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2010 USASA Qualifying

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: First round of Region I tournament in the books (Video)

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The USASA Region I tournament that got underway this weekend, is the beginning of what will eventually send two clubs to the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The opening round which kicked off this weekend will be followed by the quarterfinals on May 2 and the semifinals on May 23. The two teams that emerge victorious in the semifinals will both be awarded a spot in the US Open Cup, and if the format remains true to recent form, they will be matched up with either a second division or a third division side. Major League Soccer teams will not enter the competition until the third round.

Go Soccer FC from New Jersey pose for a team picture before their Region I match with Olympia Stamford of Connecticut on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Photo: Go Soccer FC

There will be a lot of familiar faces when the quarterfinal round of the USASA Region I tournament begins on May 2. Out of the six opening round matches, five of the winners have qualified for the US Open Cup before with Go Soccer FC from New Jersey representing as the lone newcomer.

Two games were not played due to forfeits. Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York got a bye because the NPSL’s Erie Admirals couldn’t field a full team due to player availabilities and injuries. Maryland’s Charm City FC, a former NPSL club, got a free pass when Athletic Club (Western PA) lost their main sponsor.

Here are the results from the weekend:

Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go Soccer FC (NJ) | Sat. April 10 at Torpey Athletic Complexl

Go Soccer FC from New Jersey defeated Olympia Stamford of Connecticut 1-0 on Saturday to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. Alex Russo scored the lone goal in the 35th minute as the Go Soccer defense held Olympia in check for most of the evening.  CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT.

Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) | Denison Nursery – Ft. Washington, MD

The Aegean Hawks, the runner-up from the Metro D.C. / Virginia tournament, dispatched Jilly’s Bar & Grill from Maryland, 3-0. Watson Prather converted a penalty kick for the Hawks in the 37th minute and it wasn’t until the 76th when Ricky Schramm added a second and John Stephens put the game away in the 82nd to make it 3-0. The Hawks move on to the quarters to face the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT FROM AEGEANHAWKS.com

Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT) | Portuguese Cultural Center – Danbury, CT

Danbury United avenged their 2007 Region I tournament loss with a 2-1 win over Boston Olympiakos. Back in 2007, the two teams squared off in the Region I semifinals, with a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line. Danbury scored midway through the first half on a penalty kick that was scored by Gerson Canhao. On the other side of halftime, Valdo Miguel tied the game up at 1-1 around the 65th minute. The game-winner would arrive near the 80th minute when veteran Toni Fernandes sent a blast into the back of the net from outside the box.

“It was two different styles of play,” said Danbury United manager Victor Sousa. “Olympiakos played a very direct and physical brand of soccer with long balls being sent directly from the defense, so their chances were limited in the first half. We played more short passes, bringing the ball up the field, creating chances to score. In my opinion, the result showed justice.”

With the win over Boston, Danbury snap a two-game losing streak to Massachusetts-based clubs in the Region I competition.  United will face Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York in the quarterfinals.

Danbury United lineup: Andres Sanchez, Robert Miller, Justin Dell, Walter Salinas, Daniel Tomas, John Meyer, Michael Mingione, Toni Fernandes, Lamar Chancey, Gerson Canhao, Mauro Dos Santos | Dennys Farias, Joseph Dos Santos, Arthur Hilario, Ryan Chmielewski, Mauro Costa, Kenneth Cook, Ajani Maillard

Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY) | John Dewey High School – Brooklyn, NY

Almir “Zoro” Barbosa scored a pair of first half goals to help put Emigrantes Das Ilhas on their way to a 3-2 win over the NPSL’s newest team, the Brooklyn Italians. Brooklyn, who has a rich history and is a two-time Open Cup champion (1979, 1991), mounted a comeback with a goal by Marco Ruiz in the second half but Jose Veiga of Emigrantes extended the lead back to two with a goal in the 70th. 18-year old Kevin Beaton scored a second for Brooklyn, but it was too late as Emigrantes win to move on to face Go Soccer FC in the next round.

Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) | Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Queens, NY

Julio Cesar Dos Santos carried the New York Pancyprian Freedoms past Phoenix SC 3-2. Phoenix scored twice in the first 30 minutes, then the Freedoms, specifically, Dos Santos (featured by the USL as one of the best players in USL players in the last decade) stormed back. Dos Santos scored two and also had an assist in leading his team to the next round, where they will play Aegean Hawks FC on May 2. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT FROM THE NY POST

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (1:4 PKs) United German Hungarians (East PA) | UGH Field (Oakford, PA)

One of the tighest matches of the opening round, the United German Hungarians eliminate Club Atletico Virginia  in a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw. UGH, hosting the match at their home field in Oakford, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, trailed 1-0 at the break after CAV’s Billy Whittington scored on a header in the 20th minute after a cross from the right side from Andrew Richardson. UGH came out in the second half and leveled the match a few minutes after the break, after a shot on goal was saved but spilled by CAV goalkeeper Matt Scheer. UGH forward Jeremy Ortiz jumped on the loose ball to tie the game up 1-1. UGH added a second in the 70th minute off a corner kick that found Ben Marucci in the box, but CAV equalized ten minutes later. Virginia’s John Carson sent a long throw into the box and multiple defenders failed to clear, leaving the ball to Billy Whittington who missed on a volley attempt. After the ball snuck through all that penalty area traffic, it fell to Victor Krasij, who put it away. After going scoreless through extra time, United won the penalty kick shootout 4-1 to move on to the next round to play Charm City FC.

CAV lineup: Matt Scheer (GK) Tremaine Chinapoo & Phil Purdy (center backs), Jordan Cullinane (right back), Dave Leon (left back), Matt Davis and Victor Krasij (defensive center mids), John Carson (offensive center mid), Andrew Richardson (right mid), Fabio Andrade (left mid), Billy Whittington (forward)

UGH lineup: GK – Eric Talbot, (13) Tony Rod, (6) Will Thornton, (7) Blair Carson, (20) Ken Tomczuk, (9) Brian Blesi (Capt), (19) Matt Hemberger, (12) Ben Marucci, (10) Tim O’Neill, (15) Ryan Moseley, (8) Jeremy Ortiz
Subs: (5) Ryan Tadley for Moseley (46’), (18) Kevin Sherry for O’Neill (46’), (11) Brian Bowers for Blesi (87’), (4) Lou Daniele for Tadley (117’)

2010 USASA Region I tournament – first round results:

Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go-Soccer FC (NJ) – Sat. April 10
Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT)
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (UGH advances on PKs 4-1) United German Hungarians (East PA)
Athletic Club (West PA) at Charm City FC (MD) – Athletic Club forfeits (Loss of sponsor)
Erie Admirals (NPSL) at Fenerbahce USA (East NY) – Erie forfeits (Injuries/Not enough players avail.)

Quarterfinal schedule (May 2)

Fenerbahce USA at Danbury United – 2 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center (Danbury, CT)
Aegean Hawks FC at NY Pancyprian Freedoms – 2 p.m., Belson Stadium (St. John’s University)
Charm City FC at United German Hungarians – 2 p.m., UGH Field (Oakford, PA)
Go-Soccer FC vs. Emigrantes Das Ilhas *Emigrantes Das Ilhas disqualified*
Go Soccer FC at Brooklyn Italians – 4p.m., John Dewey High School (Brooklyn, NY)

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: Detroit United edge Ann Arbor FC Elite to win Michigan Open Cup title

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Ann Arbor FC Elite’s midfielder Drew Ducker (12) fires a shot past Detroit United goalkeeper Ryan Mathe late in the second half of Sunday’s Michigan Open Cup final. The play was ruled offside, denying Ann Arbor a late equalizer. Photo: Matthew Carey

The USASA Region II tournament is complete with Detroit United’s 1-0 win over their rival Ann Arbor FC Elite in the

Michigan Open Cup championship. This was the third straight year that the two teams had met in the state competition, with Ann Arbor winning the first two years.

2010 Michigan Open Cup Final
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saline High School | Saline, MI
Ann Arbor FC Elite 0:1 Detroit United
75th – Tommy Eller
Photo gallery by Matthew Carey
 

The match was hosted by Ann Arbor at Saline High School in Saline, Michigan, located just outside of the city of Ann Arbor on a cool evening. The home team controlled the majority of the possession through the first half, but neither team was able to break the scoreless tie. Ann Arbor did manage to put the ball in the back of the net, but the play was ruled offside. After a poor defensive clearance by Detroit, AAFC midfielder David Dwaihy sent the ball immediately to the right wing and when the ball was crossed to Yaacov Rubin in front of goal, he scored, but the flag went up.

Detroit created a few more chances in the second half, but the Ann Arbor defense, led by former New England Revolution goalkeeper TJ Tomasso, held strong until the 75th minute. After a corner kick, Ann Arbor attempted to clear, but the ball was collected, settled, and played square to Tommy Eller just outside the penalty area, who fired a laser into the back of the net to break the tie.

Ann Arbor FC Elite vs. Detroit United
in Michigan Open Cup tournament
2010 Final Ann Arbor FC Elite
 0:1 Detroit United
2009 Final Ann Arbor FC Elite 6:5 Detroit United
2008 Semifinal Ann Arbor FC Elite 3:2 Detroit United
Both teams were entered into the 2007 Region II Finals and did not
play each other. Both reached the semifinals of the regional
tournament, leaving themselves one win away from the Lamar
Hunt US Open Cup, but both were eliminated. Ann Arbor lost
6-0 to Bavarian SC (WI) Detroit lost 3-0 to RWB Adria (IL).

Ann Arbor threw everything forward for the remaining 15 minutes and seemed to have equalized a few minutes after the goal was scored when Drew Ducker was sent through on the left side of the penalty area. His shot beat Detroit goalkeeper Ryan Mathe, but the play was called offside. After a frantic final ten minutes, Detroit would hold on for their first state championship since 2007.

Ann Arbor head coach Casey Bantle was very disappointed after the game. “This was one of the best teams I’ve ever put on a soccer field,” he said.

Detroit’s reward for winning is a spot in the Region II tournament where they will travel to Wisconsin to take on the Milwaukee Kickers on Saturday, May 1.

Ann Arbor FC Elite lineup:
TJ Tomasso (GK)
CB: Andy Gutowski
CB: Bobby Raymond
RB: Charlie Watts
LB: Dan Clatterbuck
CM: David Dwaihy
CM: Miki Djerisilo
RM: Drew Ducker
LM: Scott Tomlins
ST: Yaacov Rubin
ST: Blake Ordell

Substitutes (all subs in 2nd half)
Matt Johnson in for Bobby Raymond
Eric Bowman in for Charlie Watts
Javier Arana in for Dan Clatterbuck
Jacob Puente in for Yaacov Rubin


USASA Region II tournament schedule
Saturday, May 1
 (All games at 3 p.m. ET)

Detroit United (Michigan) at Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
Fire SC ‘00 (Minnesota) at AAC Eagles (Illinois) – 3 p.m. at Toyota Park turf field
St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL Midwest) at 402 Academy (Nebraska)
KC Athletics (Kansas) at Des Moines Menace USASA (Iowa)

Go Soccer FC wins to kick off Region I weekend on Saturday, Sunday results, Michigan Open Cup final

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It’s a busy weekend for US Open Cup qualifying as the USASA Region I tournament opens up and the state of Michigan will crown it’s champion.

Check back here for updates of all the action as well as TheCup.us twitter account @usopencup.

There was one match on Saturday as Go Soccer FC from New Jersey kicked off the Region I tournament with a 1-0 win over Olympia Stamford of Connecticut. Stamford was aiming to qualify for the Open Cup for the first time since 2001, but it was Garden State club that moved on to face the winner of the Brooklyn Italians and Emigrantes Das Ilhas.

The match took place in front of just over 100 fans at the newly constructed Torpey Athletic Complex in Bridgewater, NJ. Go Soccer controlled the match in the early going, holding the majority of possession and creating the first scoring chance. Dennis Maldonado overlapped midfielder Dominic Paolella on the right flank and playing a low cross back to Paolella, who forced a point blank kick save from the Olympia Stamford keeper. The ensuing corner from Alex Russo was headed over the bar by Paolella.

Shortly after, on a similar run of play, Steve DeMatteo tried to find Paolella but his sliding attempt was cut off by the keeper. A third attempt from Steven Mellen from a hard angle went over the bar around the 15th minute.  Olympia’s first opportunity came about 20 minutes in when a through ball played in and a shot from just inside the box drew a fine save from Dan Roth, who rescued his Go Soccer club on a number of occasions.

The first goal came at the 35th minute after a great build up from from the back. A cross from Gary Gibbings on the left found Alex Russo at the far post, and the midfielder headed back across goal and into the back of the net. The back four of Heitmann, Breen, Ryan, and Tatro were impenetrable in the first half only allowing two corners and just a few shots.

The second half started out with more of the same with Go Soccer dominating the play.  Alex Russo was taken down from behind early on and Gary Gibbings hit a laser of free kick from 30 yards out the was deflected off the bar and out by the keeper. After some substitutions midway through the second half, Go Soccer got a scare when play stopped briefly with an injury to Dan Roth in goal but the keeper remained on the field.

In the final 20 minutes, Olympia switched gears and began to get some chances as they searched for an equalizer. Roth, with an injured hand, came up big at the end, pulling off consecutive saves at one point to the keep the lead intact. Notably a shot from inside the six-yard box that drew a fingertip save to direct the ball wide, and a late shot from just inside the box that deflected over. Finally, a long header from Olympia across the goal and off the far post gave the Reds a scare, but Roth kept the clean sheet, along with a strong performance by his backline.

Check below for score updates from other games as they come in and on our twitter account:

2010 USASA Region I tournament – first round schedule:
(All times Eastern)

Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT)
Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go-Soccer FC (NJ) – (Sat. April 10)
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (UGH advances on PKs) United German Hungarians (East PA)

Athletic Club (West PA) at Charm City FC (MD) – Athletic Club forfeits (Loss of sponsor)
Erie Admirals (NPSL) at Fenerbahce USA (East NY) – Erie forfeits (Injuries/Not enough players available)

2010 Michigan Open Cup final:

Detroit United 1:0 Ann Arbor United
Detroit advances to the USASA Region II Finals

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: Region I down to 14 teams as tournament begins this weekend

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The USASA Region I tournament gets underway this weekend, the beginning of what will eventually send two clubs to the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The opening round kicks off with a game on Saturday, April 10, with the rest of the round to be played Sunday, April 11, followed by the quarterfinals on May 2, and the semifinals on May 23. The two teams that emerge victorious in the semifinals will both be awarded a spot in the US Open Cup, and if the format remains true to recent form, they will be matched up with either a second division or a third division side. Major League Soccer teams will not enter the competition until the third round.

The 2010 edition of the tournament was expanded to 16 teams, but it wasn’t meant to be as two teams were forced to drop out. Athletic Club, the lone entry from Western Pennsylvania, had their main sponsor abandon them, thus making it impossible for them to cover their travel expenses to Maryland to take on Charm City FC.

The other team that won’t be competing is the Erie Admirals of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). A combination of injuries and a lack of player availability left them without a full roster for their game against Fenerbahce USA, the Eastern New York runner-up.

The two teams who benefit from the forfeits, Fenerbahce USA and Charm City FC, will both move on to the quarterfinals where they will be forced to play on the road.

The rest of the games on the opening round schedule feature a number of intriguing matchups.

Boston Olympiakos has been a regular in Open Cup qualifying, but has only reached the Region I tournament twice. In 2004, they lost in the semifinals and in 2008, they defeated Danbury United from Connecticut in the group final to punch their ticket to the Open Cup. Those two teams will meet again on Sunday at the Portuguese Cultural Center. Danbury qualified for the Open Cup in 2007, but lost that deciding game against Boston in 2008 and last year to Emigrantes Das Ilhas, another Massachusetts team.

That win over Danbury last year was the first trip to the Open Cup for Emigrantes. Repeating will be a challenge as they will travel to New York to take on the Brooklyn Italians. The two-time Open Cup champions (1979, 1991) just joined the NPSL after decades as a member of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

On Saturday, Olympia Stamford from Connecticut will begin their quest to qualify for the Open Cup for the second time in a decade when they open up against Go-Soccer FC from New Jersey. Olympia last made a trip to the big dance in 2001 when they had a one-and-done Cup run, falling to the PDL’s Seattle Sounders Select.

The Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks, complete with their committed sponsor, are aiming to be a Region I finalist (and thus, an Open Cup participant) for the third time in four years, a rare feat among USASA clubs. They will begin at home against one of the Maryland co-champions Jilly’s Bar & Grill, who highlighted the opening round of the Maryland Open Cup tournament with a 10-0 thrashing of and knocked out the defending state champions, Christos, by a score of 3-0.

Phoenix SC of Eastern Pennsylvania will have the task of facing the New York Pancyprian Freedoms, a club that not only plays in the ultra-competitive Cosmopolitan Soccer League, but they also boast the greatest Open Cup pedigree of any club in the tournament. The Freedoms have qualified for the Open Cup three times in the Professional Era (1995-present) and prior to that, they won the competition three times (1980, 1982, 1983) and are the last team to ever repeat as champions. Phoenix SC is making their first appearance in the tournament after beating the United German Hungarians (UGH) 2-1 in overtime in the Eastern PA final.

With the expansion of the Region I finals, that made room for UGH as Eastern PA runners-up and they will take on Club Atletico Virginia. The champions of the DC/VA Open Cup championship, beat the Aegean Hawks for the first time in nine tries, denying the Hawks their fifth straight DC/VA title. The Washington Premier League club will take on UGH who have not qualified for the Open Cup since 1999 when they upset the Staten Island Vipers of the D3 Pro League. UGH have finished runners-up in the Open Cup twice (1977, 1993).

2010 USASA Region I tournament – first round schedule:
(All times Eastern)

Boston Olympiakos (MA) at Danbury United (CT) – 2 p.m. at Portuguese Cultural Center
Erie Admirals (NPSL) at Fenerbahce USA (East NY) – Erie forfeits (Injuries/Not enough players available)
Olympia Stamford (CT) at Go-Soccer FC (NJ) – Sat. April 10, 5:30 p.m. at Torpey Athletic Complex
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) at Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) – 3 p.m. at John Dewey High School
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) – 2 p.m. at Denison Nursery
Phoenix SC (East PA) at NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) – 2 p.m. at Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.)
Athletic Club (West PA) at Charm City FC (MD) – Athletic Club forfeits (Loss of sponsor)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) at United German Hungarians (East PA) – 2 p.m. at UGH Field

Quarterfinal schedule (May 2)

Fenerbahce USA at Danbury United/Boston Olympiakos
Go-Soccer FC / Olympia Stamford vs. Brooklyn Italians / Emigrantes Das Ilhas – Site TBA
Aegean Hawks FC / Jilly’s Bar & Grill vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms / Phoenix SC – Site TBA
Charm City FC at United German Hungarians / Club Atletico Virginia

Bracket

First Round (April 11) Quarterfinals (May 2) Semifinals (May 23) Final (June 27)
Danbury United (CT)
Boston Olympiakos (MA)
Fenerbahce USA (E NY) Fenerbahce USA (E NY)
Erie Admirals (NPSL) (forfeit)
Go-Soccer FC (NJ)
Olympia Stamford (CT)
Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Emigrantes das Ilhas (MA)
DS Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD)
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (E NY)
Phoenix SC (E PA)
Charm City FC (MD) Charm City FC (MD)
Athletic Club (W PA) (forfeit)
UGH Majors (E PA)
Club Atletico (DC/VA)

USASA Region II first round draw announced, Michigan championship decided Sunday

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The draw for the USASA Region II Open Cup tournament is set, with several new teams among the eight amateur sides that will vie for two berths in the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

KC Athletics, the first entry from Kansas in at least several years, opens up at the Des Moines Menace USASA team in a first-round match May 1. The Menace have competed under a number of different names, including the Iowa Menace and the Des Moines Menace Reserves. The team is a collection of players from the Des Moines Menace Under-20s and some former PDL players.

Newcomer Fire SC ’00 is playing as the Minnesota representative, and travels to AAC Eagles, who ended RWB Adria’s three-year run as Illinois state champion. AAC Eagles, however, qualified for the 2008 Open Cup — along with Adria — after being the state runners-up. The Fire, as the name would suggest, were founded in 2000 and compete in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League where they are the two-time defending league champions.

One interesting first-round game pits the St. Paul Twin Stars, the two-time defending National Premier Soccer League Midwest Region champions, but a first-time entry in this tournament, against 402 Academy. The Nebraska team advanced to the Open Cup last year in its first attempt, falling to the Minnesota Thunder 3-2 in the first round.

The other opener sees the Milwaukee Kickers, who ousted six-time Open Cup qualifier Bavarian SC in last fall’s Wisconsin state final, play host to the Michigan champion, Detroit United. Detroit United is scheduled to play Ann Arbor United on Sunday, April 11 at Saline High School to determine the final qualifier. Detroit United defeated Ann Arbor United 1-0 to win their first state title since 2007 and to deny Ann Arbor their second straight championship.

The winners of the two second-round matches earn spots in the Open Cup, and will play in the Region II championship June 18-20 at Gaelic Park in Chicago for a spot in the USASA national semifinals. No information was announced about the second round draw.

Saturday, May 1
(All games at 3 p.m. ET)
Detroit United (Michigan) at Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
Fire SC ’00 (Minnesota) at AAC Eagles (Illinois)
St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL Midwest) at 402 Academy (Nebraska)
KC Athletics (Kansas) at Des Moines Menace USASA (Iowa)

2010 Open Cup Qualifying: Maryland finalists to bypass state final, enter Region I tournament

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The state of Maryland will not crown a 2010 Open Cup champion. The two finalists, Charm City FC and Jilly’s Bar & Grill, were informed that there was no need for them to play the championship game since both clubs have been entered into the USASA Region I finals.

“This year Region I is trying something a little different,” said cup commissioner John Kahmke. “We elected to have a total of 16 positions available for all national cups, including the Open Cup. As it turned out, most states received two entries for the Open Cup regional round.”

Kahmke added that the Maryland championship game was deemed unnecessary due to the delays caused by the recent snow storms. Instead, the extra date will be used for other state cup competitions.

The Region I tournament begins April 11 and features 16 teams, the most that have ever participated in the competition in the Professional Era (1995-present). The two finalists in the Region I title game will both be entered into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

State champions (Association: Club Name (Years they qualified for the US Open Cup)

Western Pennsylvania:  Athletic Club
DC/Virginia: Club Atletico Virginia
Connecticut: Danbury United (2007)
Massachusetts: Emigrantes das Ilhas (2009)
New Jersey: Go-Soccer FC
Eastern New York: New York Pancyprian Freedoms
Eastern Pennsylvania: Phoenix SC
Maryland: Jilly’s Bar & Grill / Charm City FC  (co-champions)

Other entrants

Boston Olympiakos – Massachusetts (2008)
Brooklyn Italians – NPSL Northeast
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks – DC/Virginia (2007, 2009)
Erie Admirals – NPSL Northeast
Fenerbahce USA – Eastern New York
Olympia Stamford – Connecticut (2001)
United German Hungarian Majors – Eastern Pennsylvania (1999)

Bracket

First Round (April 11) Quarterfinals (May 2) Semifinals (May 23) Final (June 27)
Danbury United (CT)
Boston Olympiakos (MA)
Fenerbahce USA (E NY)
Erie Admirals (NPSL)
Go-Soccer FC (NJ)
Olympia Stamford (CT)
Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Emigrantes das Ilhas (MA)
DS Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD)
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (E NY)
Phoenix SC (E PA)
Charm City FC (MD)
Athletic Club (W PA)
UGH Majors (E PA)
Club Atletico (DC/VA)

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I tournament bracket unveiled

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The 2010 USASA Region I Final tournament will be the largest in professional era history. It will feature 16 teams from eight different member associations and the National Premier Soccer League. Eight of these clubs have participated in previous US Open Cup tournaments, with five titles being shared between two of them. The tournament begins with first round action on April 11, and the 2010 US Open Cup participants will be determined by May 23 after the conclusion of the semifinals. The clubs (and previous USOC appearances in the pro era) are listed below:

State champions

Athletic Club – Western Pennsylvania

Club Atletico Virginia – DC/Virginia

Danbury United – Connecticut (2007)

Emigrantes das Ilhas – Massachusetts (2009)

Go-Soccer FC – New Jersey

New York Pancyprian Freedoms – Eastern New York 

Phoenix SC – Eastern Pennsylvania

TBD – Maryland (Jilly’s Bar & Grill/Charm City FC winner)

Other entrants

Boston Olympiakos – Massachusetts (2008)

Brooklyn Italians – NPSL Northeast

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks – DC/Virginia (2007, 2009)

Erie Admirals – NPSL Northeast

Fenerbahce USA – Eastern New York

Olympia Stamford – Connecticut (2001)

United German Hungarian Majors – Eastern Pennsylvania (1999)

TBD – Maryland (Jilly’s Bar & Grill/Charm City FC loser)

Bracket

First Round (April 11) Quarterfinals (May 2) Semifinals (May 23) Final (June 27)
Danbury United (CT)
Boston Olympiakos (MA)
Fenerbahce USA (E NY)
Erie Admirals (NPSL)
Go-Soccer FC (NJ)
Olympia Stamford (CT)
Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Emigrantes das Ilhas (MA)
DS Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Maryland #2
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (E NY)
Phoenix SC (E PA)
Maryland #1
Athletic Club (W PA)
UGH Majors (E PA)
Club Atletico (DC/VA)

Charm City FC, Jilly’s Bar & Grill advance to Maryland final, earn spots in Region I tourney

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After the semifinals of the Maryland Open Cup tournament wrapped up, two teams emerged to advance to the championship game. Jilly’s Bar & Grill dethroned the defending state champions, beating Christos 3-0.  Charm City booked their spot in the final with a 1-0 win over FC Allyance.

The date for the championship game has yet to be determined, but when the bracket for the USASA Region I Finals were released, it was learned that regardless of who wins the Maryland title, both teams will qualify for the regional tournament.

Jilly’s came out firing and scored two goals in the first twelve minutes on goals by George Phillips (5th minute) and Josh Burford (12th) and never looked back.  Defending Maryland Open Cup champion Christos had not played since January, and it showed.  They were very sluggish and could not create any scoring opportunities until the second half. Christos had several chances early in the second half that might have gotten them back into the game but were unable to cash in. Forward Brian Walter of Jilly’s would eventually put the game away in the 65th minute on an assist from his brother Mike. Goalkeeper Andy Marchica of Christos kept them in the game with 22 saves while Nick Parypinski had an easy time with 7 stops for Jilly’s.
 
Meanwhile, Charm City and Allyance needed overtime to decide a winner in the other semifinal. For the second week in a row, Charm City were the cardiac kids as they earned a hard fought 1-0 victory in the Open Cup.  They lost a man in the first ten minutes when Matt Beckman was given a straight red for a serious foul play (spikes high tackle). That forced the team to play a conservative game against FC Allyance’s speedy forwards.  Unfortunately, Allyance could not convert on at least five excellent scoring opportunities in the first half.  Both teams had some great opportunities in the second half but to no avail.

On to overtime in a game played in a steady rain and mist where finally, old man Pat Crawford of Charm City put a direct kick into the left corner of the Allyance goal from 22 yards out with 30 seconds left in the first overtime. The second overtime was marred by rough play and stalling on the part of Charm City.  Ed Emopkae was ejected for FC Allyance at the 10 minute mark of the second overtime for serious foul play when he violently pushed a forward for Charm City in an act of frustration.  The game then ended 1 to 0.

Scott Maguire of Charm City and Jason Vaugh of Allyance were but brilliant in goal with 20 saves and 18 saves respectively.

Charm City edges Baltimore Bays Chelsea in PKs to join Maryland final four

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It only took four tries to get this match in, but it was worth the wait. Charm City FC moved closer to a Maryland Open Cup title, and a spot in the USASA Region I Finals, by defeating Baltimore Bays Chelsea in Quarterfinal action 6-5 on penalties after a scoreless draw. This game was plentiful not in scoring, but in physicality.

Charm City earned the majority of scoring chances during regulation, some of which occurred as a result of a 71st minute red card received by Chelsea fullback Matt Shell who committed a serious challenge. However, they could not convert their chances and ended regulation time scoreless. Overtime saw more physical play as Lou Karko of Charm City was ejected in the 112th minute, evening the match at 10 players per side. At this point the clubs settled down and held serve until the penalty shootout arrived. Both goalkeepers did their part to ensure their team was in it to the end. Charm City’s Scott Maguire made 12 saves, while Josh Taylor of Baltimore Bays Chelsea stopped 16 shots.

Once in penalty kicks, the scoring finally arrived. Goals flew in back and forth for both sides, with the clubs ending up tied 5-5 after six rounds. In the seventh round, Chad Muesel stepped up for Charm City, calmly placing the ball in the back of the net. Chelsea’s Jarron Brooks looked to send the shootout to an eighth round, but instead sent his shot wide left, ending the match.

Charm City FC advances to play FC Allyance – who defeated the Maryland Kicks 7-0 the previous week – in the Maryland semifinals, which are scheduled to occur on March 14.

2010 Open Cup qualifying: USASA Fall/Winter recap

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Qualification for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is already in full swing in the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and its member state associations. Below is a list of what has already gone down in the amateur ranks across the country, as well as what is to come.

Phoenix SC wins their first Eastern PA Open Cup title with a 2-1 overtime victory over the United German Hungarians
REGION I
(Region I tournament begins April 11)

Eastern Pennsylvania – Phoenix SC
Final: Phoenix SC win Eastern PA Open Cup title
Second Round: Phoenix SC knocks off their Ukrainian rivals, advance to Eastern PA semis

DC/Virginia – Club Atletico Virginia
Final: Atletico Virginia denies Aegean Hawks a 5th straight DC/VA Open Cup title

Eastern New York – New York Pancyprian Freedoms
Final: Pancyprian Freedoms avenge the Greeks, beat Fenerbahce USA to win Eastern NY
Semifinals Controversy: Fenerbahce USA in Eastern NY Final after Greek American Atlas forfeit
Semifinals: Pancyprian Freedoms reach 5th straight Eastern NY Final
First Round: Pancyprian Freedoms among opening round Eastern NY winners

Massachusetts – Emigrantes Das Ilhas
Final: Emigrantes Das Ilhas to represent Massachusetts in Region I Finals
Semifinals: Emigrantes open Massachusetts tournament with win

Maryland – Weather has seen the beginning of the tournament change twice and now it is set to begin February 28.

Quarterfinals (Feb. 28) Semifinals (Mar. 14) Final (Date TBD)
AEK Baltimore FC 9:30 AM Christos FC 6:00 PM

Site/Time TBD
Jilly’s Bar & Grill AEK Baltimore/Jilly’s winner
FC Allyance 11:30 AM FC Allyance/MD Kicks winner 8:00 PM
MD Kicks
Charm City FC 9:30 AM Charm City/Bays winner
Baltimore Bays Chelsea


New Jersey – Currently in Quarterfinal stage, games will resume in April

Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Hoboken FC Hoboken/NJ Lions winner Site/Time TBD
NJ Lions FC
NJ Gunners FC Gunners/Irish winner
Kearny Irish FC
Hump Street FC Hump Street/SPW winner
SPW United FC
SoccerPost.com SoccerPost.com/Bordentown winner
Bordentown SC
The AAC Eagles of the National Soccer League pose for a team photo after winning the 2010 Illinois Open Cup Final. Their first Open Cup title since 2003. Photo: Judith McLean | Illinois SSA


REGION II
(Entrants must be determined by April 17)

Wisconsin – Milwaukee Kickers
Final: Ingold, Kickers boot Bavarian SC to win Wisconsin

Illinois – AAC Eagles
Final: AAC Eagles end RWB Adria’s reign over Illinois

Michigan – State finals to be played by April 11
Indiana – TBD
Minnesota – TBD
Iowa – TBD
Nebraska – TBD
Kansas – TBD
North Ohio – TBD
South Ohio – TBD

REGION III
(Tournament to be held May 27-31 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

Florida – Tournament to be held May 13-16 at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, Auburndale
South Carolina – TBD
Georgia – TBD
Louisiana – TBD
North Texas – TBD
South Texas – TBD


REGION IV
(Tournament to be held May 14-16 at a location TBA)

All state qualification TBD

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