2011 US Open Cup

2011 US Open Cup First Round: Madison 56ers roll past AAC Eagles 4-0 in Pro Era debut

June 15, 2011 by Eric Anderson

The Madison 56ers stormed into the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, scoring four goals in a late 14-minute span in the second half to power past Chicago’s AAC Eagles in a first round match in front of 702 fans Tuesday night at Breese Stevens Field.

Tenzin Rampa (Madison West/UW-Milwaukee) opened the scoring in the 67th minute for the 56ers, Jed Hohlbein (Middleton/UW) found the back of the net twice in four minutes and Marquette’s Adam Lysak (Milton) finished things off as the 56ers won their first Open Cup match since 1991.

Madison (5-1-3 overall) advances to play the Chicago Fire Premier, the Premier Development League team for the Major League Soccer club, in a second round match next Tuesday at Breese Stevens. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Second round winners will face MLS teams in the third round June 28.

Based on the first round winners and the tournament rule that requires teams from the same club – such as the Fire – to be separated in the bracket, it appears the most likely potential MLS opponents for the winner of the 56ers-Fire Premier match are Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake. The U.S. Soccer Federation is expected to announce the third round prospective matches this week.

The trio of target striker Hohlbein and outside midfielders Lysak and Rampa wore down AAC Eagles backline in the second half Tuesday night, with Rampa finally getting the breakthrough. The Milwaukee Wave player, who had his amateur status reinstated to join the team, zipped a left-footed shot past Eagles goalkeeper Marek Los to help make his return to the 56ers a success.

Player-assistant coach Henry Aiyenero helped create Hohlbein’s first goal, hustling forward from his central midfield position to win the ball back after losing it. He found Hohlbein, who worked his way around three defenders to the left side of the box and slipped a shot past Los to make it 2-0.

Lysak and Hohlbein finished things off in the 76th and 81st minutes with each scoring on a give-and-go sequence involving the other. University of Wisconsin keeper Max Jentsch (Hartland Arrowhead) made two saves for the clean sheet, but was hardly tested by AAC Eagles.

RECAP: Madison.com

Madison 56ers	0	4	—	4
AAC Eagles	0	0	—	0

Madison 56ers – Tenzin Rampa (Keenan Newallo) 67
Madison 56ers – Jed Hohlbein (Henry Aiyenero) 72
Madison 56ers – Jed Hohlbein (Adam Lysak) 76
Madison 56ers – Adam Lysak (Jed Hohlbein) 81

MADISON 56ERS: Max Jentsch; Carl Schneider, Colin Mani, Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly, Aaron Nichols; Henry Aiyenero, Keenan Newallo (David Kommavang 82); Adam Lysak, Andrew Wiedabach (Aymar Sinaise 78), Tenzin Rampa; Jed Hohlbein (Carlos McCrary 84). Substitutes not used: Kyle Dillman (GK), Keith Dangarembwa, Derek Pitts, Sam Krenzien.

AAC EAGLES: Marek Los; Miroslaw Modzelewski, Piotr Kolasinski, Derek Szewczyk, Marcin Simson; Mariusz Napiorkowski, Pawel Otachel (Eric Cervantes 71), Jacek Lechowski (Sebastian Skital 76), Marek Golik (Adrian Skital 65); Matt Kochanowski, Jakub Piotrawski. Substitutes not used: Piotr Sliwa (GK), Marcin Pieniazek, Peter Bielecki, Rafal Zalewski.

Saves: M (Jentsch) 2, AAC (Los) 7. Shots: M 15, AAC 6. Fouls: M 17, AAC 11. Corner kicks: M 5, AAC 3. Offsides: M 5, AAC 1. Discipline: M – Mani (caution-foul, 17), Wiedabach (caution-unsporting conduct, 59); AAC – Lechowski (caution-unsporting conduct, 59). Att.: 702.

Eric Anderson is the senior editor of WisconsinSoccerCentral.com. Follow him on Twitter @WisconsinSoccer.

2011 US Open Cup First Round: LA Blues cruise past Hollywood United despite early red card

June 15, 2011 by Nick Gaspar

The city of Los Angeles has another soccer rivalry in town and it commenced Tuesday evening at the Norco College Soccer Complex. The Los Angeles Blues of the USL-Pro and the Hollywood United Hitmen of the NPSL battled to advance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with the Blues coming away with a 3-1 victory on the strength of two goals by Mehrshad Momeni.

The game began with Hollywood United pressing on the experienced backline of the Blues. They were able to find space as Hitmen forward Jose Miranda was fed a beautiful ball that led to a one-on-one chance with Blues keeper Oscar Dautt. Mesa struck his shot and hit the bottom of the crossbar, but the ball didn’t completely cross the goal line and bounced away to keep the score locked at 0-0.

Miranda had another chance five minutes later when he headed a cross just outside the goal post. As United’s offensive pressure began to wane Blues’ defender Leonard Griffin went to the ground for a tackle and took out a United player. The foul was called and Griffin was issued a straight red card at the 19^th minute of play which left the Blues down a man for the rest of the game.

Down a man the Blues actually stepped up their offensive pressure. Momeni forced United goalkeeper Raul Calderon to make a fingertip save. Soon after though Momeni was assisted by former Galaxy player Josh Tudela on a goal that ripped through to the back of the net to put the Blues up 1-0. The Blues would take that lead into halftime into what was proving to be a physical game.

“We talked about giving this team the respect they deserve, but not to fear them,” said defender Michael Randolph. “We started off a little slow… But we stepped in there and fought for each other.”

The second half began with the Blues in a defensive formation by dropping down to one forward. Just as Hollywood United was beginning to put pressure on the Blues Momeni came through again around the 70^th minute. Momeni was able to beat Calderon for his second goal of the day to put his team up 2-0.

However, United would not go away. Miranda, possibly looking to atone for the earlier missed opportunities, was able to put a header into the back of the net around the 80^th minute to bring the Hitmen to within a goal. Jesus Flores made a great run just three minutes later and he had a tremendous opportunity to knot the game at 2-2, but he was stifled by Dautt who looked to preserve the victory for LA.

Unfortunately the physicality of the game got a little out of hand as a near melee ensued after United defender Carlos Morales slide tackled a Blues player and the players protested for a red card. Morales was given a red card and sent off while there was a heated argument between both teams. It eventually turned into a brief scuffle where punches were thrown, but only two yellow cards were given after the situation. Tudela, the Blues captain, and United player Rene Corona were both shown their second yellow cards of the day to drop each team to nine players on the field.

As both teams were down Hollywood United pressed for an equalizer. The goalie was up for a corner kick during stoppage time and as it was cleared out Blues midfielder Jhonny Bravo carried the ball up the field and scored a 40 yard shot with an open net to close the game’s scoring at 3-1.

After the game the Blues were still brimming with confidence. Mehrshad, through an interpreter, thanked his teammates and hoped that they could make a run. Randolph also felt confident as he looked forward to their second round matchup.

The Blues will travel to face the Ventura County Fusion in the second round of the US Open Cup.

Hollywood United (NPSL)
1:3
Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO)
Riverside Community College – Norco, CA
RECAP: ESPN Los Angeles
Scoring Summary
LAB: Mehrshad Momeni 37′
LAB: Mehrshad Momeni 55′
HU: Carlos Morales 67′
LAB: Gerardo Bravo 90′

2011 US Open Cup First Round: Bulow hat trick leads Kickers 4-1 rout of Dayton

June 15, 2011 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Web-Bulow_061411 Kitsteiner — Bulow tallied three for Richmond (Suz Kitsteiner / RichmondKickers.com)

David Bulow propelled himself up the Modern Era US Open Cup tournament goal scoring list with a hat trick to lead Richmond to a 4-1 first round victory over USL PRO rival Dayton Dutch Lions at University of Richmond Stadium.

Bulow was inserted in the lineup along with Shaka Bangura to replace regular starters Matthew Delicate and Edson Elcock, whom head coach Leigh Cowlishaw was resting for the Kickers USL PRO game against Harrisburg on Friday. Bulow and Bangura provided all the offense Richmond would need on the night. Bulow started the scoring eight minutes after the kickoff, when he scored on a 15 yard shot following a header assist from Stanley Nyazamba.

Bulow would strike again when he met a pass from Bangura in full stride at the top of the 18-yard box and blasted a shot past Dutch Lions goalkeeper Brian Visser. Bulow completed his hat trick by converting from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, and Bangura put a bow on the rout with a goal of his own with two minutes remaining. The completion of the hat trick came five minutes after Dayton found the net for the only time on a 60th minute penalty kick from Marvin van der Pluijm.

Bulow’s goals were his eighth, ninth, and 10th in Open Cup play, and is now tied for 3rd in Modern Era goal scoring with Sebastien Le Toux of the Philadelphia Union. Ahead of Bulow and Le Toux are Melvin Tarley with 12 goals, and Johnny Menyongar and Jaime Moreno with 13.

Bulow scored his first five tournament goals playing for the Cape Cod Crusaders in the PDL, tallying three in 2004 and two more in 2006. He has scored three others for the Kickers, one each in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The Kickers will face another USL PRO league rival, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, on June 21 at University of Richmond Stadium.

Highlights (RichmondKickers.com)

Highlights from CBS 6 Richmond (begins at 0:50)

RECAP: Dayton Dutch Lions | Richmond Times-Dispatch

Scoring Summary
7th minute: David Bulow (Stanley Nyazamba)
17th minute: David Bulow (Shaka Bangura)
60th minute: Marvin Van der Pluijm (PK)
65th minute: David Bulow (PK)
89th minute: Shaka Bangura (Ross Mackenzie)

Starting Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Yomby William, Henry Kalungi, Sascha Goerres (David Hertel 45’), Luke Vercollone, Mike Callahan (Edson Elcock 67’), Bobby Foglesong (Ross Mackenzie 42’), Nozomi Hiroyama, Stanley Nyazamba, Shaka Bangura, David Bulow

Dutch Lions: GK Brian Visser, Evan Schwartz, Kyle Segebart, Mettin Copier, Happy Hall (Marvin van der Pluijm 45’), Bret Jones (Shane Smith 57’), Joel DeLass, Mikael McNamara, Lucien Seymour, Kolby LaCrone (Julius Willie 45’), George Davis IV

Shots                      Saves                       Fouls                      Corners
Dayton:     8            Dayton:      0            Dayton:     9            Dayton:       6
Kickers:     7            Kickers:      3            Kickers:      7            Kickers:       2

Cautions:
60’: Bulow (Richmond)
78’: Schwartz (Dayton)
90′: Schwartz (Dayton)

Ejections:
90’: Schwartz (Dayton)

Referee: Andrew Chapin

Assistant Referees: Robert Velbis, Jim Sadowski
Fourth Official: Charles Carson
Attendance: 722
Weather: 78°, clear

2011 US Open Cup Round 1: Backup GK help Kitsap Pumas edge El Paso Patriots in PKs

June 15, 2011 by Steve Clare | Prost Amerika

Kitsap Pumas advanced to the second round of the US Open Cup after beating Chivas El Paso Patriots on a penalty shoot out.

The Bremerton side played 120 scoreless minutes in temperatures of over 90 degrees in Texas and kept the home side out despite goalkeeper Zac Lubin making his season debut.

They will host the Real Colorado Foxes next Tuesday at the Memorial Stadium with the winners on schedule for an MLS opponent.

Forward Brian Burke scored the final penalty in a shoot out in which the Pumas had trailed after an earlyRobbie Christner miss.

Taylor Hyde, Stephen Mohn, David Gray, Elliott Fauske and Nik Besagno also netted for the Pumas.

A jubilant Pumas head coach Pete Fewing said:

“Brian Burke is a good finisher. I’m glad he took the last one. I had the first seven lined up before hand. Then I had to improvise. Normally Nik Besagno doesn’t doesn’t like to take penalties. I’m so proud of him. I’m so proud of them. We resolved not to make any excuses about getting up early and the heat and flying.

I’m so proud of the guys’ effort. Zac Lubin came up huge in the second half. He made great back to back saves. The guys did a great job.”

Penalties List:

Chivas El Paso Patriots	5:6	Kitsap Pumas
1. Enrique Cervantes – goal 2. Mike Griego – miss 3. Francisco De Anda – goal 4. Hugo Samano – miss 5. Rodrigo Morin – goal 6. Omar Tena – miss 7. Christian Landa – goal 8. Diego Briseno – goal 9. Ariel Chavez – save		1. Robbie Christener – miss 2. Taylor Hyde – miss 3. Stephen Mohn – goal 4. David Gray – goal 5. Elliot Fauske – goal 6. Chris Andre miss 7. Mark Lee – goal 8. Nik Besagno – goal 9. Brian Burke – goal

Diego Briseno was starting his first game in goal this season for El Paso Patriots and Zac Lubin started in goal for the Pumas in his first game following the late withdrawal of Bryan Meredith with a foot injury.

Pumas had the better of the early running. A Stephen Mohn throw-in was headed over the bar by Nik Besagno inside two minutes. Ten minutes later Daniel Scott headed a David Gray free kick wide.

Pumas kept up the pressure and had nine corners in the first quarter hour.

Kitsap were handed a perfect chance with a penalty in the 22nd minute awarded for a foul on Nik Besagno but free kick expert Matt Friesen hit the post and the ball bounced to safety.

Scott provided Robbie Christner with a chance he fired wide and Chivas’ Jorge Orona was taken off for an extended period in 34 minutes as the last ten minutes of the first half beckoned.

Three minutes before the interval, debutant Briseno dived at full length to deny Friesen from the top of the penalty box

After dominating the half though, the Pumas couldn’t ball in the net.

HALF TIME

The first chance of the second half came when Cameron Hepple was fouled by the left corner of box and from 30 yards out, Friesen drove the free kick which was saved by Briseno at his left post.

Briseno gathered a Gray shot easily on 62 and Gray drove high over the El Paso bar ten minutes later.

With just eight minutes left, the game was heading towards extra time despite Friesen glancing a header just wide of the post.

Patriots finished the 90 minutes stronger and a Hugo Samano header floated high over the Kitsap bar with seconds to go until extra time. Just after that, Mike Griego failed to get sufficient connection on a header to trouble Zac Lubin.

END OF REGULATION TIME

Briseno tipped a Friesen effort out seven minutes into the first half of extra time but there was danger at the other end and Pumas full back Mark Lee had to be alert to clear the danger while Pumas substitute Elliot Fauske tried his luck from over 40 yards to no avail.

Rookie goalkeeper Lubin saved the Pumas with a sensational fingertip save from Rodrigo Morin and then prevented a rebound in a moment he will remember for a long time.

He saved again from Morin four minutes before the end of extra time as penalties loomed and the chance for one of the two rookie keepers to be a hero.

Mike Griego headed the last chance over for the Patriots and penalties loomed, but not before Benjamin Vazquez was red carded for a foul on Burke.

The game went to penalties and despite trailing after Robbie Christner missed the first one, the Pumas stormed through to the next round.

RECAP: El Paso Times

Kitsap Pumas: Zac Lubin, Daniel Scott, Mark Lee, Steven Mohn, Taylor Hyde; Matt Friesen, Nik Besagno (Elliot Fauske), Cameron Hepple (Chris Andre), David Gray; Tye Perdido (Brian Burke 63), Robbie Christner,

Substitutes: Dustyn Brim, Warlen Silva

Chivas El Paso: N/A

Special thanks to Steve Clare of Prost Amerika. Follow him on Twitter @ProstSoccer.

2011 Meet the USASA: Iowa Menace, the PDL team “in disguise”

June 14, 2011 by Eric Anderson

Welcome to our continuing series of Meet the USASA features where we annually profile the clubs representing the United States Adult Soccer Association in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Advancing from the four regional tournaments, these often unknown clubs have great stories to tell and each year, our goal is to allow fans to get to know them as they attempt to become this year’s Cinderella story. Click here for more Meet the USASA stories.

Perhaps this would be better called “Meet the PDL.”

Technically, the Iowa Menace will play the Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) on Tuesday night in the First Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

But make no mistake, this is the Des Moines Menace of the PDL.

“We’re in disguise for this game,” Menace coach Laurie Calloway joked.

The Menace have entered the Iowa Menace in the US Adult Soccer Association Region II tournament the past five years. Typically, the team consists of local junior college players, as most of the Menace’s PDL players usually are still in college when the Region II tournament starts in early May.

This year, though, the team had seven PDL-caliber players and routed KC Athletics 7-1 in its regional opener.

“It’s the strongest USASA side we’ve put out,” Calloway said.

In the unique format used for the Region II tournament, that one lopsided win was enough for the Menace to earn an Open Cup berth. The team with the best goal differential out of the three first-round matches earned one of the region’s two bids, while the other two winners played off for the other spot.

Calloway said the Menace weren’t aware of the format until reserve team coach Brandon Ermels read about it online during the trip to Kansas City.

“The bizarre thing was when we found out they showed up with 10 players, we were rubbing our hands and going ‘Wow, this is great,’ ” said Calloway, who added that he changed up his tactics when he learned about the goal-differential format.

“We had a plan, they played a very much bunker-down type of game and we couldn’t score. And then in the 35th minute, they got a goal to make it 1-0.”

Menace midfielder John Sosa helped set up all the goals as the Menace scored three times in the final three minutes of the first half, and Iowa went on to the convincing win. During their trip back to Des Moines, they learned their plus-6 goal differential was just enough to earn the Open Cup berth, thanks to an 83rd-minute goal scored by FC Indiana in its 7-2 loss to Chicago’s AAC Eagles.

With the USASA spot secured, Calloway and the Menace turned their attention to earning another Open Cup berth through PDL qualifying. The club would have had a second entry had Des Moines beaten the Kansas City Brass on May 23, but the Brass’ 2-1 win meant the Menace had to settle for one berth.

Iowa Menace (vs. KC Athletics) - 2011 Region II quarterfinals — With a 7-1 win over Kansas City (+6 goal difference), the Iowa Menace qualified for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Photo: Sodagraphics.blogspot.com

“The owners have always wanted to try to do well in the Open Cup,” said Calloway, an Englishman who has coached at every level of US soccer in a career that started in the late 1970s. “Even though at the end of the day if we got to the Semifinals (Aug. 30), we probably wouldn’t even be able to field a team because all the kids will have gone back to school.”

This is the Menace’s sixth appearance in the Open Cup and second in a row — they dropped a 1-0 decision in the first round to AC St. Louis of the USSF Division-2 Pro League, a team and league that no longer exist.

Their best runs came in 2005 and ’06, when they advanced to the Fourth Round before bowing out to Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards.

“Obviously, if you can go and meet an MLS club in the last 16, it brings a tremendous amount of excitement, especially if you can draw them at home,” Calloway said.

The Menace will be at home for Tuesday’s match, and also would play host to a second-round game against the AAC Eagles or Madison 56ers in the second round should they advance.

After the challenging road trip they’ve just come back from, the Menace will be thrilled to be back at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Des Moines played four PDL matches in five days last week, the first two on consecutive nights in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and then two more back-to-back games 438 miles away in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

That was followed by a 14-hour drive home.

“If you could think of a worse preparation (for the Open Cup match) … it’s probably hard to find something worse,” said Calloway, whose team will play at least seven consecutive home matches starting Tuesday.

The Menace won both games in Winnipeg and lost both in Thunder Bay to fall to 6-3-0 on the season. But five Des Moines players didn’t make the trip north of the border because of visa concerns, and four of them will be back in the mix Tuesday.

That includes three of the Menace’s top players: forward Deshorn Brown, midfielder Lebogang Moloto and right back Jubril Lawal.

Brown, a Jamaican who plays at NAIA powerhouse Mobile (Ala.), is Des Moines’ leading scorer with six goals in five games. Moloto, an 18-year-old South African who plays for Lindsey Wilson (Kent.), another NAIA powerhouse, has “lightning feet and lightning speed. He’s a winger, a tremendous creator of opportunities, a scorer and creator,” according to Calloway. Lawal is a 17-year-old from Nigeria who showcases his speed with overlapping runs into the attack.

“They’ve got tremendous futures if they stay on the right path,” said Calloway, whose team is second place in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.

“We’ll be hopefully a totally different looking team on Tuesday night.”

Sosa has continued the good form he started in the Region II tournament, leading the team with seven assists in PDL play. The former Missouri-Kansas City player teams with his longtime teammate Bryan Perez in the midfield to make things go for the Menace.

“Probably our most influential player so far this season has been John Sosa. He’s our playmaker, No. 10, extremely creative,” Calloway said.

“(He and Perez) played together at UMKC. It’s almost like they’re Siamese twins, they’re joined at the hip, they know each other’s moves. They sort of orchestrate things together. It’s a nice combination.”

While there aren’t two Menace teams playing in the Open Cup on Tuesday night, there will be two sides playing on June 18.

The PDL team is playing host to the Kansas City Brass, while the USASA team plays AAC Eagles in the Region II final in Overland Park, Kan. The winner of the regional tournament advances to nationals July 15 to 17 in Bowling Green, Kent. — the Menace don’t have any PDL matches that weekend.

“We’re going to be like Barcelona: We’re going to try to win five trophies,” Calloway said with a laugh.

2011 Meet the USASA: 3-time Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms

June 12, 2011 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

While the New York Pancyprian Freedoms may not have won a match in their two previous Open Cup appearances (2008 & 2010), the proper way to judge the credentials of the club is to look at their accomplishments outside of those two matches. The team from Jamaica, Queens, New York has been one of the top amateur clubs in the nation over the past four years. Since 2008, the Freedoms have two Cosmopolitan Soccer League championships (2010 & 2011), four Dr. Manning Cup victories (Eastern NY state cup, 2006-2008, 2010), and two USASA National Cup trophies (2008 & 2010). It is no coincidence then that they have won, or could win, all of those championships again in 2011 as they prepare for another U.S. Open Cup First Round match.

A short but rich history

The Pancyprian Freedoms got their start in 1975 when the Pancyprian Association of America was founded in the aftermath of the Turkish invasion and annexation of northern Cyprus in 1974. The soccer team was started as a way to better enlighten the general public about what was happening in Cyprus. Freedoms General Manager George Halkidis says that all of the players on the current roster are aware of the meaning of the club’s name, and that their players of Greek ethnicity have traveled to Cyprus either as part of the club’s youth program or on vacation to visit their parents’ homeland.

The club spent their first two years in the Long Island Soccer League, and in 1977 paid $5,000 to join the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in 1979. By 1982 they had won the CSL title three times. While the current Freedoms have a more diverse roster, during their run of three Open Cup championships in four years from 1980-1983 the core of the team was made up of a mix of former Greek professional players and Cypriot players attending college in the U.S. through scholarships set up by the Pancyprian Association. Many of those college players returned to Cyprus and Greece after graduating, and maintained long careers with some of the top teams in those countries.

The former Greek pros that wore the Freedoms’ blue shirts were not your ordinary run of the mill imports. Two such players were considered to be two of the greatest players in Greek soccer history. Papaioannou spent 19 seasons with AEK Athens, scoring 234 goals, a mark that stood as a Greek record until 1989. Domazos played with Panathinaikos for 20 seasons and is widely considered the greatest player ever from Greece.

Rivalry with the Italians

Their first round opponents, the NPSL’s Brooklyn Italians, were recent CSL rivals of the Freedoms before the Italians decided to concentrate on NPSL play over fielding a team in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. However, in the late 1970s and early 80s, the two clubs were constantly battling for the top spot in the CSL standings. Between 1977 and 1982 the Freedoms and Italians (then known as the Brooklyn Dodgers) were the only clubs to win the Cosmopolitan Soccer League championship. Each club took home three titles in that period, often at the expense of the other.

From 1977 to 1981 the teams would take turns knocking each other out of the Open Cup. The first meeting of the clubs in Open Cup play came in the a Southern New York second round qualifying match on November 28, 1976, when the Italians won 2-1. The next year the Freedoms got revenge with a 4-1 win in the SNY First Round.

In 1979, the teams met in the Southern New York semifinals, and the Italians prevailed 5-3 on their way to winning the Open Cup championship. In 1980 and 1981, the Freedoms and Italians met in the Southern New York Final. The Freedoms won 4-1 in the first meeting, while the Italians came away with a 1-0 win in 1981. The 1981 victory by the Italians not only pushed them closer to an appearance in the Open Cup Final, but it also prevented the Freedoms from capturing what would have been a record four straight Open Cup titles. From 1979-1983 either the Italians or Freedoms represented the Eastern side of the bracket in the Open Cup Finals.

While the rivalry may have been heated in the early 80s, Halkidis insists the teams are friendly rivals today, and he speaks to Italians GM Joe Barone on a weekly basis while also being close friends with Italians manager Tony Noto.

When reminded that it was the Italians who interrupted his teams Open cup title run in the early 80s, Halkidis joked that “maybe it’s a good time for payback,” but acknowledged their real goal is to win the USASA Open Cup. The Freedoms have won the USASA title two out of the last three years, and will have a chance this year if they can defeat Phoenix SC in the USASA Region I Final on June 19. A win will pit the Freedoms against fellow Open Cup qualifiers ASC New Stars, Doxa Italia, and the winner of the Region II Final between AAC Eagles and Iowa Menace (Bowling Green, Kentucky on July 15-17) for the right to wear the USASA crown.

The June 19 game will mark the end of a 16-day period of important games for the club. On June 5 the Freedoms defeated the New York Athletic Club via penalties for the Cosmopolitan League championship. The Freedoms came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to end regulation 2-2 on goals from Stefan Dimitrov (55’) and the ageless Julio Cesar Dos Santos (71’). Just two days before their Open Cup game against the Italians, the Freedoms will face Mineola Portuguese of the Long Island Soccer Football League in the Dr. Manning Cup Final, which is the top tournament for the Eastern New York State Soccer Association.

Brooklyn Italians vs. New York Pancyprian Freedoms
In the US Open Cup 1977-1981

1977 Southern New York Second Round
Nov. 27, 1976 – Brooklyn Italians 2:1 Pancyprian Freedoms
—————————————————————-
1978 Southern New York First Round
Nov. 20, 1977 – Pancyprian Freedoms 4:1 Brooklyn Italians
Downing Stadium – Randalls Island, NY
—————————————————————-
1979 Southern New York Semifinals
Apr. 1, 1979 – Brooklyn Dodgers 5:3 Pancyprian Freedoms
—————————————————————-
1980 Southern New York Final
Mar. 29, 1980 – Brooklyn Dodgers 1:4 Pancyprian Freedoms
Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York
—————————————————————-
1981 Southern New York Final
Mar. 28, 1981 – Pancyprian Freedoms 0:1 Brooklyn Dodgers
Metropolitan Oval – Queens, New York

2011 Meet the USASA: 1990 US Open Cup champions, AAC Eagles from Chicago

June 10, 2011 by David Gubala

AAC Eagles celebrate their 1990 US Open Cup championship. Photo: Renee Bechtoldt | AAC Eagles

The predominantly Polish side from Chicago has much to say about the US Open Cup. Contestants AAC Eagles have won the entire tournament in 1990 and had a number of strong showings in years following.

2011 will mark the Eagles’ fifth Modern Era (1995-present) appearance (1995, 2002, 2005, 2008), and they will travel to Madison, Wis. for their First Round match-up with the NPSL’s Madison 56ers on Tuesday at 8 p.m. EST. The winner of that match will play the winner of the Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) and Iowa Menace (USASA ) in Round 2.

The club returned to prominence a year ago when they ended state rival RWB Adria’s three-year reign as Illinois state champions. The Eagles defeated RWB Adria 2-0 in the Illinois state qualifier the previous November before knocking out Minnesota entrant Fire SC in the Region II Quarterfinals, 8-3. The side was then eliminated in the Final Four via penalties 4-2 by KC Athletics after a 3-3 draw. The two matches took place at MLS venues, playing at Toyota Park’s training field and in a doubleheader with the Kansas City Wizards at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

This year, AAC Eagles were seeded as host of the Illinois Final as defending champion, and defeated Viking AA 2-1 to retain the state crown. They earned a date with FC Indiana in the opening round of the Region II tournament and dispatched them 7-2 thanks to four goals by Jakub Piotrowski. It then came down to a “Win & You’re In” match between the Eagles and RWB Adria (who replaced Viking AA after they withdrew from the tournament), which the Eagles won 4-1 with Piotrowski leading the way with three goals. `

CLUB HISTORY

AAC Eagles were formed in the year 1940 by a number of Polish immigrants. The club underwent a number of rebrandings over the years from then on. Until the 1950s, Eagles were originally known as the Polish American Athletic Club (PAAC Eagles).

The team also played its inaugural season in the National Soccer League of Chicago.

After the 1950s, the team rebranded to the Chicago Eagles. Since then, the club has interchanged between a couple of other names. Having won the cup in 1990, the club had finally settled on the AAC Eagles moniker for years to come.

The Eagles currently play in the Metropolitan Soccer League, where it has won 11 Major Division championships.

HISTORY IN THE CUP

The club has a number of successes worth mentioning. It reached the final in 1945 and 1948 before winning the Open Cup in 1990. The Eagles defeated the Brooklyn Italians, who have also qualified for the 2011 competition, 2-1 in the championship game with goals from Jan Kiaca and Peter Modrzejewski at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. , six years before MLS would be launched.

As is the case for the current tournament, back in 1990, the Eagles’ famous US Open Cup victory gave them a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (now called the Champions League). The club lost on aggregate 4-1 to Bermudian side PHC Zebras in early stages of the tournament, but had already accomplished the impossible getting there.

The team first entered the Cup in 1948 and won their first-ever tournament match, 6-4, over Hansa SC on Nov. 16, 1947. In the ’48 Cup they reached the Illinois Final, where they lost to Sparta A & BA 3-2 after extra time.

In 1949, they made it all the way to the Western Final (National Semifinals), losing to Pittsburgh’s Morgan Strasser 4-3 on aggregate over two legs. Strasser went on to win the title that year.

Oldest teams to qualify in US Open Cup
Modern Era (1995-present)*

1910 – United German Hungarians (Oakford, PA)
1922 – Croatian Eagles (Milwaukee, WI)
1926 – Phoenix SC (Feasterville, PA)
1927 – SAC Wisla (Chicago, IL)
1929 – Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI)
1931 – Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Warminster, PA)
1940 – AAC Eagles (Chicago, IL)
1941 – Greek American Atlas (Queens, NY)
1959 – RWB Adria (Chicago, IL)*Year club was founded, not their first USOC appearance

In 1950 they reached the Western Semifinals where they lost to another eventual champion, St. Louis’ Simpkins Ford 5-0. Along the way they thrashed Hakoah Center 11-0 in the Illinois quarterfinals.

In 1953 a group of players who felt they were not being given a fair shot for playing time left the club and founded the Falcons SC, and that newly-formed club went on to win the Open Cup in their first attempt.

In their four previous Modern Era appearances, the club has failed to win a game in the competition. In fact, in their last three appearances, the Eagles have been eliminated by a team that has also qualified for the 2011 Open Cup. In 2002, they lost 1-0 on a golden goal by the New York Freedoms (now the NY Pancyprian Freedoms), who were a member of the PDL that year. They fell to the Chicago Fire Premier in 2005 by a score of 4-1, and in their last appearance they hosted the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, losing 4-0.

Adding to their list of achievements, AAC Eagles won the USASA Open Cup in 1989 and 2002.

MEET THE PLAYER: PETER BIELECKI

Peter Bielecki is a 6’1” left back playing a pivotal role for the Eagles, especially this season. Bielecki earned his spot through the youth ranks of Eagles as well as playing for Lane Tech High School in his earlier days.

Can you talk about the current atmosphere in the team and how you personally prepare for this tournament?

AACEagles-Clincher-ToyotaPark — The AAC Eagles celebrate qualifying for the 2011 US Open Cup at the practice field outside the Chicago Fire’s Toyota Park

PB: Overall, we have strong team chemistry. Everyone backs each other up, where everyone seems to get along in both a professional and casual way. Our outlook is very serious, where everyone believes we can make it very far in the tournament. There is very little room for slacking, because a 27+man roster leaves a lot of room for competition on our team.

What does the US Open Cup mean for yourself and the Eagles?

PB: The US Open Cup is one of the biggest tests for an amateur men’s team. Within our league, we are always looking for a challenge. The US Open Cup offers everyone on our team a chance to give it their all and compete on higher levels. Many of our players are college level quality, but very few have broken into the professional levels, in which this tournament provides many opportunities to seize.

Who are some of the key players on the Eagles roster? Who are the veterans or someone you look up to?

PB: We have a lot of underrated talent. “Kuba” Piotrowski, for example, is an incredible “amateur” talent that has plenty of ability to score goals with speed comparable to many of the fastest strikers. Piotr Kolasinski is a central defender that has an incredible touch and makes plays in all areas of the field. He also has the ability to strike the ball from set pieces, leaving us with a serious weapon, no matter what team we play. Jacek Lechowicz and Sebastian Skital provide our team with years of experience from higher levels, while Miroslaw Modzelewski brings in experience from some of the highest levels of football, playing teams such as Manchester United in his Polish football career .

Can you tell fans a little about yourself and your relationship with the Eagles?

PB: As a youngster, I was constantly looking for chances to break into this “veteran” squad. I am a left back, standing at 6’1″ and 185 lbs, but I am still finding it difficult to capture my spot on this team. We have plenty of players to choose from, which is surprising for the level we play at. We are going to leave higher level teams with quite a challenge during these next few US open Cup games. It will be important for other teams not to underestimate us, because we train with the mindset of a professional squad.

The AAC Eagles are always trying to improve their reputation as an amateur soccer team. The US Open Cup is just another opportunity for us to make a statement and advance as far as possible. No matter what, our team will leave the tournament with no regrets, knowing that we have given our best performance and have showcased the best football that we can provide.

2011 2nd Round schedule, bracket

June 9, 2011 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE (6/15/11): The First Round is complete and the full Second Round schedule is listed at the bottom.

seattle-sounders-2010-us-open-cup-final — Who will lift the trophy in 2011? Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup bracket [+] The United States Soccer Federation has unveiled the first round pairings for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 98th edition of the tournament kicks off on Tuesday, June 14 with all 32 lower division teams competing. The draw was determined by dividing the teams geographically into eight groups of four in an effort to limit travel costs. Once the groups were determined, a blind draw determined the match-ups. The first three rounds will take place in consecutive weeks, with the Second Round scheduled for June 21, followed by the Third Round on June 28. The eight lower division teams that advance beyond the first and second rounds, will each play one of the eight qualified teams from Major League Soccer in Round 3, scheduled for June 28. After a two-week break, the Quarterfinals will take place on July 12, followed by the Semifinals on Aug. 30 and the 2011 US Open Cup Final on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

FIRST ROUND RESUMES

AAC Eagles: 1990 champions
Brooklyn Italians: 1979*, 1991 champions, 1981*, 1990 runner-up
Charleston Battery: 2008 Runner-Up
Chivas El Paso Patriots: 1995 Runner-Up
NY Pancyprian Freedoms: 1980, 1982, 1983 champions
Richmond Kickers: 1995 champions
Rochester Rhinos: 1996 runner-up, 1999 champions

*Known as the Brooklyn Dodgers

The opening round is where the Cinderella stories begin. The field of 32 lower division clubs have strong histories on their sides, featuring eight Open Cup championships and five runners-up. Nine of the 11 USL Pro clubs will play host to First Round contests with the Dayton Dutch Lions and Charlotte Eagles the exceptions. The Eagles will be traveling to face nearby PDL cknlub Carolina Dynamo, a former pro rival, while Dayton will be squaring off with the Richmond Kickers in one of only two intra-league matches on the docket.

1995kickers — After playing the El Paso Patriots to a 1-1 draw, the Richmond Kickers captured the 1995 US Open Cup title by defeating the Patriots on penalty kicks 4-2. Photo: Richmond Kickers

The only other match-up of two clubs from the same league/organization is a PDL showdown between the Chivas El Paso Patriots, designated the host, and the Kitsap Pumas, the dramatic 3-2 winner of the Northwest Division berth determined Friday, June 3 in a special ‘fifth game’ tiebreakers on the road against the Portland Timbers U23 in a previously scheduled regular season contest. The Dynamo and Patriots are two of four PDL sides that will host First Round matches, joining Real Colorado Foxes and Ventura County Fusion. The Madison 56ers, the only club that did not have to play any qualification games besides teams from USL Pro and Major League Soccer, are the only team from the National Premier Soccer League that was selected to host a match while two from the USASA, the Iowa Menace and New York Pancyprian Freedoms, will get the honor. Iowa is not a surprise as the club is part of the Des Moines Menace club that regularly leads the PDL in attendance. The Freedoms, a three-time Open Cup champion (1980, 1982, 1983), are also a former PDL club. Although the hosts of the Second Round were not announced, the pairings were released, creating four-team groupings that will produce the eight opponents for MLS clubs in the Third Round. Six of the eight groups have at least one USL Pro club in them. Chattanooga FC of the NPSL received arguably the toughest draw, falling into the only group with three clubs from USL Pro, traveling to Pittsburgh for the First Round before potentially playing the winner of the Dayton-Richmond contest.

ENTRANTS2011-MAP — Click here to see a full map of the participants in the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Two clubs from the non-professional tiers of the sport will advance to play MLS clubs in the Third Round. The first group features the Menace, 56ers, AAC Eagles (USASA) and Chicago Fire Premier (PDL). The second is an expansive geographic group that includes the Patriots, Foxes, DV8 Defenders (USASA) and the Kitsap Pumas. The US Open Cup is the national championship for the United States and has crowned a champion every year since 1914, making it the second oldest continuously run cup competition in the world. The single-elimination tournament is open to teams from every level of American soccer from local rec leagues to the best from Major League Soccer. The winner of the 2011 competition wins $100,000 and a place in the 2012 CONCACAF Champions League. The runner-up wins $50,000 and the team that advances the furthest among the two lower divisions, Division III (USL Pro) and Amateur (PDL, NPSL, USASA) will each win $10,000.

2011 US Open Cup bracket [+] | 2011 US Open Cup participants [+]

2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Official Pairings for First Round
(All games on Tuesday, June 14)
All Times Eastern

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) at N.Y. Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA – East NY)
Belson Stadium, St. Johns University – Queens, N.Y. – 7:30 p.m.

Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL) at FC New York (USL PRO)
Met Oval – Queens, N.Y. – 7:00 p.m.

Reading United AC (PDL) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)
Skyline Sports Complex – Harrisburg, Pa. – 7:00 p.m.

Phoenix SC (USASA-East PA) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Sahlen’s Stadium – Rochester, N.Y. – 7:35 p.m.

Chattanooga FC (NPSL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO)
Chartiers Valley Stadium – Bridgeville, Pa. – 7:00 p.m.

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO)
Richmond City Stadium – Richmond, Va. – 7:00 p.m.

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at Carolina Dynamo (PDL)
Macpherson Stadium – Browns Summit, N.C. – 7:00 p.m.

Central Florida Kraze (PDL) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO)
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. – 7:30 p.m.

ASC New Stars (USASA-South TX) at Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO)
University of Central Florida Soccer Complex – Oviedo, Fla. – 7:30 p.m.

Regals FC (USASA-South TX) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO)
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C. – 7:30 p.m.

AAC Eagles (USASA-IL) at Madison 56ers (NPSL)
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, Wis. – 8:00 p.m.

Chicago Fire (PDL) at Iowa Menace (USASA-IA)
Valley Stadium – West Des Moines, Iowa – 8:30 p.m.

DV8 Defenders (USASA-No. CA) at Real Colorado Foxes (PDL)
Shea Stadium – Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 9:00 p.m.

Kitsap Pumas (PDL) at Chivas El Paso Patriots (PDL)
Patriots Stadium – El Paso, Texas – 10:00 p.m.

Hollywood United (NPSL) at Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO)
Riverside Community College – Riverside, Calif. – 8:00 p.m.

Doxa Italia (USASA-So. CA) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College – Ventura, Calif. – 10:05 p.m.

Official Pairings / Potential Hosts for Second Round
(All games on Tuesday, June 21)
All Times Eastern

FC New York at NY Pancyprian Freedoms
Belson Stadium – Queens, NY – 7:30 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Rochester Rhinos at Harrisburg City Islanders
Skyline Sports Complex – Harrisburg, Pa. – 7 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Richmond Kickers
Richmond City Stadium – Richmond, Va. – 7 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Charlotte Eagles at Wilmington Hammerheads
Legion Stadium – Wilmington, N.C. – 7:30 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Orlando City SC at Charleston Battery
Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C. – 7:30 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Chicago Fire Premier at Madison 56ers
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, Wis. – 8 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Real Colorado Foxes at Kitsap Pumas
Bremerton Memorial Stadium – Bremerton, Wash. – 10 p.m.
——————————————————————————
Los Angeles Blues at Ventura County Fusion
Ventura College – Ventura, Calif. – 10:05 p.m.

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 updates: MLS play-in tournament underway

May 19, 2011 by Josh Hakala

60427668 — Tony Tchani (23) of the New York Red Bulls battles for the ball against Joseph Niouky (23) of the New England Revolution during last year's MLS qualifying tournament. | Photo: RBNY/Getty Images

For the fifth year in a row, Major League Soccer (MLS) will conduct a play-in tournament to narrow the number of teams that enter the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Beginning on June 28, eight MLS clubs will join the 98th edition of the tournament in the third round, with the top six MLS teams based on the 2010 league standings automatically qualifying. The 10 remaining US-based clubs are left to fight for the last two spots.

Below are the matchups as well as which team will host each match, as determined by a coin flip at MLS headquarters. The dates, times and locations will be announced at a later date.

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

2011 MLS qualifying bracket

First Round

(8) Chivas USA 0:2 (10) Portland Timbers – RECAP
Tuesday, March 29 – 10 p.m. EST | Merlo Field (Portland, Ore.)

(7) Philadelphia 2:2 (9) DC United – RECAP
DC advances 4-2 in PKs
April 6, 7:30 p.m. | Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

Second Round

(2) San Jose Earthquakes 1:0 (10) Portland Timbers – RECAP
After Extra Time
May 3, 10:30 p.m. EST | Jeld-Wen Field (Portland, Ore.)

(6) New England 3:2 (9) DC United – RECAP
April 26, 7:30 p.m. EST | Maryland Soccerplex (Boyds, Md.)

(1) Colorado Rapids 1:2 (4) Chicago Fire – RECAP
March 30, Shea Stadium (Peoria, Ill.)

(3) Sporting Kansas City 1:0 (5) Houston Dynamo – RECAP
After Extra Time
April 6, 8 p.m. EST – Aggie Soccer Stadium (College Station, Tx.)

Third Round*

(4) Chicago Fire 2:2 (2) San Jose Earthquakes – RECAP
Chicago qualifies for the 2011 US Open Cup, 5-4 in PKs
May 24, 10:30 p.m. EST – Buck Shaw Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

(6) New England Revolution 0:5 (3) Sporting Kansas City – RECAP
Kansas City qualifies for the 2011 US Open Cup
May 25, 8:30 p.m. EST – Blue Valley District Activities Complex (Overland Park, Kan.)

MLS qualifying team profiles

Chicago Fire: The MLS team with the most Open Cup titles (4) only had to qualify one time and only had to play one game to qualify for that tournament in 2008. They defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 and they would advance to the quarterfinals that year, losing to DC United.

Chivas USA: Has never had to qualify for the US Open Cup

Colorado Rapids: The Rapids share the unfortunate distinction with Real Salt Lake as the club who has played the most qualifying matches over the last four seasons. Which only means a lot of heartbreak for their fans, as Colorado has a 3-2-2 record (1-1 in PKs) and after advancing in 2007, the Rapids have fallen one game short in each of the last three years. In 2010, they lost to the New York Red Bulls, 3-0.

DC United: In two years (2009, 2010), DC has never lost a qualifying match, with a perfect 4-0 record. Last year, United advanced to the semifinals where they lost to the Columbus Crew, and in 2009, they joined fellow qualifying survivor Seattle Sounders FC, by reaching the championship game. Seattle won the final 2-1 at RFK Stadium.

Houston Dynamo: Houston has never had to qualify for the US Open Cup.

New England Revolution: Last year was the first time New England has had to qualify for the Open Cup, and they lost in the semifinals, 3-0, to the New York Red Bulls.

Philadelphia Union: In their inaugural season last year, the Union lost their first qualifying match, 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls.

Portland Timbers: 2011 MLS expansion club

San Jose Earthquakes: The Earthquakes have never won a qualifying match (0-2-1), failing to advance each of the last three years. The closest they came was last year, when they drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake, but fell short in the shootout.

Sporting Kansas City: The club formerly known as the Wizards have also never won a qualifying game (0-2-1, 1-0 in PKs). The only time they advanced was when they defeated the Colorado Rapids in a penalty kick shootout to qualify for the 2008 US Open Cup.

Hosting MLS qualifying games (2007-2010)

Chicago: 1 game, 1 home, 0 away (1-0)
Colorado: 7 games, 2 home, 5 away (3-2-2, 1-1 in PKs)
Columbus: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (1-2-0)
DC United: 4 games, 4 home, 0 away (4-0-0)
FC Dallas: 2 games, 0 home, 2 away (0-2-0)
Los Angeles: 4 games, 2 home, 2 away (2-1-1, 0-1 in PKs)
New England: 1 game, 0 home, 1 away (0-1-0)
New York: 6 games, 3 home, 3 away (4-2-0)
Philadelphia: 1 game, 0 home, 1 away (0-1-0)
Real Salt Lake: 7 games, 2 home, 5 away (2-4-1, 1-0 in PKs)
San Jose: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (0-2-1, 0-1 in PKs)
Seattle: 2 games, 2 home, 0 away (2-0-0)
Sporting Kansas City: 3 games, 2 home, 1 away (0-2-1, 1-0 in PKs)

More: USSF announces 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup team allocations, dates