Josh Hakala

Broadcast journalist / sports play by play announcer that created TheCup.us (in 2003) and continues to run the site. A founding member of the North American Soccer Reporters. Proud alum of Temple University and Lansing Community College. Read his work on TheCup.us HERE.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Detroit United repeat as Michigan champs, oust Soony Saad, Bucks ‘Reserves’ in OT (Video)

April 10, 2011 by Josh Hakala

For the second year in a row, Detroit United has captured the Michigan Open Cup title and has punched their ticket to the USASA Region II tournament. They defeated a Michigan Bucks “reserve” squad registered under the name “MBSC Rush,” 2-1, in extra time with Tommy Eller scoring both goals for United, overcoming a goal by Soony Saad early in the second half.

Eller, who was a key player on last year’s team that qualified for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, scored the equalizing goal on a penalty kick in the 87th minute. He followed that up with the game-winner in extra time in the 100th minute (SEE VIDEO BELOW). Eller scored the game-winning goal in last year’s Michigan Open Cup final, beating Ann Arbor Elite FC, 1-0.

Saad, the former University of Michigan star and US Under-20 player, who recently left school after his freshman year to pursue a pro career, was last seen playing for NSC Minnesota of the NASL. He was a surprise addition to the MBSC Rush roster which was full of former great Bucks players. The roster for the newest member of the Michigan United Soccer League read like a all-star reunion team, including former Bucks like Nate Craft, Simon Omekanda, Spencer Thompson and the PDL’s co-all-time leading goalscorer, Kenny Uzoigwe (76 career goals). The Bucks formed the team after a merger with the local club, the Michigan Rush.

Tommy Eller’s game-winning goal for Detroit United in 100th minute (MLive.com/soccer)

As of the day of this game, only four other teams have been confirmed as participants in the 2011 Region II finals. Detroit will join Bavarian SC (Wisconsin), Des Moines Menace Reserves (Iowa), AAC Eagles (Illinois) and last year’s Open Cup entrant, KC Athletics (Kansas). The registration deadline has passed and an announcement is expected to be made soon.

Detroit United pose for a picture in 2010

Both teams entered the match looking to find some cohesion. Neither club had played together much more than a single practice session entering the final, so it was hard to predict at the outset how the match was going to play out. On paper, the MBSC Rush had the bigger names, and the stronger resumes, but it was Detroit United who had most of their roster from last year coming back for 2011.

In the early going, it was the Rush who had the advantage, but Detroit still managed a couple chances. Seventeen minutes into the match, Adam Brent thwarted an attack by clearing a cross off the back post. A few minutes later, Saad earned a corner kick and the ball was played into a dangerous spot, forcing United goalkeeper Ryan Mathe to paw the ball away.

Jake Munchiando fed Taiwo Olorunnimbe from the right wing in the 25th minute, but Jeff Weiss dove to make the low diving save. Three minutes later, Saad was taken down just outside the penalty area on the right wing, and took the free kick himself. He blasted the ball toward the near post, but United defender Thomas Stark deflected it out for a corner kick. That ensuing corner by former Penn State star Simon Omekanda, was sent into the box where it was cleared high into the air (avoiding the rafters of the indoor stadium). When the ball came down the Rush headed the ball toward goal and someone the ball got behind the goalkeeper, but the Detroit defense cleared it off the line.

Detroit United at Ultimate Soccer Arenas — Detroit United warms up before the 2011 Michigan Open Cup final at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas main field. The “USA” is one of two indoor venues to ever host an US Open Cup event. Photo: Josh Hakala

The best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when the ball fell to Chris Edwards in the penalty area. The former Bucks player fired a shot which forced a highlight reel save from Mathe.

“They were the better team in the first half,” said Detroit United captain Thomas Stark. “But in typical Detroit United fashion, we fought and clawed and found a way.”

In the second half, both teams came out firing. In the 53rd minute, Eller launched a half-volley from the right side of the penalty area that just went over the bar. A couple minutes later, Spencer Thompson (Michigan State grad, who was drafted by Toronto FC in the MLS Supplemental Draft) had a shot of his own just float over the bar.

It was Saad who had the game’s first breakthrough in the 58th minute. After dribbling down the left wing, the former Wolverine cut inside and took a low shot to the far post which beat the keeper. Even with the 1-0 lead, MBSC continued to pressure with scoring chances for Jake Stacy, Saad and an open shot from Edwards at the top of the penalty arc.

The main entrance of the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the home of the PDL’s Michigan Bucks. Photo: Josh Hakala

It appeared as though the Rush were going to hold on until MBSC defender Wade Allen took down Detroit’s Renato Susnja in the penalty area, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

Tommy Eller converted the penalty kick in the 87th minute to tie the game at 1-1. The Bucks would mount one more attack before Stacy’s shot from the left side of the penalty area would find side-netting in the 90th minute.

In the extra time session, both teams played attacking soccer, but the number of quality chances were minimized by some solid defense.

The tie would be broken in the 100th minute when Detroit won the ball in midfield and Kenny Simon found the ball at his feet, crossing midfield and dribbling down the middle of the park. With his options on the wing cut out by Rush defenders, Simon played a perfectly placed ball down the middle as Eller was making a diagonal run. He got in behind the defender Allen and Eller shot the ball across goal, and underneath the goalkeeper for what would prove to be the winning goal.

“It’s the Michigan Bucks, they’re one of the best teams in the country,” said Stark. “So you know that when they put out a team, it’s going to be good, and to have a player like Soony Saad out there, one of the best college players in the country, it was definitely a challenge. But in the end, we deserved to win today.”

Detroit United, led by manager George Juncaj, will now move on to the Region II finals where they will attempt to become the first USASA team from Michigan to qualify for the US Open Cup two years in a row in the Modern Era (1995-present).

——————————————————

2011 US Open Cup qualifying
Michigan Open Cup final – April 9, 2011
Detroit United 2:1 MBSC Rush (After Extra Time)
United Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, Mich.

Scoring Summary
MBSC: Soony Saad (Unassisted) – 58th minute
DETU: Tommy Eller (PK) – 87th minute
DETU: Tommy Eller (Kenny Simon) – 100th minute

MBSC Rush lineup: Jeff Weiss (GK), Nate Craft, Ryan Rzepka, Stewart Givens, Adam Brent, Chris Edwards, Piotr Nowak, Spencer Thompson, Simon Omekanda, Kenny Uzoigwe, Soony Saad | Subs: Wade Allen, Brent McIntosh, Nicholas Dreshaj, Jake Stacy

Detroit United lineup: Ryan Mathe (GK), David Nesbitt, Thomas Stark, Zachary Wilker, Jacob Munchaindo, Renato Susnja, Kenny Simon, Nik Djokic, Ryan Montegue, Tommy Eller, Taiwo Olorunnimbe | Subs: Mark Berisha, Benni Tetaj

2011 US Open Cup qualifying preview: Newcomers Royal Eagles SC, Florida Gators club team battle for state title

April 8, 2011 by Josh Hakala

The US Open Cup qualifying tournament in Florida always brings out strong teams and usually there’s plenty of familiar faces. However, in 2011, only two teams have entered the competition and both of them are first-time entries. Royal Eagles SC will host the Florida Gators, the university’s club team, on Sunday, April 10 at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the winner will represent the state at the USASA Region III tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Memorial Day weekend.

Notably absent this year is Lynch’s Irish Pub, a club that has represented Florida, under various names (DS United, Sunrise, Lynch’s FC), every year since 2002. This past offseason, Lynch’s joined the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and changed their name to Jacksonville United FC.

Royal Eagles SC and the Florida Gators club team represent the new blood in the state of Florida, both entering Open Cup qualifying for the first time.

Team manager Panos Iakovidis helped launch the Royal Eagles in 2009 in the Lakeland area, east of Tampa, and during their brief existance, they’ve experienced nothing but success. They were undefeated in Division 3 of the Florida Suncoast Soccer Leagues (FSSL), winning the league and the Florida Classic tournament in their inaugural campaign. The following year, because of their high level of play, the FSSL approved an unprecedented jump from Division 3 to the Premier Division.

“Our success on and off the field gave us the opportunity to play in the Premier Division,” said Iakovidis. “It was the first time the league approved such a jump, and we have not disappointed since.”

After the promotion, the Eagles continued to win, finishing top of the table in the Premier Division with a 10-1-3 record, along with winning their second straight Florida Classic Tournament. They recently fell in the Premier Division Cup final, 2-1 in extra time.

The Eagles are the complete package, leading the FSSL Premier Division in defense, and ranking second in scoring. Their defense is anchored by central defender Jake Howard, last year’s MVP. Jamaican forward Sawneil Samuels is the club’s leading scorer with 14 goals in all competitions. Warner University’s leading scorer Mauricio Castano is also an offensive threat, scoring nine regular season goals for the Eagles.

The club will be without a couple of key players, including this year’s regular season MVP Alvaro Puyo who picked up an injury in the last game of the season. Also, former AFC Wimbledon and Charlton Athletic striker Mark Debolla, who suffered an ACL injury. The England native was an Aston Villa youth academy player in his younger days before bouncing around various teams throughout England.

Currently the Eagles are participating in the Florida State Cup and have reached the final four in the FSSL Cup.

The Florida Gators are, according to TheCup.us records, the first university to submit their club team to participate in USASA’s Open Cup qualifying process. Founded in 1953 by Alan “A.C.” Moore, Florida holds the title as the oldest university club soccer team in the country. Moore coached the club from 1953-1990, earning over 500 wins at UF.

Every year, the Gators are among the best university clubs in the country, consistently competing in national tournaments. Club president Bryan Roberts has big plans for the team going forward, and entering the US Open Cup is just one of them. Raising the profile of the club is among the priorities and the motivation to do that came last year after the club finished runner-up at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association championships.

“It was a little depressing to come back from just barely losing a national championship and no one on campus knows you even played in a tournament,” said Roberts, who took over as president two years ago. “I want to make us a part of the community here in Gainesville. My long-term vision is to see the club team become the beginning of a varsity team here at UF.”

The club is made up of a wide variety of players, who excel just as much in the classroom as they do on the field. There are players in grad school, law school, medical school, and even a team member who is leaving the club to transfer to Harvard for grad school. The Gators are led by manager Sheldon Cipriani, who is the Director of Coaching at Gainesville Soccer Alliance.

“I decided that I wanted us to find a new opportunity to prove ourselves to find new competition that would test us,” said Roberts. “So, I did a little poking around and figured out how the US Open Cup worked, and was really happy to see how excited the guys were to compete in this. I can’t tell you how many times in the past month I’ve dreamed about how awesome it would be able to host a game at UF against a professional team. This tournament could really provide the excitement and attention that we need to grow the club.”manag

As a University of Maryland alum, Roberts’ dream matchup is against DC United of Major League Soccer.

Past USASA Region III representatives from Florida

2010: Lynch’s Irish Pub / Brazil Soccer Academy (Note: Brazil Soccer Academy qualified as the Copa Latina champion, but didn’t show up at Region III tournament)
2009: Lynch’s Irish Pub
2008: Clearwater Galactics / Lynch’s Irish Pub (Note: Honduras Five Star qualified as the Copa Latina champion, but dropped out. Lynch’s replaced them)
2007: Wolfpack FC / Lynch’s Irish Pub
2006: DS United / Lynch’s Irish Pub
2005: DS United / Miami Tango
2004: DS United / Sunrise & OES
2003: DS United
2002: DS United
2001: Uruguay SC
2000: Uruguay SC
1999: Uruguay SC
1998: No information available
1997: No information available
1996: McCormick Kickers
1995: McCormick Kickers

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Marco Mangione helps Maryland Bays complete Region I field with Maryland title

March 25, 2011 by Josh Hakala

The Maryland Bays are headed to their first Region I tournament with a 5-1 win over Charm City FC in the Maryland Open Cup championship game. Marco Mangione was the story of the night, scoring four of Maryland’s five goals, to put his team two wins away from qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Bays move on to the USASA Region I finals where they will travel to face Eastern Pennsylvania champion Phoenix SC on May 1. The winner of that match will play either Go Soccer FC (New Jersey) or Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) for one of the region’s two Open Cup berths on May 22.

Charm City came out firing in the opening 15 minutes, putting pressure on the Maryland backline, but after weathering the storm, it was the Bays who were on the board first. In the 22nd minute, Mangione got in behind the defense and received a ball over the top from defender Matt Beckman. Mangione brought it down cleanly, and fired it past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Just six minutes later, Charm City would equalize thanks to a rebound goal by Lucas Pardew. Luciano Brunetti took a shot from outside the penalty area and Pardew was there to clean up the loose ball.

In the 37th minute the Bays would break the tie with a goal by Lucas Emil from inside the penalty area, but the game would really open up after Maryland was awarded a penalty kick. Bays team captain John Ports beat a defender to reach the corner of the area, broke into the box and was fouled. Ports landed hard on his shoulder and had to leave the game. However, on the bright side, Mangione converted the penalty kick to make it 3-1 going into the intermission.

Mangione broke the game open early in the second half when he beat his defender to his left foot, freed up some space to shoot and put it past the keeper to complete his hat trick.

Two minutes later, in the 61st minute, he added his fourth courtesy of a run by teammate Dan Bulls. The former University of Maryland Baltimore County player won the ball at midfield and raced up the left wing. He sent the ball into the penalty area where Mangione one-timed it into the back of the net to make it 5-1.

nick-mangione-baltimore-blast-1980 — Marco's father Nick Mangione playing for the Baltimore Blast | Photo: NASLJerseys.com

“I think we just kept it pact defensively and put in a couple good counter attacks,” said Mangione, who just graduated from Towson University. “Once the game opened up we took advantage of our chances and I received some great service tonight.”

Mangione has scored seven of the Bays’ 10 goals in Open Cup qualifying this year and comes from a strong soccer family. Two of his five siblings played college soccer and his father, Nick, played professionally for the Baltimore Blast during his playing days.

“ is a very humble player,” said Maryland Bays assistant coach Nick Gill. “Sure he was getting great service, and I thought we controlled the midfield today, but every time he touched the ball something special happened. The defense really had a hard time getting a hold of him. He’s got all the tools to play at the next level, but he got injured during his senior year. Now that he’s at full strength, it’s pretty clear what he’s capable of.”

The Bays opened the competition with a 3-1 win over the Baltimore Bays Blue ‘93. Baltimore fielded an Under-18 team, but put up a fight against the more experienced Bays. In the semifinals, Maryland trailed 1-0 to Christos FC in the first half, but came back to win 2-1. After Christos scored their opening goal, they missed a penalty kick shortly after that which shifted the momentum toward the Bays. Marco Mangione would tie the game up a few minutes after the missed spot kick and then converted what would prove to be the game-winning penalty kick in the 75th minute.

maryland-usoc-final-2011 — A shot of the Maryland Open Cup final from the @MarylandSoccer twitter account

This state Open Cup title just adds to the list of accomplishments from the last two years. They won the last two Maryland Major Soccer League Fall championships, as well as last year’s Stewart Cup, Rowland Cup and Amateur Cup. They were also a national finalist in the USASA’s Under-23 tournament.

The Maryland Bays are named after the American Soccer League / American Professional Soccer League team from the late 80s, early 90s and are in their second year in their current form. The team was put together by head coach Bryan Bugarin, who played professionally for the indoor club the Baltimore Blast. The Bays are made up largely of players from Coach Bugarin’s Baltimore Bays ‘87 team (Under-14). Many of those teenagers are now in their mid-20s and have been coached by Bugarin for almost a decade.

The current roster includes of mix of college and local players, as well as former professionals such as Billy Chiles (Crystal Palace Baltimore), Kevin Gnatiko (Crystal Palace Baltimore), Dan Bulls (Joe Public FC – Trinidad).

Scoring Summary USASA Region I
MAR: Marco Mangione (Matt Beckman) – 22nd minute
CHA: Lucas Pardew (Unassisted) – 28th minute
MAR: Lucas Emil (Unassisted) – 37th minute
MAR: Marco Mangione (PK) – 42nd minute
MAR: Marco Mangione (Unassisted) – 59th minute
MAR: Marco Mangione (Dan Bulls) – 61st minute

Maryland US Open Cup tournament recaps:
2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland kicks off state tournament
Maryland Bays advance to state final, Charm City ends Inter AFC’s run
Charm City FC cruise into Maryland final, 6-1 over Baltimore Kickers

Round 1
Inter AFC 7:3 Magicmen

Quarterfinals
Charm City FC 6:0 Inter AFC
AC Baltimore 0:1 Baltimore Kickers
Maryland Bays 3:1 Baltimore Bays Blue ‘93
Christos FC 2:0 Aegean Hawks FC

Semifinals
Charm City 6:1 Baltimore Kickers
Maryland Bays 2:1 Christos FC

Final
Maryland Bays 5:1 Charm City FC
Thursday, March 24, 9 p.m. (Catonsville High School – Catonsville, Md.)

2011 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying schedule

USASA Region I tournament bracket

First Round (May 1)
Danbury United (CT) at NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
East Providence Sports (RI) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) at Go Soccer FC (NJ)
Maryland Bays (MD) at Phoenix SC (East PA)

Semifinals (May 22)*
Danbury/NYPF winner vs. MPS/East Prov winner
Go Soccer /Atl. Virginia winner vs. Phoenix/Bays winner

* Winners of each game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Past Maryland Open Cup champions

2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC
2005: Baltimore Colts FC
2004: Allied SC
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: New Jersey’s Go Soccer FC wins state title, beats FC Fort United 1-0 (Video)

March 23, 2011 by Josh Hakala

On a frosty night in Bridgewater, NJ, Go Soccer FC defeated FC Fort United 1-0 to win the New Jersey Open Cup championship and punch their ticket to the USASA Region I tournament.

With the win, Go Soccer FC will host DC/VA champion Club Atletico Virginia in the first round at regionals, putting them just two wins away from qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match is scheduled for May 1 and will mark the club’s third straight trip to the Region I finals.

Go Soccer came out aggressively in the first half, scoring the game’s only goal in the 17th minute. Former Lafayette College player Chad Barbieri took a shot on goal which was saved by the FC Fort goalkeeper, but Jesus Gregorio was there to clean it up to make it 1-0.

nj-open-cup-final-2011-snow — It was a frosty night at the 2011 New Jersey Open Cup final. Photo: @vitospadea (Twitter)

The momentum shifted after the halftime break with FC Fort pushing for an equalizer. The pressure was put on and they created some chances, but Go Soccer’s Dan Roth was able to keep the clean sheet with three critical saves in the second half.

Go Soccer, founded in 2007, will move on to the Region I tournament hoping to win their first regional qualifying game in club history. The past two seasons, they have crashed out in the opening round. In 2009, they fell to Maryland’s Charm City FC, 5-0 and last year, they lost a close match with the Brooklyn Italians, 1-0.

Only three teams entered the New Jersey Open Cup tournament this year, with FC Fort United defeating Santorini FC in the opening round to reach the final. The date of the final was delayed because Santorini filed a protest, but it was eventually denied.

Go Soccer FC starting lineup: Dan Roth (GK) Bryan Oelkers, Chad Barbieri, Chase Barbieri, John Pompeo, Edgardo Alfaro, Isaac Rodriguez, Jesus Gregorio, Matt Heitmann, Paul Racz, Steve Mellen | Subs: Brian Davis, Dominic Paolella, John Parez

2011 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying schedule

Semifinals (May 22)*
Danbury/NYPF winner vs. MPS/East Prov winner
Go Soccer /Atl. Virginia winner vs. Phoenix/Bays winner

* Winners of each game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Past New Jersey Open Cup champions

2010: Go Soccer FC
2009: Go Soccer FC
2008: SC Vistula Garfield (forfeited their opening Region I match)
2007: No team entered
2006: Sport Club Portugues
2005: Kappa Real Wyckoff
2004: Sport Club Portugues
2003: SC Vistula Garfield
2002: ZPA Perth Amboy
2001: ZPA Perth Amboy
2000: SC Vistula Garfield
1999: SC Vistula Garfield
1998: SC Vistula Garfield
1997: No info available
1996: No info available
1995: No info available

Second half highlights – 2011 New Jersey Open Cup Final (Courtesy of Go Soccer FC)

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Charm City FC cruise into Maryland final, 6-1 over Baltimore Kickers

March 21, 2011 by Josh Hakala

Charm City FC continued it’s lopsided run through the Maryland US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a 6-1 win over the Baltimore Kickers in the semifinals. Eric Breach assisted on three of Charm City’s goals to send them to the state championship game on Thursday where they will meet the Maryland Bays at 9 p.m. at Catonsville High School in Catonsville, Md.

The winner of that game will host Phoenix SC, the champion of Eastern Pennsylvania, in the opening round of the USASA Region I tournament on May 1. The winner of that match would play either the New Jersey champion (Go Soccer FC or FC Fort United) or Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA champion) on May 22 with a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line.

Charm City would get off to a quick start, coming out in a 4-3-3 formation. They scored 14 minutes into the match when a throw-in by Eric Breach found the head of former Crystal Palace Baltimore player Dan Lader, who headed it into the upper left corner of the goal. Lader also scored in Charm City’s 6-0 win over Inter AFC in the last round. Charm City would add two more before halftime with Noah Merl scoring unassisted in the 20th minute, and Lucas Pardew making it 3-0 on an assist by Wijy Jones seven minutes later.

Defender Eric Breach would assist on a pair of goals after the break. In the 50th minute, he found Lou Brunetti to make it 4-0 and he helped Merl score his second in the 75th minute. Tarik Walker came off the bench to finish out the scoring in the 80th minute, his third goal in two games. But the Kickers would ruin the shutout with Nick Kiss’ shot from distance that took a deflection to beat the goalkeeper, Mike Svehla, to leave the score at 6-1 when the final whistle blew.

“The boys played hard but we were just over-matched tonight,” said Baltimore Kickers head coach Mike Lott. “Charm City was operating on another level and clearly deserved the victory. I wish them well in the finals and think they would represent the league and the state well at regionals.”

Charm City will play in Thursday’s final aiming to qualify for the Region I tournament for the second year in a row. Last year, after getting an opening round bye when Athletic Club (West PA) forfeited, Charm City lost to United German Hungarians (East PA) in the quarterfinals, 3-1.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland semifinals
Charm City FC 6:1 Baltimore Kickers
Catonsville High School – Catonsville, Md.
Sunday, March 20, 2011

Scoring Summary
CHA: Dan Lader (Eric Breach) – 14th minute
CHA: Noah Merl (Unassisted) – 20th minute
CHA: Lucas Pardew (Wijy Jones) – 27th minute
CHA: Lou Brunetti (Eric Breach) – 50th minute
CHA: Noah Merl (Eric Breach) – 75th minute
CHA: Tarik Walker (Unassisted) – 80th minute
BAL: Nick Kiss (Chris Lorenzet)

Baltimore Kickers lineup: Ryan Flannely, Dan Thrailkill, Brandon Fischer, Jason Janetti (Phil Kratochvil 65th), Joe Pusateri, Chad Dye (Rob Bailey 70th), Anthony DeCesaris (Brian Tully 65th), Marcos Perdomo (Jake Ayers 65th), Tyler Inge (Josh Miller 65th), Kelli Maddox (Nick Kiss 65th), Chris Lorenzet

Charm City FC lineup: Mike Svehla (GK), JC Cole, Sean Porter, Lou Karko, Eric Breach, Noah Merl, Dan Lader (Jerry Fialkwicz 83rd), Darren Laroque (Sergio Flores 56th), Wijy Jones (Kenny Suetter 77th), Lou Burnetti (JD Kershaw 72nd), Luke Pardew (Tarik Walker 46th)

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Atletico Virginia smokes Englewood Jack, will represent DC/VA at regionals

March 15, 2011 by Josh Hakala

mdcvasa — Metro DC / Virginia Soccer Association

For the second year in a row, Club Atletico Virginia (CAV) will represent the Metro DC / Virginia State Soccer Association in the Region I US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Last year, they snapped the Aegean Hawks’ run of four straight DC/VA Open Cup titles, and with the Hawks competing in Maryland qualifying this year, Atletico Virginia needed only to defeat Englewood Jack FC to move on to the regional finals. CAV would take care of Englewood, 7-2.

In a game played at Catholic University in Washington D.C. on March 13, it started out with Englewood Jack getting on the scoresheet first. A free kick near midfield was floated into the penalty area, flicked to the back post and an Englewood player finished it to put them up 1-0.

Atletico put on the pressure and found an equalizer in the form of a penalty kick, awarded due to an Englewood handball just inside the area. John Carson of CAV would convert to make it 1-1, and minutes later would give his club the lead on a ball played across the top of the box, which he redirected into the back of the net.

After the halftime break, CAV took control with a pair of goals from Victor Krasij and a bending shot off the inside of the back post from Ryan Rich to give the defending champs a 5-1 lead. Englewood would pull one back on a scramble in front of the goal, but Atletico would add two more to put the game away with John Carson completing his hat trick and Bryant Meckley scoring the seventh and final goal.

Atletico Virginia was founded in 2003, and this will be their second appearance in the Region I Open Cup qualifying tournament in club history. They will take on the champion from New Jersey (Either Go Soccer FC or FC Fort United) in the opening round of the competition. The winner of that match will play the winner of Phoenix SC (Eastern PA) and the Maryland champion for the right to advance to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Last year, CAV lost in the first round of the Region I tournament to the United German Hungarians (Eastern PA) in a penalty kick shootout (4-1) after finishing extra time tied 2-2.

Club Atletico Virginia lineup: Matt Scheer (GK), Dave Leon, Matt Davis, Phil Purdy, Javier Castro (Ben Mortimer – 60th), Matt Miller (Bryant Meckley – 65th), Victor Krasij, John Carson, Fabio Andrade (Nico Ojeda – 45th), Andrew Richardson (Alger Fredericks 70th), Ryan Rich

Scoring Summary (Note: Assists unknown)
ENG: Unknown goalscorer
CAV: John Carson (PK)
CAV: John Carson
CAV: Victor Krasij
CAV: Victor Krasij
CAV: Ryan Rich
ENG: Unknown goalscorer
CAV: John Carson
CAV: Bryant Meckley

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland Bays advance to state final, Charm City FC ends Inter AFC’s run

March 7, 2011 by Josh Hakala

Two more teams have advanced in Maryland’s 2011 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. One has already reached the championship game, while Inter AFC, due to weather delays, just finished its first match of the competition. The Maryland Bays are waiting in the championship game after defeating Christos FC, 2-1, on Sunday, February 27. That same night, Inter AFC won a strange barnburner wbith the Magicmen, 7-3, to move on to the quarterfinals. However, Inter’s run was short-lived as Charm City FC knocked them out, 6-0, to advance to the semifinals.

The Bays will await the winner of Charm City FC and the Baltimore Kickers (Mar. 13) in the title game on Mar. 20.

INTER AFC 7:3 MAGICMEN (FIRST ROUND) – Feb. 27
The 6 p.m. game started out with all the ingredients for a disaster as Inter AFC and Magicmen both started the game shorthanded. Inter began with eight players and Magicmen was without their starting goalkeeper, leaving them with only 10 because additional players were also late getting to the field. Magicmen, with the two-man advantage, scored a pair of goals by Chad Meusel (5th minute) and Powell Cuchiella (15th minute) in the opening 15 minutes. The calvary arrived for both sides as Inter forwards Brian and Mike Walter, midfielder George Phillips and Magicmen goalkeeper Ben Snyder eventually arrived. All were rushed onto the field to bring the match up to full strength.

The arrival of the three missing players for Inter turned the game on its head, and Brian Walter was the catalyst. Walter made an immediate impact by taking a shot in the 18th minute that fooled the newly-inserted Snyder to cut the lead in half. Ten minutes later Walter would help level the match, assisting on a goal by Saheed Lawal. He then dished out Lawal’s go-ahead goal three minutes after that. Walter would put Inter up 4-2 at the 35 minute mark with an unassisted goal, giving him two goals and two assists in less than 20 minutes of work as his club took that lead into the halftime break.

Brian Walter’s brother, Mike, got into the act just after halftime, making it 5-2 on an assist by Lawal in the 49th minute. In the 65th, Lawal would complete his hat trick on an assist by Brian Walter to put the game out of reach at 6-2.

However, Magicmen would pull one back in the 80th minute courtesy of Andre Henciak. Brian Walter would answer back with his third goal of the game five minutes later on an assist by Lawal.

Brian Walter and Saheed Lawal carried the game with Walter finishing with three goals and three assists, while Lawal had three goals and two assists.

Magicmen coach Bryan Cartwright said after the game, “We had taken them very lightly thinking it would be 2 or 3 to nil in our favor the way the game started out for us.”

Magicmen Lineup (4-3-2): Chris Quigley (GK), Raymond Sturm (CB), Bernie Cruey (CB), Justin McGrath (LB), Mike Devine (RB), Chad Meusel (CM), Michael Alessi (RM), Andrew Henciak (LM), Powell Cucciella (LF), Eric Belcher (RF)

Inter AFC Lineup (Incomplete): Brian Walter, Saheed Lawal, Mike Walter, George Phillips

Scoring Summary:
Magicmen – 5th minute – Chad Meusel (Unassisted)
Magicmen – 15th minute – Powell Cucciella (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 18th minute – Brian Walter (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 28th minute – Saheed Lawal (Brian Walter)
Inter AFC – 31st minute – Saheed Lawal (Brian Walter)
Inter AFC – 35th minute – Brian Walter (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 49th minute – Mike Walter (Saheed Lawal)
Inter AFC – 65th minute – Saheed Lawal (Brian Walter)
Magicmen – 80th minute – Andre Henciak (Unassisted)
Inter AFC – 85th minute – Brian Walter (Saheed Lawal)

MARYLAND BAYS 2:1 CHRISTOS FC (SEMIFINAL) – Feb. 27

The 8 p.m. game saw the Maryland Bays line up against Christos FC, who had knocked out USASA Open Cup regular and two-time US Open Cup participant Aegean Hawks FC two weeks ago.

It didn’t take long for Christos to open the scoring though as Danny Skelton scored in the 18th minute off a Joe DiPino pass after a nice build up. Minutes later, the score nearly doubled as the Bays conceded a penalty, but Michael Pennacchia put his penalty over the bar.

Maryland manager Bryan Bugarin would later say, “ was our wake up call.”

Indeed it was, as the Bays equalized just 13 minutes later when Jon Ports fed Marco Mangione in the 31st minute. The tie held until late in the second half as Mangione was fouled going to goal and converted his penalty kick in the 75th minute to make it 2-1 Bays.

Several cautions and an ejection (Christos FC defender Eric Mahon) followed as tempers flared on both sides, but the score would remain at 2-1 until the final whistle. With the win, the Maryland Bays advanced to the championship game which will be held on Sunday, March 20 at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Harford, Md.

“As a player, coach, or spectator you couldn’t have asked for a more evenly, quality played match,” said Michael Pennacchia of Christos FC after the match. “There was excellent skill, team defending, and overall heart on display with exceptional goals in the run of play from both sides. In the end, the difference ended up being that Marco was able to convert his penalty attempt where I was not. My hat goes off to Coach Bugarin and the Bays.”

Pennacchia added, “ are a quality group of players and assuming they advance, they will certainly represent the state of Maryland well in regional play.”

Christos FC Lineup: Steve King (GK), Eric Mahon, Joe Dipino (C Wilson-35′), Bissohong, V. Dipino, Muntz (Fendryk-80′), Michael Pennacchia (Tejada-75′), Leitch, Tyrie (Dwonzkowski-70′), Ankrah, Danny Skelton (Piscopo-65′)

Maryland Bays Lineup: Kristopher Ward (GK), Matty Beckman (BJ Quigley), Josh Taylor, Matt Shell, Phil Greatwich (Nino Mangione), Bryan Moffa, Chris Ports, Brian Barry (Mike Gill), Timmy Lane (Lucas Emil), Marco Mangione, Jon Ports

Scoring Summary:
Christos FC – 18th minute – Danny Skelton (Joe Dipino)
Maryland – 31st minute – Marco Mangione (Jon Ports)
Maryland – 75th minute – Marco Mangione (PK)

CHARM CITY FC 6:0 INTER AFC (QUARTERFINALS) – Mar. 6

On Sunday, the quarterfinals would finally wrap up with Charm City FC moving on with ease, 6-0, over a shorthanded Inter AFC. No calvary arrived this time for Inter AFC as the club played the match with nine men and were overwhelmed in the pouring rain.

The trio of Saheed Lawal and the Walter brothers, who all combined for seven goals and five assists in their 7-3 win over Magicmen in the opening round, were not at the game as Inter’s offense stuggled playing two men short.

Charm City didn’t waste any time with Lucas Pardew scoring the first goal three minutes into the match. In the 18th minute, Josh Robinson would set up Dan Ladar for the second goal. Just before halftime, the floodgates would open as Tarik Walker scored a pair of goals in the final five minutes of the half and Ken Suter would make it 5-0 just after the halftime break. Dan Delaney would score the sixth and final goal in the 53rd minute.

Charm City advanced to the semifinals where they will face the Baltimore Kickers, who beat AC Baltimore 1-0 in their first game. Charm City is aiming to qualify for the Region I tournament for the second year in a row. Last year, after getting an opening round bye when Athletic Club (West PA) forfeited, Charm City lost to United German Hungarians (East PA) in the quarterfinals, 3-1.

Scoring Summary:
Charm City – 3rd minute – Lucas Pardew (Unassisted)
Charm City – 18th minute – Dan Ladar (Josh Robinson)
Charm City – 40th minute – Tarik Walker (Unassisted)
Charm City – 43rd minute – Tarik Walker (Lucas Pardew)
Charm City – 46th minute – Ken Suter (Eric Breach)
Charm City – 53rd minute – Dan Delaney (Unassisted)

Chris Holden also contributed to this report

2011 USOC team allocations, dates set

February 17, 2011 by Josh Hakala

The United States Soccer Federation’s US Open Cup committee has finalized the dates and the team allocations for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 98th edition of the tournament will begin on June 14 with 40 teams entering and will wrap up with the championship game on October 4.

The only professional entries in this year’s tournament will be eight Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs and all 11 USL Pro teams (Third Division). With 16 U.S.-based MLS teams eligible, it’s clear that MLS qualifying will return, in some form, for the fifth year in a row.

Aside from the US Soccer Federation’s exclusion of the five U.S.-based NASL (Second Division) teams, which was announced on Monday, the most notable changes to the 2011 edition of the Open Cup is on the amateur side of the competition. For the first time since the league began play in 2003, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) will have four slots set aside for the competition. In the past, the Fourth-Division amateur league has had to qualify for the Open Cup through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), which retains the eight spots that it has held since 2004. The Premier Development League (PDL) will get an extra team into the tournament this year, giving the league nine entries, the most they have ever had.

CONCACAF’s official twitter account recently confirmed what most people assumed, which is that the 2011 US Open Cup champion will still qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.

The two-time defending champion Seattle Sounders FC will earn an automatic bid to the Open Cup, and have the chance to be the first team in over 40 years to win three consecutive Open Cups. The last team to achieve that feat was the New York Greek-Americans (1967-69). Only three teams in the history if the tournament have won three straight championships.

The Sounders will be joined by five other automatic qualifiers, based on the MLS league standings from 2010. The Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake and the Supporters’ Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy will all enter the tournament in the third round. The 10 remaining U.S.-based MLS clubs (Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, DC United, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City) will battle for the remaining two slots.

seattle-sounders-2010-us-open-cup-final — Can the Sounders become only the second team in the tournament's 98-year history to win three straight US Open Cup titles? Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

Each league chooses how their teams will qualify, and will announce their criteria at a later date. Since 2007, MLS has held a play-in tournament, with the last two years having the games separate from the regular season schedule. 2007 and 2008 saw regular season games double as Open Cup qualifiers.

While it is unknown which format MLS will take for play-in games this year, the play-in games from the last two years have struggled to spark fan interest. In 2009, the qualifying games, which were separate from the regular season schedule, drew less than 5,000 fans per game, and last year, the average fell to less than 2,500.

The PDL will keep a similar format with each U.S.-based team having four regular season games selected (usually two home, two away) to double as Open Cup qualifiers. The top team from each of the nine divisions will earn a berth into the First Round.

The USASA will keep the same qualifying format they have had for the last seven years where each of the four regions submits both finalists in their US Open Cup tournament.

MLS (8 teams – First Division): Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC + 2 qualifying teams
USL Pro (11 teams – Third Division): Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, FC New York, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Wilmington Hammerheads
PDL (9 teams – Amateur): Teams to be determined
USASA (8 teams – Amateur): Two finalists from each of the four regional tournaments
NPSL (4 teams – Amateur): Teams to be determined

The prize money also remains the same as last year with the winner of the tournament earning $100,000, the runner-up getting $50,000 and the Third Division (USL Pro) and Amateur team that advances the furthest gets $10,000.

Much like recent Open Cup tournaments, games are scheduled to take place on Tuesdays and the first three rounds will be played in consecutive weeks with the remaining games spaced out over the rest of the season until the October 4 final.

The dates for each round are as follows and are subject to change:

May 30: Qualification Deadline
Tuesday, June 14: First Round
Tuesday, June 21: Second Round
Tuesday, June 28: Third Round
Tuesday, July 12: Fourth Round
Tuesday, August 30: Semifinals
Tuesday, October 4: Final

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland kicks off state tournament

February 15, 2011 by Josh Hakala

After snow and ice delayed the opening of Maryland’s US Open Cup qualifying, the tournament got underway on Sunday with three teams advancing to the next round. Christos FC, Baltimore Kickers and the Maryland Bays will advance to the semifinals.

There are still two games to be played to complete the semifinals, because the play-in game between Magicmen and Inter AFC, originally scheduled for Feb. 6, had been postponed twice and the two teams are set to play on Feb 27, along with the semifinal match between the Maryland Bays and Christos FC. The winner of Magicmen/Inter AFC will take on Charm City FC at a date to be determined, with the winner of that match playing the Baltimore Kickers in the semis.

Play began on Sunday morning with AC Baltimore, a club formerly known as AEK Baltimore, taking on the Baltimore Kickers. Founded in 2006, AC Baltimore changed their club name last year but would suffer their first loss to the Kickers in three all-time meetings, by the score of 1-0.

Mother Nature cooperated just enough for the game to be played as snow still needed to be shoveled off the field before kickoff, leaving the pitch a little slippery for the players. It was an evenly played game that started off with a scoreless first half that saw Mario Inacio being carted off with an injury (replaced by Adeoluwa ‘Lulu’ Akerele). The Kickers would open the scoring in the 52nd minute when Jason Jannati sent a cross from the wing in what appeared to be a ball intended for a teammate at the far post. Regardless of the intent, the ball managed to curl toward goal and ended up just under the crossbar and into the back of the net.

AC Baltimore lineup (5-3-2): Nick Affrunti (GK), Robbie O’Brien, Ryan Reif, Mike Murphy, Lanre Fasina, Casey Nemphos, Mario Inacio, Rafiq Gharbi, Ben Hernandez, Eric Mcphee, Ayuk “Ramdy” Ekiko (Team website)

The next game featured two of the stronger teams in the tournament with Christos FC and the Aegean Hawks FC doing battle. The Hawks had been regulars in the Metro DC/VA association since their founding in 1996, but defected to Maryland this year. “We just wanted to try something different,” said Hawks head coach Jon Knight. “We found out that competing in the Maryland tournament as an option and we heard it was very well run, so we took advantage of the opportunity.”

Christos FC, who fell one game short of the state championship game last year (falling 3-0 to Jilly’s Bar & Grill), broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. Both teams had played an even game to that point but a pair of Loyola University players connected for the game’s first goal as Mike Deasel sent in a cross to Glenn Leitch who headed it past an out-of-position goalkeeper. With the Hawks pushing everyone forward late in the game, Christos would put the game out of reach with another Loyola player making it 2-0. Vinnie Piscopo played a ball across to Danny Ankrah who slotted it home to make it 2-0.

Aegean Hawks FC lineup: Alex Fatovic (GK), James Kpainay, Alan Golden, Clayton Voss, Devlin Barnes, Seth C’deBaca (Ernesto Marquez – 55th), Michael Goldman, Watson Prather, Scott Larrabee, John Stephens (Erwin Diaz – 65th), Nate Burkey (Mateus dos Anjos – 45th)

Christos FC lineup (4-5-1): King (GK), Bissohong (Digbeu – 80th), Wells, J. Dipino, Mahon (V. Dipino – 45th), Tyrie (Piscopo – 75th), Deasel, Pennacchia (Muntz – 65th), Leitch, Ankrah, Skelton (Dwonzkowski – 70th)

For the second year in a row, Christos will meet another of Maryland’s top teams as they host the Maryland Bays who defeated Baltimore Bays Blue ’93, 3-1 in Sunday’s finale. Maryland, who won three MSSA championships last year, were the favorites against Baltimore who fielded an Under-18 team. Baltimore head coach Jim Fendryk got special permission to enter his U-18 side into the tournament in an effort to give his team some challenging games. The Bays scored 16 minutes into the match with Marco Mangione finding the back of the net, but Baltimore would hold strong until after halftime when Matt Beckman’s long-distance goal would make it 2-0. Maryland’s Chris Ports would set up Ryan Russell for the third goal in the 77th minute, but the young Baltimore team would ruin the clean sheet in the 85th minute on a goal from Brandon Wilfong.

“Having personally played with some of the Maryland Bays players and having played for Coach Bryan Bugarin myself when I was younger, we knew coming in that this was going to be a difficult test for our young guys,” said Baltimore coach Jim Fendryk. “The Maryland Bays are a quality team who has had great success in the past few seasons, highlighted by last year’s national championship appearance.

“Our game plan focused on limiting space defensively, which we did well in the first half,” he added. “In the second half, we began to settle down and build into the game and created some good opportunities. Unfortunately we made some very poor and uncharacteristic mistakes and when you make mistakes against a team like the Maryland Bays they make you pay.”

“ was very qualified to play in the men’s Open Cup,” said Maryland coach Bryan Bugarin. “They played the entire game in a surprisingly physical manner.”

Maryland Bays lineup: Kristopher Ward (GK), Matty Beckman, Josh Taylor, Chris Williams, Phil Greatwich (Matt Beale), Chris Ports (Danny Poe), Nino Mangione (Kevin Gnatiko), Bryan Moffa (Dan Bulls), Timmy Lane, Marco Mangione, Jon Ports (Ryan Russell)

Baltimore Bays Blue ’93 lineup (4-5-1): Connor Kregecz (GK), Jon Grant (LB), Nick Clarke (CB), Kyle Westbrook (CB), Nick Liberto (RB), Joe Fili (CDM), Eric Borkowicz (CDM), Brandon Wilfong (CAM), Zach Stocksdale (LM), Matt Wilfong (RM), Yanni Sarioglou (CF)

Maryland US Open Cup qualifying results/schedule

Round 1
Magicmen vs. Inter AFC – Feb. 27 (Cedar Lane Regional Park in Harford, Md.)

Quarterfinals
Charm City FC vs. Magicmen/Inter AFC – Date/Location TBA
AC Baltimore 0:1 Baltimore Kickers
Maryland Bays 3:1 Baltimore Bays Blue ’93
Christos FC 2:0 Aegean Hawks FC

Semifinals
Baltimore Kickers vs. Magicmen / Inter AFC / Charm City FC – Date/Location TBA
Maryland Bays vs. Christos FC – Feb. 27 (Cedar Lane Regional Park in Harford, Md.)

Final
Date/Location TBA

	1. Charm City	*	**	–

8. Magicmen
9. Inter AFC
	4. Baltimore Kickers	Baltimore Kickers 1-0

	5. AC Baltimore

	2. Maryland Bays	Maryland Bays 3-1	–

	7. Baltimore Bays Blues ’93

	3. Christos FC	Christos FC 2-0

	6. Aegean Hawks

02/27	*02/13, TBA**	02/27, TBA**	03/21
Cedar Lane Park	Western Regional Park	Cedar Lane Park	TBA

USSF: NASL teams will not be eligible for 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

February 14, 2011 by Josh Hakala

In a conference call to discuss the US Soccer Federation’s provisional sanctioning of the North American Soccer League (NASL), US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said the eight-team league will not be taking part in the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Five of the eight teams in the NASL — Carolina RailHawks, FC Tampa Bay Rowdies, Atlanta Silverbacks, NSC Minnesota Stars and Miami FC — will not participate due to the fact that a change to the Open Cup format at this stage of planning would be difficult.

Gulati said during the conference call, “It’s simply too late to incorporate them into the process in the various phases of the tournament. The timing does not work for the five U.S.-based teams to participate in this annual event.” He added, “It’s impossible to put them into . They’re not going to play this year.”

This marks the first time in the Professional Era (1995-present) that a pro league will not be taking part in the tournament. The last time a professional league was not represented in the Open Cup was when the previous North American Soccer League(1968-1984) refused to enter throughout the league’s 17-year existence. In 1996, the USISL Pro League did not enter a club into the Open Cup, but that was due to the qualification tournament created by the USISL, which merged all the leagues together into one competition. None of the USISL Pro teams survived the qualifying tournament.

The format for the 2011 US Open Cup has not been released, and it is unknown when it will be announced and how many teams will ultimately take part in the tournament. The last two years, the format was announced on May 5, 2010 and April 30, 2009.

The three remaining clubs, all of which are not eligible because they are not based in the United States, are still competing in their own cup competitions. The Canadian-based teams, FC Edmonton and the Montreal Impact will be taking part in the Canadian Nutrilite Championship and the Puerto Rico Islanders will also continue to participate in the Caribbean Football Union championships. Both tournaments lead to a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Currently there are a number of states who have either completed or are conducting their Open Cup qualifying tournament for the USASA. Check back with TheCup.us with a recap of all the state qualifying to this point.