Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2013 US Open Cup qualifying

Mass Premier Soccer beats Newtown Pride to complete 2013 US Open Cup field

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For the first time in five years, a Massachusetts club has qualified for one of the eight amateur slots in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It was Mass Premier Soccer (Bay State Soccer League) doing the honors as they defeated Newtown Pride FC (Connecticut Soccer League) 6-0 on a beautiful spring day at Framingham State University’s Maple Street Field.

It was a “Win & You’re In” match up in the USASA Region I Open Cup semifinals and after an unsettled first five minutes there was only one team that was going to find their way into the 100th edition of the storied tournament.

In the 9th minute, MPS player-manager Nick Christman whipped in a dangerous cross from the left that put Newtown’s defense on their heels, eventually playing the ball into their own net for an own goal.

The match continued to be played in Newtown’s defensive end as MPS’ organized high pressure allowed them to dictate play. In the 25th minute, it was through this pressure that Christman was again able to provide MPS with good service through a corner kick and John O’Reilly put the second goal in the net on a well-taken volley.

In the 40th minute, MPS struck again, and this time it was a vibrant team passing move that unlocked the Newtown back-line. A well-worked bit of central midfield passing freed up the ever-dangerous Tyler MacNee on the right wing who used a brilliant touch to beat his man before sliding a pass into the on-rushing Charlie Romero who put the ball into the back of the net.

Now in total control, MPS could have settled for the 3-0 scoreline and used their firm grasp on possession to see their way through the second 45 minutes but instead they continued to apply pressure and create chance after chance.

“We played really well today,” said MPS’ Dan MacGregor. “We were able to press really hard because of our unbelievably solid back four. I don’t think there are a lot of amateur teams that are ready to deal with our pressure right from the get go.”

Newtown proved one of those amateur teams unable to cope. Throughout the match Newtown was often guilty of taking one touch too many. Such was the case in the 56th minute, off a Newtown midfield turnover, that MPS’ fourth goal was started. After quickly advancing on the Newtown back-line it was former Middlebury College man MacNee who blasted a shot that created a welcoming rebound for Romero to slot home his second goal of the match.

It was only five minutes later, in the 61st minute, when Roy Sanderman added to the goal haul as he rose above the Newtown Pride defense and deftly headed a whipped set piece home to make the score 5-0.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions
Mass Premier Soccer last entered the USASA Region I tournament in 2011 when they won the Massachusetts Open Cup championship. They fell one game short of the US Open Cup, losing to the Pancyprian Freedoms in the semifinals.

It was two years ago when MPS lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms (Cosmopolitan Soccer League) on the very same field, at the very same point of the tournament, but on this day history was not going to repeat itself. There was no stopping the Massachusetts representatives as they were on their way to earning their first Open Cup berth in club history.

The sort of day MPS was enjoying was entirely evident on the sixth and final goal. In the 65th minute, MPS’ Kevin Unger stripped a Newtown defender of possession, took a positive first touch to cross the halfway line and unleashed a drive from 40 yards out to beat the out-of-position Newtown Pride keeper in impressive fashion.

After an impressive run in US Open Cup Qualifying that saw the first time entrants knock off the aforementioned New York Pancyprian Freedoms and do their part in lifting a community still recovering from indescribable tragedy, Newtown Pride FC will return to their regular Connecticut Soccer League fixtures.

MPS will await the draw of the US Open Cup and are also looking forward to their upcoming US Amateur Open Cup Region I Qualifying Final against New Jersey side Icon FC. The winner of that match will book a trip to San Antonio for the National Finals.

Mass Premier becomes the first Massachusetts-based USASA club to qualify for the Open Cup since Emigrantes Das Ilhas in 2009. The only other club from the state to qualify in the Modern Professional Era was Boston Olympiakos in 2008.

“Playing in games like this bring out the best in our squad,” said MacGregor. “We’re deep, guy 1 through 20 is capable of playing really great soccer. I think we have a great shot against any PDL team, or any team really in next round. We’re basically a PDL team but a little older and I think we have every chance to go on in this tournament.”

You can follow Christopher Camille on Twitter @Chris_Camille and find his work on NESoccerToday.com

Fresno Fuego Future to represent US Club Soccer in 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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The Fresno Fuego Future celebrate their US Club Soccer Open Cup championship. Photo: Dan Perlea Photography

Star forward Tyler Reinhart scored two goals, tallied an assist, and drew a penalty in a man-of-the match performance that helped the Fresno Fuego Future qualify for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 5-1 victory over APJCC Los Gatos Storm on Saturday.

The championship game of US Club Soccer’s Open Cup qualifying tournament took place at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif. Saturday. The Fuego, who also compete in the USL’s Premier Development League, didn’t qualify for the 2013 tournament based on their 2012 PDL results, but entered a team in the US Club Soccer tournament.

The Fuego will begin Open Cup play on May 7 in the Play-In Round against NPSL club FC Hasental. According to a local media report, the Fuego claim they will host that game at Chukchansi Park, but no official announcement has been made.

Reinhart opened the scoring in the 34th minute when a shot saved by Storm goalkeeper Jairo Zermano dropped right to him in the penalty area.

The Cal Poly Pamona product expertly finished the chance with a one-time shot that seemed minutes in the making as Fuego had been controlling much of the match to that point.

Just seven minutes later, Chivas USA Supplemental Draft pick Paul Islas made a long run through the midfield before playing a smart one-two with Rienhart at the top of the box. Islas side-footed the ball into the corner of the net to give Fuego a deserving 2-0 lead just before the break.

The Fresno Fuego Future celebrate their US Club Soccer Open Cup championship. Photo: Dan Perlea Photography

“We really wanted to come out strong,” said Reinhart. “Luckily we were able to get a couple of early goals.”

If there was any question to the result, Reinhart ended all speculation when he completed his brace, finishing from a tight angle after some nice interplay down the left side from Islas and Robert Garcia in the 49th minute.

Islas, who described his own play as “mediocre” was a nuisance for the Storm all day, continually making probing runs from midfield, and losing his marker with deft touches and quick interplay with teammates.

The Fuego weren’t close to being done though. When Storm defender Felix Alvarez misplayed a back-pass, Reinhart was the quickest to pounce, getting the ball behind the defender with just the keeper to beat. The hulking Alvarez was left with no choice but to pull down Rienhart, earning Fresno a penalty kick and a red card for Alvarez.

Fuego captain Caston Cignetti coolly converted the spot kick in the 57th minute, ending any chances of a Los Gatos comeback.

As the result was assured, both teams played out the rest of the game somewhat nonchalantly in the 90 degree heat.

In the 63rd minute Storm captain, and former California Cougar, Enrique Tovar played a lofted through ball to Steven Sanchez who finally beat Fuego keeper Gilbert Vega with a low shot that shaved the inside of the left upright.

Three minutes later, another Paul Islas run drew the keeper off his line. Islas slotted the ball back to the onrushing Robert Garcia who finished the ball in the corner of the back of the net to end the night’s scoring at 5-1.

“We’re playing really well right now,” said Islas. “The Open Cup opens up opportunities for us so hopefully we can be a part of it for as long as possible.”

In the 73rd minute Enrique Tovar hit the crossbar with a penalty kick after Fuego defender Eddie Gonzalez brought down a Storm player in the box. Gonzalez was immediately substituted afterwards.

2013 will mark the third time a team from the Fuego organization will be a part of the US Open Cup. In 2003, the team’s inaugural season in the PDL, they put together one of the top Open Cup runs of the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). After defeating MPSL (now known as the NPSL) side Chico Rooks , they upset two professional teams (Utah Blitzz and the El Paso Patriots) before falling to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy.

It would be almost a decade before they would qualify again, reaching the tournament last year. The Fuego defeated last year’s US Club Soccer representative Stanislaus United Turlock Express 2-0 in the opening round before they were eliminated by the NASL’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers .

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: US Club Soccer

Bracket A PTS W L D GD
x-San Ramon SC 9 3 0 0 +11
x-Cap FC 6 2 1 0 +6
North Coast Tsunami 3 1 2 0 -4
Southern Oregon Fuego 0 0 3 0 -13

March 16
Cap FC 0:3 San Ramon SC
North Coast Tsunami 1:0 Southern Oregon Fuego

March 23
Southern Oregon Fuego 0:5 San Ramon SC

March 24
Cap FC 4:2 North Coast Tsunami

March 29
San Ramon SC 3:0 North Coast Tsunami

March 30
Southern Oregon Fuego 0:7 Cap FC

Bracket B PTS W L D GD
x-Fresno Fuego Future 7 2 0 1 +3
x-APJCC Los Gatos Storm 6 2 1 0 +3
Stanislaus United 2 0 1 2 -1
Bullard United 1 0 2 1 -5

March 16
Fresno Fuego Future 1:0 APJCC Los Gatos Storm

March 17
APJCC Los Gatos Storm 3:2 Stanislaus United

March 22
Bullard United 0:3 APJCC Los Gatos Storm

March 24
Stanislaus United 2:2 Fresno Fuego Future

March 27
Fresno Fuego Future 3:1 Bullard United

March 30
Bullard United 1:1 Stanislaus United

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Semifinals (April 6)
Cap FC 2:10 Fresno Fuego Future

Semifinals (Replay – April 21)
San Ramon FC 0:2 (AET) APJCC Los Gatos Storm
* Original match on April 6 suspended when the lights went out at the stadium with the score tied 1-1 in extra time.

Final (April 27)
Fresno Fuego Future 5:1 APJCC Los Gatos Storm
Chukchansi Park (Fresno, CA)

KC Athletics withdraw from 2013 US Open Cup after Dearborn Stars’ protest upheld

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The Kansas City Athletics will no longer be representing USASA Region II in the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Athletics clinched their second straight spot in the US Open Cup on April 21 with a 1-0 win over the Dearborn Stars, however, that celebration was short lived as the Stars filed a protest prior to the match. Their complaint was that the field the game was played on at Olathe North High School in Olathe, Kan. was too narrow. USASA National Cup rules call for fields to be a minimum of 65 yards wide, and according to the Stars it was “about 62 yards” based on a pre-game walk-off by multiple game officials.

According to Athletics general manager Kyle Perkins, no measuring device was used to confirm the size of the field, but Region II ruled in favor of Dearborn and ordered a replay of the match rather than disqualifying Kansas City. On Wednesday, April 24, Region II cup commissioner Debra Trapikas announced to the teams that a replay would take place in Chicago on Sunday with the winner qualifying for the Open Cup.

Perkins attempted to appeal the decision but with Sunday’s qualifying deadline looming, Trapikas evoked Rule 410, which gives the cup commissioner the power to make final decisions when time is limited.

Perkins decided that he would be unable to gather a full squad to travel to Chicago on a few days’ notice, so he decided to withdraw his team from the competition, and thus forfeit the game. The Athletics voiced their frustration with the situation through a Kansas City-based blog “Down The Byline.”

As a result, the Dearborn Stars will represent Region II at the 2013 Open Cup. The Stars are the first USASA-based Michigan team since 2010 to qualify, and are just the third (2010 – Detroit United; 2001 – Chaldean Arsenal) to make the cut in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). They will begin play in the First Round which is scheduled to kick off May 14.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Newtown SC wins USASA Region I replay vs. Pancyprian Freedoms in PKs

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For the second time this month, the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Newtown Pride SC met in Newtown, Conn. in the quarterfinals of the USASA Region I Open Cup tournament. After the Freedoms’ original 1-0 victory back on April 7, they were disqualified for using an ineligible player, only to have that decision overturned because New York’s roster was erroneously approved by their league. A full replay was ordered, and this time, Newtown came out on top, winning a penalty kick shootout 7-6 after a 120 minutes of scoreless soccer.

With the win, Newtown will travel to Massachusetts to take on Mass Premier Soccer on April 28 with the winner qualifying for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Both teams are aiming for their first Open Cup berth, while a Connecticut-based club hasn’t made the cut since 2007 (Danbury United) and Massachusetts hasn’t had a USASA representative since 2009.

The replay was moved to Newtown High School where a harder artificial surface made for a game where ball control would be more difficult. The wind blowing behind New York in the first half and behind Newtown in the second half seemed to favor the team playing into the wind as it held the ball up for attacks which rolled over the end line playing in the opposite direction.

In the original match between the two sides, Pancyprian Freedoms kept greater control of the ball while Newtown played a strong defensive game attacking on the counter. In this replay, both sides started tentatively, looking like they did not want to concede an early goal. Two early chances for Newtown were called to a halt by the offside flag before New York had their first chance with a shot by Matia Damiani going wide of the post at the 10 minute mark.

The teams each created an additional scoring chance through the first 15 minutes when Newtown was awarded a free kick inside the New York half, which was cleared. Newtown retained possession and Jeffrey Swan put a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

New York took the ensuing goal kick down the field where a strong run resulted in a throw 10 yards from the Newtown goal line. Newtown cleared the incoming throw and the game settled back into a midfield battle.

Tempers began to flare in the 18th minute as contact to the face took down New York’s Julio Cesar dos Santos. Players and fans alike would spend the afternoon giving the officials a difficult day as both sides were unwilling to concede any ball without a challenge.

In the 27th minute, Mike Semedo almost broke the tie for Newtown, ringing the crossbar with a strong shot. The game then resumed its physical nature with a hard foul from New York leading to a midfield showing match highlighting the tension between the sides at the half hour mark. The battle for possession continued for the next 10 minutes with a New York corner being picked out of the air by Newtown keeper Bradley Jeeves being the only offensive threat.

In the 40th minute, New York’s Panayiotis Despotopolous came on as a substitute and turned the advantage to the Freedoms. A few minutes later, a Newtown turnover had to be cleared for a New York throw-in. New York retained possession and when a slow cross rolled across the face of the goal within a yard of the end line, a number of players for both sides missed the chance to either clear it or put it into the net before the halftime whistle.

Newtown took the first chance of the 2nd half with Mike Semedo putting a shot wide to the left of the New York keeper. New York then spent the next 5 minutes on the attack. Panayiotis Despotopolous took a dangerous free kick that was punched away from goal by Jeeves. Christian Iordanu and Pangiotis Iordanou connected on a nice play inside the Newtown box, but the shot was wide of the net.

Newtown countered with a number of attacking opportunities. A dangerous corner in the 55th minute was cleared, then a low free kick from 25 yards out to the left of the New York keeper dangerously crossed the box diagonally. No one was able to make contact with the ball and it rolled out for a goal kick.

New York then mounted sustained pressure on the Newtown goal and it looked like the Newtown defense might break. Jeeves was forced into a save in the 62nd minute. The play of the game came in the 70th minute as Jeeves was caught off his line by a chip over his head. Diego Orlandini kicked the ball right off the goal line keeping the score tied at zero.

The next 10 minutes were a tight battle as players on both sides began to wear down. In the 81st minute, Jeeves was forced into diving to his left for a brilliant one-handed save. The ensuing corner resulted in a foul to the right of the Newtown goal. The free kick missed on the short side for a goal kick. The remainder of regulation was contested tightly in the midfield.

Newtown had the best chances of the first extra period. Two free kicks followed by a corner were cleared by the strong Pancyprian defense. At the 100-minute mark, Diego Bohrer hit the crossbar for Newtown.

In the second extra period the players were clearly tiring. Multiple players cramped up while both sides fought for an advantage. A New York free kick was the highlight of the second overtime narrowly clearing the crossbar.

After 120 minutes, the match had to be decided at the penalty spot.

Christian Iordan (NY) and Tiago Ribeiro (NEW) scored to open the shootout, but Jeeves dove to his left to save the second New York attempt. Mike Semedo put Newtown ahead 2-1 after Round 2. After Jeff Matteo (NY) and Diego Orlandini (NEW) exchanged goals in Round 3, Freedoms goalkeeper Stelios Andreou leveled the tiebreaker by scoring on his attempt, and watching Newtown’s attempt sail over the crossbar.

After three rounds of successful kicks, it came down to Round 8, and Jeeves came up big for the home team. His dove to his left to make the save, then dusted himself off and took a PK of his own and buried it to send Newtown to the semifinals, 7-6.

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Doxa Italia eliminates Cal FC, joins PSA Elite as USASA Region IV entries

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PSA Elite and Doxa Italia booked their spots in the US Open Cup this past weekend, qualifying out of a historically strong USASA Region IV. PSA Elite won the tournament with a perfect 4-0-0 record while Doxa Italia qualified for its second Open Cup with a second-place finish.

After qualifying for the Open Cup in its first attempt last year, PSA Elite made it two-for-two this year with four comfortable wins. They started with a 3-0 victory in a cross-group game against Doxa Italia. Then, eight different players scored in a 10-0 win over The Internationalists. With qualification all but secured, PSA used five goals in 25 minutes to take out DV8 Defenders 9-2.

Already qualified for the Open Cup, PSA Elite took the Region IV title with a 4-1 win over Doxa. The teams had to overcome extreme heat that even resulted in one of the linesmen suffering a heat stroke.

Doxa Italia’s road to its second US Open Cup appearance was much tougher. The format for this year’s tournament involved a cross-group game, with those match-ups being determined by random draw. As luck would have it, Italia drew the strongest team from Group B and fell in that 3-0 loss to PSA Elite.

“The format certainly impacted how we approached the tournament. Because of the tiebreak rules it took a little pressure off the cross-group results and stressed the two pool games we had on Saturday. We have been in tournaments formatted like this in the past and it took a significant amount of time planning the rosters for each match,” said Alex Lujan, PSA Elite owner.

After losing its initial match, Doxa trounced San Francisco City FC 7-0, setting up a “Win & You’re In” game against Cal FC. After a magical Open Cup run last year that involved a victory over MLS side Portland Timbers, Cal FC came into this tournament as favorites. However, Doxa Italia pulled off the 2-1 upset victory, ensuring an Open Cup berth for the club for the first time since 2011.

Bryan Byrne, Doxa Italia player/coach and scorer of both goals against Cal FC, said, “It is a proud feeling to be able to say you are part of such a storied competition. For us, it is what we have been building up to all year and having the opportunity to see Doxa’s name on the list of first round teams is a real honor. But we won’t be happy this year unless we see our name in Round Two also.”

Doxa lost to the Ventura County Fusion in 2011 by a 3-1 scoreline in its only US Open Cup appearance. PSA Elite was more successful in its lone attempt, beating the PDL’s Portland Timbers U23s 3-1 in Round One, then bowing out to the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks 7-0 in Round Two.

“The US Open Cup represents an opportunity to compete against professional and top US amateur teams. We are honored to have another chance to play in this prestigious event,” Lujan said. “This also provides another platform for our players to showcase their talent. Seven players from our 2012 Open Cup roster are now living that dream in the MLS, NASL and USL Pro leagues. We feel confident that we will be able to build on last year’s experiences, make a run and represent USASA Region IV, Cal South & the Coast Soccer League well.”

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region IV Finals (April 19-21)
Ontario, California – All Times Eastern

Group A PTS W L D GD
Doxa Italia (CA – South) 6 2 1 0 +5
Cal FC (CA – South) 6 2 0 0 +12
San Fran. City (CA – North) 3 1 1 0 -13

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Group B PTS W L D GD
PSA Elite (CA – South) 9 3 0 0 +19
DV8 Defenders (CA – North) 3 1 2 0 -4
Internationalists (CA – South) 0 0 3 0 -18

April 19
Doxa Italia 0:3 PSA Elite
The Internationalists 2:8 DV8 Defenders
Cal FC 12:3 San Francisco City FC

April 20
Doxa Italia 7:0 San Francisco City FC
Cal FC 4:1 DV8 Defenders
PSA Elite 10:1 The Internationalists

Doxa Italia 2:1 Cal FC
PSA Elite 9:2 DV8 Defenders
San Francisco City FC 4:1 The Internationalists

April 21 (Championship)
PSA Elite (Group B winner) 4:1 Doxa Italia (Group A winner)
Both group winners qualify for the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Region IV champion advances to USASA National Cup Finals

PAST US OPEN CUP ENTRIES FROM REGION IV

2013: Doxa Italia (SCA), PSA Elite (SCA)
2012: Cal FC (SCA), PSA Elite (SCA)
2011: Doxa Italia (SCA), DV8 Defenders (NCA)
2010: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ), Bay Area Ambassadors (NPSL)
2009: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ), Sonoma County Sol (NCA)
2008: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ – NPSL), Hollywood United (SCA)
2007: Banat Arsenal (AZ), El Paso Indios (NPSL)
2006: Arizona Sahuaros (AZ), Sonoma County Sol (NCA – NPSL)
2005: Salinas Valley Samba (NPSL), Sonoma County Sol (NCA – NPSL)
2004: Chico Rooks (NCA – NPSL), Sacramento Knights (NCA – NPSL)
2003: Chico Rooks (NCA – NPSL)
2002: Mexico SC (NCA)
2001: Mexico SC (NCA)
2000: Mexico SC (NCA)
1999:  Mexico SC (NCA)
1998: San Nicolas (CSA)
1997: Inter SC (NCA)
1996: San Jose Oaks (NCA)
1995: Flamengo SC (UT)

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: US Club Soccer spot down to Fresno Fuego Future, Los Gatos Storm after semis

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The US Club Soccer Semifinals in the path for the organization’s lone berth into the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup could not have any more different as the Fresno Fuego Future cruised to an easy win while Los Gatos Storm emerged from a near two full overtime game standoff with San Ramon following a replay in which both games went to extra time.

The winner of the final will face a yet-to-be named National Premier Soccer League team in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Play-In Round on May 7.

Fresno Fuego Future 10 Cap FC 2

Forward Tyler Reinhart scored a hat trick to help the Fresno Fuego Future dominate Cap FC 10-2 Saturday at Clovis East High School in Clovis, Calif on April 6.

Reinhart scored in the 11th, 44th, and 55th minutes, while also setting up two goals to help the Fuego cruise to the US Club Soccer US Open Cup qualifying tournament final on Saturday at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Calif.

The Fuego started off the game fast with Eligio Morales breaking the deadlock after being sent behind the defense by Reinhart in just the eighth minute.

Three minutes later the Fuego doubled the lead when Reinhart beat the keeper from 18 yards out off of a scuffed clearance from a Cap FC centerback.

Gatson Cignetti and Paul Islas each put one in the back of the net in addition to first half braces from Reinhart and Morales to push the score to 6-0 at the break.

Islas completed a brace of his own shortly after halftime to push the game even more out of reach. After Reinhart completed his hat trick in the 55th minute, the Fuego opted to sub out some of their players, even going down to 10 men for the last few minutes of the game.

Nevertheless, there was still scoring to be done. Cap FC exposed the Fuego’s new recruits with two quick goals from Uriel Guevara and Luis Arce in the 53rd and 62nd minutes respectively.

But it was too little, too late as the Fuego capped off the night with a fourth and final brace, this time from prospect Jose Segura.

Los Gatos Storm 2 San Ramon FC 0 (after extra time)

The Los Gatos Storm also booked their ticket to the final, albeit in much different circumstances.

After play was suspended when the lights at Tiffany Roberts Park in San Ramon, Calif. went out with the score tied 1-1 in the second period of extra time with 13 minutes remaining on April 6, the teams were forced to reschedule their game to Sunday.

Sunday’s game also went beyond the initial 90 minutes, resulting in the two sides ultimately playing 227 minutes to decide who would advance to the final.

On Sunday, Enrique Tovar broke the deadlock in the 109th minute of play at Evergreen College in San Jose, Calif. Andy Moya added an insurance goal for the Storm in the 118th to cap the belated victory.

#USOC100

New Jersey’s Icon FC edges Aegean Hawks in penalty kicks to clinch first-ever US Open Cup berth

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For the first time in its history, Icon FC has guaranteed their place in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament.

Much like they did to oust last year’s US Open Cup qualifier Jersey Shore Boca in the state semifinals, they needed penalty kicks to advance to the next round. The game was tied 1-1 after 90 minutes and after a scoreless extra time, Icon and the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks ended up going to seven rounds of spot kicks to determine who would represent Region I in the 100th edition of the Open Cup. Icon FC was victorious in the shootout, 7-6, and with that, they advance to the Region I Final, which also clinches a berth in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

They will await the winner of Newtown Pride SC and Mass Premier Soccer in the other semifinal which will be played on Sunday, April 28.

Throughout the game, both teams played well and it proved to be a relatively even game throughout the 120 minutes played.

During the first half, both teams were able to create good goal scoring opportunities. Icon’s first chance came in the ninth minute when after a scuffle in the box Argjent Duka’s shot was saved by the Hawks’ goalkeeper Chris Fenner. A couple minutes later it was the Hawks’ turn to have shot on goal. Robby Wright crossed the ball low into the box, Icon keeper Chris Duggan wasn’t able to hold on to it and Hawk forward Watson Vaughan-Prather took advantage, but his shot went over the cross bar. After this opportunity the game continued even as one team continued to put pressure on the other. Both teams fought for the ball in the midfield.

The next best chance for Icon came in the 33rd minute when Nelson Bercerra’s close-range shot in front of goal was blocked by a Hawk defender. During the last minute of the first half the Hawks had another opportunity from a free kick when Ernest Marquez’s cross was almost headed in by Vaughan-Prather.

Both teams came out on fire in the second half, with the Hawks creating an opportunity in the first minute when Marquez’s cross into the box was met with a shot from Wright, but Duggan managed to come up with a save for Icon. However, Icon scored first in the 64th minute when Kevin Garcia controlled the ball in the area and shot the ball past the keeper from a cross from Custidiano Michael. Even though Icon was up 1-0, the Hawks continued to play well and you could sense that they believed that they could still score.

Then with ten minutes to go, when it seemed that Icon was going to win the game, the Hawks equalized when Scott Larrabee’s cross was tapped in by Sam Scales.

After the equalizer, Nelson Becerra had an opportunity to score off a free kick, but his shot went over the cross bar. Danny Irizarry also took a low shot from outside the box for the Hawks, but his shot went wide. After ninety minutes the game was still tied and the regional semifinal went to extra time.

During the first 15 minutes of extra time, Icon was the better team. Their best chance came when Becerra noticed the Hawks’ goalkeeper was off his line and he tried to chip the ball over the keeper from a distance, but the ball went over the bar. Daniel Fernandez also had a good opportunity for Icon when his shot from inside the box sailed over the cross bar.

The Hawks’ best chance in extra time came in the second half when Vaughan-Prather was able to beat an Icon defender to take a shot, but his shot went wide. After the referee blew the final extra time whistle, the teams began to prepare for the penalty shootout.

The Hawks went first with Sam Scales converting the team’s first penalty. Danny Szetela was also able to comfortably tie the shootout for Icon. Next, Watson Vaughan-Prather put away his attempt for the Hawks and Jonathan Lopuski did the same for Icon. Danny Irizarry was also able to successfully put the ball in the net. Hawks goalkeeper Chris Fenner made the first save of the shootout when he kept Nelson Becerra’s ball from going in the net. Icon goalkeeper Chris Duggan also came up big when he saved the Hawks’ fourth shot from Michael Goldman.

Andy Cesti had the opportunity to tie the shootout for Icon, but Chris Fenner also saved his shot. All Mateus Dos Anjos had to do was convert the Hawks’ final penalty shot to take his team to the final, but Chris Duggan kept his team in the game with a huge save. Garcia, the goalscorer for Icon, kept his team in the game when he put his ball into the back of the net, taking the shootout to sudden death.

The Hawks converted their first three sudden death shots, and Icon answered with three of their own. The turning point in the shootout came when Devlin Barnes shot his attempt low and wide of the goal giving Icon the advantage. The game winning shot was given to Custidiano Michael and he comfortably put the ball in the net to take his team to the Region I final for the first time.

Icon FC becomes just the second New Jersey-based USASA club to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present), with the first coming last year with Jersey Shore Boca. Icon eliminated Boca in the state semifinals in penalty kicks.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: RWB Adria, KC Athletics use late goals to qualify out of Region 2

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RWB Adria's Semir Mesanovic strikes the game-winning strike in extra time against FC Indiana. Photo: Chris O'Connor | OnTheFire.com

USASA Region II submitted their two teams into the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with two semifinal matches on Sunday, April 21. RWB Adria are back in the Open Cup for the fourth time in the Modern Pro Era with a 2-1 extra time victory over FC Indiana. The Chicago-based club got a stunning game-winning goal from Semir Mesanovic in the 110th minute to clinch a spot in the tournament for the first time since 2008. The two-time national semifinalists (1978, 1991), will begin play in Round 1 on May 14.

So will the KC Athletics, as their player-manager Kyle Perkins came off the bench to score a 90th minute game-winner to break a scoreless deadlock against Michigan’s Dearborn Stars. The Athletics are back in the Open Cup for the second year in a row, and the third time in the last four years. However, a protest was filed by the Dearborn Stars prior to the match kicking off, so the result is currently under review.

RWB Adria (IL) 2:1 (AET) FC Indiana (IN)
Kroc Center (Chicago, IL)

By Scott Fenwick (OnTheFire.com)

After his first goal on a penalty kick in the 13th minute that put his team up 1-0 on the FC Indiana Lions, RWB Adria midfielder Semir Mesanovic never would have thought his next one would come in the 20th minute – of extra time. But come it did, as a valiant, gritty Lions defense finally broke in the face of a relentless Adria attack that couldn’t finish an astounding number of scoring chances on the afternoon.

With a one-time volley off teammate Vlad Baciu’s hard-fought header,Mesanovic ripped a shot from inside penalty area past Lions goalkeeper Nick Barber, and sent his storied club back to the US Open Cup for the first time since 2008 with a 2-1 victory at the Kroc Center on Chicago’s south side.

Before the match, Lions’ head coach Eric Castro lauded Adria, but hinted his game plan, if executed, would give his squad a fighting chance.

“They have a talented, experienced team,” said Castro. “Our strength is being organized. If we stay organized, we can probably stay with these guys.”

And stay with them they did.

RWB Adria and FC Indiana (red) engaged in a physical battle all afternoon. Photo: Chris O'Connor | OnTheFire.com

Surprisingly, Castro employed an unorthodox, defensive 2-4-4 to limit long balls to Adria’s wings and forwards. For the better part of 110 minutes, the tactic worked. FC Indiana stayed compact, withstood a barrage of shots on goal, and frustrated the veteran Chicago side long enough to give themselves a fighting chance at a win.

In particular, the Lions’ wingbacks, Robert Kiernan and Stuart Mitchell, stood out on the defensive side of the ball. The Irish duo worked hard all afternoon up and down the flanks to disrupt Adria’s attack and keep them honest in defense.

But the Lions generated only one scoring chance as time wound down during the first half. Otherwise, Adria snuffed out their counterattacks without much trouble.

Adria dominated possession during the first 45 minutes and spent most of it parked in the Lions’ half of the pitch. Nonetheless, aside from the penalty kick awarded by referee Marc Lawrence in the 13th minute, the Chicago side couldn’t finish a number of good scoring chances. Adria forwards Vlad Baciu and Taylor Bond were harassed by a spirited Lions’ defense and had no answers for ‘keeper Nick Barber.

Barber would continue his excellent play in the second half, keeping his squad in the match with save after save as Adria’s forwards managed to break through and get behind the Lions defense. His squad, only down a goal, Barber hung tough in the face of countless Adria corners, direct free kicks, and crosses, and inspired the men in front of him to keep working hard.

As time wound down, the match opened up a bit, and the Lions caught a gassed Adria on the counterattack with an 81st minute equalizer from center forward Alex Sangsuwangul, assisted by his counterpart on the right, Kevin Amazio.

Adria continued to press during the last ten minutes of regulation time, but the organized, determined Lions defense again held firm.

Extra time was marked by more of the same. Adria created chance after chance, and the Lions bent, but did not break. As the minutes ticked up, incredulously, it seemed the match was destined to go to penalty kicks. But then the dam broke. Barber had no chance to save Mesanovic’s laser beam winner as Adria qualified for the Open Cup for the fourth time (1996, 2007, 2008, 2013) in the Modern Pro Era.

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Quote Sheet

FC Indiana head coach Eric Castro

On the match and his squad’s effort: “We battled hard. We made a couple mistakes with the goals that happened. You can’t make mistakes experienced teams. Our guys are young. is well-equipped. They’re experienced beyond belief. Not too many people give us chances, but our guys fight. We won’t give up against anybody.”

“It was a team effort today. That’s all I ask for from my guys. Everybody’s working together. There are no individuals on this team.”

RWB Adria manager Ante Loncar

“I didn’t think it would be such a low-scoring game. To their credit, they played good defense. They surprised me a little. Down 1-0, they stuck with the game plan to defend the whole time. I thought they might try to open up a little bit. But to their credit, they got a goal. They put some life back in their side after that, but then we hit a nice goal in overtime. Then they opened up a little, but at that point there were only about ten minutes left. They defended really well. I give them credit for that.”

On advancing to the 100th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: “It feels good, but we’ll have some anxiety until the draw. I think all USASA sides will be matched up against in the first round, which will be helpful.”

“We need to work on our fitness and get our numbers . We’ve got a couple injuries, and other commitments, but we have to work on fitness.”

RWB Adria midfielder Igor Stijepic

On going into extra time: “We didn’t expect it, but I think we played better than them and we tried to score.”

On the match overall: “It’s tough to play with this weather. The competition was good. But we all give 100% for this team. It was good. We won.”

On advancing to the100th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: “We feel great. The guys are excited. We’re looking forward to it.”

RWB Adria midfielder Semir Mesanovic

On his game-winning goal in extra time: “I just got a nice bounce, took a clean shot, and hit it.”

On Adria not putting away scoring chances during regulation: “ not our best game. But we’re glad we’re through to the next round and we’ll see if the next game will prove to be better. We were sloppy today.”

On preparation for the US Open Cup: “Fitness. We’ll try to get some practice in. Today showed a little bit. Hopefully, we can fix that.”

2013 USASA Region II semifinals
RWB Adria (IL) 2:1 (AET) FC Indiana (IN)
Kroc Center – Chicago, IL

Scoring Summary
RWB: Semir Mesanovic (PK) – 13th min.
IND: Alex Sangsuwangul (Kevin Amazio) – 81st min.
RWB: Semir Mesanovic – (Vlad Baciu) – 110th min.

Booking Summary
IND: Kevin Amazio (Y) – 72nd min.
IND: Patrick Kelly (Y) – 118th min.

Lineups

RWB Adria: Igor Dimov (GK), Piotr Kolasinski, Charlie Trout, Aaron Nichols, Johnny Morris, Mladen Bajamic, Admir Ljeljak, Semir Mesanovic, Igor Stijepic, Vlad Baciu, Taylor Bond (Derek Huffman 74th)

FC Indiana:  Nick Barber (GK), Ricardo Ruiz, Patrick Kelly, Stuart Mitchell, Robert Kiernan, Kevin Issac, Phil Gase, Kevin Amazio, Jeff Gorman, Victor Martinez, Alex Sangsuwangul (TJ Oliveres 113th)

Attendance: 50 (Approx.)


KC Athletics (KS) 1:0 Dearborn Stars (MI)
Olathe North (Olathe, KS)

By Anders Aarhus (@sportsviking)

As a player-coach, subbing yourself on is a gutsy move, but Kyle Perkins is glad he did.

The KC Athletics (white) needed a stoppage time goal to get past the visiting Dearborn Stars in the 2013 USASA Region I semifinal. Photo: David Kuhn

Perkins’ 90th minute goal gave his KC Athletics a 1-0 win over the Dearborn Stars, clinching the team a spot in the US Open Cup for the second year in a row and the third time in four years.

“I always plan to come on,” said Perkins. “I just try to make as much of an impact as I can.”

With the score tied 0-0 and extra time and penalties looming, the Athletics forced a turnover thirty yards from goal. Left-winger Peter Kariotis picked up the ball, surged forward into space and played a pass in behind the Dearborn backline to release Perkins in on net. With the keeper rushing out, Perkins kept his composure and hit a simple chip to break the deadlock.

“We got a ball to Pete and I saw the through run, he saw it and slotted it in,” said Perkins. “ keeper was coming out low. I just flipped it over him and scored.”

It was a thrilling culmination to a match that saw plenty of action.

Dearborn came out looking hungry and nearly took the lead after just 10 minutes of play. A corner kick to the back post was headed down by Daniel Vitu and cleared off the line by KC, resulting in another corner. On the ensuing set piece, the Stars hit the bar with a header and had a follow-up shot cleared off the line.

“We had numerous opportunities, especially early on in the game,” said Stars head coach Mo Hijazi. “Vitu just couldn’t find the back of the net. That would have changed the game, I believe. It really would have.”

The Stars finished the game with five shots on goal and nine shots overall, but couldn’t find a way to beat KC ‘keeper Steven Grow, whose best save came on the stroke of halftime. A cross from the right flank found a Dearborn player unmarked in the KC penalty area, but Grow made an acrobatic stop to keep the game scoreless.

At reportedly 62 yards wide, the width of the field at Olathe North High School was an issue as the Dearborn Stars filed a protest prior to the match. Photo: David Kuhn

“It’s a difficult job sometimes,” said Grow. “You don’t get a lot of action but when you do you have to really step up and keep your head in the game. All credit to the team. I made a couple stops, but they kept the ball, kept hounding at them all 90 minutes.”

The Athletics’ best first-half chance came in the 17th minute when forward Michael Ferguson chased down a long goal kick from Grow and managed to get a shot off that was saved by Dearborn ‘keeper Vito Lonigro.

At the break, it was Dearborn holding the advantage in possession and shots thanks to a three-man midfield that overwhelmed KC’s 4-4-2. To start the second half, Perkins changed to a 4-3-3 and the results were immediate as the Athletics controlled the opening 10 minutes of the period.

Despite the good start to the half from KC, Dearborn had another golden opportunity to go ahead in the 51st minute. Former Michigan state standout Cyrus Saydee beat the offside trap and was in alone on goal, but Grow narrowed the angle and did just enough, forcing the forward to screw his shot wide of the post. It was Saydee with another chance in the 65th minute, as he cut inside two KC defenders and shot from the top of the arc only to see his effort parried by Grow.

From there the game really opened up as both teams threw players forward in search of a winner. Perkins subbed on in the 62nd minute and his movement and one-touch passing helped create some good opportunities for the Athletics. In the 80th minute, KC left back John Mackey made a nice overlapping run and was played into the box by Kariotis, but Lonigro saved his point-blank shot.

It was the best chance for either team until Perkins’ dramatic winner.

“I felt like we dominated most of the play,” said Hijazi. “I didn’t count them, but I thought had one shot on goal, maybe two. The field size was a little more conducive to their play.”

The field size was the subject of some controversy before the game when officials determined the width of the pitch to be 62 yards, three yards shorter than the minimum of 65 required for USASA National Cup play.

“I do. I think so,” said Hijazi when asked if he thought the narrow field affected his team. “We’re a technical team. With it being so congested I thought it played to their strengths, more of the tackling aspect of the game.”

Prior to the game, the Dearborn Stars filed a protest based on the field size. Match commissioner Rich Kaminsky said he thought the game might have to be replayed if the Stars’ protest is upheld.

For now, the Athletics head into the Region 2 final against RWB Adria knowing they’ve already secured a place in the Open Cup.

“It’s our goal to get to the Open Cup,” said Perkins. “Three out of four years is not too bad for our first four years as a club. We’re excited and ready to go back out and start training a little harder so when we do come up against the PDL, USL maybe MLS teams if we go far enough, we’ll be in a little better shape than we have been the past two games.”

2013 USASA Region II semifinals
KC Athletics (KS) 1:0 Dearborn Stars (MI)
Olathe North – Olathe, KS

Scoring Summary
KCA: Kyle Perkins – 90th min.

Booking Summary
KCA: Matt Kuhn (Y) – 13th min.
DEA: Hamoody Saad – 30th min.
DEA: Nik Djokic (Y) – 42nd min.
DEA: Unknown (Y) – 54th min.
DEA: Unknown (Y) – 77th min.
KCA: John Mackey (Y) – 85th min.

Game Stats
Dearborn
Shots: 9 | SOG: 5 | Fouls: 8 | Cards: 4 (all yellow)
Kansas City
Shots: 9 | SOG: 3 | Fouls: 8 | Cards: 2 (both yellow)

Attendance: 50 (Approx.)

USASA REGION II OPEN CUP TOURNAMENT

First round (Saturday, April 6)
FC Indiana (IN) 1:3 KC Athletics (KS)
Croatian Eagles (WI) 0:2 RWB Adria (IL)
Cincy Saints (OH-South) 0:5 Dearborn Stars (MI) – RECAP

Semifinals (Sunday, April 21)
FC Indiana (IN) 1:2 (AET) RWB Adria (IL)
Dearborn Stars SC (MI) 0:1 KC Athletics (KS)

Semifinal winners earn berths in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Final (Saturday, June 29)
RWB Adria (IL) vs. KC Athletics (KS)
Overland Park, Kan.
Winner advances to USASA Open Cup, July 19-21 at Star Complex, San Antonio, Texas

Past USASA Region II entries in US Open Cup

2013: KC Athletics (KS), RWB Adria (IL)
2012:  Croatian Eagles (WI), KC Athletics (KS)
2011: AAC Eagles (IL), Iowa Menace (IA)
2010: Detroit United (MI), KC Athletics (KS)
2009: Bavarian SC (WI), 402 (NE)
2008: AAC Eagles (IL), RWB Adria (IL)
2007: Bavarian SC (WI), RWB Adria (IL)
2006: Chicago Lightning SC (IL), Croatian Eagles (WI)
2005: AAC Eagles (IL), Reggae Boyz (IN)
2004: Bavarian SC (WI), SAC Wisla (IL)
2003: Bavarian SC (WI)
2002: AAC Eagles (IL)
2001: Chaldean Arsenal (MI)
2000: Bavarian SC (WI)
1999: Bavarian SC (WI)
1998: SAC Wisla (IL)
1997: Mequon United (WI)
1996: RWB Adria (IL)
1995: AAC Eagles (IL)

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I, II, IV and US Club Soccer in action this weekend (with updates)

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It’s a busy weekend of qualifying for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, as we head down the home stretch. By Monday morning, the USASA will know five of the six teams that will join Red Force (Florida) and North Texas Rayados in the 2013 US Open Cup. Also, US Club Soccer’s “lights out” semifinal match will be replayed on Sunday to determine who will play the Fresno Fuego Future in a “Win & You’re In” match the following weekend.

Here is a breakdown of this weekend’s games, and as always you can check Twitter (@USOpenCup) for updates, and remember if you’re at any of these games or have any Open Cup-related news/info/comments to make, be sure to use this year’s hashtag #USOC100.

(All Times Eastern)

FRIDAY

USASA Region IV Tournament DAY 1: Friday, April 19
Ontario Soccer Park – Ontario, CA

PSA Elite 3:0 Doxa Italia
DV8 Defenders 8:2 The Internationalists
Cal FC 12:3 San Francisco City FC

It was a high-scoring opening day of the USASA Region IV tournament, as the trend of barn-burners and blowouts continue. With many teams having been burned by goal difference tiebreakers in the past, a recent tradition of running up the score has been established and ehas continued into 2013. Cal FC dropped a dozen goals on newcomers San Francisco City in their quest to qualify for the second straight year, and attempt to provide an encore to one of last year’s biggest Cinderella stories. 2011 qualifiers DV8 Defenders missed the cut last year and started their campaign to represent the Bay Area once again with a convincing 8-2 win over The Internationalists. While the most competitive match of the day was still a 3-0 shutout with PSA Elite taking out Doxa Italia. Although, with head-to-head likely the first tiebreaker in the group, and PSA Elite competing in the other group, Doxa Italia still has hope of qualifying just like they did in 2011 as long as they win both of their games on Saturday. Clearly, that will be no easy task as they must play Cal FC and DV8 Defenders.

SATURDAY

USASA Region II Semifinals (Win & You’re In)
Saturday, April 20 – 3 p.m.
Kroc Center – Chicago, IL

FC Indiana 1:2 (AET) RWB Adria

RWB Adria, a semifinalist in 1978 and 1991, qualifies for the US Open Cup for the first time since 2008.  

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USASA Region IV Tournament DAY 2: Saturday, April 20
Ontario Soccer Park – Ontario, CA

Doxa Italia 7:0 San Francisco City FC
Cal FC 4:1 DV8 Defenders
PSA Elite 10:1 The Internationalists

Doxa Italia 2:1 Cal FC
PSA Elite 9:2 DV8 Defenders
San Francisco City FC 4:1 The Internationalists

When the dust settled out west on Saturday evening, two teams punched their ticket to the 2013 US Open Cup. PSA Elite cruised to three straight wins, outscoring its opponents 22-3, en route to a Group B win and their second straight trip to the Open Cup. Fellow Southern California club, Doxa Italia, overcame a 3-0 loss to PSA Elite in the opening game and clinched their second Open Cup berth in three years. Doxa emerged from Group A despite their loss to Group B champion PSA by defeating the two clubs in their group, newcomers San Francisco City (7-0), followed by a winner-take-all game against last year’s Cinderella story Cal FC. Doxa defeated Cal FC 2-1 in the final game as the two clubs finished tied atop the group standings, with Doxa Italia moving on to the championship game by way of the head-to-head tiebreaker. PSA Elite and Doxa Italia have both clinched their spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, they will meet again in the Region IV title game on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. local time) to determine who will represent the region at the USASA National Finals.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region IV Finals (April 19-21)
Ontario Soccer Park – Ontario, CA – All Times Eastern

Group A PTS W L D GD
Doxa Italia (CA – South) 6 2 1 0 +5
Cal FC (CA – South) 6 2 0 0 +12
San Fran. City (CA – North) 3 1 1 0 -13

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Group B PTS W L D GD
PSA Elite (CA – South) 9 3 0 0 +19
DV8 Defenders (CA – North) 3 1 2 0 -4
Internationalists (CA – South) 0 0 3 0 -18


SUNDAY

USASA Region II Semifinals (Win & You’re In)
 Sunday, April 21 – 1 p.m.
Olathe North – Olathe, KS

Dearborn Stars SC (MI) 0:1 KC Athletics (KS)

KC Athletics player/manager Kyle Perkins scored the lone goal in the 90th minute to send the Kansas-based club to their second straight Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This will be their third Open Cup berth in the last four years.

USASA Region I Quarterfinals
Sunday, April 21 – 3 p.m.
Newtown High School – Newtown, CT

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) 0:0 Newtown Pride SC (CT)
Newtown Pride advance 7-6 in PK shootout – will play at Mass Premier Soccer on April 28 (Win & You’re In)

The two teams battled to a scoreless draw after 120 minutes, but it was Newtown Pride SC who advanced after winning the penalty kick shootout 7-6. The Connecticut representative are now one win away from a US Open Cup berth and they will travel to the Boston area to play Mass Premier Soccer (MA) on April 28. More details to come. USASA Region I logo

USASA Region I Semifinals (Win & You’re In)
Sunday, April 21 – 6 p.m.
Montville Community Park (130 Changebridge Rd.) – Montville, NJ

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (MDCVA) 1:1 Icon FC (NJ)
Icon FC wins PK shootout, 7-6, to qualify for the 2013 US Open Cup

Icon FC became just the second New Jersey-based USASA team to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Pro Era (1995-present) when they won a penalty kick shootout with the Aegean Hawks. 7-6. The match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes and for the second time that Sunday afternoon, a Region I match had to be decided at the penalty kick spot. More details to come.

US Club Soccer Semifinals
Sunday, April 21 – 8 p.m.
Valley Christian High School – San Jose, CA

San Ramon FC 0:2 (AET) Los Gatos Storm
Los Gatos Storm will play Fresno Fuego Future in the USCS Final

There are now two teams remaining in the US Club Soccer qualifying tournament after Los Gatos Storm needed extra time to defeat San Ramon FC 2-0 on Sunday night. The original game was cut short in the middle of the second overtime period due to a power outage, but the replay lasted the full 120 minutes as the Storm put themselves one win away from a berth in the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. They will play the Fresno Fuego Future, a club that features the PDL franchise of the same name, at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, CA to decide US Club Soccer’s representative in the 2013 US Open Cup. The winner of that game will begin play in the Play-In Round on May 7 against an NPSL opponent still to be determined. More details to come.

#USOC100

Decision to disqualify Pancyprian Freedoms overturned; Newtown SC will host USASA Region I replay Sunday

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The Pancyprian Freedoms scored the only goal of the game against Newtown SC from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute. Photo: Michael Anderer | SoccerLImagazine.com

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms have gone from being one win away from qualifying for the 100th edition of the US Open Cup, to being on the outside looking in. And now, as a result of an appeal to the United States Adult Soccer Association’s National Cups Committee, they are back in the hunt for the tournament again.

The three-time US Open Cup champions were disqualified from the USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying tournament after it was discovered that they used an ineligible player in their 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Newtown SC on April 7.

According to the Cosmopolitan Soccer League’s official website, New York player Andreas Chronis was sent off in a league game on Dec. 9 against Hoboken FC 1912 for “rough play … insulting a referee with racist remark, also trying to assault a referee with headbutt.” Chronis was suspended until August 31, 2013 as a result of his actions.

According to George Halkidis, general manager of the Freedoms, the CSL website’s description is wrong and Chronis attempted to headbutt an opposing player, and not the referee. Regardless, the overall offenses, most of all the verbal abuse he inflicted upon the match official during and after the game, were seen as a serious offense, and thus making him ineligible for league and cup play.

Serious offenses, such as assaulting match officials, is a ban that stretches federation-wide, therefore, since the incident occurred during league play, it would carry over into cup competitions, such as the Open Cup. The bottom line is that Chronis was not eligible to participate in the April 7 game against Newtown SC.

Had the newly-renamed Newtown Pride SC not discovered the suspension listed on the CSL website, no one would have noticed the error. The Freedoms GM, like all teams do, submitted his roster to his league prior to the match and it was cleared, which is the main reason why Halkidis’ team has been given a lifeline.

According to a letter obtained by TheCup.us, “The Committee has further considered the circumstances surrounding the fact that the NY Pancyprian Freedoms were advised by their League that the Player Andreas Chronis, was eligible to play in the National Cups. We believe that the League made a serious error in issuing this advice, and the NY Pancyprian Freedoms acted on that wrong advice.”

With that ruling, the decision to disqualify the Freedoms was overturned and a replay of the original game was ordered. The game will take place on Sunday, April 21 at Newtown High School in Newtown, Conn at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. And at the risk of being obvious, Chronis is not allowed to take part in the contest.

“I feel good that we were cleared of any inappropriate discretion,” said Halkidis. “We are a historic club that take the National Cup competition very seriously. We have proudly represented our club and community on our way to a record six US Open Cup titles , always competing under the FairPlay spirit.”


The winner of the match will face Massachusetts champion Mass Premier Soccer with a spot in the 2013 US Open Cup on the line. The date of that match is still yet to be determined as well.

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