2014 US Open Cup

On Sept. 16, the US Open Cup Final will return to the Philadelphia area after an absence of 51 years when the Philadelphia Union host the Seattle Sounders.

Remarkably, the 2014 Final will be just the ninth time the Philadelphia area has been the site of the championship game, 10 if you include the one played in Bethlehem, Pa. in 1915. Outside of the 1921-22 season when Bethlehem Steel played as the Philadelphia Field Club, professional teams from Philadelphia proper did not have much success in the American Soccer League or its predecessor, the National Association Football League. Most of the success in the professional ranks outside Bethlehem came from New York and the Southern New England region. In the early years of the US Open Cup, then known as the National Challenge Cup, when Finals were often held at neutral venues, Philadelphia was passed over for sites such as Pawtucket, R.I., Fall River, Mass., and New York City.

Here is a closer look at each of the Philadelphia-area US Open Cup Finals, including the 1915 one in Bethlehem:

1915 US OPEN CUP FINAL

While Bethlehem is nearly 70 miles to the north of Philadelphia, many consider the club to be a de facto Philadelphia team. For the 2013 & 2014 seasons the Philadelphia Union’s alternate kit was a tribute to the Bethlehem Steel. Coming into the 1914-15 season, the Steelmen had switched to playing in the Philadelphia-based American League of Association Football Clubs, and its roster for the season was described by the Spaulding Soccer Guide as being made up of “the cream of the Philadelphia soccer players.” The 1915 Final marked Bethlehem’s first of five consecutive Final appearances, a mark topped only by St. Louis’ Stix, Baer & Fuller’s six straight Finals from 1932-1938.

The 1915 Final was a clash of two of the premier clubs in the country at that time. Brooklyn Celtic were making their return to the Final after dropping the championship of the inaugural tournament to Brooklyn Field Club the year before. Celtic had also won the New York State Amateur Football League four of the last five seasons, and were also runners-up in the 1915 American Cup. As noted before, the 1914-15 season was Bethlehem’s first in the ALAFC, having played its previous three seasons in Philadelphia’s Allied American Football League, which it won twice, as well as capturing the American Cup in 1914.

(Note: The American Cup, the predecessor to the National Challenge Cup which began in 1885, only included teams from the Northeast)

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Heading into the game, Brooklyn was missing four of its key players. Forward King, halfbacks Flanigan and McElroy, and fullback Robertson were all unable to make the trip due to injuries or being unable to get time off of work. The first goal of the game came from James Ford, who had scored the winning goal for Brooklyn Field Club against Celtic in the 1914 Final. Ford took a cross from Tommy Flemming and beat goalkeeper Frank Mather 20 minutes in. 17 minutes later, Ford assisted on the next Bethlehem goal scored by Bob Millar, who scrambled back to his feet for the shot after being blocked down. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that only the “rarest kind of luck” prevented Bethlehem from scoring three more times in the first half, due to missed chances and bad bounces.

In the second half Bethlehem continued its dominance, and appeared to have scored a third goal through Ford that was called back for offside. Bethlehem eventually did increase their lead to 3-0 on a Tommy Fleming penalty kick in the 65th minute after a handball by a Brooklyn defender. All told Bethlehem took 24 shots on goal, compared to Celtic’s 8. Brooklyn gained a consolation goal from McQueen in the dying minutes, and the dynasty of Bethlehem Steel had begun.

1915 – Bethlehem Steel (Bethlehem, PA) 3:1 Brooklyn Celtic (Brooklyn, NY)
May 1, 1915 | Taylor Field – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Bethlehem: James Ford (Fleming) – 20th min.
Bethlehem: Bob Millar (Ford) – 37th min.
Bethlehem: Tommy Fleming (PK) – 65th min.
Celtic: McQueen

Lineups
Bethlehem Steel: William Duncan, Sam Fletcher, Jock Ferguson, Dugald Campbell, Clarke, Bobby Morrison, James Ford, Billy Murray, Bob Millar, Fred Pepper, Tommy Fleming

Brooklyn Celtic: Frank Mather, Nicholas, McWilliams, John Broadbent, Donegan, Neville, Thomas Campion, Albert Lonie, Roddy O’Halloran, McQueen, McGreevy

Shots – Bethlehem 24, Brooklyn Celtic 8

Attendance: 7,000 | Referee: George Lambie | Linesmen: Charles E. Creighton, James Walders

1936 US OPEN CUP FINAL

21 years after Bethlehem won the Cup title on their home turf, the Open Cup Final finally made its way inside the boundaries of Philadelphia itself. The German American SC, two-time National Amateur Cup Champions in 1933 & 1934, were playing in the re-incarnated American Soccer League. Their opponents were the reigning dynasty of the day, St. Louis’ Shamrocks SC. The three-time defending champion Shamrocks SC (previously known as Stix, Baer & Fuiller and Central Breweries), featured a core of players in Alec McNab, Billy Gonsalves, Werner Nilsen and Bert Patenaude who had combined for 20 appearances and 20 goals in the previous six cup finals.

The first leg of the championship in St. Louis ended in dramatic fashion in favor of the Philadelphians, as Will Fielder scored a 90th minute goal to level the aggregate 2-2 heading back to Philadelphia. Over 5,000 fans came to the Rifle Club Grounds at Tabor Road to witness the return leg, and the home team did not disappoint. George Nemchik and Ray Richards scored in the first half to give the German Americans a 2-0 lead at the break. The first goal at 25 minutes began with a pass from Will Fiedler to Nemchik, who then maneuvered around a Shamrock defender and beat Shamrock goalkeeper Rodriguez. Nine minutes later Richards doubled the lead on a high-arching shot from the touchline. Miscommunication between Rodriguez and Davidson led to Rodriguez fumbling the ball across the goal line after catching it.

With the Shamrock side pressing desperately in the second half to cut into the lead, a turnover led to the third German American score. Fiedler intercepted a errant Shamrock pass at midfield and tore through the St. Louis defense until he found Nemechik, who beat two defenders and sent an unstoppable drive past Rodriguez for a 3-0 lead. As time wound down the Shamrocks continued their relentless attempt at getting back into the game, but the German American defense, led by goalkeeper Rob Denton, turned away each attempt.

With the final whistle, history had been made. Not only were the St. Louis juggernauts denied in its quest for a fourth straight Open Cup title, the German Americans became the first amateur club to win the Cup in the competition’s short history.

One side affect of the victory was that the German American SC earned a chance to play the Brooklyn Germans of New York’s’ German American Soccer League in one of two trial games used to put together the 1936 US Olympic soccer team. Of the seventeen players named to the squad, nine were from the German American SC.

1936 – Philadelphia German American SC (Philadelphia, PA) 5:2 (2:2, 3:0) Shamrocks SC (St. Louis, MO)
Philadelphia German American FC win National Challenge Cup on 5:2 aggregate

FIRST LEG – Shamrocks 2:2 Philadelphia German American FC
April 26, 1936 | Walsh Memorial Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Scoring Summary
Shamrocks: Werner Nilsen – 7th min.
Philadelphia: Ray Richards – 9th min.
Shamrocks: Wener Nilsen – 68th min.
Philadlephia: Will Fiedler – 90th min.

SECOND LEG – German-Americans 3:0 Shamrocks
May 3, 1936 | Rifle Club Grounds – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Philadelphia: George Nemchik – 25th min.
Philadelphia: George Nemchik – 34th min.
Philadelphia: Ray Richards – 69th min.

German-Americans: Rob Denton, Stoll, Al Harker, James Crockett, Peter Pietras, Charles Altemose, Ray Richards, Francis Ryan, George Nemchik (Fred Lutkfedder), Will Fiedler, McAlees

Shamrocks – Rodriguez, Lehman, Davidson, Kane, Watson, Thompson, McNab, Nilsen (Egan), Roe, Gonsalves, Pastor

Attendance: 8,000. | Referee: A.S. Gordon | Linesmen: Walders, Gates

1949 US OPEN CUP FINAL

Thirteen years later, it was the Philadelphia Nationals who brought an Open Cup Final to their home city. The Nationals, fresh off winning the American Soccer League and Lewis Cup titles, hosted Pittsburgh’s Morgan Strasser on the first leg of the finals series.

Over 3,500 were on hand at Holmes Stadium to witness the home side start their quest for a trebel on the right foot. The lone goal of the contest came after 35 minutes when Nick Kropfelder headed in a Walter Bahr corner kick. Despite the Nationals “outclassing the Morgans in passing and team play”, as the Pittsburgh Press reported, the Morgans kept the home side from further scoring, and came close to drawing level on two occasions. Morgan’s Raymond Innarelli sent a shot over the crossbar, and also stuck the upright with a 20-yard blast.

In the final minute, the Nationals squandered a golden opportunity that would ultimately cost them a chance at the championship, when Morgan goalkeeper Ray Fisher dove to save Ed McElveny’s penalty kick. Two weeks later in Pittsburgh, Morgan would prevail 4-2 in the second leg with a pair of goals from Gustave Teyssier, and a goal each from Nick DiOrio and Albert Innarelli to give them the Open Cup championship on 4-3 aggregate. For Morgan Strasser, it was the club’s first (and only) US Open Cup championship as they became just the second Pittsburgh-area team to lift the trophy (Gallatin SC – 1942)

1949 – Morgan Strasser (Pittsburgh, PA) 4:3 (1:0, 4:2) Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Morgan Strasser win National Challenge Cup on 4:3 aggregate

FIRST LEG – Philadelphia Nationals 1:0 Morgan-Strasser
May 15, 1949 | Holmes Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Philadelphia: Nick Kropfelder (Bahr) – 35th min.

Missed Penalty Kick – Ed McElveny, Nationals – 90th min.

Philadelphia: Gil Schuerholz, Dave Dick, Compton, J. Smith, Knoerlein, Walter Bahr, Ed McIlvenny, Oliver, Nick Kropfelder, Ray McFaul, John Sullivan || Substitutions: James Dunn, White

Morgan-Strasser: Ray Fisher, Gossic, A. DiOrio, F. Tkach, Bill Tkach, Chappel, Raymond Innarelli, Teyssier, Klemash. Nick DiOrio, Mitchell || Substitutions: W. Gossic

Attendance: 3,500 | Referee: Jack Cahill | Linesmen: Jamwes Walders, H. Rodgers

SECOND LEG – Morgan-Strasser 4:2 Philadelphia Nationals
May 29, 1949 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Morgan: Gustave Teyssier 23′, 2nd half; Nick DiOrio 2nd half, Albert Innarelli 2nd half
Philadelphia: John Smith 35’, Nick Kropfelder 2nd half

1952 US OPEN CUP FINAL

Three years later, it was Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh again, as the Nationals returned to the Final to face Harmarville. Philadelphia won the first leg in Pittsburgh 4-3 on goals from Len Owen and John Cier. As in 1949, a scoring opportunity late in the first leg would have a bearing on the final outcome of the series., when Hamarville’s Sonny Yacopec scored with 10 minutes remaining.

The late goal set the stage for a dramatic finish a week later at Holmes Field in Philadelphia. After a scoreless first half, Bennie McLaughlin scored in the 55th minute to put the Nationals up 5-3 on aggregate and a good shot at taking home the title. Harmarville began a relentless onslaught of the Nationals goal, and with 10 minutes remaining Nick DiOrio scored to pull Harmarville to within one. With just two minutes remaining, Sonny Yacopec once again scored in the late stages to even the aggregate a 5, proving his late goal in the first leg to be costly for the Nats.

Neither team scored in the first 15 minutes of extra time. On the kickoff of the second 15 minutes, Don Utchel made his way down field untouched to put Harmaville on top 6-5. Six minutes later, Steve Grivnow added an insurance goal to give Harmarville their first US Open Cup title as they brought the trophy back to the Steel City.

1952 – Harmarville (Pittsburgh, PA) 7:5 (3:4, 4:1 aet) Philadelphia Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Harmarville wins National Open Cup on 7-5 aggregate after extra time

FIRST LEG – Harmarville 3:4 Philadelphia Nationals
June 1, 1952 | Consumer Field – Harmarville, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Harmarville: Steve Grivnow – 8th min.
Harmarville: Steve Grivnow – 18th min.
Philadelphia: Len Owens – 19th min.
Philadelphia: Len Owens – 37th min.
Philadelphia: John Cier – 44th min.
Philadelphia: John Cier – 2nd half
Harmarville: Sonny Yacopec – 80th min.

SECOND LEG – Philadelphia Nationals 1:4 (aet) Harmarville (1:2 FT, aggregate drawn 5:5 at full time)
June 8, 1952 | Holmes Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Philadelphia: Bennie McLaughlin – 55th min.
Harmarville: Nick DiOrio – 80th min.
Harmarville: Sonny Yakopec – 88th min.
Harmarville: Don Utchel – 106th min.
Harmarville: Steve Grivnow – 112th min.

Philadelphia: Leo Radzay, Dave Dick, Jim Reid, Dunn, Bob Calghoun, Walter Bahr, John Cier (Shaw), Len Owens, Nick Kropfelder, Bennie McLaughlin, Jack Duffin

Harmarville: Don Malinowski, Sonny Yacopec, Bernabei, Halasowski, Don Utchel, Prucnal, Bob Craddock, Steve Grivnow, Merle Utchel, Nick DiOrio, Harry Pitchok | Subs: Baxter, Macarouich

Attendance: N/A | Referee: Ralph Rosner

1960 US OPEN CUP FINAL

The Ukrainian Nationals began their dominance of the 1960s with a historic performance from Mike Noha in the 1960 Open Cup Final. Facing the 1958 Open Cup champion Los Angeles Kickers in front of 5,500 at Edison Field, the 21-year-old Argentine striker turned in the greatest single-game scoring efforts in Finals history, notching five goals in the Nationals’ 5-3 extra time victory.

After the Kickers took a 1-0 lead on Al Zerhusen’s header in the 15th minute, Noha answered five minutes later by dibbling past four defenders before scoring on an eight-yard shot. Los Angeles regained the lead on a Werner Staake penalty kick, but the score was leveled once again just before halftime when Noha’s shot was fumbled away by Kickers goalkeeper Vic Ottoboni.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, the Kickers once again went in front on Ederhard Herz’s 20-yard blast to the upper corner. With 12 minutes remaining, the Kickers’ Hugh Evans was called for a hand ball in the penalty area, and Noha stepped up to tie the game for the third time. Noha’s five-goal performance was nearly cut short in the final minute when the Nationals’ Mike Campos saw his goal disallowed for offside.

Once in extra time, the Kickers never regained the lead, and Noha continued his historic pace. After the first 15 minutes of extra time finished scoreless, Noha netted his fourth goal on an 18-yard shot after a pass from Alex Falk. Six minutes later, Falk fed Noha again for his fifth goal and a 5-3 victory.

1960 – Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 5:3 (aet) Los Angeles Kickers (Los Angeles, CA)
May 29, 1960 | Edison Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Kickers: Al Zerhusen – 15th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha – 20th min.
Kickers: Werner Staake (PK) – 1st half
Nationals: Mike Noha – 43rd min.
Kickers: Eberhard Herz – 60th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha (PK) – 78th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha – 110th min.
Nationals: Mike Noha – 116th min.

Nationals: Al Didriksen, Varga, Smolinski, Eugene Krawec, Andy Racz, Alex Ely, Jack Ferris, Mike Noha, Mike Campo, Stanley Dlugosz, Ozzie Jethon | Subs: Chayka-Falk, Sanchez

Kickers: Vic Ottoboni, Werner Staacke, Evans, Weiss, Isak, Baxter, Fred Habel, Eberhard Herz, Willie Carson, Bill Steel, Al Zerhusen | Subs: Oakes

Attendance: 5,500 | Referee: Nels Dahlquist

1961 US OPEN CUP FINAL

The Open Cup Final returned to a two-leg format in 1961, and the Ukrainian Nationals continued their run of dominance in the tournament with a convincing victory over another Los Angeles club, the United Scots. A 2-2 draw in the first leg at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles set the stage for a dramatic second leg at LaSalle University’s McCarthy Stadium. A year after Mike Noha set an Open Cup Final record with five goals in a goal, over 6,000 people saw Herman Niss net a hat trick to lead the Nationals to a 7-4 aggregate victory. Noha, along with star halfback Alex Ely, would miss the game due to injury.

Niss opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from five yards out, followed 10 minutes later by dipping a shot over the head of goalkeeper Bob Sipovac. The Scots scored first in the second half on John McNally’s short shot, but that was as close as the visitors would ever get. Stan Dlugosz restored the Nationals two-goal lead on an assist from Carl Yakovino, and Niss completed his hat trick three minutes after on a header from 10 yards out. Niss would soon be removed from the game after injuring his right ankle, but by then the Nationals had the aggregate well in hand. Yakovino scored from 20 yards out to extend the lead to four goals, and Al Zerhusen netted a consolation goal with two minutes remaining. It would be the first and last time the United Scots would reach the Final.

1961 – Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 7:4 (2:2, 5:2) United Scots (Los Angeles, CA)
Ukrainian Nationals win National Open Cup on 7-4 aggregate

FIRST LEG – United Scots 2:2 Ukrainian Nationals
June 11, 1961 | Wrigley Field – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Stanley Dlugosz – 7th min.
Scots: Al Zerhusen – 1st half
Nationals: Stanley Dlugosz – 2nd half
Scots: Al Zerhusen – 85th min.

Lineups: N/A

SECOND LEG – Ukrainian Nationals 5:2 United Scots
June 25, 1961 | McCarthy Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Herman Niss – 1st half
Nationals: Herman Niss – 1st half
Scots: John McNally – 63rd min.
Nationals: Stanley Dlugosz – 2nd half
Nationals: Herman Niss – 2nd half
Nationals: Carl Yakovino – 2nd half
Scots: Al Zerhusen – 88th min.

Lineups

Nationals: Mario Ibanez, Ivan Borodiak, Andy Racz, Eugene Krawec, Gene Vinyei, Rueben Pegorer, Herman Niss, Richardo Mangani, Tibor Stankowicz, Carl Yakovino, Stanley Dlugosh | Subs: Didriksen

Scots: Bob Sipovac, James McFarlane, Mike Bujic, Leif Danielson, Paddy Radcliffe, Don Cairns, Bela Zahar, Jack Carruthers, Larry Radulski, John McNally, Al Zerhusen | Subs: Roy Milne, Mike Mayer

Attendance: 6,000 | Referee: Thomas Callaghan | Linesmen: Jim Marrison, Hugh Reidy

1963 US OPEN CUP FINAL

The Ukrainian Nationals run of Open cup success was stopped shot in 1962 when they dropped the Eastern Final to New York Hungaria over two legs, the first Open Cup loss for the Nationals in 22 games, which remains one of the longest unbeaten streaks in tournament history. The club returned to the Final the following year in 1963 to face a team from Los Angeles yet again, the Armenian SC who were making their first championship game appearance.

With the game scoreless at full time, the Nationals 1960 hero Mike Noha took center stage yet again in extra time with a goal from 7 yards out to give the Nationals the only goal they would need for a 1-0 win. The game soon came to an abrupt end when an unidentified Armenian player, sent off by referee Ray Kraft, refused to leave the field. The player then struck Kraft, prompting the referee to call off the match with about five minutes remaining. The National Soccer News noted that the game was “marred by repeated protests by the LA manager and players.”

Overall the Nationals finished the 1962-63 season 26-3-3 in all competitions, and only allowed four goals in the eight Open Cup games they played. The harsh reality of soccer economics of the day would also arise, as it was reported that the Nationals lost $2,000 ($15,571 adjusted for inflation) hosting the game, due to travel, lodging and meals for the Kickers.

1963 – Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 1:0 (aet) Armenian SC (Los Angeles, CA)
June 2, 1963 | Cambria Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Mike Noha – 102nd min.
*Game stopped in 115th minute when an Armenian player struck the referee after being sent off

Lineups

Nationals: Svich, Borodiak, Racz, Krawetz, O. Ferreyra, Ely, Noha, Mangani, Ferreyra, Chyzowych, Oliver | Subs: Yakovino

Armenian: Martinez, I. Mosikian, Akau, Sentoglu, Ayzazian, Topaloglu, Carlickian, Yardinoglu, Hovahenshian, J. Mosikian, Kendinoglu | Subs: Kouwoumjian

Attendance: 4,000 | Referee: Ray Kraft

1964 US OPEN CUP FINAL

By now it seemed two things were certain for the Open Cup Finals of the early 1960s: the Ukrainian Nationals would represent the East, and a team from Los Angeles would be their opponent. This time around it was a rematch of the Nats’ first cup final appearance in 1960, Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria. The Kickers had changed their team name after merging with the Victoria club the year before.

Each team was anchored by future US Soccer Hall of Famers. Walt Chyzowych on representing the Nationals side and Al Zerhusen with Los Angeles. Cambria Field was once again the venue as the Nationals hosted the Final for the second straight year, but it was the visitors that had the early advantage as Los Angeles jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead on goals from Helmut Weiss and Manual Abuanza. Two goals from Chyzowych in the second half sent the game to extra time, and after 45 minutes, the game was declared a draw and a replay was in order.

The replay two weeks later at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles did not turn out the way the Ukrainains had hoped, as the Kickers prevailed 2-0 on second half goals from Zerhusen and Weiss. For the Kickers, it would be the 2nd US Open Cup title and the last time they would reach the Final.

1964 – Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria (Los Angeles, CA) 4:2 (2:2 aet, 2:0) Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA)
Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria win National Open Cup on 4:2 aggregate

Ukrainian Nationals 2:2 (aet) Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria
June 1, 1964 | Cambria Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
*45 minutes of extra time played

Scoring Summary
Los Angeles: Helmut Weiss, Manual Abaunza
Nationals – Walt Chyzowych (2)

Lineups

Nationals: Svich, Borodiak, Racz, Krawetz, Luna, Ely, Mike Noha, Saacher-Marin, Ismael Ferreyra, Walt Chyzowych, Joe Whetland | Subs: Klenchek, Car

Kickers-Victoria: Bauerle, Lenhardt, E. Mata, Ron Mata, B. Abaunza, Werner Mata, Gauss, Helmut Weiss, Mamuel Abaunza, Al Zerhusen, Herz | Subs: Helio, Norushat

Attendance: 5,000 | Referee: William Peters.

REPLAY – Los Angeles Kickers-Victoria 2:0 Ukrainian Nationals
June 21, 1964 | Wrigley Field – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Kickers-Victoria: Al Zerhusen – 77th min.
Kickers-Victoria: Helmut Weiss – 83rd min.

1966 US OPEN CUP FINAL

The last of the Open Cup Finals hosted in the city of Philadelphia ended with another Ukrainian Nationals triumph, over yet another Southern California opponent, Orange County SC, who had reached their first Final.

Having jumped out to a 1-0 series lead on May 22 in Los Angeles, the return leg at Cambria Stadium would be a bit more comfortable for the hosts. While Mike Noha had moved on, the Nationals still had an Argentine connection working for them in George Benitez and Ismael Ferreya. The pair combined for the first goal of the game at 18 minutes when Benitez scored on a pass from Ferreya. Carl Yakovino, responsible for the lone goal in the first leg, scored from the penalty spot 10 minutes later. Henry Wagner finished the scoring for the game in the 35th minute, giving the Ukrainians a comfortable 4-0 aggregate lead . The 1966 championship would be the last for the Ukrainian Nationals, ending a remarkable run in which they appeared in five Open Cup finals from 1960-1966.

1966 – Ukrainian Nationals (Philadelphia, PA) 4:0 (1:0, 3:0) Orange County SC (Los Angeles, CA)
Ukrainian Nationals win National Open Cup on 4:0 aggregate

FIRST LEG – Orange County SC 0:1 Ukrainian Nationals
May 22, 1966 | Rancho La Cienga Stadium – Los Angeles, California

Scoring Summary
Nationals: Carl Yacovino 78’

Lineups: N/A

SECOND LEG – Ukrainian Nationals 3:0 Orange County SC
June 5, 1966 | Cambria Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Nationals – George Benitez 18’, Carlos Yacovino 28’ (PK), Henry Wagner 35′

Lineups

Nationals: Tarnawsky, Borodiak, Watson, Julio, Luna, Ayala, Yacovino, Mendez, Ferreira, Wayne, Benitez

Orange County: Zamaro, McFarland, Klenchak, R. Mata, E. Mata, Grundtner, Mora, W. Mata, Cameron, M. Abuanza, Drexler

Attendance: 3,000

1994 US OPEN CUP FINAL

On the same day the final group games were being played in the 1994 World Cup, the last Open Cup Final in the Philadelphia area was played in relative anonymity at the home of the United German Hungarians soccer club in Oakford, PA, located just north of the city. Witnessed by only 400 fans during the best-attended World Cup in history, it also marked the first and only time the Philadelphia area was a neutral site host for the Final.

The Greek American AC of San Francisco were making its third appearance in the Final, having previously appeared in 1985 (2-1 win over Kutis SC of St. Louis) and 1988 (2-1 loss to Busch SC of St. Louis). Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC were making their Final debut after a controversial semifinal forfeit win over McCormick Kickers, who were unable to play the semifinals contest due to purchasing tickets to a World Cup game in advance.

Scoreless at halftime, the Greek Americans scored their first goal on a Bavarian mistake when goalkeeper Jim Marshall’s attempt at a clearance rebounded off defender Mike Roe and into the goal. Four muinutes later, Mike Deleray scored the first of his two goals as the result of a cross from Tim Martin. Deleray sealed matters in the 80^th minute on Todd Brockman’s cross. The win was the Greek Americans second Open Cup championship, as well as the second in a row won by a Bay are club. The previous year in Indianapolis Fresno’s CD Mexico posted a 5-0 victory over United German Hungarians, the club whose field was used for the 1994 final.

1994 – Greek American AC (San Francisco, CA) 3:0 Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI)

July 30, 1994 | UGH Field – Oakford, Pennsylvania

Scoring Summary
Greek American: Own Goal (Mike Roe) – 56th min.
Greek American: Mike Deleray (Tim Martin) – 60th min.
Greek American: Mike Deleray (Todd Brockman) – 80th min.

Lineups

Greek Americans: Kardzair, McNevin, Martin, Odiye, Elberse (McBride 56’), Van Rheenen, Bravo, Brockman, Wall (Petuskey 80’), Deleray, Semioli

Bavarian SC: Jim Marshall (GK), Alioto, Arnold, Gansler, Hospel (Zabala 80’), Klopp, Mike Roe, Schweinert, Stebbins, Szczepanski, Tom Zaiss (Knight 65’)

Attendance: 400