Greg Orlandini

New York Greek Americans muscled their way into the third round of the US Open Cup traveling to Ocean City’s Carey Stadium and defeating the Ocean City Nor’easters 2-0. Josh Trott scored each goal, both coming in the early stages of each half, as the four-time Open Cup champions won their first game of the Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

The 2014 edition of the Nor’easters is different than last year’s team that reached the PDL final four and took MLS’ Philadelphia Union to the brink in Open Cup play. They are returning just seven players from a year ago, including  Jason Plumhoff, who rejoins the club after a stint with Reading United. Before the match though, coach Tim Oswald signed a three-year contract with the team. The loss was the team’s first against a non-MLS team since 2007 and their first loss in franchise history to an amateur club (4-1-0).

Meanwhile the Greek Americans came into the match in midseason form and fitness. The experienced team boasted one player with MLS and European soccer experience in former Philadelphia Union defender Cristian Arrieta. The Greeks victory not only helped them snap their 4-game touranment losing streak, but it avenged a 3-0 loss by Ocean City in 2005.

Almost from the start, the Greeks took Ocean City out of their game. The slightly older, slightly stronger side from New York muscled their way through the Nor’easter midfield, moving with ease. The forward combo of Josh Trott and Keith Detelj pinned back the home side’s back four, with Detelj acting as a battering ram through out the match. The usually pleasing to watch Nor’easters were forced into a long-ball strategy through most of the game. They gave up size on the forward line, so nearly every ball in the box was dealt with easily.

The Greeks pressure and possession paid off early when Trott and Detelj broke through the Nor’easter back line. In the 10th minute Detelj put a cross into the box and with Ocean City’s goalkeeper Broja Angoita off his line, Josh Trott easily tapped in the tally putting the visitors up 1-0. From then on, the home team was chasing. The usually crafty Frank Tweneboa played the first half at center forward and struggled with service and with the large Greek American center forwards.

The Greeks showed their fitness throughout the first half, chasing down every loose ball and pressuring Ocean City every time they attempted move out of their end.

The second half opened with two subs for the Nor’easters as with two big forwards Aaron Dennis and Ben Maurey coming to strengthen the side. But whatever game plan coach Oswald has in mind for the second half went up in smoke as Josh Trott scored his second of the night. After that it was pretty much job done for New York Greeks. Their line played a little deep as Ocean City stepped up pressure towards the end of the much. The most excitement of the match came after the second goal when both teams came together after a hard tackle with Ian Hines-Ike seeing red after all was said and done. The match finished up 2-0 to New York Greek Americans.

”We weren’t as sharp as we needed to be,” said Oswald after the match. “We didn’t match the intensity or the work rate of the Greek Americans.” Oswald added that chasing the early goals in both halves worked against what the team wanted to do.

“Our team is a little bit older so we have maybe a little more experience hoping that we have a little bit higher football IQ so we can read the game a little bit faster,” said Greeks coach Stavros Zomopoulos. He praised former Union man Cristian Arrieta who he said has brought a wealth of experience to his side.

The Greeks move onto play the Richmond Kickers in the Third Round. No rest for the Nor’easters as they are competing on two fronts. They head to Long Island this Sunday to take on the Rough Riders in league play. Shortly after, on May 22, they travel to Gambrills, Md. to take part in the US Soccer national Amateur Championships, which feature the champions from the four major amateur competitions in the United States (USASA Amateur Cup, USASA Open Cup, PDL, and NPSL). The Nor’easters are taking part in place of the Austin Aztex, who were unable to represent the PDL.