Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2014 US Open Cup

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: Ventura County Fusion rallies to beat CD Aguiluchos to set amateur win record (video)

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The Ventura County Fusion became the first Premier Development League team to win US Open Cup matches in four straight seasons Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over the NPSL’s CD Aguiluchos USA.

Kennedy Chongo and Peter Gregory scored second half goals as the Fusion reversed a 1-0 deficit before 200 fans at the Ventura College Sportsplex.

“If we’re making history, it’s because the organization is getting great leadership,” Fusion coach Rudy Ybarra. “That starts at the top with ownership. We’re seen as one of the best PDL teams in the country.”

Since falling on penalty kicks to the Arizona Suaharos (USASA) in 2010, the local Premier Development League has beaten Doxa Italia (USASA), Fullerton Rangers (NPSL), FC Hasental (NSPL) and Aguiluchos (NPSL) in consecutive years.

The Sacramento Republic, an expansion team in USL Pro that have five Fusion alumni on its roster, will visit Ventura in Wednesday’s second round.

The reunion was in jeopardy after the opening 45 minutes.

Two giveaways at the back within seconds of each other allowed Aquiluchos forward Jorge Ruiz to slot the opening goal into an empty net in just the fifth minute.

The Oakland-based National Premier Soccer League side put forth a starting XI that included striker Rudis Corrales, who had 77 appearances and 17 goals for El Salvador over the past decade. His resume includes a record five goals in a World Cup qualifier against Anguilla and a goal against the US national team in a 2010 friendly.

Aquiluchos’ solid first half forced Ybarra to use two of his three substitutes at the break.

Chongo and midfielder Steve Palacios opened the second half on the field, transforming the Fusion attack by combing with Gregory, winger James Kiffe and playmaker Johnny Lopez.

They earned the Fusion an equalizer in the 53rd minute as Chongo flicked a ball forward for an on-rushing Lopez. The ball was batted out of the air by the hand of a defender and Chongo slotted home the resulting penalty kick with ease.

Ventura County took the lead 12 minutes later, when Chongo’s rebound fell for Gregory to tap in at the near post.

Aquiluchos argued that the goal was offsides even more fervently than they did the earlier penalty decision. The visitors were even more unhappy when Francisco Mendoza’s potential equalizer was nullified by the offsides flag in the 70th minute.

Ybarra refused to render an opinion on the match’s controversies. But did argue that the Fusion proved to be the better team by creating more chances.

“You saw the difference in the second half,” Ybarra said. “We controlled the tempo. We had to withstand the little storm there, but the game should have been over prior to that. We created plenty of chances and that’s a good sign.”

Game highlights

Full game replay

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: RWB Adria advance for first time in Modern Pro Era, eliminate Detroit City FC in PKs

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Detroit City FC fans were out in full voice at Stevenson High School in Livonia, but RWB Adria emerged victorious in a penalty kick shootout. Photo: Jon DeBoer | Detroit City FC

UPDATE: Vlad Baciu of RWB Adria earned TheCup.us Player of the Round

RWB Adria has had their share of heartbreaks in their US Open Cup history. Wednesday, they were the heartbreakers, as they eliminated Detroit City FC on penalty kicks after a full time score of 2-2.

“It was a great game. A great great game,” said Adria goalkeeper Igor Dimov. “A great atmosphere , surprising, but very enjoyable.”

Dimov had a lot to be cheering about as he and his club, who reached the semifinals in 1978 and 1991, advanced for the first time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present), after going 0-3-1 (0-1 in PKs) in their last four appearances.

Play started in the 2nd minute, at the rainy Livonia Stevenson High School as Vlad Baciu looked to create a scoring opportunity for RWB but his through ball found no one. Detroit City looked to get on the board early as returning leading scorer Zach Myers, the 2012 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, was stopped after a stellar run down the middle of Adria’s defense in the 10th. A sliding tackle from an Adria defender robbed Myers of what would have surely been a goal.

Baciu was at it again in the 17th as he took his first shot of the game was it hit the left post and spun out of play. He was much more efficient three minutes later, when Judson McKinney’s long throw-in was knocked around DCFC’s box, only to find the bottom of Baciu’s foot, who put it past Detroit keeper Bret Mollon.

It nearly became 2-0 Adria as captain Semir Mesanovic launched a missile towards City’s net but it was off-target. The half continued with Detroit having numerous opportunities, but finding the cross bar or wide of the mark. Most notably with Wade Allen finding spaces in the defense but being just a touch off on his shot, twice.

After the half, DCFC made a change with Willian Mellors-Blair who promptly made his presence known with two shots within 15 minutes of joining the game. His second one was a goal that was ruled offside, which is something DCFC struggled with as a team throughout the evening.

Detroit City finally tied the match when Zach Myers crossed the ball to Tyler Arnone, who was standing at the top of the box. Arnone’s shot beat Adria’s Dimov who was out of position in the net to make it 1-1 in the 71st minute. Six minutes later, Detroit had the lead and all the momentum as Ryan Thelan’s corner kick found the dreaded hair of Kevin Taylor to make it 2-1. That goal was Taylor’s first in the US Open Cup since 2003 when he was a member of the Mid-Michigan Bucks against the Long Island Rough Riders in a 2-1 victory. Taylor’s 11-year gap in between Open Cup goals is a new Modern Pro Era record.

Adria snatched back all the momentum just before the game ended with another scrum goal. A DCFC clearance on the goal line didn’t escape danger as Baciu got his foot on the ball again to give him his second goal of the match. More tragedy struck for DCFC when Thelan was elbowed in the head going for a ball against Baciu in the 97th minute, and had to be helped off of the field. As DCFC had used all of their substitutes, they had to play a man down for the extra periods. Adria would level the playing field in the 109th minute when Marin Vucemilovic-Grgic was sent off for a foolish challenge from behind on Arnone.

Soon after, in the 116th minute, the game began to unravel as two more red cards were issued after a tussle between Detroit defender Zeke Harris and Adria’s Dimov, which attracted RWB’s Derek Huffman into the mix, ending with Harris and Huffman both getting ejected to bring the game down to 9-on-9.

The game went to a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of play. Dimov stepped up and saved two of the first four attempts (Lochlan Savage and Kevin Taylor), with another attempt going wide. Arnone scored the lone PK for Detroit City.

Adria, however, was much more successful in their conversions as Bret Mollon was only able to come up with one save, on Josip Keran. Mesanovic, Johnny Morris and McKinney all converted to put the match decisively away 3-1.

“We were very lucky tonight,” Dimov said after the game. “Detroit played very hard, and we were lucky to get the victory tonight. We controlled the first half, but we knew Detroit being younger, would allow them to run for in the second half.” .

“When we scored our final goal, I think it took the life out of Detroit, and then we just used our experience and old man strength to finish the game,” laughed Dimov.

RWB general manager Ante Loncar weighed in as well: “It was a good game. Detroit has excellent fans. They’re a great team. Especially since both teams kind of just got together recently. In the end, I think our experience won us this match, as it could have gone either way.”

With the victory, RWB Adria will be back in Michigan next Wednesday, as they will be in Pontiac at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas to face Michigan’s other premier amateur club, the Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League.

“It will be an interesting match. They are a great team,” gushed Loncar. “We will see next week what happens, but it should be a great match.”

SCORING SUMMARY

RWB: Baciu (McKinney) – 20th min.
DCFC – Arnone (Myers) – 71st min.
DCFC – Taylor (Thelan) – 77th min.
RWB – Baciu (Unassisted) – 90th+

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

DCFC:
Savage: Saved,
Edwardson: Wide left
Taylor: Saved
Arnone: Scored

RWB:
Mesanovic: Scored
Morris: Scored
Keran: Saved
McKinney: Scored

BOOKING SUMMARY

RWB – Mesanovic 44th – Yellow
RWB – Bond 52nd – Yellow
DCFC – Z. Harris 59th – Yellow
DCFC – Myers 90th+ – Yellow
RWB – Vucelilovic 109th – Red
RWB – Huffman 116th – Red
DCFC – Z. Harris 116th – Red

STARTING LINEUPS

DCFC: Mollon (GK); Z.Harris, Thelan, Lamb, Rogers (C); Saydee (Edwardson 88th), Thompson (Savage 63rd), Taylor, Arnone; Myers, Allan (Mellors-Blair 45th)

RWB Adria: Dimov (GK), McKinney, Keran, Vucemilovic-Grgic, Arapovic; Ljeljabk, Mesanovic (C), Stijepic, Khoshaba (Bond, 45th); Huffman, Baciu.

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: Western Mass Pioneers use double-doubles to pull away late, beat GPS Massachusetts 4-1 (video)

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Alencar Junior scored two goals to lead Western Mass Pioneers to a 4-1 win over GPS Massachusetts. Photo: David Henry | sweetdogphotos.com

The Western Mass Pioneers proved the old truism that it’s not how you start, but rather, how you finish following a 4-1 First Round Open Cup win over GPS Massachusetts on Wednesday at Lusitano Stadium.

After conceding a 7th minute goal to Santiago Bedoya and putting in a listless first half performance, the Pioneers came alive in the second stanza with four unanswered goals. Will Daniels scored in the 70th and 86th minutes, while Alencar Junior struck in the 75th and 76th minutes.

“They played well and complimented each other,” head coach Federico Molinari said of Daniels and Junior. “I told them that this game is going to be (all about) the last 30 minutes, they’re going to have a lot of opportunities because played last Sunday. And I knew they were going to run out of gas.”

With the win, the Pioneers advance to the second round, where they will face the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen’s Stadium on Wednesday, May 14. Unable to field many of their college prospects due final exams, the Pioneers fielded a veteran-heavy side. While they struggled to find cohesion early, GPS Massachusetts gifted them an early chance when Bryce Ciambella was brought down inside the area in the sixth minute, and a penalty was awarded. But Jayme Kapinos couldn’t convert from the spot, as Jeff Newman smothered it right on the line.

With that bullet dodged, the guests wasted no time making the best of an opportunity that unfolded in the 11th minute. Bedoya, whose older brother, Alejandro, is a US Men’s National Team regular, ran at goal and fired a shot that beat Warren Gross to give the USASA side the lead.

Despite a slew of mistakes in the midfield, the Pioneers tried to respond to Bedoya’s strike before the interval. Evan Burokas fired a shot from distance in the 30th minute that forced a save from Newman, while Junior glanced a wide open header that strayed away from frame a minute later.

Jayme Kapinos and his Western Mass Pioneers enjoyed the only decisive win of the round, beating GPS Massachusetts, 4-1. Photo: David Henry | sweetdogphotos.com

One last crack before the break saw Daniels force Newman to make a diving save at the far post in stoppage time. Although the Pioneers boasted a fair number of first half chances, it was evident that GPS Massachusetts was the better side in the opening 45. They moved the ball well from east to west, and north to south, and clogged up the passing lanes on defense.

“I played last month against them, so I know them,” Junior said. “And that’s what I was telling in the locker room: we’ll figure it out. Because in the first half we didn’t play so well; we were too open.”

The second half, however, would prove to be a far different story for both sides. The guests began to tire after the witching hour, and it was at the point that the hosts, who switched from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 to improve their success in the midfield, smelled blood.

A speedy Samuel Naiwo took advantage of a depleted GPS defense in the 70th minute by racing down the right and sending a low cross in front for Daniels, who easily tapped it through. Five minutes later, Junior collected a pass over the top from Jay Willis and beat the defense before chipping it over Newman, who came well off his line in an attempt to intercept it. But the keeper was too late as Junior’s gentle lob fell into the back of the net.

Junior, who was a shadow of his usual self in the first half, scored his second in the 76th minute when Ciambella released him into the final third, where the Brazilian striker would coolly finish.

“The second goal was beautiful,” said Junior. “I got the ball in the back, started on the left side, and then he passed the ball to me, a really good pass, and I finished it nicely.”

Daniels capped the scoring in the 86th minute when he sliced through the midfield, broke into the box, and put it through to collect his second goal of the game to clear the path to next week’s Second Round clash at Rochester.

“It’s nice for the club to face a big team like Rochester,” Molinari said. “So we need to prepare now, play better than how we played in the first half, and go there and play .”

Brian O’Connell writes for New England Soccer Today. You can follow him on Twitter @BrianOConnell21

Game Highlights

Post-game reaction

Full match replay


LINEUPS

GPS Massachusetts: Jeff Newman (GK), Alan Ashenfelter, Pumele Maqubela, Matt Handy, Jake Edwards, Matt Lemire, Harris Smirko (Derek Nobrega 68’), Nick Christman, Santi Bedoya, Nick Figueiredo (TJ Thompson 63’, Dan MacGregor 77′), Tyler Macnee

Western Mass Pioneers: Warren Gross, Jayme Kapinos, Jay Willis, Jesse Pereira, Evan Burokas, Kyle Clancy (Mike Matera 46’), Bryce Ciambella, Tyler Carlos (Samuel Naiwo 46’), Alencar Junior (Brandon Wilson 81’), Will Daniels, James Beeston

SCORING SUMMARY

GPS Massachusetts: Santi Bedoya (unassisted) – 11’
Western Mass Pioneers: Will Daniels (Samuel Naiwo) – 70’
Western Mass Pioneers: Junior Alencar (Jay Willis) -75’
Western Mass Pioneers: Junior Alencar (Bryce Ciambella) – 76’
Western Mass Pioneers: Will Daniels (unassisted) – 86’

BOOKING SUMMARY

Western Mass Pioneers: Jay Wills -20’
GPS Massachusetts: Alan Ashenfelter – 88’

ATTENDANCE: 411

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: Lehigh Valley United’s OT winner edges GPS Portland Phoenix (video)

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Lehigh Valley United pose for a team photo before their 2014 US Open Cup match against GPS Portland Phoenix. Photo: Meg Scott | PhillySoccerPage.net

Recap courtesy of PhillySoccerPage.net

National Premier Soccer League club Lehigh Valley United Sonic made the long 7-hour bus ride to Portland, ME to take on PDL club GPS Portland Phoenix on Tuesday. The first round match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup took place under clear skies at Deering High School’s Memorial Field. It took extra time after a scoreless 90 minutes of regulation time but LVU were victorious by the score of 1-0.

Sonic started the match well with two great scoring chances in the first 15 minutes of the match through forward Roshane Ellison. Ellison’s second chance required an excellent save from GPS goalkeeper Lee Johnston. In the 26th minute, with Sonic midfielder Shastri Spencer running towards a loose ball, Johnston had to race out of his net for the clearancet. Right before the half, GPS had a free kick from 25 yards out but Jonathan Remond put it over the bar.

After the half, both teams returned to the field with the same lineups. In the 54th minute, a hard sliding tackle on Roshane Ellison caused him to stay down for a couple minutes. No foul was called on the play. Ellison tried to shake off the tackle but in the 62nd minute Sonic head coach Dave Weitzman had to substitute in George Tsirukis.

Immediately after the substitution Sonic had its best chance of the game with two point blank shots stopped by a GPS defender and the keeper, Johnston. GPS had a free kick in the 86th minute but Remond shot right at Sonic keeper Charlie Sales. With the game heading for extra time both teams pushed for a winner but couldn’t find the back of the net.

In the first period of 15 minutes of extra time, Sonic had another chance to go ahead in the 103rd minute when the ball was crossed in from the left to a wide-open player on the back post. He had the whole net open but his shot was blocked by his own teammate and bounced out for a goal kick. GPS followed up in the 108th minute with their best chance of the game off a corner kick that was headed off the underside of the crossbar. The Sonic defense recovered and was able to clear the ball.

In the 115th minute, Sonic was able to break the deadlock after Tsirukis collected the ball near midfield and ran 20 yards before passing the ball to a streaking Shastri Spencer on the left, who lofted the ball over the GPS keeper to hand LVU Sonic the 1-0 lead.

At the death of the game in the 120th minute, Sonic keeper Charlie Sales had to make a desperate save from a GPS shot that deflected off a defender to preserve the shutout and the win for the visitors.

LVU Sonic will now host USL Pro side Harrisburg City Islanders in the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup next Wednesday, May 14 at Whitehall High School Soccer Stadium in Whitehall, Pa. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

After Wednesday night’s victory, LVU Sonic head coach Dave Weitzman took a few minutes to answer some questions:

On having the midfielders rotate positions and switch wings:

“They were playing a 4-4-2 against our 4-3-3 and I said to the guys that I really thought we had to try and manage the central midfield… I was really trying to make sure we were solidified and then on the flanks I really wanted to try to get a little bit more speed in there. The game plan was to get George Tsirukis, the left footed player, into the match around the 60th minute because we really though he would tire them out a little bit.”

On the goal:

“The turn George had at midfield and then he took the ball about 30 yards and found Shastri. That is his great individualism and great creative play. Great goal.”

On looking forward to next round:

“Absolutely! Soccer has a real deep strong tradition in the Lehigh Valley… There has been a really strong soccer community in the Lehigh Valley that are really supportive of this team and the teams in the past and to be able to bring a pro game back to the valley for the first time since the early 80’s is great!”

Scoring Summary
LVU: Shastri Spencer 115 ‘ (George Tsirukis)

Disciplinary Summary
LVU: Tom Mustac 107’ (Yellow)
GPS: Jonathan Lupinelli 109’ (Yellow)

Lehigh Valley United Sonic (4-3-3)
Charlie Sales; Paddy Farrell, Ali Famili, Toric Robinson, Brendon Boucard (Richard Guedes 99’); Schuylar Rimmelee, Thomas Ryan, Shastri Spencer; Josh Cirocco (Joe Joe Jappah 73’), Roshane Ellison (George Tsirukis 62’), Tom Mustac

GPS Portland Phoenix (4-4-2)
Lee Johnston; Raiff Gwinnett, Neil Harries, Cameron Omsberg, Jonathan Lupinelli; David Magee (Zach Zurita 59’), Jonathan Remond, Mitch McPike, Eric Anderson; Kyle Shangraw, McKauley Tulloch (Wyatt Omsberg 69’)

Attendance: 80

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: New York Red Bulls U23s spoil Vermont’s tournament debut, 2-1 (video)

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The New York Red Bulls defeated the Vermont Voltage 2-1 to advance to Round 2. Photo: Bob Larson
The New York Red Bulls defeated the Vermont Voltage 2-1 to advance to Round 2. Photo: Bob Larson

It was a cool and crisp night at the New York Red Bulls training facility in Whippany, NJ as their under-23 NPSL side were ready to face the Vermont Voltage of the PDL and while there was a bit of a delay from the team in the Green Mountain State, the action on the field did not disappoint. In the end, the Red Bulls survived, beating the Voltage 2-1 to earn a spot in the second round.

With the win, the Red Bulls pick up their first Open Cup victory as a NPSL team, and deny the Voltage the first win by a Vermont team in tournament history. New York moves on to play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro in Round 2 on May 14 at 7 p.m.

Both sides were attacking well and you wouldn’t have known it was either sides’ first match of the season. But it was all Red Bulls as they were able to grab hold of a two-goal lead at the half at the R

New York featured some nice combination play in the first half as Scott Thomsen found the back of the net on the far side in the 18th minute as he slipped it past goalkeeper Alexsandar Djekic for the opening goal of the match, but some good fortune came in the 35th minute when Kendan Anderson’s shot hit a defender and popped up in the air. Djekic was well off his line and the ball bounced into an open net to give New York a 2-0 lead.

New York's Scott Thomsen opened the scoring by nutmugging Vermont Voltage goalkeeper Aleksandar Djekic. Photo: Bob Larson
New York’s Scott Thomsen opened the scoring by nutmugging Vermont Voltage goalkeeper Aleksandar Djekic. Photo: Bob Larson

When the second half began you saw the Voltage get a little more physical and a little more tactical as they tried to stay in the game. They cut the lead in half in the 69th minute when Red Bulls goalkeeper Evan Louro got a hand on a Adrian Saldana shot, he was unable to keep it out.

The Voltage continued to push for an equalizer, led by their 43-year-old general manager, head coach, director of player personnel, marketing director and all-time leading scorer, Bo Vuckovic. The Red Bulls defense would hold on in the final 20 minutes to secure their first tournament win and give them a shot at a professional team in Round 2.

New York Red Bulls Under-23s 2, Vermont Voltage 1
May 7, 2014
2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round
Red Bull Training Facility

Scoring Summary:
NY: Scott Thomsen (Daniel Bedoya) – 18’
NY: Kendan Anderson (Unassisted) – 35’
VER: Adrian Saldana (Unassisted) – 68’

Disciplinary Summary:
None

New York Red Bulls Under-23: 1-Evan Louro, 5-Anthony Viteri, 3-Scott Thomsen, 4-Kevin Politz (12-Bonny London 76’), 9-Kendan Anderson (14-Gabriel Bagot 65’), 6-Sean Sheridan, 7-Dan Bedoya, 15-Chris Lema, 10-Sammy Adjei, 17-Arun Basuljevic, 11-Franklin Castellanos (8-Chris Thorshiem 78’)

Substitutes not used: 18-Keith Cardona, 2-Dwayne Dove, 16-Kevin Romero, 13-Keith Francisco

Vermont Voltage: 00-Aleksandar Djekic, 24-Bo Vuckovic (17-Jack McGowan 76’), 16-Markovic Danilo, 18-Ryan Tauss, 6-Adrian Saldana, 7-Uros Antic, 11-Nathan Olukamni, 2-Luka Milicevic, 13-Stefan Milicevic, 14-Adam Kay, 8-Svetislav Milic

Substitutes not used: 0-Andrew Thomas Coughlin, 3-Ben Williams

Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Referee’s Assistants: Adam Alfi, Darius Staner
4th Referee: Alex Verace

Daniel Feuerstein hosts a weekly podcast on American soccer. You can follow him on Twitter @DFeuerstein

New Sports Internet Radio with Feuersteins Fire on BlogTalkRadio

2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup goalscoring leaders

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Andre Lewis (right) of Jamaica congratulates Cuban teammate Heviel Cordoves after assisting him for Cordoves first goal of the night. Cordoves scored three times to lead Charleston Battery of USL PRO to a 4-0 win Wednesday over the Panama City Beach Pirates of PDL. Photo: Janet Edens Conover/CHSSoccer.net.
Andre Lewis (right) of Jamaica congratulates Cuban teammate Heviel Cordoves after assisting him for Cordoves first goal of the night. Cordoves scored three times to lead Charleston Battery of USL PRO to a 4-0 win Wednesday over the Panama City Beach Pirates of PDL. Photo: Janet Edens Conover/CHSSoccer.net.

GOALS
Updated through June 14

Three goals
Junior Burgos (Atlanta Silverbacks)
Haviel Cordoves (Charleston Battery)
Blake Smith (Indy Eleven)
Alberto Rodriguez (North Texas Rayados)
Tishan Hanley (Richmond Kickers)
Will Daniels (Western Mass Pioneers)

Two goals

Kingsley Onwuka (Baltimore Bohemians)
Yvener Guerrier (Brooklyn Italians SC)
Dane Kelly (Charleston Battery)
Jorge Herrera (Charlotte Eagles)
Luke Winter (Chattanooga FC)
Morgan Langley (Harrisburg City Islanders)
Jimmy McLaughlin (Harrisburg City Islanders)
Travis Bowen (Los Angeles Galaxy II)
Mads Stokkelien (New York Cosmos)
Josh Trott (New York Greek American Atlas)
Dennis Chin (Orlando City SC)
Corey Hertzog (Orlando City SC)
Kevin Molino (Orlando City SC)
Nicholas Surkamp (Reading United AC)
George Davis IV (Richmond Kickers)
Vlad Baciu (RWB Adria)
Justin Braun (Sacramento Republic FC)
Sainey Touray (San Antonio Scorpions)
Alencar Junior (Western Mass Pioneers)

One goal

Daniel Antunez (Arizona United SC)
Bradlee Baladez (Arizona United SC)
Kadeem Dacres (Arizona United SC)
Jon Okafor (Arizona United SC)
London Woodberry (Arizona United SC)
Jamie Chavez (Atlanta Silverbacks)
Deon McCaulay (Atlanta Silverbacks)
Kwadwo Poku (Atlanta Silverbacks)
Junior Sandoval (Atlanta Silverbacks)
Adam Black (Austin Aztex)
Jeff Harwell (Austin Aztex)
Tucker Hume (Austin Aztex)
Jose Seoane (Austin Aztex)
Brandon Allen (Baltimore Bohemians)
Brian Graham (Baltimore Bohemians)
Mamadou Kansaye (Baltimore Bohemians)
Austin Martz (Baltimore Bohemians)
Jiro Barriga (Brooklyn Italians SC)
Salvatore Barrone (Brooklyn Italians SC)
Raymundo Reza (Cal FC)
Nazmi Albadawi (Carolina RailHawks)
Jun Marques Davidson (Carolina RailHawks)
Zack Schilawski (Carolina RailHawks)
Jorge Ruiz (CD Aguiluchos)
Maikel Chang (Charleston Battery)
Juan Guzman (Charlotte Eagles)
Chrispin Ochieng (Chattanooga FC)
Ryan Finley (Chivas USA)
Colin Clark (Colorado Rovers)
Jesjua Angoy-Cruyff (Dayton Dutch Lions)
Eli Garner (Dayton Dutch Lions)
Aaron Schoenfeld (Dayton Dutch Lions)
Matt Walker (Dayton Dutch Lions)
Alec Bartlett (Des Moines Menace)
Sean Dong (Des Moines Menace)
Nico Wright (Des Moines Menace)
Tyler Arnone (Detroit City FC)
Kevin Taylor (Detroit City FC)
Gonzalo De Mujica (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
Yaikel Perez (Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
Abraham Campos (Fresno Fuego)
Jose Cuevas (Fresno Fuego)
Santiago Bedoya (GPS Massachusetts)
Bozidar Jelovac (Greater Binghamton FC Thunder)
Alex Varkatzas (Greater Binghamton FC Thunder)
Jose Barril (Harrisburg City Islanders)
Clesio Bauque (Harrisburg City Islanders)
Danny DiPrima (Harrisburg City Islanders)
Garret Pettis (Harrisburg City Islanders)
Alex Lopez (Houston Dynamo)
Teddy Niziolek (Icon FC)
Mike Ambersley (Indy Eleven)
Dylan Mares (Indy Eleven)
Tomislav Krizanovic (Jacksonville United)
Markus Hackett (Jersey Express)
Chris Karcz (Jersey Express)
Orlando Alvarado (Laredo Heat)
Orlando Bayona (Laredo Heat)
Miguel Fernandez (Laredo Heat)
Daniel Garza (Laredo Heat)
Irving Vilanueva (Laredo Heat)
Shastri Spenser (Lehigh Valley United Sonic)
Alejandro Covarrubias (Los Angeles Galaxy II)
Bradley Diallo (Los Angeles Galaxy II)
Aleksandar Dokovic (Los Angeles Galaxy II)
Jack McBean (Los Angeles Galaxy II)
Javier Castro (Los Angeles Misioneros)
Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United FC)
Hagop Chirisian (New York Cosmos)
Alessandro Noselli (New York Cosmos)
Jimmy Ockford (New York Cosmos)
Chris Megaloudis (NY Greek American Atlas)
Kendan Anderson (New York Red Bulls U23s)
Sean Sheridan (New York Red Bulls U23s)
Scott Thomsen (New York Red Bulls U23s)
Jaime Lovegrove (North Texas Rayados)
Tito Salas (North Texas Rayados)
Ryan Spence (North Texas Rayados)
Ben Knight (Ocala Stampede)
Kyle Greig (Oklahoma City Energy FC)
Dave Leichty (Oklahoma City Energy FC)
Cyprian Hedrick (Oklahoma City Energy FC)
Austin da Luz (Orlando City SC)
Adama Mbengwe (Orlando City SC)
Tyler Blackwood (Orlando City U23s)
Andrew Brody (Orlando City U23s)
Romario Williams (Orlando City U23s)
Jose Angulo (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Jhonny Arteaga (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Danny Earls (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Collins John (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Kevin Kerr (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Rob Vincent (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Kyle Fisher (Portland Timbers U23s)
Mike Rose (Portland Timbers U23s)
Jose Preciado (PSA Elite)
Oumar Ballo (Reading United AC)
Darius Madison (Reading United AC)
Ignacio Maganto (Reading United AC)
Skylar Thomas (Reading United AC)
Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake)
Daniel Gomez (Red Force)
David Olguin (Red Force)
Stiven Salinas (Red Force)
Samuel Asante (Richmond Kickers)
Shay Spitz (Richmond Kickers)
Jason Yeisley (Richmond Kickers)
Levi Houapeu (Rochester Rhinos)
Johnny Mendoza (Rochester Rhinos)
Onua Obasi (Rochester Rhinos)
Colin Rolfe (Rochester Rhinos)
Jonathan Orlando (RVA FC)
Taylor Bond (RWB Adria)
Derek Huffman (RWB Adria)
Carlos Munoz (RWB Adria)
Dakota Collins (Sacramento Republic FC)
Harrison Delbridge (Sacramento Republic FC)
Steven Evans (Sacramento Republic FC)
Emrah Klimenta (Sacramento Republic FC)
Rodrigo Lopez (Sacramento Republic FC)
Thomas Stewart (Sacramento Republic FC)
Nemanja Vuković (Sacramento Republic FC)
Walter Restrepo (San Antonio Scorpions)
Josue Soto (San Antonio Scorpions)
Khari Stephenson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Blake Wagner (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
Peter Gregory (Ventura County Fusion)
Kennedy Chongo (Ventura County Fusion)
Jordan Rideout (Ventura County Fusion)
Adrian Saldana (Vermont Voltage)
Mickael Oliveira (Wilmington Hammerheads)

Own Goals
Nedim Hrustic (Jacksonville United vs. Orlando City U23s)

ASSISTS
Updated through May 13
Note: Waiting for stats confirmations

One Assist
Jon Okafor (Arizona United SC)
Zach Myers (Detroit City FC)
Ryan Thelen (Detroit City FC)
George Tsirukis (FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic)
Bryan De La Fuente (Los Angeles Fuente)
Danny Bedoya (New York Red Bulls U23s)
Jesse Garcia (Portland Timbers U23s)
Judson McKinney (RWB Adria)
Kennedy Chongo (Ventura County Fusion)
Bryce Ciambella (Western Mass Pioneers)
Samuel Naiwo (Western Mass Pioneers)
Jay Willis (Western Mass Pioneers)

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: San Diego Flash advance after SC Corinthians forfeit

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The San Diego Flash of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) are anxious to play their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game since 2001, but they will have to wait another week. As the Flash were preparing to host their first round match at Mira Mesa High School, team officials from their opponent, US Club Socer representative SC Corinthians USA contacted them to tell them that they will have to forfeit the match.

“Josias Baptiste of Corinthians called me today to inform me that they had to forfeit the match,” said Flash CEO Clenton Alexander. “My initial reaction was that I felt bad for him and his players. At the same time, I felt really bad for our fans and players here in San Diego.”

“The good news is that we move and play again here in San Diego next Wednesday,” said Alexander. “We still plan on putting on a good show for our fans.”

The Flash, who are managed by Fox Soccer analyst Warren Barton, will now host the winner of tonight’s match between PSA Elite (USASA) and the Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL) on May 14.

Corinthians, who are managed by former Brazilian international Palhinha (Jorge Ferreira da Silva), clinched their first US Open Cup berth by defeating fellow California club Juventus Black 5-0 in the US Club Soccer final on Saturday, April 26. According to Batptiste, the club’s general manager, he was informed that the team needed to acquire international clearances for a number of their players less than a week later.

“US Soccer informed us on Friday that we had to get international clearances for our match today ,” said Baptiste, who says about 80 percent of his roster are made up of international players. After submitting the paperwork, they were informed that there was not enough time to approve their roster before the tournament kicked off on May 7, and the team would have to forfeit.

While forfeits tend to occasionally happen in qualifying tournaments, it’s been a decade since the US Open Cup had a team forfeit during the competition. The last time it occurred was in 2003 when the Chesapeake Dragons of the PDL moved on after the Bridgeport Italians (USASA – Connecticut) were found to have fielded an ineligible player in their opening round match.

Baptiste says his entire organization is disappointed not to compete in their first tournament, and while they are still awaiting answers as to why they weren’t informed earlier about the roster requirements, they are taking a ‘lesson learned’ approach to the news. The club will now shift their focus on their plans to joining the San Diego Flash in the NPSL. Baptiste says the team will join the league as an expansion team in 2015.

2014 US Open Cup Round 1 preview: Biggest tournament in recent history kicks off tonight

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UPDATE: US Club Soccer representative SC Corinthians USA has forfeited their first round match against the San Diego Flash because they did not have enough players registered by the roster deadline. The Flash will move on to host the winner of PSA Elite (USASA) and Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL).

The 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks off on Wednesday, May 7 with eight games, as the largest tournament in its Modern Professional Era (1995-present) aims to crown a national champion for the 101st consecutive year.

This year’s tournament begins tonight with 16 amateur clubs, many of them familiar faces as just four teams will make their tournament debut. The winners advance to the largest second round (24 games) in decades.

Follow @USOpenCup on Twitter for all the latest updates from all eight games tonight, and be sure to use (and follow) this year’s hashtag: #USOC2014.

The CD Aguiluchos USA vs. Ventura County Fusion game is being broadcast live on the Fusion’s YouTube page. It is embedded below. Any other broadcast links are included below.

CD Aguiluchos USA at Ventura County Fusion

2014 US Open Cup First Round Previews

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
 Memorial Field (Deering High School) – Portland, ME – 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: RADIO (WGPA 1100AM)
Winner hosts: Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic Open Cup records
Overall: 0-2-0 | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-2-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Reading United of PDL in Round 1)
Streak: Third straight US Open Cup appearance

GPS Portland Phoenix Open Cup records
Overall: 1-2-0 | Home: 1-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 1-0 at Rochester Rhinos of USL Pro – Round 2)
Best finish: 2013 Second Round (Lost 1-0 at Rochester Rhinos of USL Pro)
Streak: Third straight US Open Cup appearance

By Josh Hakala

The GPS (Global Premier Soccer) Portland Phoenix are back in the US Open Cup for the third consecutive year, looking to carry the flag of their home state. Based on TheCup.us records, prior to the Phoenix qualifying for the first time in 2012, there had never been a team from the state of Maine qualify for the US Open Cup. They qualified after finishing witha  7-3-4 record and a second place finish in the Northeast Division, behind the Ottawa Fury. The PDL submitted all US-based division winners (5) into the tournament this year, and the remaining clubs were put into a single table and the Top 14 teams filled out the rest of the league’s tournament spots.

The Phoenix dropped a 3-2 decision to the NPSL’s Brooklyn Italians in their first Open Cup run in 2012, but rebounded last year when they defeated Mass Premier Soccer (now GPS Massachusetts) 2-0. They got their first taste of professional soccer in 2013, traveling to Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester to take on the Rhinos. They gave them a run for their money, but fell 1-0 to the former Open Cup champions.

They will host FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic of the NPSL who qualified as one of the top two teams in the league’s Keystone Conference. The club finished in second place with a 9-3-0 record and since the Keystone teams didn’t play the same number of games, they finished in second place by way of a .750 winning percentage. This is also the third straight trip to the Open Cup for Lehigh Valley, but they are seeking their first win after losing their opening round game in each of the last two years to PDL teams (2012 – Long Island Rough Riders; 2013 – Reading United AC).

Aside from two straight one-and-done campaigns in the Open Cup, they have had a tremendous amount of success in playoff competitions. They reached the NPSL final four in their inaugural season in 2010, but after not qualifying for the postseason in 2011 despite a 9-1-2 record and a second place finish in their division, they won the NPSL championship in 2012. Last year, they reached the NPSL semifinals again before falling to the Sonoma County Sol 3-2.

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RWB Adria (USASA) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)
Stevenson High School – Livonia, MI – 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
IF RWB Adria wins … at Michigan Bucks (PDL) on May 14
IF Detroit City FC wins … host Michigan Bucks (PDL) on May 14

RWB Adria Open Cup records (Modern Pro Era)
Overall: 0-3-1 (0-1 PKs) | Away: 0-3-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: 2013 (Drew 1-1 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro – Lost 5-3 in PKs in Round 1)
Best finish: 1978, 1991 US Open Cup Semifinals
Streak: 2nd consecutive appearance; Winless in last 4 Open Cup games (0-3-1, 0-1 PKs)

Detroit City FC Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A
Best finish: N/A

By Fletcher Sharpe

The CNSC RWB Adria (short for Croatian National Soccer Club, Red White Blue Adria) travel from Chicago to Livonia Stevenson High School in Livonia, Mich. to take on Le Rouge of Detroit City FC and their raucous fans in a first round match.

RWB qualified for this year’s tourney (fifth time since 1995) as a wild card after winning the 2013 USASA Amateur Cup, while Detroit City qualified for the first time as they won the 2013 Great Lakes Division title.

RWB runs a 4-5-1 formation full of players who have played together for a while, led by a shifty midfield that includes Canadian Semir Mesanovic, and Bosnian Igor Stijepic. Their net is protected by the 34-year-old Macedonian Igor Dimov. Mesanovic is their go to player, with a slick dribble, who also signed to the Turkish side Besiktas back in 2000.

Detroit City FC boasts a powerful lineup, featuring one of the more prolific attacks this side of the Mason-Dixon, even if they sent a few of their players to Major League Soccer last year. Led by 2012 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year Zach Myers, and a fearsome midfield that plays attacking soccer. In their only exhibition game before this cup match, they won 1-0 decision over Myers’ alma mater, Saginaw Valley State.

As talented as their team is on the field, DCFC has received a lot of attention for their large and active supporters groups, something that’s almost unheard of in the Division IV amateur level.

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GPS Massaschusetts (USASA) at Western Mass Pioneers (PDL)
Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, MA – 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: VIDEO (USSoccer.com)
Winner plays at Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) on May 14

GPS Massaschusetts Open Cup records
Overall: 0-1-0 | Away: 0-1-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at GPS Portland Phoenix of PDL in Round 1)
Streak: 2nd straight Open Cup appearance

Western Mass Pioneers Open Cup records
Overall: 5-6-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 4-4-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
As PDL: 0-1-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur 0-0-0
Last entry: 2012 (Lost 3-2 vs. Brooklyn Italians of NPSL – Round 1)
Best finish: 2012 First Round (Lost 3-2 vs. Brooklyn Italians of NPSL)

By Brian O’Connell

A clash of Commonwealth clubs will help kick off the first round of the 2014 US Open Cup on Wednesday, as the Western Mass Pioneers (PDL) and GPS Massaschusetts (USASA) face off at Lusitano Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., with an online stream available via ussoccer.com.

The Pioneers enter the tournament following a fourth-place finish (5-3-6, 21 points) inside of the Northeast Division last season. Coach Federico Molinari brought his young club within striking distance of the divisional playoffs thanks to a strong defense (1.07 GAA), and timely goals from Junior Alencar, who scored nine times in six games for the Ludlow-based XI. The Pioneers have 12 Open Cup games under their belt, with 11 of them as a Division III professional team. In 2010, they dropped down to the PDL and last qualified in 2011 and are seeking their first tournament win as an amateur side.

Molinari returns a number of key players from last year’s club for Wednesday’s match. Not only will Alencar be available for selection, but so will captain Jay Willis, the anchor of the Pioneers’ defense for over a decade. Another player who’ll aid the Pioneers’ cause: goalkeeper Warren Gross, who collected a division-best nine clean sheets in 2012. Meanwhile, Max Viera will resume his role in the Pioneers’ midfield, where he played 878 minutes over 12 games last year.

GPS Massaschusetts, which went 11-6-1 (31 points) in Bay State Soccer League action last year, finds itself in the unique situation of featuring in two Open Cup tournaments simultaneously. On Sunday, they outlasted the Lansdowne Bhoys 4-3 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in a USASA Region I semifinals. With the win, they’ll head to the Region I final on June 15 against the Maryland Bays with the winner qualifying for the 2015 US Open Cup.

But with their attention turned to the 2014 tournament, one of the best amateur sides in the region will need to get the most from key contributors. Coach/player Nick Christman often sparks attacks along the wing, while Tyler Macnee and Derek Nobrega have all tallied in big games before. MPS also boasts a pair of former MLS players in Sam Brill (New England Revolution) and Ben Shuleva (FC Dallas), both of whom bring savviness and stability to a side that seems to get better every year.

Wednesday’s matchup will be the first time the Pioneers and MPS meet. But given the impressive talent both sides boast, it should be a memorable meeting, one which will take place at one of the region’s most historic venues, no less.

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Vermont Voltage (PDL) at New York Red Bulls U23s (NPSL)
Red Bull Training Facility – Whippany, NJ – 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Winner plays at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)

Vermont Voltage Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A
Best finish: N/A
Note: First Vermont team to qualify for the Open Cup 

New York Red Bulls U23s Open Cup records
Overall: 0-1-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Ocean City Nor’easters of PDL – Round 1)
Note: First game to be played at the Red Bull Training Field

By Eric Anderson

When Bojan Vučković was inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010, the organization noted that his name “is synonymous with Vermont soccer.”

It’s fitting then that Vučković’s team, the Vermont Voltage of the USL Premier Development League, will make some history for their state Wednesday night.

According to TheCup.us records, the Voltage will become the first team from Vermont to appear in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup proper in the tournament’s 101-year history when they take on the New York Red Bulls Under-23 team in a first-round match Wednesday night in Whippany, N.J. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Eastern, with the winner travelling to meet USL Pro’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a second round match May 14.

Vučković is the general manager, head coach/director of player personnel and the marketing director for the Voltage. He also previously was a co-owner of the team, and the 43-year-old Serbian has one other role with the club: Player.

A six-year veteran of the pro indoor game who played in one match for Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution back in the inaugural 1996 season, Vučković made 11 appearances and had two assists for the team in PDL play last season. Vermont earned its first Open Cup berth by finishing third in the Northeast Division of the PDL’s Eastern Conference with a 6-5-3 record.

The Red Bulls Under-23 team finished tied atop the Atlantic Conference in the NPSL’s Northeast Region in 2013, going 7-2-1 to match the Brooklyn Italians. They dropped a 2-1 decision to Greater Binghamton FC in the regional semifinals.

Coach Simon Nee’s team has a whopping 43 players registered through the NPSL for 2014, including Georgetown midfielder Alex Muyl, who had four goals and nine assists as a freshman last fall and was part of a US Under-20 national team camp in January.

Among the other players on the roster include ASA College defender Ousmane Sanogo, who was named an NJCAA Division I third-team All-American in 2013; St. John’s teammates Danny Bedoya and Brandon Savino; and Red Bulls Academy forward Alex Tejera, who will be a freshman at Siena next fall.

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Red Force (USASA) at Colorado Rovers (USSSA)
Shea Stadium – Highlands Ranch, CO – 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
Winner plays at Laredo Heat (PDL)

Red Force Open Cup records
Overall: 0-1-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 4-2 vs. Ocala Stampede of PDL in Round 1)

Colorado Rovers Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 0-0-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur 0-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 5-3 in PKs (1-1 draw AET) vs. Georgia Revolution of NPSL – Round 1)

By Robert Wilson

One step at a time is the message that Colorado Rovers head coach Eric French preaches as his team prepares for its second shot at the US Open Cup. After years of success at the state and regional amateur levels the Colorado Rovers captured their first United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Elite National Cup title and qualified for their first ever appearance in the 2013 US Open Cup. Their first crack at the nationwide tournament was a gritty affair with visiting NPSL side Georgia Revolution. Unfortunately for the USSSA representative they were eliminated on penalty kicks after the game ended a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes.

Since last year’s elimination the Rovers followed a similar path to qualification as they defended their titles as champions of the Colorado Amateur Soccer League and the USSSA Elite National Cup. Led by goalkeeper Mark Saxby the Rovers’ back line recorded five consecutive clean sheets in route to the USSSA Elite National Cup victory.

Looking to build off of their recent successes, the Colorado Rovers come into their second US Open Cup campaign with an experienced squad determined to make the next step in the Open Cup. The Rovers enter this year’s first round with eight returning starters from last year’s Open Cup debut, most notably Polish-American midfielder Arkadiusz Raclawski and former Colorado Rapids prospect and 2013 Open Cup goal scorer Marc Herschberger. A couple of former MLS veterans are also on the roster with the return of defender Ritchie Kotschau, who spent time with a number of clubs in his career and former Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo midfielder Colin Clark.

Once again the Rovers kickoff at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch, Colo. they will face a team traveling across the country. This year’s opposition is fellow US Open Cup sophomores; Red Force of Miami, Fla. The USASA club is also looking for their first win in the Open Cup after being eliminated at home in the first round of last year’s tournament by fellow Sunshine state side Ocala Stampede (USL PDL).

Red Force is coming into the tournament in good form as they are currently undefeated (12-0) in the Miami Soccer League, Region III U.S. Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and preparing for the Caribbean Americas Soccer Association (CASA) finals this weekend.

Aside from similar starting points the two clubs could not be more different. Contrary to the Rovers, the Miami-based Red Force are a younger club with a diverse international squad. Red Force’s founder & head coach Gabriel Vega has built a club with a mix of promising youth players from the club’s youth system and veteran professionals representing seven different nations and experience in professional leagues across the southeastern United States and Latin America.

The Red Force return the majority of their starters from last year’s Open Cup tournament including Colombians Daniel Hernandez and captain defender Daniel Gomez. Hernandez scored a goal in the team’s lone tournament game last year. This year they have also added forwards Scott Gordon, formerly of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers & Chivas USA, USL Pro veteran striker Abiodun Adeyemi and defender Richard Perdomo, formerly of the Carolina Railhawks and Miami FC.

This year, Red Force were not handed a favorable draw traveling to Colorado midweek. That said, the matchup of two contrasting teams both with the same goal of winning their club’s first Open Cup game should produce an entertaining first round match. The victor will travel to Laredo, Texas to take on the Laredo Heat of the PDL who are making their third straight appearance in the competition.

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CD Aguiluchos USA (NPSL) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College – Ventura, CA – 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: VIDEO (Fusion’s YouTube channel)
IF CD Aguiluchos USA wins … play at Sacramento Republic (USL Pro)
IF Ventura County Fusion wins … host Sacramento Republic (USL Pro)

CD Aguiluchos USA Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A
Best finish: N/A 

Ventura County Fusion Open Cup records
Overall: 4-3-1 (0-1 PKs) | Home: 2-2-1 (0-1 PKs) | vs. Amateur 3-0-1 (0-1 PKs)
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 5-1 at Los Angeles Blues of USL Pro in Round 2)
Best finish: 2012 Third Round (Lost 1-0 vs. Chivas USA of MLS)
Streak: This is Ventura’s 5th consecutive appearance in the Open Cup, one shy of the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) record for amateur teams, currently held by Reading United (6).

By Joe Curley

With just one win in six combined matches, neither the Ventura County Fusion nor CD Aguiluchos USA have enjoyed storming starts to their respectively league campaigns. So Wednesday’s first-round US Open Cup match at the Ventura College Sportsplex — one of the three in Southern California — offers an opportunity for a kickstart.

The matchup is also one of three showdowns between Premier Development League and National Premier Soccer League sides.

The Fusion, which suffered the first season-opening loss in eight years of existence Saturday at OC Blues Under-23s, are entering their fifth straight season of Open Cup play. Only fellow PDL side Reading United AC has a longer qualification streak than the Fusion as they are competing for the sixth year in a row. The Fusion have survived the first round the past three seasons, beating NPSL’s FC Hasental in a 3-2 thriller in the first Ventura County derby in 2013.

When it was founded in 2012, Oakland-based Aguiluchos, who are making their Open Cup debut, was heralded as an El Salvadorian Chivas USA, based on a connection with El Salvadorian power CD Aquila, and announced aspirations to join Major League Soccer by 2020.

The Fusion actually faced Chivas USA in its lone competitive match against an MLS side in 2012’s third round, losing 1-0 on Cesar Romero’s goal in the 13th minute.

Aguiluchos, who finished in fourth place in its division in its inaugural NPSL season a year ago, have opened this year 1-4-0.

The winner advances to face USL Pro expansion club Sacramento Republic in next week’s second round. Either matchup would be intriguing. The Republic, who announced a sellout of more than 20,000 at Sacramento City College for its home opener last week, have five former Fusion players on its roster and employ Fusion Director of Soccer Graham Smith is its technical director.

Should Aguiluchos advance, it would set up a fresh Northern California derby. Oakland and Sacramento are separated by only 80 miles.

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SC Corinthians USA (US Club Soccer) at San Diego Flash (NPSL) – FORFEIT
San Diego Flash advance by way of forfeit

Mira Mesa High School – San Diego, CA – 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TBA
San Diego Flash wins: Host winner of PSA Elite/LA Misioneros

SC Corinthians USA Open Cup records
Overall: 0-0-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: N/A
Best finish: N/A 

San Diego Flash Open Cup records
Overall: 4-4-0 | Home: 2-3-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-0-0
As NPSL: 0-0-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: 2001 (Lost 3-0 at Chicago Fire of MLS in Round 2)
Best finish: Third Round (1999, 2000)
Note: The last time the Flash were in the US Open Cup, their current part-owner Eric Wynalda scored two goals and assisted on a third as his Chicago Fire eliminated San Diego 3-0 in the second round of the 2001 US Open Cup.

UPDATE: US Club Soccer representative SC Corinthians USA has forfeited their first round match against the San Diego Flash because they did not have enough players registered by the roster deadline. The Flash will move on to host the winner of PSA Elite (USASA) and Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL).

By Chris Ramos

On Wednesday night, the San Diego Flash will host SC Corinthians USA at Mira Mesa High School at 7 p.m. This is a long time coming for San Diego soccer fans as the Flash have not been a part of the US Open Cup since 2001 when they were an A-League franchise (Division II). From 2002-2010, the Flash were on hiatus but were revived as an NPSL team in 2011 and are back in the tournament

The Flash come in on a three-match win streak, defeatign their last three opponents by a combined score fo 16-3. The Flash are led by Nathan Medina, who scored a hat trick in his last outing, Justin Picou, who has scored two or more goals in two of his last three matches, and Brandon Zuniga, who seems to always be in the right place at the right time in the offensive third.  The Flash lead the Western Division of the National Premier Soccer League with a record of 7-0-1 winning six of their last seven.  The San Diego Flash are looking to tone their skills as they quickly approach the playoffs for the National Premier Soccer League.  They have played with a constant attacking style and relentless forward play by Sergio Valle-Ortiz.  The Flash plan to push the tempo of the game and keep their opponents constantly reeling.

SC Corinthians USA is an under-21 team based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. that comes into this match looking to capitalize on their foundation of competitive youth soccer.  Corinthians came together in 2012 under the guidance and leadership of Corona Eagles FC and North County Pacific, two clubs that shared the vision of creating a healthy and competitive youth soccer atmosphere for players looking to achieve state, regional, and national recognition.

Corinthians have qualified for the Open Cup for the first time, representing US Club Soccer as the lone entry. They defeated Juventus Black 93 by a score of 5-0 in the US Club Soccer final, which pitted the Southern California champion (Corinthians USA) against the Northern California champion. The club is managed by former Brazilian international Palhinha (Jorge Ferreira da Silva) and the team he has put together includes players from the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Honduras.

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Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL) at PSA Elite (NPSL)
StubHub Center Training Field – Carson, CA – 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: None
Winner plays at San Diego Flash (NPSL)

Los Angeles Misioneros Open Cup records
Overall: 0-1-0 | Away: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 0-0-0
Last entry: 2008 (Lost 2-1 vs. Crystal Palace Baltimore of USL-2 in Round 1)

PSA Elite Open Cup records
Overall: 1-2-0 | Home: 0-0-0 | vs. Amateur: 1-1-0
Last entry: 2013 (Lost 2-0 at Laredo Heat of PDL in Round 1)
Best finish: 2012 Second Round (Lost 6-0 at Carolina RailHawks of NASL)

By Josh Hakala

PSA Elite are back in the US Open Cup for the third consecutive year, but for the first time, they will be the home team as they welcome fellow Southern California club Los Angeles Misioneros from the PDL on Wednesday night. PSA were awarded a third straight Open Cup berth as the 2013 USASA Region IV Open Cup champion. Los Angeles got in with a 7-3-4 record and a third place finish in the competitive Southwest Division (along with the Fresno Fuego and Ventura County Fusion). Their point total of 24 was enough to make the cut among the non-division winners across the PDL.

PSA started their Open Cup resume on a bright note, traveling up to Portland and defeating the Timbers U23s 3-1, a team that had recently won the PDL championship. That earned them a date on the East Coast with the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks. The Railhawks thrashed them 6-0, but PSA would return the following season. It was another long road trip for the team as they traveled to Laredo, Texas to take on the Heat. They would lose 2-0 at Texas A&M.

The Irvine, Calif.-based club is hoping to make a bigger splash this year.

The Misioneros are making their first appearance under their current name, but their second as a club. Back in 2008, they qualified as the Los Angeles Legends and the luck of the draw earned them a home game against a professional team in their tournament debut. Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2, Division III) had to make the cross-country trip, but they managed to escape with a 2-1 win.

The big news with Los Angeles is the recent signing of former Chivas USA forward Bryan de la Fuente to bolster their attack. That could prove to be a big help in making a cup run this year.

The club has undergone a number of re-brandings over the years, starting out as the Los Angeles Storm, then the Legends, followed by the Los Angeles Azul Legends and now their current name.

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2014 US Open Cup to feature largest tournament field, extra round, weekend gameday

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UPDATE: Corinthians defeated Juventus Black 5-0 in the US Club Soccer Open Cup final to qualify for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. They are the 80th team to qualify and will face the NPSL’s San Diego Flash in the opening round.

UPDATE (5/7): Corinthians forfeited their opening round game vs. San Diego Flash

The 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will feature more changes from the previous year as the tournament enters its 101st year. The US Soccer Federation has revealed this year’s tournament format and draw and it will feature three major changes.

First the number of Division IV amateur teams will be increased from 34 to 42, combined with new professional teams bringing the total number of teams to 80, the most the tournament has had in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present). To accomodate the increase in teams, the federation has added an additional round. The competition will feature eight rounds to decide the United States champion and an entry in the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League, which according to TheCup.us records, is the most in the history of the tournament.

By virtue of the additional round, Major League Soccer will now begin play in Round 4, after entering in the third round every year since 2002. When the United States’ top division enters, that round has the potential to hold a weekend date (June 10-18) for the first time in the Modern Professional Era due to the league’s break for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Another minor detail of the 2014 US Open Cup draw is the record number of games that will take place in Round 2. With 24 matches on the schedule, it marks the busiest round since 1995 and according to TheCup.us records, the most games in a round in at least three decades.

As they have in recent years, the federation has determined the draw based on geography, in an attempt to minimize travel costs. Any teams who are not located in close proximity to another team will have their opponent determined by a random draw. Also, affiliated teams (Portland Timbers U23s / Portland Timbers MLS, for example) will be kept apart until the final. To determine the host teams for each game, the federation will continue to set minimum venue standards and if both teams are interested in hosting, and they both meet those standards, then a coin flip will determine the host team.

The US Open Cup will crown a champion for the 101st consecutive year, making the competition the second-oldest continually-running cup competition in the world. The Irish Cup was the country of Ireland’s cup competition beginning in 1881, but when the country split in 1921, the Irish Cup remained Northern Ireland’s national cup competition and continues to operate to this day. That competition is the only tournament that predates the US championship.

The winner of the tournament will receive $250,000 and is expected to receive a berth in the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League, although the format for that tournament has yet to be officially announced. The runner-up will take home $60,000, while the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will get $15,000.

GolTV holds the television rights to the US Open Cup final, which is scheduled for either Sep. 30 or Oct. 1. This is the final year of their three-year contract which began in 2012.

Here is the complete schedule with deadlines:

Round 1 (May 7): 16 amateur clubs (8 games)

Round 2 (May 14): 8 First Round winners + 26 remaining amateur clubs + 14 USL Pro clubs (24 games)

Round 3 (May 28): 24 Second Round winners + 8 NASL clubs (16 games)

Round 4 (June 10-18): 16 Third Round winners + 16 MLS clubs (16 games)

Round 5 (June 24-25): 16 Fourth Round winners (8 games)

Quarterfinals (July 8-9): 8 Fifth Round winners (4 games)

Semifinals (Aug. 12-13): 4 Quarterfinal winners (2 games)

Final (Sep. 30-Oct. 1): 2 Semifinals winners (1 game)

Here are the team breakdowns:

MLS (Division I): All US-based clubs (16 teams: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, DC United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City)

NASL (Division II): All US-based clubs (8 teams: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Minnesota United, New York Cosmos, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies)

USL Pro (Division III): All US-based clubs (14 teams: Arizona United SC, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, Harrisburg City Islanders, LA Galaxy II, OKC Energy FC, Orange County Blues FC, Orlando City SC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Sacramento Republic FC, Wilmington Hammerheads FC)

PDL (Division IV): (19 teams) Austin Aztex, Baltimore Bohemians, Carolina Dynamo, Fresno Fuego, GPS Portland Phoenix, Jersey Express, Laredo Heat, Los Angeles Misioneros, Michigan Bucks, Ocala Stampede, Ocean City Nor’easters, Orlando City U23s, Panama City Beach Pirates, Portland Timbers U23s, Reading United AC, Real Colorado Foxes, Ventura County Fusion, Vermont Voltage, Western Mass Pioneers.

NPSL (Division IV): (11 teams) Brooklyn Italians, Greater Binghamton Thunder, RVA FC, CD Aguiluchos USA, Jacksonville United, San Diego Flash, Chattanooga FC, FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic, Tulsa Athletics, Detroit City FC, New York Red Bulls U-23s

USASA (Division IV)

USASA Region I: NY Greek American Atlas (2013 Region I Amateur Cup champion), Icon FC (2013 Region I Open Cup champion)
USASA Region II: FC Schwaben AC (2013 fall qualifying tournament finalist), Des Moines Menace USASA (2013 fall qualifying tournament finalist)
USASA Region III: Red Force (2013 Region III Open Cup runner-up), North Texas Rayados (2013 Region III Open Cup champion)
USASA Region IV: PSA Elite (2013 Region IV Open Cup champion), Cal FC (winner of Region IV fall play-in game)
USASA Wild Cards: Mass Premier Soccer (2013 Region I Open Cup runner-up); RWB Adria (2013 USASA Amateur Cup national champion)

US Club Soccer (Division IV): SC Corinthians USA (Southern California – 2014 US Club Soccer Open Cup champion)

USSSA (Division IV): Colorado Rovers (2014 USSSA Open Cup champion)

Here is the opening round draw (All times Eastern):

First Round schedule (May 7)

FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
Deering High School; Portland, Maine – 7 p.m. ET

RWB Adria (USASA) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)
Stevenson High School; Livonia, Mich. – 7 p.m. ET

Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) at Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL)
Lusitano Stadium; Ludlow, Mass. – 7:30 p.m. ET

Vermont Voltage (PDL) at New York Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL)
Red Bull Training Facility; Whippany, N.J. – 8 p.m. ET

Red Force (USASA) at Colorado Rovers (USSSA)
Shea Stadium; Highlands Ranch, Colo. – 10 p.m. ET

CD Aguiluchos USA (NPSL) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College; Ventura, Calif. – 10 p.m. ET

SC Corinthians USA (US Club Soccer) at San Diego Flash (NPSL)
Mira Mesa High School; San Diego, Calif. – 10 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Misioneros FC (PDL) at PSA Elite (USASA)
StubHub Center Training Field; Carson, Calif. – 10:30 p.m. ET

Second Round schedule (May 14 unless noted otherwise)

Arizona United SC (USL Pro) at Portland Timbers U-23s (PDL)
Providence Park; Portland, Ore. – May 13, 10 p.m. ET

Jacksonville United FC (NPSL) at Orlando City U23s (PDL)
Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla. – 4:30 p.m. ET

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) at Schwaben AC (USASA)
Schwaben Athletic Club; Buffalo Grove, Ill. – 5 p.m. ET

Icon FC (USASA) at Baltimore Bohemians (PDL)
Calvert Hall College High School; Towson, Md. – 5:30 p.m .ET

NY Red Bulls U-23s (NPSL) / Vermont Voltage (PDL) winner at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
Highmark Stadium; Pittsburgh, Pa. – 7 p.m. ET

New York Greek American Atlas (USASA) at Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL)
Carey Stadium; Ocean City, N.J. – 7 p.m. ET

Greater Binghamton FC Thunder (NPSL) at Reading United A.C. (PDL)
Gurski Stadium; Reading, Pa. – 7 p.m. ET

Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) at RVA FC (Richmond Virginia FC) (NPSL)
Sports Backers Stadium; Richmond, Va. – 7 p.m. ET

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) at GPS Portland Phoenix (PDL)
Deering Memorial Field; Portland, Maine – 7 p.m ET
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) at FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL)
Whitehall H.S. Soccer Stadium; Whitehall, Pa. – 7:05 p.m ET

Carolina Dynamo (PDL) at Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro)
Queens University Sports Complex; Charlotte, N.C. – 7 p.m. ET

Michigan Bucks (PDL) at Detroit City FC (NPSL)
Stevenson High School; Livonia, Mich. – 7 p.m. ET
OR
RWB Adria (USASA) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Ultimate Soccer Arenas; Pontiac, Mich. – 7:30 p.m. ET

Ocala Stampede (PDL) at Orlando City (USL Pro)
Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla. – 7:30 p.m. ET

Panama City Beach Pirates (PDL) at Charleston Battery (USL Pro)
Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. – 7:30 p.m. ET

Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) at Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn. – 7:30 p.m. ET

Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL) / Mass Premier Soccer (USASA) winner at Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro)
Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, N.Y. – 7:35 p.m. ET

Brooklyn Italians SC (NPSL) at Jersey Express (PDL)
NJIT Soccer Stadium; Newark, N.J. – 8 p.m. ET

Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL Pro) at Tulsa Athletics (NPSL)
Tulsa Athletics Stadium; Tulsa, Okla. – 8:30 p.m. ET

Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) at Des Moines Menace (USASA)
Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa – 8:30 p.m. ET

North Texas Rayados (USASA) at Austin Aztex (PDL)
House Park; Austin, Texas – 8:30 p.m. ET

Orange County Blues (USL Pro) at Fresno Fuego (PDL)
Chukchansi Park; Fresno, Calif. – 9 p.m. ET

Colorado Rovers (USSSA) / Red Force (USASA) winner at Laredo Heat (PDL)
Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex; Laredo, Texas – 9:15 p.m. ET

Sacramento Republic (USL Pro) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College; Ventura, Calif. – 10 p.m. ET
OR
CD Aguiluchos (NPSL) at Sacramento Republic (USL)
Charles C. Hughes Stadium; Sacramento, Calif. – 10:30 p.m. ET

PSA Elite (USASA) / LA Misioneros FC (PDL) winner at San Diego Flash (NPSL)
Mira Mesa High School; San Diego, Calif. – 10 p.m. ET
OR
Corinthians (US Club Soccer) at PSA Elite (USASA)
Irvine Stadium; Irvine, Calif. – 10:30 p.m. ET
OR
Corinthians (US Club Soccer) vs. LA Misioneros FC (PDL)
Site/Time TBD

Cal FC (USASA) at LA Galaxy II (USL Pro)
StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium; Carson, Calif. – 10:30 p.m. ET

2014 US Open Cup to see much-needed schedule changes, most teams of Modern Professional Era

by

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup logoOne of the biggest challenges for lower division teams to compete in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is beginning in 2010, the US Soccer Federation decided to start scheduling the first three rounds of the competition on consecutive weeks. This has made it very difficult for teams to prepare, arrange travel, and if they are hosting, it gave them less than a week to promote and sell tickets for a cup game.

Now, it appears that the federation will rectify that for the 101st edition of the Open Cup.

The USSF held their Annual General Meeting in New York City the weekend of Feb. 28 – March 2 and according to their report, the 2014 US Open Cup will feature a more spread out schedule.

The US Open Cup committee portion of the report, written by chairman Mike Edwards says the following:

Additionally, the competition schedule has been stretched out to eliminate games on consecutive mid-weeks, thus providing participating clubs more time before each round to market games, arrange travel more cost-efficiently, avoid fixture congestion and fatigue, and other benefits.

The report also mentions what many have expected which is that with expansion among the North American Soccer League and USL Pro, the tournament field is “certain to have the largest field ever in the competition’s modern era (1995-present).” Last year, a record 64 teams took part in the 100th edition of the tournament. The Open Cup began allowing all professional clubs into the competition back in 2012 and, according to the report, that trend is expected to continue in 2014.

How much of an impact will the extra time in between games have? Will we see attendance figures increase and possibly more upsets with teams given more chance to rest and prepare for their opponents? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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