Jack Cumming

2016 US Open Cup Round 4: Diego Restrepo helps Fort Lauderdale Strikers make history in PK win over DC United

June 17, 2016 by Jack Cumming

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL narrowly escaped a reserve-filled DC United squad of Major League Soccer in a 4-3 penalty kick shootout. The game had to be decided from the penalty spot after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday.

It was a historic result for the Strikers as they eliminated a MLS team for the first time in club history (0-4-1, 1-0 PKs). It also marked the first time the Strikers advanced in an Open Cup game played on the road (0-5-2, 1-1 PKs).

With a second straight draw (and second straight penalty kick shootout win), they made an unfortunate bit of history as well. Fort Lauderdale broke the Modern Era record for longest winless streak. The seven-game winless streak began when they lost to the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) in the Third Round of the 2012 US Open Cup. They won a PK shootout with the Laredo Heat (PDL) in the opening game of the 2013 tournament, but then lost three straight games (2013 Round 3 vs. FC Dallas … 2014 Round 3 vs. Laredo Heat … 2015 Round 3 at Charleston Battery) before this year’s back-to-back PK wins.

Fort Lauderdale was able to overcome an incredibly slow first half start and upend the favored MLS squad to the Fifth Round.

Lead by goalkeeper Diego Restrepo who earned TheCup.us Player of the Round by saving three out of four penalties against the Richmond Kickers (USL) in the previous round, Fort Lauderdale was able to capitalize on DC United’s limited chances on goal and force extra time. United, who’s first shot came in the 53rd minute by 16-year-old home grown player, Chris Durkin, could not seem to find any rhythm offensively against the strikers.

DC head coach Ben Olsen played a young and primarily reserve squad throughout most of the match. Sean Franklin was the lone regular season starter and captain during the first half, before being substituted by Taylor Kemp. It wasn’t until the 85th minute when Luciano Acosta replaced Durkin that two regular season starters were on the pitch at the same time.

Fort Lauderdale fielded a primarily first-team squad, including Jean-Marc Alexandre, a Haitian international, who returned to the match after competing in the Copa America Centenario. Goalkeeper Diego Restrepo proved to be an asset for the second consecutive week in cup play making eight saves including a penalty to cap a “cupset” to the next round.

The Strikers are only one of two teams that do not compete in MLS to advance to the Fifth Round of the Cup.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2016 Meet the Underdogs: Three-time champ Pancyprian Freedoms seek to add to club’s rich US Open Cup history

May 10, 2016 by Jack Cumming

New York Pancyprian Freedoms 2015 Team Photo

With a rich history in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms go into the 103rd edition of the tournament hoping to add to it, starting out tomorrow by hosting the USL PDL’s New York Red Bulls U23s (7:30 p.m., Belson Stadium, Jamaica, NY).

Representing the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in this year’s competition, the Astoria-based neighborhood club has won the crown three times, in 1979, 1980, and 1982. They have also had recent success winning the USASA equivalent of the competition in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Given their experience in the tournament, look out for this Helenic underdog as a potential upset.

Though the Red Bulls bring a big name to the tournament, the Freedoms will look for their strong following and supporters to keep provide a difficult environment for their opponents.

In addition to packing their home ground at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University, the Pancyprian-Freedoms will look to strong team play in order to advance to the next round.

“We rely on team play rather than on individuals,” said Freedoms’ team manager George Halkadis. “We have vast experienced players, the majority of which have played NCAA Division I soccer, many of which have gone on to play overseas, in the MLS, and the NASL.”

USASA teams have had recent success in the U.S. Open Cup. Chula Vista FC advanced to the third round before being bested by USL’s Sacramento City FC, and PSA Elite advanced to the fourth round of the tournament before losing to the LA Galaxy.

The Pancyprian-Freedoms will look to their favorable draw with the hopes of being the amateur team to advance furthest in the tournament. They play the winner of NPSL’s Clarkstown SC Eagles and PDL’s Jersey Express, dodging a USL opponent in the second round.

“I see the bracket draw as favorable,” Halkadis said. “We have a very good chance of getting to the third round. Being the last amateur club in the competition is . We’ll be more than satisfied if we get to that point.”

Meet the Underdogs: Greek American SC, winner of 4 US Open Cup titles, aiming for success in modern era

May 12, 2015 by Jack Cumming

Josh Trott (No. 9) celebrates one of his two goals with his New York Greek American Atlas teammates in their 2-0 win over Ocean City Nor'easters. Photo: Paul Rudderow | PhillySoccerPage.net — Josh Trott (No. 9) celebrates one of his two goals with his New York Greek American Atlas teammates in their 2-0 win over Ocean City Nor’easters. Photo: Paul Rudderow | PhillySoccerPage.net

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.

Greek American SC team in 1969. Photo: Bill Graham Guide | National Soccer Hall of Fame

“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.