doubled the lead when Reinhart beat the keeper from 18 yards out off of a scuffed clearance from a Cap FC centerback.

Gatson Cignetti and Paul Islas each put one in the back of the net in addition to first half braces from Reinhart and Morales to push the score to 6-0 at the break.

Islas completed a brace of his own shortly after halftime to push the game even more out of reach. After Reinhart completed his hat trick in the 55th minute, the Fuego opted to sub out some of their players, even going down to 10 men for the last few minutes of the game.

Nevertheless, there was still scoring to be done. Cap FC exposed the Fuego’s new recruits with two quick goals from Uriel Guevara and Luis Arce in the 53rd and 62nd minutes respectively.

But it was too little, too late as the Fuego capped off the night with a fourth and final brace, this time from prospect Jose Segura.

Los Gatos Storm 2 San Ramon FC 0 (after extra time)

The Los Gatos Storm also booked their ticket to the final, albeit in much different circumstances.

After play was suspended when the lights at Tiffany Roberts Park in San Ramon, Calif. went out with the score tied 1-1 in the second period of extra time with 13 minutes remaining on April 6, the teams were forced to reschedule their game to Sunday.

Sunday’s game also went beyond the initial 90 minutes, resulting in the two sides ultimately playing 227 minutes to decide who would advance to the final.

On Sunday, Enrique Tovar broke the deadlock in the 109th minute of play at Evergreen College in San Jose, Calif. Andy Moya added an insurance goal for the Storm in the 118th to cap the belated victory.

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Fresno Fuego Future cruise into US Club Soccer final; other semifinal delayed

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The semifinal round of the US Club Soccer US Open Cup qualifying tournament kicked off this weekend, but only one game was able to be completed. The Fresno Fuego Future had no trouble reaching the final, but the same couldn’t be said for the other semifinal which suffered a power outage during extra time, forcing the game to be suspended.

After a 1-1 draw in regulation, the match between Los Gatos Storm and San Ramon FC was suspended with 13 minutes left in the second extra time period. US Club Soccer has decided that Los Gatos will host a full replay of the match to decide who will join the Fuego Future in the title game. The date and time of the match is still to be determined.

For the second year in a row, US Club Soccer is conducting a qualifying tournament to determine their lone entry in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The eight-team field is made up of teams from the NorCal Premier Soccer League. The winner of the April 27 final will enter the Open Cup in the Play-In Round on May 7 against an opponent from the NPSL.

Forward Tyler Reinhart scored a hat trick to help the Fresno Fuego Future dominate Cap FC 10-2 Saturday at Clovis East High School in Clovis, Calif.

Reinhart scored in the 11th, 44th, and 55th minutes, while also setting up two goals to help the Fuego cruise into the US Club Soccer US Open Cup qualifying tournament final which is scheduled for April 27.

The Fuego Future, who also have a club that competes in the PDL, started off the game fast with Eligio Morales breaking the deadlock after being sent behind the defense by Reinhart in just the 8th minute.

Three minutes later, Fresno doubled their lead when Reinhart beat the keeper from 18 yards out off a scuffed clearance from a Cap FC center back.

Gatson Cignetti and Paul Islas each put one in the back of the net in addition to first-half braces from Reinhart and Morales to push the score to 6-0 at the break.

Islas completed a brace of his own shortly after halftime to push the game even more out of reach. After Reinhart completed his hat trick in the 55th minute, the Fuego opted to sub out some of their players, even going down to 10 men for the last few minutes of the game.

Nevertheless, there was still scoring to be done. Cap FC exposed Fuego’s new recruits with two quick goals from Uriel Guevara and Luis Arce in the 53rd and 62nd minutes respectively.

But it was too little, too late as Fresno capped off the night with a fourth and final brace, this time from prospect Jose Segura.

The final will essentially be a home game for the Fuego as it will take place at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: US Club Soccer

Bracket A PTS W L D GD
x-San Ramon SC 9 3 0 0 +11
x-Cap FC 6 2 1 0 +6
North Coast Tsunami 3 1 2 0 -4
Southern Oregon Fuego 0 0 3 0 -13

March 16
Cap FC 0:3 San Ramon SC
North Coast Tsunami 1:0 Southern Oregon Fuego

March 23
Southern Oregon Fuego 0:5 San Ramon SC

March 24
Cap FC 4:2 North Coast Tsunami

March 29
San Ramon SC 3:0 North Coast Tsunami

March 30
Southern Oregon Fuego 0:7 Cap FC

Bracket B PTS W L D GD
x-Fresno Fuego Future 7 2 0 1 +3
x-Los Gatos Storm 6 2 1 0 +3
Stanislaus United 2 0 1 2 -1
Bullard United 1 0 2 1 -5

March 16
Fresno Fuego Future 1:0 Los Gatos Storm

March 17
Los Gatos Storm 3:2 Stanislaus United

March 22
Bullard United 0:3 Los Gatos Storm

March 24
Stanislaus United 2:2 Fresno Fuego Future

March 27
Fresno Fuego Future 3:1 Bullard United

March 30
Bullard United 1:1 Stanislaus United

Tiebreakers: (1) Head-to-head (2) Goal diff. (3) Goals for (4) Goals against (5) Most shutouts
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Semifinals (April 6)
Cap FC 2:10 Fresno Fuego Future
Los Gatos Storm at San Ramon FC*
* The game was suspended when the lights went out at the stadium with the score tied 1-1 in extra time. Make-up date TBA

Semifinals (Replay – Date TBD)
San Ramon FC at Los Gatos Storm

Final (April 27)
Fresno Fuego Future vs. Los Gatos Storm/San Ramon FC
Chukchansi Park (Fresno, CA)

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