2011 PDL Qualifying

Shorthanded Kitsap Pumas hold off Portland Timbers U23s to qualify for 2011 US Open Cup

June 3, 2011 by Josh Hakala

Jeld-Wen Field - Portland Timbers — 4,754 was the announced attendance at Jeld-Wen Field for the game featuring two PDL teams, which was more than all but two of the qualifiers involving MLS teams the last two years. Photo: @cpeiffler (Twitter)

In a new, rare way to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Kitsap Pumas defeated the Portland Timbers U23s 3-2 in a PDL regular season match that doubled as a tiebreaker for qualification. The Pumas received a pair of scores from Robbie Christner, a bicycle kick goal from former Major League Soccer No. 1 pick Nik Besagno and a pair of saves by Bryan Meredith on a penalty kick to send them to the 98th consecutive edition of the United States’ championship.

The Pumas will travel to El Paso, Tx. for their opening round match on June 14 where they will face fellow PDL side Chivas El Paso Patriots. The winner of that match will play the team that emerges between Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) and DV8 Defenders (USASA – North CA) a week later.

It marks the third year in a row that the Pumas have qualified for the tournament, making them the first PDL club to qualify in each of their first three seasons. They and fellow 2011 qualifier Reading United AC, join the Michigan Bucks as the only PDL teams to ever make the cut three years in a row. (Michigan did it twice: 1999-2001 and 2006-08).

There was very little ‘normal’ associated with Friday afternoon’s US Open Cup qualifying match. This was the first qualifying match added after the qualifying deadline to break a tie in the Professional Era (1995-present). The special 11:00 a.m. local time kickoff (also rare) for a Health and Fitness School Day, presented by Providence Health & Services, attracted a crowd of 4,754, which was bigger than than all but two of the Major League Soccer play-in matches from the last two years. Only the Portland Timbers’ two games this year (vs. Chivas USA at Merlo Field – 5,061 / vs. San Jose Earthquakes at Jeld-Wen Field – 11,412) drew more fans.

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2011 Bracket

Map of 2011 participants

The Pumas opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Christner headed home a David Gray cross from the right wing, snapping a 415-minute shutout streak Portland was riding.

Moments later, Besagno doubled the lead for the visitors with a bicycle kick. The former Real Salt Lake midfielder connected on the overhead kick and Brent Richards of the Timbers attempted to head it clear, but instead the ball found the underside of the crossbar and was called a goal by the referee.

Richards would bring the Timbers back into the game with his head after the halftime break when he nodded home a Steven Evans cross to make it 2-1 nine minutes into the second stanza.

The Portland pressure continued to mount but Kitsap restored the two-goal advantage in the 66th minute when Christner tallied his second of the day, knocking in the rebound of a Dan Scott attempt that was blocked. It marked the first time since July of 2009 that the Timbers U23s had allowed three goals in a league match.

Then the wheels started to come off for Kitsap as it looked like Portland would make the unlikely comeback with less than 20 minutes to play. It all started on the Portland defensive end in the 72nd minute when Pumas forward Brian Burke was sent off with a straight card for a tackle just outside of the box, leaving Kitsap with 10 men.

Three minutes later Ricky Abrego was taken down in the box, giving the Timbers a chance to cut the lead back to one again. Miles Byass sent his attempt down the middle of the goal, allowing Meredith to make the stop. The ball fell right back out to Byass though for a rebound finish, but a casual second try also enabled Meredith to stuff Byass again, stunning everyone.

With 10 minutes to play, Nick Palodichuk made for a thrilling finish, finally finding that second goal for the hosts and making Portland the first team to notch two goals against Kitsap in a game this season.

The play proved quite lively in the final moments for the young eyes on hand for the match. The clubs exchanged opportunities amidst numerous substitutions as the clock ran out on Portland’s chance to end Kitsap’s reign as the kings of Open Cup qualifying in the division.

For a full report on the match, visit Prost Amerika

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (PDL West): Kitsap Pumas and Portland Timbers U23s finish dead even, successfully lobby for tiebreaking match

May 21, 2011 by Tavio Palazzolo

US Open Cup qualifying for the Premier Development League is already underway for 2011 as the season began on April 30. It is arguably the most exciting portion of the event for the league as the task of qualifying can be more daunting than the professional opponents awaiting them in the tournament proper.

In the 2011 edition of the tournament, the PDL will be represented by a record nine clubs after seven consecutive years with eight representatives. With nine berths available, the league will send one from each division based on four league contests that will double as qualification matches – a format long established by the parent United Soccer Leagues.

The Western Conference has a new set of dominant teams in recent years, as the Kitsap Pumas (back-to-back Northwest representatives) and Ventura County Fusion (2009 PDL champions, 2010 Southwest representative) look to make their mark by qualifying for the US Open Cup once again in 2011. 11 other teams have other ideas, and that includes the Portland Timbers U23s, who have to be scratching their heads at last year’s results. They finished 16-0 in the regular season, and won another four straight in the playoffs to finish as PDL champion with a perfect 20-0 record, the first in history. Yet they fell short to the Pumas on account of goal differential. They will surely be looking for another shot as they look to extend their streak.

Here is the how the Western Conference is currently shaping up:

Northwest Division
Final Results – Pending Fifth Match [+]

The much anticipated meeting between the Portland Timbers U23s and Kitsap Pumas, who both finished the qualifying slate 4-0-0 a year ago with Kitsap advancing via tiebreakers, finished in a surprising scoreless draw. But both teams held serve the rest of the way, defeating each of their other opponents. The final game pitted the Timbers against the Tacoma Tide, where a potential 2-0 Timbers victory would lead to a coin flip. They did exactly that. The Pumas and Timbers are tied on points, head-to-head, goal difference (+7), and goals scored (7). The first time a lottery was conducted was back in 2006, when the Des Moines Menace and Boulder Rapids Reserve finished dead even at second place in the Central Conference at 3-1 with a +5 GD and 7 goals scored. At the time, the top two in the conference qualified, and the Michigan Bucks won first place with a 4-0 record. The Menace won the lottery, and rode that all the way to the Third Round, which ended in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Wizards.

But Kitsap Pumas General Manager Ben Pecora had a great idea. The teams were to meet again at Portland’s Jeld-Wen Field on Friday anyway, why not make it a tiebreaker, to settle the score on the field? The Timbers, the USL, and US Soccer all agreed to it, and they will play on Friday, June 3 with the final US Open Cup spot on the line. If the game is tied after regulation, the match for regular season purposes will count as a draw, but the Open Cup spot will be decided by a penalty shootout.

NORTHWEST DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Kitsap Pumas	4	3	0	1	10	10	1	7	+7
Portland Timbers U23s	4	3	0	1	10	10	0	7	+7
North Sound SeaWolves	4	0	2	2	2	2	5	2	-3
Tacoma Tide	4	0	2	2	2	5	12	5	-5
Washington Crossfire	4	0	2	2	2	2	11	2	-6

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 7	Washington Crossfire	0:0	North Sound SeaWolves	10:00
May 13	North Sound SeaWolves	2:2	Tacoma Tide	10:00
May 14	Washington Crossfire	0:3	Kitsap Pumas	4:00
May 15	Portland Timbers U23s	6:0	Washington Crossfire	9:00
May 21	Portland Timbers U23s	0:0	Kitsap Pumas	10:00
May 23	Tacoma Tide	2:2	Washington Crossfire	10:00
May 25	North Sound SeaWolves	0:2	Portland Timbers U23s	2:00
May 27	Kitsap Pumas	6:1	Tacoma Tide	10:00
May 29	Kitsap Pumas	1:0	North Sound SeaWolves	6:00
May 29	Tacoma Tide	0:2	Portland Timbers U23s	8:00
FIFTH MATCH TIEBREAKER
June 3	Kitsap Pumas	at	Portland Timbers U23s	2:00

Southwest Division
Final Results

The Fresno Fuego finished qualifying with a perfect 4-0 record after defeating the Ogden Outlaws 4-1 on May 21. They then had to wait a week for fellow unbeaten Ventura County Fusion to play its final match as the Fusion were capable of finishing level, but better on tiebreakers. On Saturday night, the holiday weekend news was cause for celebration in Los Angeles while their rivals to the north experienced disappointment. Ventura County blanked the Southern California Seahorses , 4-0, with Mark Magee scoring two goals that propelled the Fusion past Fresno in the tiebreakers, clinching the US Open Cup berth from the division. Southern California was also 3-0 in the battle of unbeatens, but had been previously eliminated due to the tiebreaker scenario with Fresno.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Ventura County Fusion	4	4	0	0	12	21	3	12	+12
Fresno Fuego	4	4	0	0	12	13	3	11	+10
Southern California Seahorses	4	3	1	0	9	5	4	5	+1
Orange County Blue Star	4	2	2	0	6	11	9	8	+1
Ogden Outlaws	4	0	3	1	1	3	9	3	-6
BYU Cougars	4	1	2	1	4	1	5	1	-4
Los Angeles Misioneros	4	0	4	0	0	1	13	1	-9
Los Angeles Blues 23	4	1	3	0	3	2	11	2	-6

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 1	Orange County Blue Star	4:0	Los Angeles Misioneros	8:00
May 7	Los Angeles Blues 23	0:5	Orange County Blue Star	8:00
May 7	Ventura County Fusion	6:1	Los Angeles Misioneros	8:00
May 12	BYU Cougars	0:2	Fresno Fuego	10:00
May 13	Los Angeles Blues 23	0:4	Ventura County Fusion	10:00
May 14	Los Angeles Misioneros	0:1	So. California Seahorses	7:30
May 14	Ogden Outlaws	2:4	Fresno Fuego	10:00
May 20	Fresno Fuego	3:0	BYU Cougars	10:00
May 20	Orange County Blue Star	2:7	Ventura County Fusion	10:00
May 21	Fresno Fuego	4:1	Ogden Outlaws	8:00
May 21	So. California Seahorses	2:0	Los Angeles Blues 23	10:00
May 24	Ogden Outlaws	0:0	BYU Cougars	9:30
May 25	So. California Seahorses	2:0	Orange County Blue Star	8:00
May 28	BYU Cougars	1:0	Ogden Outlaws	8:00
May 28	Los Angeles Misioneros	0:2	Los Angeles Blues 23	10:00
May 28	Ventura County Fusion	4:0	So. California Seahorses	10:00

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (PDL South): El Paso Patriots qualify, Central Florida Kraze repeats as entrant

May 21, 2011 by Tavio Palazzolo

US Open Cup qualifying for the Premier Development League is already underway for 2011 as the season began on April 30. It is arguably the most exciting portion off the event for the league as the task of qualifying can be more daunting than the professional opponents awaiting them in the tournament proper.

The Southern Conference has undergone a massive overhaul from last year, including many new additions, as well as a few losses. One of those losses was the DFW Tornados, last year’s Mid-South representative and the last remaining USL franchise from its humble indoor beginnings back in 1986. Teams to watch for are the El Paso Patriots (who have qualified every odd-numbered year since 2001) and the Central Florida Kraze (last year’s Southeast representative). They have qualified three times each from the PDL. Ten other teams will be looking to earn their own opportunity to fight for the US Open Cup as one of two representatives from the South.

Here is the how the Southern Conference is currently shaping up:

Mid-South Division
Final Results

The Chivas El Paso Patriots (as they are known this year) have qualified for their ninth US Open Cup (fourth as a member of the PDL) after defeating the Baton Rouge Capitals 1-0. With that, they finished with a perfect 4-0 record, and have continued their streak in qualifying for the US Open Cup every other year since 2001.

MID-SOUTH DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Chivas El Paso Patriots	4	4	0	0	12	7	2	7	+5
Laredo Heat	4	3	1	0	9	6	3	6	+3
New Orleans Jesters	4	2	2	0	6	5	6	5	-1
West Texas United Sockers	4	2	2	0	6	5	6	5	-1
Baton Rouge Capitals	4	1	3	0	3	2	4	2	-2
Rio Grande Valley Grandes	4	0	4	0	0	2	6	2	-4

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 13	Chivas El Paso Patriots	2:1	Rio Grande Valley Grandes	9:00
May 13	West Texas United Sockers	1:2	Laredo Heat	9:15
May 14	West Texas United Sockers	2:1	Rio Grande Valley Grandes	9:00
May 14	Chivas El Paso Patriots	1:0	Laredo Heat	9:15
May 19	Baton Rouge Capitals	1:2	West Texas United Sockers	8:30
May 19	New Orleans Jesters	1:3	Chivas El Paso Patriots	10:00
May 21	New Orleans Jesters	2:0	West Texas United Sockers	8:30
May 21	Baton Rouge Capitals	0:1	Chivas El Paso Patriots	10:00
May 27	Rio Grande Valley Grandes	0:1	Baton Rouge Capitals	8:00
May 27	Laredo Heat	3:1	New Orleans Jesters	8:00
May 28	Rio Grande Valley Grandes	0:1	New Orleans Jesters	8:00
May 29	Laredo Heat	1:0	Baton Rouge Capitals	8:00

Southeast Division
Final Results

The Central Florida Kraze didn’t have the easy road to the US Open Cup that they thought they did. The Mississippi Brilla are matching and beating the Kraze’s efforts, with three wins of their own. And what wins they are. Their last two results have been 5-0 wins against FC Jax Destroyers and the Nashville Metros – both on the road. Each had one home game left on the holiday weekend that would determine their fate. The Kraze fired the opening salvo Saturday evening with three second half goals from three different players to maximize their potential in the table from the match with a 3-0 victory against central Florida rival IMG Bradenton Academics. Central Florida, perfect at 4-0, took the advantage in tiebreakers, moving ahead of Brilla by one in goal differential and goals scored, but had to wait for Mississippi’s Monday finale at home versus Nashville to see if it holds up. With Brilla leading 2-1 late in the match it looked as though Mississippi was heading to the tournament – then disaster. A 90th minute Nashville strike leveled terms at 2-2 and when the final whistle blew moments later, Central Florida got the news that the Kraze had qualified for the second consecutive year.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Central Florida Kraze	4	4	0	0	12	10	1	10	+9
Mississippi Brilla	4	3	0	1	10	15	3	11	+8
Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Acad.	4	1	2	1	4	5	7	5	-2
FC Jax Destroyers	4	1	2	1	4	5	10	5	-3
Nashville Metros	4	0	2	2	2	4	11	4	-5
IMG Bradenton Academics	4	0	3	1	1	3	10	3	-7

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

April 30	Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Acad.	0:1	Central Florida Kraze	4:00
May 6	Central Florida Kraze	3:1	Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Acad.	7:00
May 8	Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Acad.	1:0	Bradenton Academics	5:30
May 12	Central Florida Kraze	3:0	Bradenton Academics	5:30
May 13	FC Jax Destroyers	1:3	Mississippi Brilla	8:00
May 15	Bradenton Academics	3:3	Ft. Lauderdale Schulz Acad.	6:00
May 15	FC Jax Destroyers	2:0	Nashville Metros	8:00
May 19	Mississippi Brilla	5:0	FC Jax Destroyers	7:00
May 23	Nashville Metros	2:2	FC Jax Destroyers	7:00
May 26	Mississippi Brilla	5:0	Nashville Metros	8:00
May 28	Bradenton Academics	0:3	Central Florida Kraze	7:00
May 30	Nashville Metros	2:2	Mississippi Brilla	6:00

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (PDL East): Reading & Western Mass qualify; Carolina Dynamo clinch via tiebreakers

May 21, 2011 by Tavio Palazzolo

For the first time since 2008, the Eastern Conference has three divisions – the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and the new South Atlantic (which last appeared in 2006). Four teams have a recent history with qualifying for the US Open Cup on multiple occasions. Two of them were last year’s representatives (Long Island Rough Riders, Reading United AC), and two more have qualified at least three times each from the PDL (Carolina Dynamo, Ocean City Nor’easters). A total of 18 teams are fighting for a record three spots from the East this year.

Here is the how the Eastern Conference is currently shaping up:

Northeast Division
Final Results

The Western Mass Pioneers qualified for the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win over the MPS Portland Phoenix in a head-to-head match between the two Northeast Division group leaders to determine the berth. Halftime substitute Chris Roswess scored the game’s only goal in the 71^st minute when he hammered the ball into the net on a half volley from 18 yards out. “In the first half Portland controlled the majority of play and dictated the tempo of play,” Pioneers Head Coach Joe Calabrese said. “But in the second half we made a couple of substitutions and we thought those two changes had a positive impact on the game.”

An automatic entrant numerous times as a USL-2 professional third division club (now USL PRO), it is the first time in two years in the PDL that it has qualified, finishing third in its group at 2-1-1 last year. “For some of our collegiate players this is a dream come true,” Calabrese said. “Many of our college players will never aspire to be professional players. This is once in a lifetime for many of them. You don’t know when your career is going to end so it’s spectacular to have them get this experience.”

NORTHEAST DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Western Mass Pioneers	4	3	0	1	10	7	3	6	+4
MPS Portland Phoenix	4	3	1	0	9	5	2	5	+3
Vermont Voltage	4	0	2	2	2	1	4	1	-3
Seacoast United Phantoms	4	0	3	1	1	3	7	3	-4

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 7	Seacoast United Phantoms	0:1	MPS Portland Phoenix	6:00
May 14	Western Mass Pioneers	2:1	Seacoast United Phantoms	4:00
May 14	Vermont Voltage	0:2	MPS Portland Phoenix	6:00
May 20	Seacoast United Phantoms	2:4	Western Mass Pioneers	7:00
May 21	MPS Portland Phoenix	2:1	Vermont Voltage	7:00
May 25	Western Mass Pioneers	0:0	Vermont Voltage	7:00
May 27	MPS Portland Phoenix	0:1	Western Mass Pioneers	7:00
May 28	Vermont Voltage	0:0	Seacoast United Phantoms	7:00

Mid-Atlantic Division
Final Results

Reading United continued to cruise through Open Cup qualifying with a 4-1 win over the Ocean City Nor’easters on May 20, to finish with a perfect 4-0-0 record. Even though it was Ocean City’s season opener, one loss eliminated them from contention, and it also knocked Long Island out of the running despite their 2-0-0 record. Based on the tiebreaking situation, even if Long Island were to win their final qualifier by three goals or more, they would still fall short in the goal difference tiebreaker. They clinched their place as the first team to qualify from the PDL as the Jersey Express fell to the Rough Riders 3-1. Reading has now qualified for the third straight year.

This marks the third year in a row that Reading has finished qualifying without a loss. When they were known as the Rage in 2009, they finished 3-0-1, and in 2010 they finished tied with the Newark Ironbound Express at 4-0-0. Unfortunately for the Express, Reading qualified based on a tiebreaker, having scored one more goal than Ironbound. This was an unfortunate bit of history for the Express as they became not only the third PDL team in the Pro Era (1995-present) to miss out after a 4-0-0 record, but they were the first team to register four straight shutout victories, and fail to qualify.

MID-ATLANTIC DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Reading United AC	4	4	0	0	12	15	3	12	+11
Long Island Rough Riders	4	3	0	1	10	9	4	9	+5
Jersey Express	4	3	1	0	9	7	3	7	+4
Westchester Flames	4	2	2	0	6	9	11	7	-2
New Jersey Rangers	4	2	2	0	6	3	8	3	-4
Ocean City Nor’easters	4	0	3	1	1	3	8	3	-5
Central Jersey Spartans	3	0	3	0	0	2	6	2	-4
Brooklyn Knights	3	0	3	0	0	5	10	4	-5

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 7	Reading United AC	3:1	Brooklyn Knights	7:00
May 8	Westchester Flames	3:0	New Jersey Rangers	6:00
May 11	Long Island Rough Riders	2:0	Brooklyn Knights	7:00
May 14	Westchester Flames	0:3	Jersey Express	7:00
May 15	New Jersey Rangers	0:4	Reading United AC	6:00
May 18	Reading United AC	4:1	Westchester Flames	7:30
May 19	Central Jersey Spartans	1:2	Long Island Rough Riders	8:00
May 20	Ocean City Nor’easters	1:4	Reading United AC	7:30
May 21	Jersey Express	1:3	Long Island Rough Riders	7:30
May 22	Brooklyn Knights	at	Central Jersey Spartans	PPD
May 22	New Jersey Rangers	1:0	Ocean City Nor’easters	6:00
May 25	Central Jersey Spartans	1:2	New Jersey Rangers	8:00
May 27	Ocean City Nor’easters	0:1	Jersey Express	8:00
May 28	Brooklyn Knights	4:5	Westchester Flames	7:30
May 29	Long Island Rough Riders	2:2	Ocean City Nor’easters	6:00
May 30	Jersey Express	2:0	Central Jersey Spartans	5:00

South Atlantic Division
Final Results

The West Virginia Chaos finished their qualifying slate with a 3-1 win over the Virginia Beach Piranhas May 21, leaving them in a wait-and-see situation as the Carolina Dynamo and Real Maryland Monarchs could pull level or move past them. They got some help the following night as the Dynamo slipped up in a 1-0 road loss to the Northern Virginia Royals, creating the possibility of a three-way tie at 3-1 after the final weekend. With Real Maryland set for its finale Monday, the Monarchs were awaiting good news that would not come as Carolina blanked the visiting Virginia Beach Piranhas 3-0 Saturday evening, clinching the top spot in the division and berth to the US Open Cup via tiebreaker scenarios.

SOUTH ATLANTIC DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Carolina Dynamo	4	3	1	0	9	7	1	7	+6
Real Maryland Monarchs	4	3	1	0	9	8	2	8	+6
West Virginia Chaos	4	3	1	0	9	10	4	9	+5
Northern Virginia Royals	4	2	2	0	6	5	6	5	-1
Virginia Beach Piranhas	4	1	3	0	3	3	9	3	-6
Fredericksburg Hotspur	4	0	4	0	0	1	12	1	-10

Note: Carolina qualifies based on head-to-head tiebreaker vs. Real Maryland & West Virginia

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 7	Fredericksburg Hotspur	0:2	Virginia Beach Piranhas	7:00
May 7	Northern Virginia Royals	1:3	West Virginia Chaos	7:00
May 14	Real Maryland Monarchs	3:0	Virginia Beach Piranhas	5:30
May 14	West Virginia Chaos	0:2	Carolina Dynamo	7:00
May 15	West Virginia Chaos	4:0	Fredericksburg Hotspur	2:00
May 15	Northern Virginia Royals	0:2	Real Maryland Monarchs	4:00
May 21	Carolina Dynamo	2:0	Real Maryland Monarchs	7:00
May 21	Virginia Beach Piranhas	1:3	West Virginia Chaos	7:30
May 22	Carolina Dynamo	0:1	Northern Virginia Royals	7:00
May 28	Virginia Beach Piranhas	0:3	Carolina Dynamo	7:00
May 29	Fredericksburg Hotspur	1:3	Northern Virginia Royals	7:00
May 30	Real Maryland Monarchs	3:0	Fredericksburg Hotspur	5:00

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (PDL Central): Real Colorado Foxes qualify; Chicago Fire Premier clinch via stoppage time goal to join MLS side

May 21, 2011 by Tavio Palazzolo

The Central Conference has two divisions – the Great Lakes and the Heartland. The conference is dominated by three long-standing clubs: the Chicago Fire, the Des Moines Menace, and the Michigan Bucks. Between them they have reached the US Open Cup a total of 16 times. Des Moines made the trip last year as Heartland champions, but newcomer Dayton Dutch Lions (who are now in USL Pro) took control of the Great Lakes spot. This year, six returning clubs and two new ones are looking to match Dayton, dethrone the powerhouses, and make a run of their own.

Here is the how the Central Conference is currently shaping up:

Great Lakes Division
Final Results

Poised for a potential showdown of the perennial division powers on the final night of qualifying, the Chicago Fire Premier preempted that moment with a 1-0 win over the River City Rovers on Saturday, clinching the US Open Cup berth, their second in three years, via potential tiebreaker scenarios. While the Bucks made the most of their chance to possibly gain ground by posting a 4-0 win against visiting Indiana, it was Chris Estridge’s goal for Chicago in the first minute of stoppage time against the visiting River City Rovers that proved to be the deciding factor in who will advance.

GREAT LAKES DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Chicago Fire Premier	4	3	1	0	9	5	2	5	+3
Michigan Bucks	4	2	1	1	7	8	3	7	+4
Cincinnati Kings	4	1	1	2	5	8	9	8	-1
Akron Summit Assault	4	1	1	2	5	3	4	3	-1
Indiana Invaders	4	1	2	1	4	8	9	6	-1
River City Rovers	4	0	2	2	2	1	6	1	-4

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 14	Chicago Fire Premier	2:0	Akron Summit Assault	7:30
May 17	Akron Summit Assault	2:2	Cincinnati Kings	7:30
May 19	Akron Summit Assault	0:0	River City Rovers	7:30
May 21	Michigan Bucks	0:0	River City Rovers	7:00
May 21	Cincinnati Kings	0:2	Chicago Fire Premier	7:30
May 22	Indiana Invaders	0:1	Akron Summit Assault	7:00
May 23	Michigan Bucks	2:3	Cincinnati Kings	7:30
May 25	Cincinnati Kings	3:3	Indiana Invaders	7:30
May 28	Indiana Invaders	0:4	Michigan Bucks	12:00
May 28	River City Rovers	0:1	Chicago Fire Premier	7:30
May 30	River City Rovers	1:5	Indiana Invaders	7:30
May 30	Chicago Fire Premier	0:2	Michigan Bucks	7:30

Heartland Division
Final Results

The Real Colorado Foxes clinched their first US Open Cup spot after finishing qualifying 4-0. Perennial contender Des Moines Menace had a chance to qualify with a 3-0 start and a better goal differential, but failed in their last match as they lost 2-1 at the Kansas City Brass on May 25.

HEARTLAND DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Real Colorado Foxes	4	4	0	0	12	12	5	11	+7
Des Moines Menace	4	3	1	0	9	11	5	9	+6
Kansas City Brass	4	2	2	0	6	10	10	8	+0
St. Louis Lions	4	1	3	0	3	10	10	7	-2
Springfield Demize	4	0	4	0	0	4	17	4	-11

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 14	St. Louis Lions	1:2	Des Moines Menace	8:30
May 14	Kansas City Brass	1:4	Real Colorado Foxes	9:00
May 15	Kansas City Brass	2:3	Real Colorado Foxes	3:00
May 17	Des Moines Menace	3:0	Springfield Demize	8:30
May 21	St. Louis Lions	2:5	Des Moines Menace	8:30
May 21	Real Colorado Foxes	3:1	Springfield Demize	8:30
May 22	Real Colorado Foxes	2:1	St. Louis Lions	6:00
May 22	Springfield Demize	2:5	Kansas City Brass	8:30
May 25	Des Moines Menace	1:2	Kansas City Brass	8:30
May 28	Springfield Demize	1:6	St. Louis Lions	6:00

2011 US Open Cup participants

May 21, 2011 by Josh Hakala

Qualifying for the 2011 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is currently under way. All 40 clubs that will participate in the tournament proper must be determined by June 1. With 17 professional clubs, six from Major League Soccer and 11 from USL Pro (third division), automatically entered, the remaining 23 sides are determined through varied qualifying processes from MLS, USL Premier Development (fourth tier), National Premier Soccer League (fourth tier) and the US Adult Soccer Association’s four regions (fifth tier).

The following is a list of the teams that have qualified and pertinent links to pages about the qualifying processes for the applicable organizations. Map of 2011 Entrants [+]

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER (8)

Automatic Entrants – 6 (based on 2010 league standings)

Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC

Qualifying Process: Two berths – Two separate single-elimination brackets regionally-based

Qualifying Entrants: Chicago Fire & Sporting Kansas City

Notable Links: News Updates | Brackets

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PRO (11)

Automatic Entrants – 11 (all)

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

USL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (9)

Qualifying Process: Four qualification matches per club. Top team per division receives a berth.

Qualifying Entrants – Reading United AC, Chivas El Paso Patriots, Real Colorado Foxes, Western Mass Pioneers, Carolina Dynamo, Chicago Fire, Ventura County Fusion, Central Florida Kraze, Kitsap Pumas

Notable Links

Eastern Conference: Latest Updates/Standings – Preview

Southern Conference: Latest Updates/Standings – Preview

Central Conference: Latest Updates/Standings – Preview

Western Conference: Latest Updates/Standings – Preview – ‘ NW Fifth Game Tiebreaker’

NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE (4)

Qualifying Process: Varied – One berth per division. The Northeast has a three-team tournament. The Southeast has a six-team tournament in one location. The West is determined by the club with the most points after first seven matches. Only one club applied in the Central.

Qualifying Entrants

Midwest: Madison 56ers

Northeast: Brooklyn Italians

Southeast: Chattanooga FC

West: Hollywood United

Notable Links

Midwest: No Qualifying (Madison 56ers were the only entry)

Northeast: Game 1 | Game 2 | Format

Southeast: Format | Tournament Results

West: Updates

UNITED STATES ADULT SOCCER ASSOCIATION (8)

Qualifying Process: Varied – Two berths per region. Most regions hold tournaments either in one location or over a series of individual matches with participants determined via state association qualifying.

Qualifying Entrants

Region I (Northeast): Phoenix SC | New York Pancyprian Freedoms

Region II (Central): Iowa Menace | AAC Eagles

Region III (South): ASC New Stars | Regals FC

Region IV (West): Doxa Italia | DV8 Defenders

Notable Links

Region I (Northeast): Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Bracket

Region II (Central): Opening Round (Iowa Menace qualify) | AAC Eagles qualify

Region III (South): Format/Schedule | Tournament Results

Region IV (West): Format/Schedule | Day One | Day Two/Final

————————————————————–

2011 US Open Cup dates

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

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

The US Open Cup May qualifying marathon

May 10, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Tonight, May 11, kicks off a marathon of qualifying for the US Open Cup as all but one day between now and May 30 features qualification matches for Major League Soccer, the USL Premier Development League, the National Premier Soccer League and the US Adult Soccer Association’s four regions.

Monday, May 16 is currently the only day in which no qualification matches are scheduled. Most mid-week dates are filled over the next three weeks with at least one qualification match for the PDL.

What the schedule looks like…

May 11: 1 PDL
May 12: 2 PDL
May 13: 5 PDL
May 14: 13 PDL, 4 NPSL West, USASA Region II Final
May 15: 7 PDL, 1 NPSL West
May 16: —
May 17: 1 PDL
May 18: 2 PDL
May 19: 1 PDL
May 20: 4 PDL, USASA Region IV Tournament
May 21: 13 PDL, USASA Region IV Tournament
May 22: 6 PDL, Region I Semifinals, USASA Region IV Tournament
May 23: 3 PDL
May 24: MLS Chicago @ SJ, 1 PDL
May 25: MLS NE @ KC, 6 PDL
May 26: 1 PDL
May 27: 5 PDL, NPSL NE Final, NPSL SE Tournament, USASA Region III Tournament
May 28: 11 PDL, NPSL SE Tournament, USASA Region III Tournament
May 29: 5 PDL, NPSL SE Tournament, USASA Region III Tournament
May 30: 5 PDL

Hollywood United switches leagues, LA Blues 23 fill PDL spot

April 22, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

In mid-March, Hollywood United Hitmen announced a last-minute change in league affiliation for the 2011 season, joining the National Premier Soccer League after playing two seasons in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League. Three weeks later, the PDL announced the addition of LA Blues 23 as a replacement.

Hollywood United Hitmen have been a major force in the greater LA soccer scene much of the last decade while the Blues are new on the men’s side of the game after dominating in the women’s. Ironically, the two organizations were previously partnered together in 2010.

The HUH side is the feature team of the Hollywood United Football Club that is famous for numerous celebrities and former internationals playing on its teams over the years as well as participating in the club’s many charity events.

Famous Faces @ HUFC

Musicians: Ian Astbury (The Cult), Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard), Paul Cook (Sex Pistols), Billy Duffy (The Cult), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Ziggy Marley, Christian Olde-Wolbers (Fear Factory) and Robbie Williams (Take That)

Television/Movies: Danny Cannon, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Anthony LaPaglia, Ralf Little, Donal Logue, Gilles Marini, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Raymond-James, Brandon Routh, Jason Statham

Ex-Internationals: Richard Gough, John Harkes, Vinnie Jones, Alexi Lalas, Frank Leboeuf, Eric Wynalda

As an independent team, the side qualified for the US Open Cup in 2008 through the USASA Region IV tournament, going 3-0-0 with victories against three NPSL teams. They then shocked many in the First Round of the US Open Cup by eliminating then USL First Division (pro second division) Portland Timbers in a 3-2 affair. They were then defeated by the USL-1 Seattle Sounders 6-0.

In the past two years, Hollywood finished in the top two of the PDL Southwest Division, but missed out on qualifying for the US Open Cup, finishing 1-2-1 in the group a year ago after narrowly missing out in 2009 at 3-1-0.

The LA Blues 23 are an extension of the new USL Pro side Los Angeles Blues, an automatic entrant into the US Open Cup. The Blues 23 will be a professional side playing in the PDL, allowing the players to serve as reserve players that can migrate between the rosters of the two teams similar to the Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS and previously USL First Division.

While the Blues 23 schedule currently remains what was originally slated for Hollywood United, according to club Vice President Charlie Naimo the club is exploring potential changes to accommodate doubleheaders with the professional third division side.

Naimo, the head coach of the USL Pro team, is well known for his success in the women’s game, particularly in the W-League. He has a 87-10-7 regular season coaching record with multiple teams, including three regular season championships and three W-League titles. In 2008, he led the expansion Pali Blues to a perfect record in the W-League and the league championship which he followed up with another unbeaten season and title in 2009.

Breakdown for 2011 USL PDL US Open Cup Qualifying: Western Conference

April 22, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

The 2011 US Open Cup qualifying process for the Premier Development League begins April 30 when the Central Florida Kraze play host to Fort Lauderdale Schulz. The match marks the beginning of what is arguably the most exciting portion of the event for the league as the task of qualifying can be more daunting than the professional opponents awaiting them in the tournament proper.

In the upcoming edition of the tournament, the PDL will be represented by a record nine clubs after seven consecutive years with eight representatives. With nine berths available, the league will send one from each division based on four league contests that will double as qualification matches – a format long established by the parent United Soccer Leagues.

Here is the Western Conference portion of the four-part series of breakdowns:

Western Conference Qualifying Breakdown

The conference will be the second to kick off qualifying play across the PDL with Orange County Blue Star taking on the Los Angeles Misioneros Sunday, May 1, the day after the opening match in Florida.

Northwest Division
Kitsap Pumas, North Sound SeaWolves, Portland Timbers U23s, Tacoma Tide, Washington Crossfire

With five teams in the group, it’s a nice balanced schedule as they will each play one another in the qualifying process. The big change to the division for the year is the geographic isolation to the Pacific side of the region with all five clubs, including the expansion North Sound SeaWolves, on the Western side of the Cascade mountain range for the first time.

Paul Ogunyemi - Portland Timbers U23s — Paul Ogunyemi (now with FC Dallas) and the Portland Timbers U23s finished with a perfect record last year en route to winning the PDL championship, but missed out on the US Open Cup due to a tiebreaker. Photo: Portland Timbers

In a strange quirk of the scheduling Washington Crossfire will be the opening match for three of its opponents with the exception being the Tacoma Tide, who will see the Crossfire in their second outing. Washington will hit the road for the group’s opening night May 7 against the expansion SeaWolves, who will also play on closing night of the qualifying campaign as hosts of Kitsap Pumas. The other match that night, May 29, features Tacoma at Portland Timbers U23s.

The powers of the group over the past two years have been the Portland (7-1-0) and Kitsap (7-0-1). The two will meet in Kitsap May 21. It will be the first meeting of the two third-year clubs in qualifying play while Portland holds the advantage in league play over the course of two years with a 3-1-1 record, sweeping the Pumas in three games en route to their perfect championship season last year. But while Portland has the better overall results, it is Kitsap that has advanced the past two years from the group, besting Portland on tiebreakers a year ago after each finished 4-0-0.

The Tide are no slouches either with a 7-5-4 record over the past four years in qualifying, never finishing with a losing record in a single campaign. Washington’s history has not been all that horrible as well with a 3-4-1 record in two rounds through the circuit.

NORTHWEST DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Kitsap Pumas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
North Sound SeaWolves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Portland Timbers U23s	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Tacoma Tide	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Washington Crossfire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 7	Washington Crossfire	at	North Sound SeaWolves	10:00
May 14	Washington Crossfire	at	Kitsap Pumas	10:00
May 15	Portland Timbers U23s	at	Washington Crossfire	6:00
May 21	Portland Timbers U23s	at	Kitsap Pumas	10:00
May 21	North Sound SeaWolves	at	Tacoma Tide	10:00
May 23	Tacoma Tide	at	Washington Crossfire	10:00
May 25	North Sound SeaWolves	at	Portland Timbers U23s	2:00
May 27	Kitsap Pumas	at	Tacoma Tide	10:00
May 29	Kitsap Pumas	at	North Sound SeaWolves	6:00
May 29	Tacoma Tide	at	Portland Timbers U23s	8:00

Southwest Division
BYU Cougars, Fresno Fuego, Los Angeles Blues 23, Los Angeles Misioneros, Ogden Outlaws, Orange County Blue Star, Southern California Seahorses, Ventura County Fusion

A large group with eight teams, the division has been split into two sub-groups for scheduling purposes based on geography. The five teams in the greater Los Angeles metropolis are in the southern group while the BYU Cougars, Ogden Outlaws and Fresno Fuego are in the other.

The smaller group of the two will see the three clubs playing home and away series against their opposition. There is not very much qualifying history between the trio as the two clubs from Utah joined the division just two years ago. The only match among them in two qualifying campaigns is a 4-0 home victory for Fresno over Ogden last year.

Bright Dike of the Portland Timbers vs. Dan Scott of the Kitsap Pumas - 2010 US Open Cup — Bright Dike of the Portland Timbers battles for the ball with Dan Scott of the Kitsap Pumas in the second round of the 2010 US Open Cup. The Pumas have qualified the last years, but have been eliminated by the Timbers both times. Photo: Prost Amerika

BYU has had the most success of the three with a four-year qualifying record of 8-5-3 while Fresno is an even 6-6-4 and Ogden is 3-10-3. While all three have reached the tournament, none have done so since 2007 when BYU advanced for the second consecutive time. Ogden also qualified in 2006 and Fresno’s lone appearance came in 2003.

With the other sub-group consisting of five teams in arguably the smallest geographic region of any bunching within the entire PDL qualifying process, the clubs will all face one another. Among the five are two fresh faces as the Los Angeles Legends becoming the Misioneros and the LA Blues 23, affiliated with the LA Blues USL Pro club, replacing Hollywood United Hitmen. The Misioneros

The three teams within the group with tournament experience have consecutively represented the Southwest the past three years with Ventura County Fusion finishing first last year after Orange County Blue Star in 2009 and Los Angeles Legends in 2008. With at least two wins in each of the last four years, the Legends held the best record in that span with a run of 9-5-2 while Ventura County is 8-4-4 and Orange County is 6-5-5. Blue Star has been in the tournament more than any other club in all of the division with three appearances.

Veteran club Southern California Seahorses and newcomers LA Blues 23 are the lone teams in the division who have not reached the tournament. The Seahorses know this year’s opposition well having played three of their slated opponents in qualifiers last year as well.

The Southwest Division was the only group a year ago in which every team finished with at least one victory during the qualifying process. It is one of only five groups in the course of the last four years in which that has occurred.

The division wastes no time getting started with Misioneros playing host to Orange County on the First of May. The northern cluster of teams begins the qualification process May 12 with BYU visiting Fresno. May 28 marks the close of the qualifying quest with three games. The Utah duo meet in Ogden while Blues 23 hosts the Misioneros and the Fusion hit the road to face the Seahorses.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
BYU Cougars	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Fresno Fuego	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Los Angeles Blues 23	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Los Angeles Misioneros	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Ogden Outlaws	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Orange County Blue Star	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Southern California Seahorses	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Ventura County Fusion	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0

Top team qualifies for the US Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 1	Orange County Blue Star	at	Los Angeles Misioneros	9:00
May 7	Los Angeles Blues 23	at	Orange County Blue Star	8:00
May 7	Ventura County Fusion	at	Los Angeles Misioneros	9:00
May 12	BYU Cougars	at	Fresno Fuego	10:00
May 13	Los Angeles Blues 23	at	Ventura County Fusion	10:00
May 14	Los Angeles Misioneros	at	Southern California Seahorses	7:30
May 14	Ogden Outlaws	at	Fresno Fuego	10:00
May 20	Fresno Fuego	at	BYU Cougars	9:30
May 20	Orange County Blue Star	at	Ventura County Fusion	10:00
May 21	Fresno Fuego	at	Ogden Outlaws	8:00
May 21	Southern California Seahorses	at	Los Angeles Blues 23	10:00
May 24	Ogden Outlaws	at	BYU Cougars	9:30
May 25	Southern California Seahorses	at	Orange County Blue Star	8:00
May 28	BYU Cougars	at	Ogden Outlaws	8:00
May 28	Los Angeles Misioneros	at	Los Angeles Blues 23	10:00
May 28	Ventura County Fusion	at	Southern California Seahorses	10:00

Central Conference (Inside Look +)

Great Lakes Division: Akron Summit Assault, Chicago Fire, Cincinnati Kings, Indiana Invaders, Michigan Bucks, River City Rovers
Heartland Division: Des Moines Menace, Kansas City Brass, Real Colorado Foxes, Springfield Demize, St Louis Lions

Eastern Conference (Inside Look +)

Mid Atlantic Division: Brooklyn Knights, Central Jersey Spartans, Jersey Express, Long Island Rough Riders, New Jersey Rangers, Ocean City Nor’easters, Reading United AC, Westchester Flames
Northeast Division: MPS Portland Phoenix, Seacoast United Phantoms, Vermont Voltage, Western Mass Pioneers
South Atlantic Division: Carolina Dynamo, Fredericksburg Hotspur, Northern Virginia Royals, Real Maryland Monarchs, Virginia Beach Piranhas, West Virginia Chaos

Southern Conference (Inside Look +)

Mid South Division: Baton Rouge Capitals, Chivas El Paso Patriots, Laredo Heat, New Orleans Jesters, RGV Grandes FC, West Texas United Sockers
Southeast Division: Central Florida Kraze, FC Jaxy Destroyers, Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy, IMG Bradenton Academics, Mississippi Brilla, Nashville Metros

Breakdown for 2011 USL PDL US Open Cup Qualifying: Central Conference

April 20, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

US Open Cup qualifying process for the Premier Development League begins April 30 when the Central Florida Kraze play host to Fort Lauderdale Schulz. The match marks the beginning of what is arguably the most exciting portion of the event for the league as the task of qualifying can be more daunting than the professional opponents awaiting them in the tournament proper.

Here is the Central Conference portion of the four-part series of breakdowns:

Central Conference Qualifying Breakdown

US Open Cup qualifying for the PDL Central Conference, the last conference to begin qualification play, opens with three games on May 14 and a fourth the following evening.

Great Lakes Division
Akron Summit Assault, Chicago Fire, Cincinnati Kings, Indiana Invaders, Michigan Bucks, River City Rovers

The two expansion sides Akron Summit Assault and River City Rovers make up a third of the six-team group in 2011, and Akron has quite the challenge ahead of it. The new club in Ohio will play host to the Chicago Fire (PDL) in the opening game of the group May 14 and is also in the division’s next two cup qualifiers as well, traveling to Cincinnati May 17 and River City May 19 for the Rovers’ debut.

The Open Cup has not been kind to the Cincinnati Kings. As a professional third division side, they entered the tournament three times (2005-07), but lost to amateur sides in each of those three years. Current division rivals, the Michigan Bucks, eliminated them 2-1 in the second round in 2007. But as a member of the PDL, the Kings have failed to qualify the last three years. The Indiana Invaders, from South Bend, have yet to qualify in their 13-year team history, despite holding one of the best overall records in the PDL over the last decade. That is because, historically, this grouping belongs to the Bucks and the Chicago Fire, who have a combined 11 trips to the tournament over the years.

The Fire and the Bucks, who rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in overall PDL records since 2003, will wrap up qualifying play with one of the two matches on the final night for the division Monday, May 30.

Last year, the Dayton Dutch Lions finished in the top spot, finishing one point ahead of Michigan and two in front of Chicago and Indiana. Dayton, however, will not be part of the picture as it has moved on to USL Pro and is returning to the tournament as an automatic entrant.

Over the last four years, the Bucks have boasted the best mark with only two losses in 16 matches at 12-2-2, qualifying twice. Chicago, meanwhile, was 9-3-4 and reached the tournament in 2009. Indiana is 5-6-5 in that time and Cincinnati has a record of 4-8-0 in its three PDL qualifying stints.

Looking at the upcoming schedule, it appears as though River City and Cincinnati drew the short straws as the duo is slated to play both Michigan and Chicago in their attempt to qualify. Indiana’s path may be its most opportune in years with both expansion sides and Cincinnati on the schedule along with a match against the Bucks.

Cincinnati and Michigan will both face all three of their veteran rivals in the division during qualifying, something the Kings are familiar with having played the trio of Michigan, Chicago and Indiana the past two years as well. The Kings won in Chicago last year and picked up a win at home against Indiana in 2009.

GREAT LAKES DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Akron Summit Assault	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Chicago Fire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Cincinnati Kings	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Indiana Invaders	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Michigan Bucks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
River City Rovers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 14	Chicago Fire	at	Akron Summit Assault	7:30
May 17	Akron Summit Assault	at	Cincinnati Kings	7:30
May 19	Akron Summit Assault	at	River City Rovers	7:30
May 21	Cincinnati Kings	at	Chicago Fire	7:30
May 21	Michigan Bucks	at	River City Rovers	7:30
May 22	Indiana Invaders	at	Akron Summit Assault	7:00
May 23	Michigan Bucks	at	Cincinnati Kings	7:30
May 25	Cincinnati Kings	at	Indiana Invaders	7:30
May 28	Indiana Invaders	at	Michigan Bucks	12:00
May 28	River City Rovers	at	Chicago Fire	7:30
May 30	River City Rovers	at	Indiana Invaders	7:30
May 30	Chicago Fire	at	Michigan Bucks	7:30

Heartland Division
Des Moines Menace, Kansas City Brass, Real Colorado Foxes, Springfield Demize, St Louis Lions

While the Great Lakes arguably closes with the showcase match of its qualifying phase, the Heartland Division opens with one of its as the Des Moines Menace play host to the St Louis Lions Saturday, May 14. The Menace ended a three-year absence by earning their fifth trip to the tournament a year ago, ending a two-year run by the Lions. The Menace directly contributed to the turn of events with a 2-1 victory over St Louis, who finished three points back of Des Moines and only one back of second.

Also on the first night of qualifying, the Kansas City Brass visit the Real Colorado Foxes in the first of back-to-back matches. The Foxes finished tied for second in the group last year while Kansas City finished with just one victory for the third consecutive year after earning the 2007 berth with the last 4-0-0 record to come out of the division.

St Louis holds the edge over Des Moines as the best team of the bunch with a 10-4-2 combined qualifying record in the past four years while the Menace are 9-5-2. Kansas City is an even 7-7-2 while Real Colorado has a winning mark of 4-3-1 in its two campaigns. The Springfield Demize bring up the rear with a 2-13-1 record over the last four years, last tasting victory with two wins in 2007.

The Demize are the lone team of the five that will be facing all four of their qualifying rivals, kicking off at home against Des Moines May 18 and playing on the road in the finale of the division’s slate May 28 in St Louis. Springfield was also the only team to have played all four of the other clubs in qualifying last year as well as in 2009.

HEARTLAND DIVISION	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GF	GD
Des Moines Menace	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Kansas City Brass	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Real Colorado Foxes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
St. Louis Lions	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0
Springfield Demize	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	+0

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 14	St. Louis Lions	at	Des Moines Menace	8:30
May 14	Kansas City Brass	at	Real Colorado Foxes	9:00
May 15	Kansas City Brass	at	Real Colorado Foxes	3:00
May 18	Des Moines Menace	at	Springfield Demize	8:30
May 21	St. Louis Lions	at	Des Moines Menace	8:30
May 21	Real Colorado Foxes	at	Springfield Demize	8:30
May 22	Real Colorado Foxes	at	St. Louis Lions	6:00
May 22	Springfield Demize	at	Kansas City Brass	8:30
May 25	Des Moines Menace	at	Kansas City Brass	8:30
May 28	Springfield Demize	at	St. Louis Lions	6:00

Eastern Conference (Inside Look +)

Southern Conference (Inside Look +)

Western Conference (Coming Soon)

Northwest Division: Kitsap Pumas, North Sound SeaWolves, Portland Timbers U23, Tacoma Tide, Washington Crossfire
Southwest Division: BYU Cougars, Fresno Fuego, LA Blues 23, Los Angeles Legends, Ogden Outlaws, Orange County Blue Star, Southern California Seahorses, Ventura County Fusion