Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2011 USASA Qualifying

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Cup veterans NY Pancyprian Freedoms qualify along with first timers Phoenix SC (Video)

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Phoenix SC opening goal – Murtagh free kickIn two very contrasting USASA Region I semifinal matches, the three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fifth time in the Pro Era with a dramatic 4-2 victory against Mass Premier Soccer while Phoenix SC of Philadelphia shutout Go Soccer FC 3-0 to advance to the tournament for the first time. Both clubs won on the road.

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

It was a tale of two halves. Sometimes cliches are over-used, but there is no better way to describe the USASA Region I Semifinal match between Mass Premier Soccer and the visiting New York Pancyprian Freedoms Sunday afternoon as the New Yorkers rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 4-2 and claim a berth to the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Meeting for the first time, the sides felt each other out for the first 20 minutes before strategies started too take shape. MPS would absorb a Pancyprian attack and look to pick off the small passes and quickly counter with speed.

The strategy worked as planned when the MPS defense stole a through ball and quickly advanced it through midfield in the 24th minute.  One touch outside and Nick Tornaritis whipped in a deadly cross which found rumbling forward Dan Rudolph.  Rudolph got his head to it, and the ball struck the post.  However, his persistence paid off as he collected his own rebound and slotted it home for opening tally of the game.

New York tried to respond but they were settling for long range blasts that goalkeeper Nick Armington was handling well. MPS kept the ball in New York’s half for the majority of the play and the pressure paid off.

2011 New York Pancyprian Freedoms
2011 New York Pancyprian Freedoms: Standing (Left to Right): Nick Katsanos, Chris Iordanou, Tasso Polydefkis, Mahamadu Simpara, Pete Halkidis, Matia Damiani, John Koutsounadis, Stefan Dimitrov, Peter Pavlakos, Jon Simos | Seating (Left to Right): Nick Christopher, Chris Zisimatos, Chad Calderone, Stelios Andreou, Jeff Matteo, Tommy Vlahos, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, Billy Antoniou

Nearing halftime, Matt Nolan made a cheeky run down the right flank and, after juggling the ball over a New York defender, he was brought down hard outside the box.  The foul warranted a New York yellow card, but moments later the foul would prove more costly.  From about 30 yards out, Matt Hoff let loose a rocket of a free kick that careened off a Freedoms defender and deflected into the net two minutes before the break, doubling the advantage.

Each club made two changes at the half, and from the get-go you could see it was going to be a different game.  New York came out fired up clearly did not want to make a five-hour drive home without earning a berth in the US Open Cup.  The Freedoms began to attack the flanks instead of trying go though the heart of the MPS defense, and it started to stretch MPS.

Their new game plan paid off quickly as they halved the MPS lead in the 48th minute. Attacking down the right flank the Freedoms had MPS on their heels and defenders out of position.  A great cross from Anastasios Polydefkis found the foot of an onrushing Stefan Dimitrov who calmly finished off a great goal.

After the strike, you could almost feel the momentum shift and New York knew they were back in the game.

Less than five minutes later the Freedoms would strike again on a goal by Julio Cesar Dos Santos.  The two-time USL Pro scoring champion and MVP received a through ball from Dimitrov, and after taking a great touch towards goal, he was able to beat the MPS keeper and even the game at the 53rd minute mark.

With the game back to par, MPS tried to regain its composure but the tide had shifted.  With New York dominating possession and the MPS defenders constantly on their heels, it was only a matter of time.

Dimitrov scored New York’s go-ahead goal in the 71st minute.  There was some debate as to whether Dimitrov was offside, but the assistant referee had a good view and kept the flag down.  With MPS defenders caught off guard, Dimitrov collected a long range ball from Panagiotis Halkidis and was able to sneak through the flat MPS defensive line. One-on-one with the goalie, Dimitrov was composed and gave New York the 3-2 lead.

MPS had several chances to even it up, including a few chances on the opposition’s goal by Nick Christman and Dan MacGregor. But the New York defenders recovered well to cut down angles and break up the counter-attacks.

The last blow of the bout came in the 84th minute, and was again the result of flank play by the Freedoms led by John Koutsounadis and Dimitrov.  Driving down the right side New York exposed the MPS backline and Dos Santos was able to get a slight touch on the Dimitrov cross, directing the ball inside the left post.

The strike sealed the club’s fifth trip to the US Open Cup in the professional era (1999, 02, 08, 10, 11) after having won the tournament three times in four years during the early eighties (1980, 82, 83).

“We are very excited,” said NYPF Manager Mike Iordanou. “We’re going to celebrate on the way back, but we have to get ready for the Cosmopolitan League playoffs next Wednesday, so we will be very busy leading into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.”

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

In the second match of the day, a free kick from Dan Murtagh four minutes before the break put things in motion for the visiting Phoenix SC from Philadelphia as the club used a penalty and own goal in the second half to secure a place in the US Open Cup. The free kick from 25 yards out was curled around the wall and into the upper corner.

Six minutes into the second half captain Bob Francis doubled the lead from the spot. The penalty was the result of Phoenix breaking down the right flank through Ryan Soroka for a cross in to Murtagh, whose effort was blocked by a handball.

Phoenix put the game well out of reach courtesy of Soroka again in the 70th. The club quickly moved up the left side through Greg Mangels to Soroka, who crossed the ball into the area. A defender, tracking back to deny another Murtagh chance made a play to intercept the cross, but sent it instead into the back of his own net.

“I think it’s great, great for the kids because they’ve worked so hard,” said head coach Blair Thomson after the match. “The players are very excited about being in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“It has taken us a long while to get here,” added Thomson, noting that the club’s journey began last June with the club playing in events and league play before moving onto the state tournament and the current regional stages of the USASA national open cup. They will meet in the Region I Final the same Freedoms team that eliminated them in the First Round a year ago, 3-2, on an unanswered three-goal comeback led by Julio Cesar Dos Santos with two goals and an assist.

“We have only had two losses since last August. We are hoping that we can take the next step. It’s quite exciting,” he said about where the team is and what it means for the players, including standout striker Frebole Kamara as well as a couple of younger players that came on late in the game.

“He’s as good a player as I’ve seen,” Thomson said of his Liberian forward that put in an hour of work on the day. “He went down to DC on a trial and didn’t get past the first day, and I couldn’t believe it. Now, I hope we play well in the tournament so that he has another opportunity to be seen and get another chance.”

Match Capsules

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph (Nick Tornaritis) 24
MPS: Matt Hoff 43
NY: Stefan Dimitrov (Anastasios Polydefkis) 48
NY: Julio Cesar Dos Santos (Stefan Dimitrov) 53
NY: Stefan Dimitrov (Panagiotis Halkidis) 71
NY: Julio Cesar Dos Santos (Stefan Dimitrov) 84

MPS Lineup: Dan Rudolph, Nick Tornaritis, Tommy Day, Matt Nolan, Matt Hoff, Derek Stenquist, Nick Armington, Matt Cross, John O’Reilly, Nick Chistman, Desmond Mitchell – Subs: Kevin Unger (17th minute), Dan MacGregor (Half Time) Chris Doran (Halftime)

New York Lineup: Chad Calderone, Stelios Andreou, Stefan Dimitrov, Nick Christopher, Matia Damiani, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, Jeff Matteo, Mahamadou Simpara, Peter Pavlakos, Anastasios Polydefkis, Chris Zisimatos – Subs: Billy Antoniou, Panagiotis Halkidis, John Koutsounadis,  Athanasios Vlahos

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

Scoring Summary
PHO: Dan Murtagh 41
PHO: Bob Francis penalty 51
PHO: GSFC own goal 70

Phoenix SC Lineup: Anthony Pratico; Bob Francis, Jack Pocorobba, Nick Pittaoulis, Greg Mangels; Dan Murtagh, Stephen Mellor (Kyle Soroka 70), Ben Castor, Ryan Soroka (Justin Dotzman 80); Scott Rowling, Frebole Kamara (Virgis Anusauskas 62)

Go Soccer Lineup: not available

2011 US Open Cup qualifying (USASA Region IV): Doxa Italia win 18-0 to secure Open Cup spot, DV8 Defenders get late PK to qualify

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On the final day of group play at the USASA Region IV tournament in Sacramento, the two US Open Cup spots available to the participating teams were secured in dramatic fashion. Doxa Italia FC of Southern California, in hammering a shorthanded CV Eagles FC squad and handing them one of the worst losses in the history of Open Cup qualifying, advanced courtesy of a goal-differential tiebreaker over Rosal FS of San Francisco. Meanwhile, the DV8 Defenders of Redwood City earned a 2-2 draw with group rival Metro FC of Albuquerque, New Mexico courtesy of a controversial stoppage time penalty kick conversion to earn the second berth in the US Open Cup.

Doxa Italia and DV8 Defenders will face off on Sunday morning for the Region IV championship. While both teams have already qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the winner of Sunday’s match gets more than just bragging rights from the weekend. They will also represent the region at the USASA National Cup Finals this July in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Doxa Italia wins Group B: With the final three games of the tournament’s group stage being played at the same time and fellow Group B squad Rosal FAS expected to beat SF Italian AC handily, Doxa Italia FC also needed a win to keep pace. Given that the two teams had drawn 1-1 the day before, which ruled out the first tiebreaker of head-to-head results being invoked to determine the group winner, goal differential was likely going to determine which team would earn qualification into the Open Cup. Doxa Italia felt it was prudent to run up the score on their overmatched opponent, CV Eagles FC, to give them the best chance to edge out Rosal FAS on the second tiebreaker.

“We had to go for it,” stated Doxa Italia player/manager Derk Droze. “As I explained to the other team, we drew with Rosal and did not want to go out of the tournament for the third straight year on goal differential. I set the expectation for my team at a 10-0 score, but my guys really responded and did even better.”

Indeed, when the San Francisco side took care of business against SF Italian, handedly winning 7-1 and giving them seven points in Group B with a +13 goal differential, the onus was on Doxa Italia to overpower the Eagles. Courtesy of their 18-0 win over the undermanned Tracy, CA side, the Southern Californian USASA powerhouse also finished with seven points in the group, but posted a whopping +24 goal differential to take Group B honors.

“It was good to get such a great result and advance to the tournament final,” shared Droze on the team’s dominating performance, “especially after losing out on qualifying for the Open Cup the last two years on goal differential to the teams that eventually advanced.”

DV8 Defenders top Group A: Entering the remaining game on the afternoon schedule, the DV8 Defenders sat three points above their opponent Metro FC in the Group A standings. Needing at least a draw to advance to the tournament final and to qualify for the Open Cup, the Redwood City outfit liked their chances, having scored 12 goals and conceding zero in two wins to open the weekend. Their opponent Metro FC was coming off a difficult morning loss to Doxa Italia and had only one substitute available for the Group A deciding game.

Both teams started off strong, but DV8 soon found their rhythm and were unlucky to not take an early lead. Metro FC held their own against the much younger Defenders and eventually showed the value of their experience in scoring the first goal of the game late in the first half. After pressuring the DV8 ‘keeper into making a poor decision on a ball near the edge of his penalty area, the Metro forwards pounced on the loose ball and smoothly converted it for an easy score. After playing so well over most of the first half, the Defenders found themselves trailing 1-0.

“We played our worst half of the tournament in that one,” said team manager Tono Aspinall. “We should really have been up three or four goals by halftime, but it was one of those games where things just didn’t go our way.”

The Defenders finally did have something go their way when early in the second half, a Metro player was sent off for a red card offense and were forced to play a man down. DV8 equalized just minutes after the ejection and had the goal they needed to clinch Group A. However, the resolve of the Albuquerque side was strong, and they overcame their disadvantage in numbers to retake the lead on a fine goal from close range that resulted from a defensive breakdown on a crossing pass into the penalty area.

As the second half drew closer to an end, Metro FC’s one goal lead still held up, and the Defenders poured forward in numbers in an effort to draw even. Entering the fourth minute of stoppage time, a controversial penalty kick was awarded to the Redwood City side after their forward was adjudged to be taken down in the box.

“With just seconds left, the referee made just a terrible, terrible call,” said Metro FC coach Johonniuss Chemwero of the penalty award. “I guess he saw a trip, but the referee never explained what he saw. To me, the referee has to be 110% certain that he is making the right call, especially at such a crucial time.”

From the perspective of the Metro FC defenders, the call was very soft and the play was best classified as a dive. As the DV8 forward dribbled the ball into the area, he was forced to make his move back toward the top of the eighteen.

“I was a few feet behind him when the referee made the call,” described Metro FC midfielder Neil Garver. “He made a big touch that took the ball away from him, and I guess he knew he was going to lose it, so he cut off our defender and fell down. He stayed on the ground while the referee looked over him. There was a least a five second delay before the referee pointed to the spot and called the penalty. It was unbelievable.”

While the Metro FC players continued to protest, The DV8 Defender striker set the ball on the penalty spot. When order had been restored, he drove home the tying goal to bring the score to 2-2. Without even allowing for a restart, the referee blew the final whistle and the DV8 Defenders had the result they needed to win Group A and collect the Open Cup bid.

“We are very happy to advance to the U.S Open Cup,” shared Aspinall. “This is our first time in the tournament, so we weren’t sure what to expect, but our guys were up for the challenge. We didn’t expect to advance, but luck was on our side with the draw that we got and we made the most of our opportunity.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Read about Day 1 of the USASA Region IV tournament here

USASA Region IV Championship Recap

In the Sunday morning tournament final, Doxa Italia FC defeated the DV8 Defenders 4-1 in a penalty kick shootout to take the USASA Region IV championship and earn a sponsored trip to the National Cup later this summer. With both teams coming off celebrations the day before at qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup, the match took some time to really get moving, but by the extra time period it was moving at a brisk pace. The penalty kick shootout fell in favor of Doxa, as two DV8 players missed the target to hand the championship to the Southern California side.

I can’t tell you how excited we are to have won this tournament,” said an ecstatic Derk Droze after the game, “and now we get to represent our region in the National Finals in Kentucky this July.”

After falling down a goal in the first half following a DV8 free kick that was directed off the head of a forward and off the inside of the goal post, Doxa Italia turned the tables in the second half with a equalizer 15 minutes from time. The Southern California club continued to press for a winner in regulation, but could not break through the Defenders’ defense.

In the extra time period, the DV8 Defenders had a golden chance to put the game away when their striker broke free of the Doxa defense and raced in on the goalkeeper one v. one. Perhaps in a rush of blood to the head, the striker mis-stepped over his dribble and the ball squirted out of reach before he was able to attempt a shot on goal. In the penalty kick shootout following extra time, two DV8 players sent their shot attempts over the cross bar while Doxa made all four of their attempts.

“Even though we lost the final, it was a good weekend for us,” summarized DV8 Defenders manager Tono Aspinall. “We enjoyed it all and had a really good time. Hopefully we can go out there and represent the Bay Area well in the Open Cup tournament in June and advance accordingly.”

Both teams can now return to their respective home areas and begin their preparations for the first round of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup on June 14. The match-ups for the 98th edition of the longest running soccer tournament in the United States will be announced shortly after the end of May, when the last of the regional qualifiers will have been completed and the field of 40 participating teams will be known.

Robert Jonas is a writer for CenterLineSoccer.com. You can send him feedback on Twitter: @RobertJonas

GROUP A GP W L T PTS GF GA
DV8 Defenders 3 2 0 1 7 14 2
Metro SC 3 1 1 1 4 7 8
SF Italian AC 3 0 3 0 0 1 15
GROUP B GP W L T PTS GF GA
Doxa Italia 3 2 0 1 7 25 1
Rosal FC 3 2 0 1 7 16 3
CV Eagles FC 3 0 3 0 0 1 35


Region IV Tournament Schedule
May 20
Group A SF Italian AC 0:5 Metro SC 6:00 pm ET
Group B Rosal FC 1:1 Doxa Italia FC 6:00 pm ET
Cross-over CV Eagles FC (B) 0:9 DV8 Defenders (A) 6:00 pm ET
May 21
Group A DV8 Defenders 2:0 SF Italian AC Noon ET
Group B Rosal FC 8:1 CV Eagles FC Noon ET
Cross-over Metro SC (A) 0:6 Doxa Italia FC (B) Noon ET
Group A DV8 Defenders 2:2 Metro SC 6:00 pm ET
Group B Doxa Italia FC 18:0 CV Eagles FC 6:00 pm ET
Cross-over SF Italian AC (A) 1:7 Rosal FC (B) 6:00 pm ET
FINAL
May 22 Doxa Italia FC 1:1 (4:1 PKs) DV8 Defenders Noon ET

2011 US Open Cup participants

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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

USL ProUNITED 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)

PDL logoQualifying 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

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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

USASA Region III to determine US Open Cup entries amid Tuscaloosa tornado aftermath

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Just one month after tornadoes tore through the Southeast and brought heavy destruction to Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (USOC) qualifying tournament for Region III is set to begin. Eight teams from the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) will compete for two slots in the first round of the US Open Cup, which begins June 14. (Update: Seven teams remain after withdrawal of Louisiana’s Crossroads Alexandria)

In a unique arrangement to Open Cup qualifying, the Region III organizers host a blind draw on Thursday, May 26, the night before the opening day of the tournament. The draw will be held at the University of Alabama Recreational Center and only then will the teams know who they will play on Friday to kick off the competition.

With eight teams taking part, the format will be the same as last year with two groups of four playing a round robin and the winner of each group qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While it doesn’t affect the Open Cup tournament, those two group winners will play each other on Memorial Day to determine Region III’s Open Cup champion that will represent at the USASA’s national tournament.

For information on how to donate to the relief effort
for all of those affected by the tornado devastation
this year, visit the Red Cross website HERE.

The Region III tournament will take place less than a mile from the path of destruction left by an F5 tornado. The tornado, estimated to be a mile and half wide, produced winds of 190 mph winds and traveled 80 miles killing more than 35 people in Tuscaloosa while injuring more than 800 others. The tornado was on the ground for nearly one and half hours.

While recovery is underway, additional revenue for the city is welcome and was a major factor in deciding not to move the tournament.

The Region III cup commissioner and director of programs for Georgia Soccer, Kim Bowen, said changing the qualification venue was never considered.

Photo: John Justice

“The thought of not going to Tuscaloosa really never crossed my mind,” said Bowen. “As long as the fields were available and the incredible staff at the University Recreational Center were available and as long as there was at least one hotel standing to house us, we were going. It was my thought that if the USASA Region 3 National Cup Championships could bring one day, if not a few days, of normalcy to the community, any economic impact at all, then we were going. Our only regret at this point is given the packed itinerary for the competition, we are not able to do more.”

The Greenville Eagles are bringing more than just the typical sports event revenue. The club has arranged, along with Tuscaloosa’s Capstone Church and Harvest Church, to assist in the relief efforts as volunteers. It’s not an easy process for a team with a busy tournament schedule as they will also have to undergo a training session in order to be credentialed to enter the disaster area as a volunteer.

Aid from people and organizations have been pouring in from across the country. The New York Yankees have donated $500,000 to the Southeast relief efforts with $250,000 going to the Red Cross and $250,000 going to the Salvation Army.

Charlie Sheen, actor and former sitcom star of the television show “Two and a Half Men,” visited Tuscaloosa and is organizing events to help fund tornado-relief efforts.

“I want to bring some money, hope, faith and healing to the area,” Sheen said.

Photo: John Justice

Sheen recently launched a relief Web site called “Torpedos Against Tornados,” where users can make tax-deductible donations using PayPal. “Torpedoes,” a term Sheen coined for his “Tornadoes of Truth” comedy tour. Any user who donates a gift of $100 or more will receive an autographed baseball by Sheen, the “Major League” star.

Sheen said he is also considering organizing a celebrity softball game to raise money and awareness for tornado victims.

The backdrop for the tournament couldn’t be farther from perfect but like the great English playwright Noël Coward said, “the show must go on.”

TEAMS:

ASC New Stars (South Texas): Houston’s Aria Soccer Club (ASC) New Stars are on fire entering the tournament. The team boasts an impressive goal difference after scoring 58 goals and allowing only 18 through as many match’s in the Houston Football Association league. The New Stars went 0-2-1 a year ago in the tournament and finished bottom of their group, only scoring 2 goals while conceding six.

Boston Avenue Athletic Club Reserves (Oklahoma): The BAAC of North East Oklahoma are nearing the end of their 2011 league campaign. The BAAC (9-0-1) are currently undefeated in league play and have scored 75 goals while conceding only 8 in 10 matches. BAAC won the Division I Adult State Cup tournament in mid-March, beating COASL IFC 2-1 in the championship.

CASL Elite (North Carolina): The reigning Region III champions are aiming for back-to-back US Open Cup berths. CASL Elite, formed just over two years ago, was meant to be a quality training team  for high level boys teams to train and compete against. The team eventually became more than just a  “training side” and developed an identity of its own. Last year’s team had six former professionals including Scott Schweitzer, a former Rochester Rhino who won the US Open Cup in 1999. In 2010  CASL fell in the first-round 4-2 to USL-2 side Charleston Battery.

Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana) The team is a representative of Crossroads Soccer Association located in Alexandria. CSA operates adult, youth and indoor soccer in the area. This club has withdrawn in advance of the event.

Florida Gators (Florida): The first university club team to ever submit their application to compete in the competition. Florida’s club soccer program was established in 1953, making it the oldest in the country. The Gators made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 NCCS National Soccer Championships, losing to the University of Arizona in penalty kicks. The Gators lost 3-2 to regional foe Royal Eagles in the Florida State Cup Final. (RECAP)

Greenville Eagles (South Carolina): The Eagles defeated Sin Bandera to win the Div. I 2011 SCYSA State Cup. The SCYSA State Cup was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Regals FC (South Texas): Regals FC is based in Houston, Texas and is a founding member of the Southern Premier Soccer League (SPSL) for the 2010-2011 season. Regals FC (16-2-2) were crowned SPSL Winter Cup Champions in April. Regals FC defeated fellow Region III competitor ASC New Stars on penalty kicks in the 2011 Copa Verizon Alianza. The Regals have gone 42-8-7 since October 2010.

Head Coach Miguel Landaverde said his team has an advantage over others in the competition and  expects his team to do well in qualification.

“I like our chances of getting out of the qualifier, most of the other clubs expected to participate are generally very competitive, but do not train like our guys do, this will give us a bit of an advantage over a three game stretch,” Landaverde said.

Royal Eagles (Florida): The Royal Eagles are based in Lakeland, FL and were founded in the Spring of 2009. This season, the Eagles have won the FSSL Premier Championship, Florida Classic and were  finalists in the Amateur State Cup. The Eagles defeated Region III qualifying foe Florida Gators 3-2 for the state title. (RECAP)

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Pair of one-sided games kick off USASA Region IV tournament

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UPDATED Sunday, May 22 – 1:15 a.m. EST

SEE STANDINGS BELOW – Recap of Day 2 to come later tonight. Doxia Italia’s 18-0 win (no, that’s not a typo) clinched a spot in the US Open Cup while a late penalty gave the DV8 Defenders the draw they needed to qualify.

For the latest scores, check the Twitter account for TheCup.us @USOpenCup

With two spots in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at stake this weekend, the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) Region IV Open Cup qualifying tournament in Sacramento, CA got underway on Friday afternoon under the bright sunshine of the Central Valley. The six participating teams were drawn into two groups of three, and will play an abbreviated round-robin schedule over the first two days of the tournament. The top team in each group will advance to the final on Sunday, with both the winner and runner-up gaining admission to the US Open Cup.

All six teams were in action Friday afternoon, with the Group B clash between Rosal FAS of San Francsico and Doxa Italia FC of Southern California ending in a 1-1 draw. Metro FC of Albuquergue, NM — the only one of the six teams from outside the Golden State — dispatched of an undermanned San Francisco Italian Athletic Club side 5-0 in a Group A contest. Finally in a mixed Group A/Group B cross-over game, the DV8 Defenders SC of Redwood City, CA soundly defeated the Centro Valley Eagles FC of nearby Tracy, CA by a score of 9-0.

The six teams reconvene on Saturday to play two more rounds of games that will determine the winners of the two groups. The second round begins at 9 a.m. local time, while the third and final round begins at 3 p.m. that same afternoon.

DV8 Defenders top CV Eagles FC 9-0: Within five minutes of kick-off the Defenders were on the board with their first goal against the overmatched Eagles. Settling in against an opponent without a single player on the substitutes’ bench, the Defenders took control of the match throughout the remainder of the first half and entered the halftime break holding a 3-0 lead. Three different goal scorers featured for the Redwood City side, as their balanced 3-5-2 formation saw them exploit open space on both sides of the field.

After an early second half goal from the Defenders saw the margin grow to 4-0, the Eagles began to play with more frustration, and they earned a red card for dangerous play. Playing with a man advantage and increasing the momentum already tilted in their favor, the Defenders tallied another four goals in the run of play and one on a penalty kick to push the final score to 9-0. Having a deep bench also helped the Redwood City team, as they were able to utilize all six of their substitutions and take out some starters early so they would be better rested for Saturday’s pair of games.

“We were very happy with the result,” shared DV8 Defenders SC manager Tono Aspinall. “We play in a competitive league against some quality opponents and 9-0 was the best result we have had all season. Scoring nines goals is surely a lot, but we’ll take it any day of the week.”

Albuquerque’s Metro FC outlasts SF Italian AC 5-0: Facing an opponent that was already a man short at the opening whistle, Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Metro FC rolled to a 5-0 victory over San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. The Friday afternoon match was called off just 20 minutes into the second half when the Northern California side fell below the minimum number of players on the field required by rule, due to a series of red card expulsions and player injuries.

The match did not start out quite the way the team from New Mexico had envisioned, as a Metro FC defender was forced to concede a penalty kick foul in the opening minute. Forged from a nice run on an over-the-top breakaway pass following the opening kick-off, the SF Italian forward quickly retrieved the ball after dusting himself off from the foul and placed the ball on the spot. Instead of giving the undermanned squad the lead, the striker could only watch as the Metro FC goalkeeper made a fantastic save to parry the ball from danger and keep the match scoreless.

“We looked around and then said to ourselves ‘Wow!’,” shared Metro FC coach Johonniuss Chemwero. “That could definitely have been a game-changer right there, especially because they were playing a man down. The guy who was fouled was really excited about it, but our ‘keeper saved it. That play really set the tone for our team.”

The goalkeeper’s feat spurred his teammates on and they steadily turned the momentum of the match in their favor. A well placed goal from Metro FC opened the scoring midway though the first half, and a late penalty kick goal — with a concurrent red card for SF Italian — doubled their tally going into the break. The Albuquerque outfit tallied three more goals in an abbreviated second half that saw the final score go to 5-0. Unfortunately for the Metro FC, their opponent was forced to retire the match before they could increase their goal haul in a tournament that uses goal differential as a tiebreaker in determining group winners. The tournament committee has been appealed to by the New Mexico club in order to decide on a compromise to the final score that will be fair for all members of Group A.

Doxa Italia FC held to 1-1 draw by Rosal FC: In a match between the two favored clubs in Group B, neither side could come out on top in an evenly played 1-1 draw. Doxa Italia, a Southern California based team with a rich history of success in soccer tournaments around the state played with a high energy fashion that was matched by the San Francisco based Rosal FC. With neither side able to capture all three points in the match, both teams will need to earn points against their cross-group opponents in order to separate themselves and earn first place in Group B.

GROUP A GP W L T PTS GF GA
DV8 Defenders 3 2 0 1 7 14 2
Metro SC 3 1 1 1 4 7 8
SF Italian AC 3 0 3 0 0 1 15
GROUP B GP W L T PTS GF GA
Doxa Italia 3 2 0 1 7 25 1
Rosal FC 3 2 0 1 7 16 3
CV Eagles FC 3 0 3 0 0 1 35


Region IV Tournament Schedule
May 20
Group A SF Italian AC 0:5 Metro FC 6:00 pm ET
Group B Rosal FC 1:1 Doxa Italia FC 6:00 pm ET
Cross-over CV Eagles FC (B) 0:9 DV8 Defenders (A) 6:00 pm ET
May 21
Group A DV8 Defenders 2:0 SF Italian AC Noon ET
Group B Rosal FC 8:1 CV Eagles FC Noon ET
Cross-over Metro FC (A) 0:6 Doxa Italia FC (B) Noon ET
Group A DV8 Defenders 2:2 Metro FC 6:00 pm ET
Group B Doxa Italia FC 18:0 CV Eagles FC 6:00 pm ET
Cross-over SF Italian AC (A) 1:7 Rosal FC (B) 6:00 pm ET
FINAL
May 22 Doxa Italia FC vs DV8 Defenders Noon ET


Robert Jonas is a writer for CenterLineSoccer.com. You can send him feedback on Twitter: @RobertJonas

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: AAC Eagles back in Open Cup after Kolasinski hat trick

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Special thanks to David Gubala (@DavidGubala) from Goal.com for live updates and match report.

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – On a cold, rainy, Saturday afternoon, AAC Eagles came away with a satisfying 4-1 victory over RWB Adria at the Toyota Park practice field in Bridgeview, Illinois. The match was the final USASA Region II play-in match for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the region’s second berth. Piotr Kolasinski as the man of the match with a hat-trick on the day.

AAC Eagles now progress to the US Open Cup along with previous Region II qualifier Iowa Menace, who advanced with a 7-1 victory in the First Round. The AAC Eagles came up came up short on the goal differential format utilized to determine a qualifier from three contests, winning 7-2 against FC Indiana while RWB Adria downed Detroit United 6-4 in overtime.

Knowing what was at stake, both teams threw in everything they had from the get-go. Adria broke the deadlock in the early minutes of the game when Boris Smoljan slotted the ball home in the seventh minute off a well-played through ball.

Not much later, the Eagles struck back. Forward Mariusz Napiorkowski crossed a well-driven ball to Kolasinski, who headed past the keeper to level terms in the 14th minute.

The AAC Eagles celebrate at the practice field outside Chicago Fire's Toyota Park

Midway through the first half Mark Golik broke away to see him one-on-one with the keeper. The captain did well for himself and slotted it inside Adria’s far post to take the lead in the 38th minute.

After the break, things started to get a little hectic and controversial. Adria goalkeeper handled the ball with his hands outside the box and was given a straight red. However, after much debate, the referee negated the call, rescinding the red card.

This sparked high emotions off the Eagles’ bench. With a plethora of attacking play, the Eagles would eventually earn a penalty kick. Kolasinski put it away, giving the Polish side a 3-1 lead 10 minutes into the second stanza.

Nearing the end, the Eagles were given a free kick just outside the box and the local hero of the night, Kolasinski, was perfect in the spotlight yet again in the 75th. He managed to curl it past the Adria keeper for a hat-trick, giving his club a resounding 4-1 lead.

“We played good, organized football,” said Eagles manager Mike Bechtold. “We didn’t give up any silly fouls and were able to play according to our plan.”

About the AAC Eagles

A Polish club from the Metropolitan Soccer League, the AAC Eagles returned to prominence a year ago when they ended state rival RWB Adria’s three-year reign as champions. The 1990 US Open Cup champions 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. 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.

The Eagles have qualified for the tournament four times (1995, 2002, 2005, 2008) in the Professional Era (1995-present), but have fallen in the opening round all four times. Three of the four games have been against professional opponents.

Scoring Summary:

RBW Adria: Boris Smoljan – 7
AAC Eagles: Piotr Kolasinski – 14
AAC Eagles: Mark Golik – 38
AAC Eagles: Piotr Kolasinski – pen. 55
AAC Eagles: Piotr Kolasinski – 75

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region IV tournament format set

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The USASA Region IV National Cup tournament is all set for May 20-22 in Sacramento, California with six teams vying for a chance to two berths from the region into the 2011 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Five of the six clubs are from California with the lone outsider traveling in from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The tournament will feature two groups of three teams playing in a round robin format with a third game being played against a team from the opposing group in a cross-over. The teams with the greatest point total in their respective groups will not only advance to the final, but also to the US Open Cup.

Two of the clubs in Group A are from the California North region. San Francisco Italian Athletic Club comes out of the San Francisco Soccer League and the DV8 Defenders play in the Peninsula Soccer League out of Redwood City. They are paired with Metro FC from the Albuquerque Soccer League.

Group B also has two California North clubs. Rosal FAS is representing the California Premier Soccer Association and CV Eagles FC are playing in the National Star Soccer League. Doxa Italia FC hails from the Orange County region, representing California South, and participates in the Coast Soccer League.

Check back with TheCup.us for a more in-depth preview of the tournament soon.

Region IV Tournament Schedule

May 20
Group A SF Italian AC vs Metro FC 6:00 pm ET
Group B Rosal FB vs Doxa Italia FC 6:00 pm ET
Cross-over CV Eagles FC (B) vs DV8 Defenders (A) 6:00 pm ET
May 21
Group A DV8 Defenders vs SF Italian AC Noon ET
Group B Rosal FB vs CV Eagles FC Noon ET
Cross-over Metro FC (A) vs Doxa Italia FC (B) Noon ET
Group A DV8 Defenders vs Metro FC 6:00 pm ET
Group B Doxa Italia FC vs CV Eagles FC 6:00 pm ET
Cross-over SF Italian AC (A) vs Rosal FB (B) 6:00 pm ET
FINAL
May 22 Group A winner vs Group B winner Noon ET

Tiebreakers: Head-to-head, goal differential, goals for, goals against and if all else fails a flip of a coin.

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Home clubs sweep quarterfinals of USASA Region I tournament (Video)

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New York Pancyprian Freedoms vs. Danbury United
The New York Pancyprian Freedoms (blue) defeated Connecticut's Danbury United 4-0 at St. John's University. Photo: Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

Home field proved to be a deciding factor on the day as each of the four hosts were victorious in the Quarterfinals of USASA Region I qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Sunday afternoon. Moving onto the Semifinals were Go Soccer FC (NJ), Mass Premier Soccer (MA), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) and Phoenix SC (East PA).

Dan Rudolph and Julio Cesar DoSantos were stars on the day, scoring twice each to lead their clubs to victories that will now bring them head-to-head. Rudolph’s brace gave MPS a 4-1 win over East Providence Sports (RI) while DoSantos’ double added another chapter to his fantastic career while guiding the Freedoms to a 4-0 shutout against Danbury United (CT). Phoenix Sports Club needed overtime to edge the Maryland Bays 3-2 and Go Soccer rallied with two second half goals to down Club Atletico Virginia in a 2-1 decision (Video highlights below).

With the win, Mass Premier will face the N.Y. Pancyprian Freedoms on May 22 in Lancaster for the Region I USASA semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament. In the another “Win & You’re In” match, Go Soccer FC will play host to Phoenix SC.

Mass Premier Soccer downs East Providence Sports 4-1
Report by Brian O’Connell | New England Soccer Today

LANCASTER, Mass. – Dan Rudolph’s two strikes against East Providence Sports helped advance Mass Premier Soccer to the USASA Region I Semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory at Citizens Bank Fields at Prongin Park Sunday afternoon.

Rudolph, who gave MPS the first goal of the game in the 32nd minute, added another in first half stoppage time while Andrew Hench and Derek Stenquist each picked up a goal in the 35th minute and second half stoppage time, respectively. A 44th minute strike from Armando Gomes gave East Providence its only measure of success on the afternoon.

Despite the scoreline, it was East Providence that appeared ready and able to find the board first. In the opening minutes, the guests had made a number of runs into their host’s half and earned a trio of corner kicks before the 10th minute. But, it was all for naught as each chance went begging.

By the half hour mark, MPS began to probe the East Providence end, testing keeper James Underhill with a couple of dangerous shots. Underhill withstood the attacks until the 32nd minute, when Rudolph nodded a cross through for the opening goal.

Minutes after Rudolph’s header, MPS stormed into the attacking third, where Hench helped himself to the second goal of the game inside the area at the 35th minute.

East Providence, who’s attacking spirit had left them empty-handed going into halftime, were stunned. Down two goals with the interval approaching, Gomes took possession in the middle of the park, beat a pair of defenders, and with only the goalkeeper ahead, slid it through to cut the lead in half at the 44th minute.

Any hopes of heading into the break down a single goal evaporated moments later when Rudolph emerged from a scramble in front of the East Providence net to bury his second goal of the game in stoppage time.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions
Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions

Entering the second frame staring at a 3-1 deficit, East Providence went from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation, hoping to find better success in the attacking third.

But, after coming up empty-handed following a series of chances, frustration began to mount. At the 57th minute, a hard challenge near the center circle fueled a midfield scuffle. East Providence’s Rui Fortes and MPS’s Tony Tornaritis were each given straight red cards for their roles, leaving each team with 10 men.

In the 76th minute, East Providence nearly cut the deficit again when Kyle Texeira sent a spectacular free kick that screamed over the paw of keeper Nick Christman before it continued over the bar.

Sending numbers forward in the remaining minutes, East Providence desperately sought any chances they could find. But, as a result, their defense was painfully exposed when MPS counter-attacked in stoppage time as Stenquist broke free and coolly finished it to find goal number four.

Freedoms blank Danbury United 4-0 in New York
Report by Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

QUEENS, NY — The New York Pancyprian Freedoms moved onto the next round of the US Open Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win over Danbury United today in Queens, New York fueled by a man advantage and a pair of goals from longtime club star Julio Cesar DoSantos.

The Pancyprian Freedoms, three-time winners of the tournament, are one win away from returning to the US Open Cup for the second year in a row. Photo: Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

The first half saw some chances, including a Freedoms header just wide of goal in the 32nd minute, but the game really did not pick up in action until the 35th minute when Danbury United’s Michael Mingione was sent off for a challenge on a New York defender.

The ejection opened the door for the Freedoms to take over the game, and they did.

In the 40th minute, former two-time USL Second Division (pro third division) Most Valuable Player and Scoring Champion DoSantos opened up the scoring with a header to put the Freedoms up 1-0, which they would take into the intermission.

New York came out of the dressing room looking to put Danbury away and nearly did 10 minutes in only to see the shot fly off the post.

Despite the best efforts of Danbury to get the equalizer, the flood gates opened in the 65th as the Freedoms were awarded a penalty. Stefan Dimitrov stepped to the spot and converted.

Ahead 2-0, New York did not let up on its opposition as just two minutes later John Koutsounadis put in the third goal.

Another New York attempt was volleyed off the post in the 75th minute before the easy victory was capped off in the 84th minute as man of the match DoSantos netted his second.

The Freedoms advance to the next round to play at Mass Premier on May 22 in a “Win & You’re In” match. New York, who has won the tournament three times (1980, 1982, 1983), is looking to return to the competition for the second year in a row and the fifth time in the Professional Era (1995-present).

Go Soccer FC rallies to top Club Atletico Virginia 2-1

Go Soccer FCBRIDGEWATER, NY – The only home club to trail on the day in Region I Quarterfinal action, Go Soccer FC tallied twice in the second half to beat the Metro DC/VA champion Club Atletico Virginia 2-1 to secure a spot in the Semifinals.

After a cautious opening few minutes, Go Soccer created the first chance with a long ball over the defense from Bryan Oelkers to Dom Paolella forcing a point blank kick save from the CAV keeper and again 10 minutes later after making a first save the CAV keeper denied Paolella again on the rebounded effort with a low diving save. Shortly after, the keeper came up big again when Brian Davis’ header off a corner kick was saved.

The hosts found themselves behind 14 minutes into the contest when a shot from John Carson from 45 yards out surprised and floated over goalkeeper Joe Roth’s reach to give Club Atletico Virginia the initial advantage.

The visitors looked to take advantage of the surprise, forcing Roth to make a diving save just another five minutes later.

The hosts engaged in their first series of pressure on the Virginian side with five minutes remaining in the half. A Go Soccer free kick from the top of the box that was initially cleared out was sent over the goal on a follow-up shot in the 40th minute and two minutes later a corner kick led to a shot that Fabio Andrade pushed over the crossbar.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 1st half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

It took very little time for the hosts to continue the offensive in the second half. Seeking an equalizer Chase Barbieri sent a shot wide left two minutes into the second stanza and in the 51st minute got his foot on a corner that was saved at the near post.

Around the 60th minute, Bryan Oelkers won a tackle on the left sideline and passed it off to Barbieri who drilled a low shot from about 25 yards to the far post, just under the keeper’s reach to level the score at 1-1 (2:53 of the video highlights)

The pace of the game changed after that goal and the Reds created several opportunities, but could not finish them off. A cross from Matt Heitmann was almost headed home by Paolella from the penalty spot, but the CAV keeper came off his line to get a hand to it, and gobbled up the loose ball right after.

CAV had a golden opportunity on back-to-back free kicks from just outside the box, but Roth came up big once again to keep the score tied.

Finally, the game-winner would come in the 87th minute (5:15 mark of the video highlights) when a Go Soccer free kick was headed out by a CAV defender. The ball wasn’t cleared out far enough as Dennis Maldonado took the ball out of the air on the right side of the box and volleyed a shot that went off the far post. After the ball smacked off the post, Heitman tracked it down and found enough space on the near side to fire a shot that beat the keeper to the near post to send the New Jersey champions to the Semifinals.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 2nd half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

Phoenix SC holds off Maryland Bays in overtime to earn first-ever Open Cup regional win
(Still awaiting details from Maryland Bays)

FEASTERVILLE, PA – The visiting Maryland Bays made a valiant comeback from a two-goal halftime deficit to force extra time in Pennsylvania only to see the home side Phoenix Sports Club come away the victors, 3-2.

The Eastern Pennsylvania champions got off on the right foot with a goal in the 15th minute. Phoenix was pressuring Maryland’s end of the field when the ball was played into the penalty area. It came back out to the top of the 18 where Scott Rowling was waiting for it. Rowling fired a low-driving shot into the back of the net to strike first blood.

Later in the half, it was a case of teamwork and persistence as Danny Murtagh was sent in behind the defense after a nice 1-2 sequence in midfield. Murtagh found himself one on one with the Maryland keeper and took the shot. The goalkeeper stood tall, stopping the shot, but the ball deflected right back to Murtagh, went off his knee and past the goalkeeper for the second goal.

In the second half, the Bays leveled the match. After a cross came in on the left side, Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Pratico came off his line and attempted to swat the ball out of danger. However, the ball found it’s way through to the right wing where Bryan Moffa was making a well-timed run, and he put it into the back of the net.

Later in the half, Phoenix took a throw-in deep in their own territory. The throw was stolen by Maryland’s Chris Ports who dribbled through two defenders into the left side of the penalty area and beat the keeper with an impressive shot with his left foot into the far upper right hand corner.

Both teams created chances down the stretch, but the match would have to be decided in extra time. In the seventh minute of the extra session, Phoenix made a run down the right side and crossed the ball in but it deflected off a Maryland defender’s hand and earning a penalty kick for the hosts. Team captain Bobby Francis stepped up and buried the PK to put Phoenix up 3-2.

Maryland did everything they could to equalize and nearly did in the final minutes. With everyone back defending, the Bays forced Pratico to make an acrobatic save. He was unable to control the rebound and the ball deflected off a Maryland player, and rolled just wide of the post.

The win marks the first US Open Cup qualifying win for Phoenix SC at the regional level. Last year, they won their first-ever Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup title, but lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the opening round. This year, they defended their Eastern PA title, beat CAV, and are now one win away from their first trip to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. To accomplish that they will have to play at Go Soccer FC (NJ) on May 22.

——————————————————————————-

Maryland Bays (MD) 2:3 (AET) Phoenix SC (East PA)
Phoenix Sports Club (Feasterville, Pa.) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
PHO: Scott Rowling (Unassisted) – 15th minute
PHO: Danny Murtagh (Unassisted) – 40th minute
MAR: Bryan Moffa – 65th minute
MAR: Chris Ports – 75th minute
PHO: Bobby Francis (PK) – 97th minute

Lineups
Maryland Bays: Ryan Hock (GK), Nino Mangione (Evan Scheffey), Matt Shell, Matt Beckman, Josh Taylor, BJ Quigley (Lucas Emil), Tim Lane, Chris Ports (Matt Beale), Bryan Moffa, Marco Mangione, Jon Ports

Phoenix SC: Tony Pratico (GK), Pat Dillon, Jack Pocorobba, Ryan Kelly, Danny Murtagh, Nick Pittaoulis, Frebole Kamara, Scott Rowling, Bobby Francis, Greg Mangels, Ben Castor | Subs: Ryan Soroka, Tom McNeil, Virginijus Anusauskas


East Providence Sports (RI) 1:4 Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Citizen Bank Fields at Progin Park – Field #6 (Lancaster, Mass.) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 32nd minute
MPS: Andrew Hench – 35th minute
EPS: Armando Gomes – 44th minute
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 45th minute+
MPS: Derek Stenquist – 90th minute+

Lineups unavailable

Danbury United (CT) 0:4 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s University) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 40
NY: Stefan Dimitrov pen. 65
NY: John Koutsounadis 67
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 84

Discipline
DAN: Michael Mingione (red) 35

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 1:2 Go Soccer FC (NJ)
Torpey Athletic Complex (Bridgewater, NJ) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
CAV: John Carson (Javier Castro) – 14th minute
GOS: Chase Barbieri – 60th minute
GOS: Matthew Heitmann – 89th minute

Lineups
CA Virginia: Fabio Andrade, Nikolay Aleksandrov, Javier Castro, Jordan Cullinane, Matt Davis, Dave Leon, Bryant Meckley, Matt Miller, Ryan Rich, Andrew Stadler, Kevin Tangney

Go Soccer FC: Dan Roth, Matt Heitmann, Chad Barbieri, Bryan Davis, Edgardo Alfaro, Bryan Oelkers, Dennis Maldonado, Justin Kamine, Steve Mellen, Chase Barbieri, Dominic Paolella


Semifinals (May 22)*
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) at Go Soccer FC (NJ)

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

USASA Region II qualifying: Iowa Menace first amateur team to qualify for Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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Special thanks to Michael Kuhn (@DownTheByline) of the blog “Down The Byline,” David Gubala (@DavidGubala) from Goal.com and Max Ciszek from MichiganSoccerNews.com for live updates during these matches and contributing to this article.

At the end of a dramatic day in Region II of USASA, one man may have been the deciding factor in which team became the first amateur club to advance to the 2011 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It could have been Jakub Piotrowski of the AAC Eagles, but his four-goal effort was not enough to make up for a six-goal victory the Iowa Menace claimed earlier in the day against a Kansas City Athletics side that started and only played with 10 men. With the greatest goal differential of three matches, Iowa Menace move on from Region II of the USASA while AAC Eagles will have to face RWB Adria in a playoff, a match-up of two Chicago clubs, for the second berth from the region.

The fireworks started in Pontiac, Michigan where Detroit United played host to RWB Adria, a late replacement added over the past two weeks, at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The visitors jumped into the initial lead after 17 minutes courtesy of Vlad Baciu, but a flurry at the end of the half was an early glimpse of what was to come. Detroit equalized in the 40th minute only to see RWB answer back immediately with a strike one minute later from Elemidin Zukic.

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 second stanza was a tale of two halves in itself.

RWB scored back-to-back goals in the 50th and 53rd minutes to push out to a commanding 4-1 advantage that looked promising for their efforts to secure a quality goal differential in hopes of securing the first berth from Region II. Baciu notched his second of the day, assisted again by Taylor Bond, who added the next strike with help from Nermin Crnkic.

Detroit, however, had other ideas, answering back with goals in the 58th and 68th to cut the lead to one. Tommy Eller then converted a crucial penalty in the 90th minute to send the contest into overtime.

Again, RWB got an early goal five minutes into extra time from Crnkic, assisted by Alex Rickett, to reclaim the advantage. Detroit nearly equalized yet again in the 110th minute only to see the shot ring off the crossbar. As they pushed to keep their chances alive with a draw, Detroit’s hopes were dashed as RWB locked up victory with Zukic finding Alen Ejupovic for a sixth strike in the 119th minute as they held on for a 6-4 decision.

RWB Adria

While Detroit was eating away at RWB Adria’s three-goal advantage, the bad news was being compounded elsewhere as home side KC Athletics only had 10 players for their match versus the Iowa Menace.

Kyle Perkins. the player/manager for the Athletics, explained that there were a number of factors that contributed to the team playing shorthanded. A few of them were out of town, some others were called into work, including a couple who were sent down South to assist with the tornado disaster. Also, after the final roster was submitted, two of the players were signed by pro clubs.

Regardless of the numbers on the field, the Menace did play a strong game at Rockhurst University, controlling the game for the opening 30 minutes. The Menace traveled with 17 players and early on dominated, created good chances, including John Sosa beating the offside trap and chipping the ball just wide of the goal.

The lack of finishing by the Menace came back to bite them in the 31st minute. The Athletics had been working themselves back into the game, having weathered the early attack by the visitors.  Marty Johnston collected the ball on the right side and sent in a cross that was cleared, but not far enough, allowing Johnston another chance. He squared it into the middle where Perkins slid in, knocking the ball into the net to give the Athletics the 1-0 lead.

The Menace almost had the equalizer in the 39th when Sosa was played behind the defense again, but KC goalkeeper Bret Clark got enough on the shot to slow it down so that Josh White could recover it and cleared it from danger.

In the 42nd minute, KC created another good chance through Johnston, but the Menace cleared the ball out for a corner.  The corner came to nothing, but the Menace sprung the counter through Sosa, who played Bryan Perez in behind the KC defense. Perez’s first shot was saved by Clark in goal, but Perez followed and was able to slot home the tying goal in the 43rd minute. The goal started a late flurry for the Menace as KC seemed to tire a bit.

The Iowa club pressed for a second goal and got one just before stoppage time. Perez played a give and go with Sosa and Perez slotted the ball to the far post giving the Menace a lead that they would not surrender.

Things got worse for the Athletics as the Menace continued to push. The visitors earned a corner and with the last touch of the first half, Iowa made it 3-1. Sosa took a corner kick for the Menace and found Brady Blankenship, who had beaten his man and headed the ball easily into the net to give the home team a big halftime lead.

Looking to bolster the advantage in the game and on goal differential for Region II, the visitors brought on at the half Tomas Boltnar, a former two-time Premier Development League MVP and the league’s all-time leading scorer of the Des Moines Menace.

It wouldn’t take long for Boltnar to contribute as the halftime sub set up the Menace’s first goal of the half, playing Sosa through, who chipped Clark from the top of the box to give him a goal to add to his two assists in the first half in the 58th minute. Shortly after Sosa’s goal, the Athletics almost got back into the game as Geoff Miles fired in a free kick from the side of the box that almost caught Menace keeper Matt Wade napping. Wade palmed the ball away keeping it 4-1.

That sign of life by KC was quickly erased as the Menace scored a couple minutes later to make it 5-1. Right back Ben Taylor played a cross into the middle for second half substitute Jarrett Hamilton, who just had to tap the ball home in the 63rd minute. About four minutes later, Hamilton got his second of the game as Perez broke down the right again. Perez’s initial cross was nearly cut out by Ben Hicks for the Athletics, but his clearance deflected off of Hamilton and into the net making it 6-1.

Iowa seemed to take their foot off the gas a little bit, and at times got a little to fancy in trying to find a seventh goal, knowing that goal difference was very important. Perez got in behind the defense twice, but both times was too unselfish as he played the ball back, once missing his man and another time playing the ball to an offside Hamilton.

There was no quit in the Athletics as they cried for a penalty in the 70th minute when Sosa appeared to be sandwiched by two Menace defenders, but the referee waived play on. KC was still trying to make a game of it, and in the 85th they almost got a second.  Josh White, normally a defender, was playing up top trying to give a break to Perkins, who for long periods was totally isolated for KC.  White got played in behind the Menace defense and got around Wade in the Menace goal, but Wade had gone down to push White wide and his shot just missed the near post. In the 89th  minute, the Menace got their seventh and final goal, the one that would ultimately qualify them for the US Open Cup. Substitute Austin Otto played a great cross-field ball into the box for Boltzmann, who settled, took a touch and then played the ball back to Sosa, who fired the ball inside the far post to make it 7-1.

With Iowa setting the bar high with a +6 goal difference, the AAC Eagles knew they had to come out firing against FC Indiana if they wanted to assure themselves a spot in the US Open Cup. In a game played at the north practice field of Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., home of the Chicago Fire, the Eagles did just that, having learned of the outcome of the two earlier games and knowing that they had to win by 7 to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2008.

The one-sided affair got started with the Eagles scoring about 10 minutes into the match. Jakub “Kuba” Piotrowski received a centering pass from David Otachel and took care of business inside the box to make it 1-0. About 10 minutes later, Marcin Simson got a little help from mother nature as the wind carried his shot from about 25 yards out, helping him beat the keeper on the play. Five minutes later, Matthew Kochanowski made it 3-0 on a centering pass by Jacek Lechowicz that worked it’s way through traffic to the foot of the goalscorer.

Piotrowski would dribble through traffic in the 40th minute to put the winner of the game beyond doubt with a fourth goal, but the players and coaches knew there was more work that needed to be done. Adding two more goals in the second half to tie, or three more to advance, seemed daunting before the halftime break. But just  a couple minutes into the second half, AAC earned a penalty kick. Naturally, they handed the ball to Piotrowski, but his spot kick was saved. However, neither Piotrowski or the Eagles let the failed attempt keep them down. Two minutes later, Piotrowski completed his hat trick on an assist by Michael Kapusta.

With the score  5-0, Indiana would pull one back in the 60th minute, only to have Piotrowski score his fourth just five minutes later. Lechowicz provided his second assist of the day to set up the goal.

Hope was restored in the 82nd minute when Adrian Skital received a pass from Kochanowski to make it a 7-1 game, matching the score of the KC victory from earlier in the day. With still plenty of time left and the victory in hand, the Eagles pushed for the Open Cup berth-clinching goal. It was a frantic finish by the home side as they fielded as many as six forwards in the final 10 minutes of the match desperate to avoid having to play one more game to decide their Open Cup fate.

However, that scenario was dashed about a minute after the seventh goal was scored when Indiana tallied on a counter attack with the Eagles’ numbers out of alignment. With the score at 7-2 the Eagles continued to fight because equaling the +6 goal difference would at least give them a chance, via coin flip, to earn a spot directly into the tournament without another match, but it was not meant to be. Twice the Eagles put the ball into the back of the net in the final few minutes, but both times they were called offside.

The five-goal victory sets up an intriguing game with the Eagles taking on fellow Chicago club RWB Adria in a “Win & You’re In” match.

“Adria is a very good side,” said AAC Eagles team president Stanley Makowka. “Their players have played together for a long time so they have good chemistry. We’ve played them before and we know it won’t be easy but we expect to get the job done.”

Jakub Piotrowski will likely be a focus of the Adria defense, as the Polish forward has now scored 12 goals in his last four Open Cup qualifying matches dating back to last year. He drew high praise from his club’s president.

“He is a game changer,” said Makowka  after the match. “He is very good technically and fully aware of his surroundings on the field. Of course, I don’t want him leaving us, but I think bigger clubs will notice him as we move on further in the tournament.”

RWB Adria (IL) 6:4 (AET) Detroit United (MI)
Ultimate Soccer Arenas (Pontiac, Mich.) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
RWB: Vlad Baciu (Taylor Bond) – 17th minute
DET: Unidentified – 40th minute
RWB: Elemidin Zukic (Unassisted) – 41st minute
RWB: Vlad Baciu (Taylor Bond) – 50th minute
RWB: Taylor Bond (Nermin Crnkic) – 53rd minute
DET: Unidentified – 58th minute
DET: Unidentified – 68th minute
DET: Tommy Eller (PK) – 90th minute
RWB: Nermin Crnkic (Alex Rickett) – 95th minute
RWB: Alen Ejupovic (Elemidin Zukic) – 119th minute

Iowa Menace (IA) 7:1 Kansas City Athletics (KS)
Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Mo.) – 3 p.m.

Scoring Summary
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Marty Johnston) – 31st minute
IAM: Bryan Perez (Unassisted) – 43rd minute
IAM: Bryan Perez (John Sosa) – 45th minute
IAM: Brady Blankenship (John Sosa) – 45th minute+
IAM: John Sosa (Tomas Boltnar) – 53rd minute
IAM: Jarrett Hamilton (Ben Taylor) – 63rd minute
IAM: Jarrett Hamilton (Unassisted) – 67th minute
IAM: John Sosa (Tomas Boltnar) – 89th minute

Lineups:
KC Athletics: Bret Clark, Ben Hicks, Ryan Barber, Josh White, Mike Robards, Marty Johnston, Stephen Homan, Geoff Miles, Kyle Perkins.
Iowa Menace: Matt Wade, Anthony Colaizzi, Thomas Catania, Diego Marroquin, Ben Taylor (Austin Otto 75), Luis Piffer, Chris Van Leur (Tomas Boltnar 45), Brady Blankenship (Graham Nugent 67), Aaron Douthitt (Jarrett Hamilton 53), Bryan Perez, John Sosa.

Booking Summary:
IAM: Anthony Colaizzi – 40th minute
IAM: Diego Marroquin – 57th minute
IAM: John Sosa – 90th minute

Note:  KC started & played with 10 men

FC Indiana (IN) 2:7 AAC Eagles (IL)
Toyota Park Practice Field (Bridgeview, Ill.) – 3 p.m.

Scoring Summary
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (David Otachel) – 10th minute
AAC: Marcin Simson (Unassisted) – 20th minute
AAC: Matthew Kochanowski (Jacek Lechowicz) – 25th minute
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Unassisted) – 40th minute
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Michael Kapusta) – 49th minute
IND: Unknown goalscorer – 60th minute
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Jacek Lechowicz) – 65th minute
AAC: Adrian Skital (Matthew Kochanowski) – 82nd minute
IND: Unknown goalscorer – 83rd minute

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USASA Region III field set for 2011 US Open Cup qualifying

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Region III Adult Soccer of the United States Adult Soccer Association announced the field of teams that will compete in the Regional National Cup Championship, unveiling eight teams from Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Texas. The draw for the competition will take place, as it is annually, on the eve of the tournament, May 26. The tournament will be held on Memorial Day weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the University of Alabama Recreational Center.

Returning from the competition a year ago are CASL Elite (North Carolina) and ASC New Stars (South Texas). Joining them will be Regals FC (South Texas), Greenville Eagles (South Carolina), Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana), Boston Athletic (Oklahoma) and the Florida duo of Royal Eagles and Florida Gators.

Last year, the Region III tournament consisted of group play with the two group winners advancing not only to the Region III Championship game, but also as the two representatives in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup conducted by the US Soccer Federation.

CASL Elite are the defending champions, finishing atop their group a year ago with a 2-0-1 record and narrowly defeating Legends FC (North Texas) in the Final, 1-0, on a goal from former professional Steven Curfman.

The other returning team, ASC New Stars, had an opposite experience last year, going winless at 0-2-1. They posted a 1-1 draw against the NPSL’s Atlanta FC in the opener before falling 2-0 to FC Tulsa (NPSL) in the second game later that day as the tournament was forced to double up matches following lightning cancellations the day prior. They finished group play with a 3-1 loss to CASL Elite.

Half of the field a year ago included clubs from the National Premier Soccer League, which will have its own qu

alification process for direct berths into the US Open Cup this year. Two NPSL clubs from Alabama and Oklahoma finished runners-up in the two groups. Tournament host Alabama will not have any representatives after being the lone state with two teams last year.

“I like our chances of getting out of the qualifier, most of the other clubs expected to participate are generally very competitive, but do not train like our guys do,” said Regals FC head coach Miguel Landaverde. “This will give us a bit of an advantage over a three game stretch. We will take it one match at a time and try and force teams into our game, stretching the field with a lot of touches.”

About the Teams

ASC New Stars (South Texas): The New Stars are the top-flight side from the Houston-based Aria Soccer Club that was founded in 1974. The team was winless a year ago (0-2-1) in the Region III tournament, but qualified previously in 2008 for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, finishing runners-up in a 2-1 decision against Clearwater Galactics (FL) for the regional title. They were blanked, 3-0, by the USL First Division’s Charleston Battery (pro second division) in the First Round. They participated in the regionals in 2006, finishing second in their group after withdrawing the previous year.

Boston Athletic from Oklahoma

Boston Athletic (Oklahoma): The entrants are believed to be what the Oklahoma Soccer Association lists as the Tulsa-based BAAC Reserves, who won the Adult State Cup Division I tournament in mid March. They advanced with a 2-1 victory over COASL IFC in the championship of the three-team event, which also included Ponca City Tiburones.

CASL Elite (North Carolina): The defending tournament champions are a side developed in 2009 by the Capital Area Soccer League designed initially to provide higher caliber scrimmage opposition for its youth teams by utilizing former Premier Development League and adult CASL alumni. The team won the Region III championship in its first campaign to qualify for the US Open Cup, where it was eliminated in the First Round, 4-2, by the Charleston Battery of the USL Second Division (pro third division). CASL also previously operated a PDL team from 2002-09, reaching the US Open Cup in its first two years, exiting both times in the Second Round. (MORE: Meet the USASA CASL Elite)

Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana): The team appears to be a representative of Crossroads Soccer Association located in Alexandria. CSA operates adult, youth and indoor soccer in the area.

Florida GatorsFlorida Gators (Florida): The team is, according to TheCup.us records, the first university to submit their club team to participate in USASA’s Open Cup qualifying process. Founded in 1953 by Alan “A.C.” Moore, Florida holds the title as the oldest university club soccer team in the country. Moore coached the club from 1953-1990, earning over 500 wins at UF. They were narrowly defeated, 3-2, by the Royal Eagles for the state championship, the lone match held.

Greenville Eagles (South Carolina): The side is largely unknown, but advanced from the South Carolina tournament, held April 9-10 in Myrtle Beach. Details of the tournament are currently unavailable, but the Eagles defeated Sin Bandera of Summerville for the state’s division one men’s title.

Regals FC (South Texas): Based in Houston, the club is a founding member of the new Southern Premier Soccer League. Aside from local league competition, Regals FC has played friendlies versus FC Dallas of MLS and Mexico’s Puebla FC. The club recently won the SPSL Winter Season title and also secured the top seed in the Houston Soccer Association championship tournament.

Royal Eagles SCRoyal Eagles (Florida): Launched in 2009 in the Lakeland area, east of Tampa, and during their brief existence, they’ve experienced nothing but success. They were undefeated in Division 3 of the Florida Suncoast Soccer Leagues (FSSL), winning the league and the Florida Classic tournament in their inaugural campaign. The following year, because of their high level of play, the FSSL approved an unprecedented jump from Division 3 to the Premier Division. They edged Florida Gators, the only other state entrant, in a thrilling 3-2 decision for the state title.

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