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2015 US Open Cup qualifying

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I tournaments begin on Sunday

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USASA Region I logoA long series of state competitions culminates in this—the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) Region I Open and Amateur Cups, with the winners of each tournament qualifying for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Open CUp begins this weekend (April 6) with the quarterfinal round, while the Amateur Cup competition kicks off a week later.

This will be only the second year Region I has used this format, which features 17 teams, two of which are playing in both competitions. Last year, Icon FC won the Open Cup and New York Greek American Atlas won the Amateur Cup, and both teams will represent Region I in the 2014 US Open Cup. This also marks the first time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present) that one of the regions has elected to send the Amateur Cup champion into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup

The play-in game and quarterfinals will be played April 6 and April 13. Semifinals are scheduled for May 4, and the final will be played on June 15. Icon FC (NJ) is the reigning champion and one of two 2014 US Open Cup entrants from USASA Region I.

AC Blaugrana (RI) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
April 6, 2 p.m. – Framingham State University, Framingham, MA

It’s Rhode Island versus Massachusetts in the region’s sole preliminary round game. AC Blaugrana advanced out of the nation’s smallest state by winning the Southern New England Super Cup over Dinamo Morbeza. Competitors in the Southern New England Super League, Blaugrana will look to win its first-ever game in Region I Open Cup play.

Mass Premier Soccer (MPS) competed in the 2013 US Open Cup, where they lost to the PDL’s GPS Portland Phoenix 2-0 in Round One. They faced off with Icon FC (NJ) in the regional final last year, but lost 2-1. Had they won, they would have qualified for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The last time the Bay State Soccer League side hosted a Region I contest was in its 2013 run, demolishing Connecticut’s Newtown Pride 6-0.

Newtown Pride FC (CT) at Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY)
April 6, 2 p.m. – Tibbets Brook Park, Yonkers, NY

Newtown Pride FC was established in 1998 and have played numerous charity matches to raise money for the Newtown Parent Connection, which has the goal to educate and empower its community in the prevention of substance abuse and to embrace families in crisis. Newtown was originally scheduled to compete in its state final, but its opponent had to pull out.

Last year, Newtown took part in their first-ever Open Cup qualifying tournament and they kicked off their debut cup run with a controversial situation. They lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) 1-0, but they filed a protest claiming New York had used an ineligible player. In the end, it was determined that the player in question was ineligible, but a mistake was made in the roster evaluation process and that player was approved in error. A replay was called for and Newtown won 1-0. However, the club would fall one game short of a berth in the 2013 US Open Cup, as they lost to Mass Premier Soccer 6-0.

Lansdowne Bhoys qualified for the Region I tournament in its first-ever attempt, beating four-time US Open Cup champion New York Greek American Atlas in the process. Lansdowne competes in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, which is one of six leagues that have “elite” status according to the USASA.

Oak Avalon (PA West) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
April 6, 3 p.m. – Maryland SoccerPlex (Field #15), Boyds, MD

Oak Avalon is the first team to attempt to qualify for the US Open Cup out of Western Pennsylvania for quite a while. Western Pennsylvania teams, most of them based in the Pittsburgh area, were regulars competitors in the pre-modern era, but the region has not produced an Open Cup team since professional leagues re-joined the tournament in 1995. Oak Avalon did not have to qualify for the Region I tournament as it was the only team that entered. Avalon competes in the Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League.

The Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks have qualified out of the Metro DC/Virginia region in seven of its last eight attempts. One of two teams competing in both the Amateur Cup and Open Cup, the Aegean Hawks will host both of their quarterfinal matches. Dulles Sportsplex missed out on the 2013 Open Cup after losing on penalty kicks to Icon FC in the regional tournament. The last time the Hawks hosted a Region I game was in 2012 (a 2-0 win over the Maryland Bays), which was also the last time they made the Open Cup. They won their first Open Cup game in club history, beating the Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 3-1, but fell in the second round to the Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 4-0.

Maryland Bays (MD) at West Chester United (EPA)
April 6, 2 p.m. – West Chester Area Sports Association Complex (WCUSC Turf Field), West Chester, PA

Maryland Bays are state champions for a third time in four years, but have yet to host a regional game. The Bays, who took out Spartans FC, Christos FC, and Screaming Eagles in the Maryland tournament, are also looking for their first win at the regional level.

Another team looking for its first Region I victory is West Chester United, out of Eastern Pennsylvania. United took the EPA championship for a third year in a row this year, defeating the nearly-90-year-old club Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the final. West Chester last hosted a Region I game in 2013, but fell 4-2 to Icon FC.

Icon (NJ) at AC Blaugrana/Mass Premier Soccer
April 13 – Time and location TBD

The fourth and final quarterfinal will be played a week later due to AC Blaugrana and Mass Premier Soccer competing in the preliminary round game. Last year, Icon became just the second USASA team from New Jersey, and second team in a row, to qualify for the Open Cup in the Modern Professional Era. After defeated Mass Premier Soccer in the Region I Open Cup Final, they win are the 2013 champions and thus qualify for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup

The quarterfinals will be played on April 13. Semifinals are scheduled for May 11, and the final will be played on June 15. New York Greek American Atlas is the reigning champion and under the region’s new qualifying format, by winning the Amateur Cup, the Greeks earn a spot in the following year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (2014).

Manzanillo Deportivo (NH) at Danbury United (CT)
April 13, 1 p.m. – Immaculate High School; Danbury, CT

For the first time New Hampshire is sending a team to the Region I Amateur Cup. Manzanillo Deportivo competes in the state’s only USASA sanctioned league, the Latino International Federation Association (LIFA). All 10 teams in the league attempted to qualify, with Deportivo emerging as champions.

Danbury United will be happy not to have to face a New York team. After qualifying for the US Open Cup in 2007 (a 3-2 overtime loss in the first round to USL-2 side Western Mass Pioneers), United has fallen to New York clubs in two straight Region I competitions (2011-12). Danbury competes in the Connecticut Soccer League, and won the Connecticut Amateur championship over Poloniahawk Falcon FC.

New York Greek American Atlas (NY) at Mass United FC (MA)
April 13, 5 p.m. – Manning Stadium; Lynn, Mass.

New York Greek American Atlas is no stranger to the US Open Cup. The club won the championship four times (1967-69, 1974), and in 2014 will compete in its fifth Open Cup in the Modern Pro Era. The Greek Americans are reigning champions of the Region I Amateur Cup, defeating the Italian American Sport Club 5-1 last year. New York last qualified for the Open Cup in 2012, where it lost 2-1 in the first round to Reading United of the PDL.

Mass United FC was formed in 2009 and began play in the NPSL in 2011. United also plays in the Bay State Soccer League. The club will move to the newly-formed American Soccer League later this year. Mass United is competing in its first Region I tournament.

Maryland Bays (MD) at FC Motown (NJ)
April 13, 4 p.m. – Montclair State University (Turf Field), Montclair, NJ

After traveling to eastern Pennsylvania in the Open Cup tournament, the Maryland Bays will hit the road to New Jersey a week later. The Bays’ last Region I game against a New Jersey opponent never actually happened. In 2012, after losing its semifinal match, Maryland was supposed to play a “Win & You’re In” contest against Jersey Shore Boca. However, the Bays had to forfeit due to a lack of player availability. This allowed Boca to become the first USASA team from New Jersey to qualify for the Open Cup in the Modern Pro Era. The Garden State hasn’t looked back since, with Icon FC qualifying in 2013 and 2014.

FC Motown will hope to continue New Jersey’s qualifying streak into 2015. They compete in the Garden State Soccer League Semipro Division, and are representing the state for the first time in a regional tournament.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EPA) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
April 13, 2:30 p.m. – Maryland SoccerPlex (Field #18), Boyds, MD

UPDATE: VE defeated Phoenix SC to win the Eastern Pennsylvania Amateur Cup title

The Eastern Pennsylvania Amateur Cup championship won’t be decided until April 6, giving the winner just a week to get ready for the Aegean Hawks. VE was founded in 1931, and is looking to qualify for the Open Cup for the first time since 2002. Phoenix SC was founded even earlier, in 1926, and made its first Open Cup appearance in 1936. Phoenix last made it to The Cup in 2011, losing 2-1 to the Rochester Rhinos of USL Pro in the first round.

The Aegean Hawks host a Pennsylvania team for the second week in a row when it begins Amateur Cup play. They may face a tougher challenge in this tournament however, as Eastern Pennsylvania has much more Open Cup experience than its western counterpart, Oak Avalon.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Cajun SC to face CD Motagua in Louisiana final (updated)

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UPDATED 5/2/14: Only one of the final two group games actually took place. The Crossroads Poolboys clinched second place in Group A and ended the group stage on a positive note with a 2-0 win over UL-Lafayette. With the win, the Poolboys also clinch a spot in the third place game where they will face FC New Orleans, who received three points from their final game after the LSU club team forfeited.

The final between Cajun SC and CD Motagua and the third place game will both take place on May 16 at Clark Field in Lafayette, La. beginning at 6 p.m. CT.

UPDATED 4/26/14, 11:30 p.m. ET: CD Motagua wrapped up the Group B title, and a berth in the 2014 USASA Region III Open Cup tournament with a 7-3 win over the LSU Tigers club team. Former pro and Baton Rouge native Anthony Peters, who spent time with DC United of MLS, led the way with a hat trick for CDM as they join Cajun SC in this summer’s Region III tournament.

UPDATED 4/20/14, 12:00 p.m.: With the group title already decided, Cajun SC and UL Lafayette decided to move their game ahead by one week. Cajun SC continued their dominant play, finishing the group stage with a perfect record after their 2-0 win over ULL. Cajun finishes with a 4-0-0 record with 12 goals scored and only one against. ULL and the Crossroads Pool Boys are scheduled to play for pride in the group finale at a later date.

Next Saturday, April 26, LSU will take on CD Motagua in what will go a long way toward deciding Group B. (Details below)

UPDATED 4/12/14, 10:30 p.m.: CD Motagua have put itself on the verge of a berth in the 2014 USASA Region III Open Cup tournament with a 4-2 win over FC New Orleans on Saturday night at Harris Playground in the Crescent City.

With the victory, the path to the regional competition is simple. They can clinch with a win or draw against the LSU Tigers at home on April 26, or if they lose that game, they will need FC New Orleans, who has been eliminated, to help them out. If FC New Orleans can pick up a win or draw against the Tigers in the group stage finale, then CD Motagua will win the group. If LSU wins their two remaining games, then they will be tied with CD Motagua with 7 points and it will come down to goal difference.

The winner of Group A will take on Cajun SC in the Louisiana Open Cup championship game. Both state finalists will represent Louisiana in the Region III tournament which will take place the weekend of June 20-22 in Montgomery, Ala. and will decide which two teams will qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. (Updated Standings/Results/Schedule below)

UPDATED 4/11/14, 11 p.m.: In a Friday night tilt, Cajun SC clinched Group A with a 5-1 home win over the Crossroads Pool Boys. Along with the group title and a spot in the state title game, Cajun also earns its first-ever berth in the USASA Region III tournament. This year, the regional tournament will take place the weekend of June 20-22 in Montgomery, Ala. The two teams that reach the Region III championship game will qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

UPDATED 4/6/14, 11 a.m.: On Saturday, April 5, FC New Orleans defeated the shorthanded LSU Tigers club team 2-0 to earn their first win in Group B of the Louisiana Open Cup qualifying tournament.

Andy Centeno took advantage of a mistake by the LSU backline and scored the opening goal in the 35th minute. A scramble in the penalty area gave New Orleans a two goal lead when Leonel Rivera put a loose ball into the back of the net.

The win puts New Orleans within a point of their next opponent, first place CD Motagua. The two teams square off next Saturday, April 12 at Harris Playground in New Orleans. If CD Motagua wins, they will qualify for the USASA Region III Open Cup tournament. If New Orleans wins, then the group is much more wide open.

On Sunday, April 6, the other NCAA club team, Louisiana Lafayette was scheduled to take on Crossorads Pool Boys in Alexandria but the match was postponed. Heavy rain created poor field conditions and the game is expected to be played on May 3.

Louisiana Group A P W L D Pts GF GA GD
Cajun SC 4 4 0 0 12 12 1 +11
Crossroads Pool Boys 4 1 2 1 4 5 8 -3
UL-Lafayette 4 0 3 1 1 2 10 -8
Louisiana Group B P W L D Pts GF GA GD
CD Motagua NO 4 3 0 1 10 15 8 +7
FC New Orleans 4 2 2 0 6 8 6 +2
LSU Tigers 4 0 3 1 1 5 14 -9

Schedule/Results (Home team on right)

Crossroads Pool Boys 2:2 UL Lafayette (March 14)
FC New Orleans 1:2 CD Motagua (March 22)
Cajun SC 1:0 Crossroads Pool Boys (March 23)
CD Motagua 2:2 LSU Tigers (March 29)
UL Lafayette 0:4 Cajun SC (March 29)
LSU Tigers 0:2 FC New Orleans (April 5)
Crossroads Pool Boys 1:5 Cajun SC (April 11)
CD Motagua 4:2 FC New Orleans (April 12)
Cajun SC 2:0 UL Lafayette (April 19)
LSU Tigers 3:7 CD Motagua (April 26)
FC New Orleans 3:0 LSU Tigers (Forfeit – May 3)
UL Lafayette 0:2 Crossroads Pool Boys (May 3)

State Championship / Third Place Game
Clark Field, Lafayette, La. – May 16
Third Place: Crossroads Pool Boys vs. FC New Orleans – 6 p.m. CT
Final: Cajun SC vs. CD Motagua NO – 8 p.m. CT
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PREVIEW

As the 2014 US Open Cup is ready to get underway next month, qualification has already begun for the 2015 edition in some states.

The Louisiana State Open Cup is underway to determine which two teams will take the next step toward qualifying for the 102nd edition of the national tournament. Among the six teams that are taking part in the competition, two are club teams from universities. Louisiana State University (LSU) and University of Louisiana-Lafayette join Cajun SC, Crossroads Pool Boys, FC New Orleans and CD Motagua New Orleans in the competition that began March 14 with two groups of three teams. The winner of each group will qualify for the 2014 USASA Region III Finals.

The teams attempting to qualify are hoping to do something no Louisiana-based USASA team has done in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present): qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The last Louisiana club of any kind to qualify was the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers who represented the USL’s A-League (2nd Division) in 1997. That team featured a young striker from Trinidad & Tobago by the name of Stern John.

In Group A, Cajun SC (Lafayette, La.) has a commanding five point lead over Crossroads Pool Boys (Alexandria, La.) and UL-Lafayette. Cajun SC opened up with a 1-0 victory over Crossroads Pool Boys on March 23 before cruising to a 4-0 victory over the ULL Ragin’ Cajuns on March 29. Martin Cheramie and Austin Clause are leading the line for Cajun SC with two goals each so far. Cheramie also tallied an assist in the four goal win over UL-Lafayette.

Over in Group B, CD Motagua New Orleans sit atop the standings with four points while the LSU Tigers and FC New Orleans each have one point. Due to the schedule, CD Motagua have already played twice while LSU and FC New Orleans have only played once. CD Motagua represented the state in the Region III finals last year, but it hasn’t been easy for them so far. Their first game was a narrow 2-1 win over FC New Orleans followed by a 2-2 draw with LSU Tigers. CD Motagua have seen four different players score at least once so far while Luke Sheeky has two assists.

The two group leaders are off this weekend as FC New Orleans takes on LSU Tigers this Saturday, April 5 in Group B action while Group A sees Crossroads Pool Boys take on UL-Lafayette on Sunday, April 6. This is the first time the tournament has been played out over multiple weekends allowing each team to play home and away for a more traditional, balanced format. Cajun SC can advance to the State Finals with a win over Crossroads Pool Boys next Friday, April 11.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland Bays avenge last year’s loss to win third state title in last four years

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A year after the Maryland Bays were defeated by the Screaming Eagles, denying them a third straight Maryland Open Cup title, the Bays got their revenge. They defeated the Eagles 4-1 in the Maryland final March 9 to earn their third Rowland Cup championship (as it’s known locally) in four years.

With the win, the Bays will represent Maryland at the 2014 USASA Region I Finals, which will begin April 6. For their first round game at regionals, the Bays will travel north to the Philadelphia area to take on three-time defending Eastern Pennsylvania champion West Chester United. The winner of the Region I tournament will qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Before they reached the 100th Maryland Open Cup final, the Bays defeated two-time champion Christos FC 4-0 in dominant fashion in the semifinals.

Maryland played the game with finesse, and after a quiet opening half-hour the Bays exploded onto the scene. Chris Williams sent in a low cross across the box and Jon Ports let it take a bounce before hitting it on the half-volley to rocket the ball into the upper right corner to give the Bays a 1-0 lead.

Christos FC, one of Maryland’s league rivals, then changed tactics and chose to sit back and defend to see if they could get a goal on the counter. But the Bays offense continued to push forward for another breakthrough and they would get it in the 60th minute.

Elton Joe beat two Christos defenders on the left side of the box and slotted a pass across the box that broke through Christos’ tentative defense once again, allowing Chris Ports to tuck the ball into the back of the net after a dummy from brother Jon.

This seemed to be the straw that broke Christos defense’s back as just five minutes later Maryland’s Leitch beat another CFC defender and attempted a shot from inside the six-yard box that looked off target, until it hit another Christos defender and rolled in for an own goal.

Unfortunately for CFC the goal-onslaught wasn’t over as Chris Ports received the ball at half-field, dribbled past three defenders and slotted the it into the far right corner of the net past Christos goalkeeper Dan Louisignau to cement the Bays’ place in the final.

The semis wouldn’t be the only game that Maryland scored four goals as the Bays eased their way to a Rowland Cup championship after dismantling the Eagles.

Maryland’s high-powered offense really poured it on the Eagles and suffocated the chances the Eagles had offensively. It also stretched the Eagles defense, often to the point of breaking. The most spectacular break would come in the 60th minute.

After Bays goals by Jon Ports and Glenn Leitch, Aaron Beale took the ball out of the back and began to run with it playing a bit a of 1-2 with Colin Rome. Beale eventually received the ball in the penalty area and after cheekily avoiding three defenders, he was tripped up and awarded a penalty.

Chris Ports stepped up to the spot and delivered a shot to the right but saw his effort saved. Unfortunately for the Eagles goalkeeper, he only managed to deflect the ball off the line, watching it land right back at Ports’ feet for the easy tap-in to give the Bays a 3-0 advantage.

Maryland offense looked to open the scoring early as Ports slotted a through ball to the right side of the box for his brother, who drove a scorching shot off the post in the fifth minute.

It wouldn’t take the Bays much longer to find the goal as Glenn Leitch nodded in a 35-yard free kick delivered by John Taylor to open the scoring in the eighth minute. Next, Leitch would turn provider in the 20th as he beat his marker on the left side and drove a hard pass across the box at Jon Ports, who made a cheeky dummy and watched it slide between the goalkeeper’s legs to put Maryland up 4-0. The Bays then subbed out five players to run out the clock, but the scoring wasn’t finished.

The Eagles deposited a late penalty in the 86th minute but the damage had been done and Maryland became the 2014 Rowland Cup champions and will represent Maryland in the USASA Region I Finals.

2014 Maryland Open Cup qualifying results
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Jan. 19)
Baltimore Kickers Bayern 3:1 Malawi FC
Washington Elite FC 6:4 (AET) Pipeline SC

Quarterfinals (Feb. 2)
ASA Charm City FC 3:1 Academy FC
Screaming Eagles 8:1 Baltimore Kickers Bayern
Christos FC 2:1 Washington Elite FC
Maryland Bays 2:1 Spartans FC

Semifinals (Feb. 23)
Maryland Bays 4:0 Christos FC
Screaming Eagles 4:2 ASA Charm City FC

Final (March 9)
Maryland Bays 4:1 Screaming Eagles

Past Maryland Open Cup champions
2014: Maryland Bays
2013: Screaming Eagles 2012: Maryland Bays 2011: Maryland Bays 2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC*
2005: Baltimore Colts FC*
2004: Allied SC*
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s*
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps
1997: Casa Mia
1996: Casa Mia
1995: Casa Mia

*qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Aegean Hawks win 7th DC-Virginia Open Cup title in last 8 attempts

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With a 2-0 victory over Hammers FC, the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks have won the Metro DC-Virginia Open Cup title for the seventh time in eight attempts. The Hawks have now earned a place in next month’s USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, which will qualify a team to the 2015 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

According to Aegean Hawks coach Jonathan Knight, his team started poorly, but gradually got better as the game went along. As the team started to control the flow of the game, opportunities on net began to arise.

The Hawks eventually broke through right before the halftime whistle. It was a Big Ten connection that led to the first goal as a string of nine to 10 passes sent former Ohio State midfielder Danny Irizarry through into the box by former Wisconsin Badger Watson Prather. Irizarry hit a one-time shot into the right corner of the goal to give his side a 1-0 lead.

Knight was much happier with the second half, which saw his team score an insurance goal to seal the DC/VA championship. In the 55th minute, former Georgetown player Jose Colchao put in a cross to David Rosenbaum, who calmly converted his opportunity.

Up 2-0, the Aegean Hawks had several more opportunities but could not add to their lead, which almost proved costly. Hammers had two quality chances toward the end of the game. In the 75th minute, a rocket of a shot from 20 yards out hit the crossbar, and five minutes later, a shot on a nearly-open net was shanked wide left.

With the victory, the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks move on to the USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, where they are scheduled to host Pennsylvania West representative Oak Avalon on April 6. Despite making it to regionals, Knight bemoans the fact that the DC/VA tournament only saw two teams compete in the competition for the fifth year in a row.

“We have had much more participation in the past,” he said. “Participation is down because of the cost of playing. That scared away a lot of teams. It’s a shame because there are a lot of good teams in our state. I mean, we finished 7th in our league last fall. That shows that a lot of good teams just don’t enter.”

Still, Knight is happy that his team, which first entered the DC/VA Open Cup tournament back in 2006 and won the tournament four years in a row (2006-2009) before having their streak ended in 2010 by rival Club Atletico Virginia. In 2011, the Hawks found a way to enter the more competitive Maryland tournament, but also found out just how competitive it was and lost in the opening round to Christos FC. They returned to DC/VA in 2012 where they avenged their 2010 loss with a 3-1 victory over CAV, and now have defeated Hammers FC two years in a row to win the title.

He said, “We’re very excited to move on to regionals. We have a really talented roster. Just the idea that we can get to Lamar Hunt is fun.”


Recent DC/VA Open Cup champions:
2014: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2013: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2012: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2011: Club Atletico Virginia
2010: Club Atletico Virginia
2009: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2008: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2007: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2006: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks
2005: Lex United
2004: LCC International
2003: Dynamos FC
2002: LCC International
2001: Virginia Beach International
2000: LCC International
1999: Zorba FC
1998: LCC International
1997: Unknown club (if you know who won, email us)
1996: Mo’s Sport Shop
1995: Spartan SC

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Charm City, Bays join Maryland Open Cup semifinals

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The state of Maryland’s Open Cup semifinals, or Rowland Cup, as it’s known locally, are complete.

All four teams that advanced have won the tournament title in the last five years. Two-time champion Maryland Bays (2011-12), ASA Charm City FC (2010 co-champion), last year’s winner Screaming Eagles and another two-time champ Christos FC (2002, 2009) round out the final four, set to be played Feb. 23.

MARYLAND BAYS 2:1 SPARTANS FC

A goalkeeper’s job can be defined by spectacular saves or glaring misses, but when it came down to it, Phil Saunders came up with the former.

Saunders saved a penalty kick late in the game and effectively took the drive out off a strong Spartans squad and Chris Ports would tuck away a last-second penalty to give the Maryland Bays a 2-1 win over the Spartans.

After playing counterattacking soccer for much of the afternoon, the Spartans would push forward and work the ball into the box. Maryland tried to absorb the pressure but eventually conceded a penalty to seemingly swing the momentum in the Spartans’ favor with the score tied at 1-1 at the 75 minute mark.

But Saunders made himself big and saved the ensuing kick, pumping up the Maryland squad and urging his teammates forward to go for the win.

The push forward would eventually work for the Bays as Jon Ports dribbled into the box before being fouled and drawing a red card on a Spartan player.

Ports’ brother, Chris Ports, would step up to the spot and convert the penalty to give Maryland a one-goal advantage and the whistle would blow a few minutes later to seal the win.

The Bays opened the scoring on one of the three dangerous early breakaways that stretched the Spartans’ defense. Jon Ports led the breakaway and tucked the ball into the net five minutes into the game and it seemed smooth sailing heading into the second half.

But the Spartans exploded out of the gate in the second half, using strong counterattacking play to put one past Saunders and tie up the game at 1-1, but Maryland would keep pushing for another goal and leave the pitch with the win.

The game was extremely taxing for the Bays as three Maryland players left the game with game-ending injuries that left coach Bungarin with only his backup goalkeeper as a sub.

The Bays, last year’s state runner-up, will move on to play fellow two-time champion Christos FC in the final four. Christos narrowly edged Washington Elite FC 2-1 in their quarterfinal match earlier in the day.

ASA CHARM CITY FC 3:1 ACADEMY FC

The road to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is long and winding for most teams, and in the Rowland Cup quarterfinal match between ASA Charm City FC and Academy FC, one team’s journey was coming to an end. With a stellar cohesive team performance, Charm City was able to move on to the semifinals with a powerful 3-1 victory.

The game started without much fanfare, with both teams trading blows for the first 30 minutes of the game. In the 30th minute, Charm City’s Dan Lader scored on an attempted cross that ended up in the top corner. Lader raced down the right flank and launched a venomous curling cross to the back post that had enough spin to be tucked inside the frame.

That goal proved to be the only mark on the scoreline from the first half, and Charm City went into halftime up 1-0.

Academy conceded a penalty kick shortly after halftime when one of their defenders took down Charm City’s Pat Delaney inside the area. John Cole stepped up to calmly slot home the attempt to the goalkeeper’s right side. Academy was not done fighting, however, drawing back a goal in the 50th minute to make the score 2-1.

Unfortunately, the effort proved to not be enough, as City forward Cubay Wilson broke free and chipped the ball over the Academy keeper’s head to give Charm City a firm 3-1 lead which they would not relinquish.

Charm City is back in the final four where they will face the Screaming Eagles who cruised past Baltimore Kickers Bayern 8-1. Last year, the Eagles won their first-ever Maryland Open Cup title, denying the Maryland Bays a three-peat.

2014 Maryland Open Cup qualifying results
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Jan. 19)
Baltimore Kickers Bayern 3:1 Malawi FC
Washington Elite FC 6:4 (AET) Pipeline SC

Quarterfinals (Feb. 2)
ASA Charm City FC 3:1 Academy FC
Screaming Eagles 8:1 Baltimore Kickers Bayern
Christos FC 2:1 Washington Elite FC
Maryland Bays 2:1 Spartans FC

Semifinals (Feb. 23)
Christos FC vs. Maryland Bays
Screaming Eagles vs. ASA Charm City FC

Final (March 9)
Montgomery Blair High School

Past Maryland Open Cup champions
2013: Screaming Eagles
2012: Maryland Bays 2011: Maryland Bays 2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC*
2005: Baltimore Colts FC*
2004: Allied SC*
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s*
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps

*qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Washington Elite win OT barnburner, Baltimore Kickers return in Maryland Open Cup openers

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Editor’s note: The USASA’s qualifying deadline for 2014 was moved up to Dec. 31, 2013 and since there was no way for Region I to fit state and regional tournaments in before the end of the year, so the 2014 Region I entries were already decided based on 2013’s results. The 2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC (New Jersey) and Amateur Cup winners, Greek American Atlas, punched their tickets to this year’s Open Cup already. Therefore, this year’s Maryland tournament winner will advance to regionals, and the regional winner will qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The opening round of the state of Maryland’s Open Cup qualifying tournament — known locally as the Rowland Cup — packed some excitement into the first two games of the competition. With the winner of the tournament taking a big step toward qualifying for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, each team brought intensity and passion to the pitch. There was no lack of drama in either match with Washington Elite SC winning a 10-goal extra time thriller, and the new-look Baltimore Kickers Bayern earning a 3-1 win.

Both teams move on to the state quarterfinals which was originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 26, but winter weather has postponed the games and a make-up date has yet to be announced.

MORE: Maryland Open Cup qualifying schedule

Washington Elite FC 6:4 (AET) Pipeline SC

No one could have predicted the classic that the Washington Elite-Pipeline SC game would become in the first round of the Rowland Cup. Pipeline was no stranger to dramatic opening games, as they rallied from a 4-1 second half deficit to beat Spartan SC 5-4 last year. This year, the tables were turned as Washington came back to tie the game after trailing at halftime, and won the game after a wild four-goal extra time period.

The fireworks started early in this tilt as Washington scored in the 10th minute after Luis Rivera capitalized on a through ball from Josselin Passion and cleanly slotted it past Pipeline keeper Rob Hollasch. The scoreline would not remain that way for long, as Pipeline soon answered six minutes later when Malcs Manswell fed the ball to Taylor Brummitt, who dribbled around the Elite keeper in the area and put it away to draw even.

The game continued to go back and forth until the 40th minute, when Tommy Quaranta of Pipeline won the ball at midfield and hit a through pass to Joe O’Rourke who put the ball in the back of the net. Pipeline headed into the half with momentum and a 2-1 lead.

Coming out of the halftime break, Washington showed real defensive discipline, limiting the number of shots and slowing the attacking momentum from Pipeline. In the 60th minute, the Elite capitalized on a counterattack, racing down the right flank after a Pipeline set piece was cleared. Nahome Menzengia then proceeded to draw the scoreline level once again.

Elite would grasp the lead again in the 75th minute when Josselin Passion broke away down the left side of the field and was able to slot the ball past Hollasch for a 3-2 lead. The game seemed destined for a Washington victory when, in the 85th minute, Stafford Affori of Pipeline headed in an O’Rourke free kick to send the game into extra time knotted at 3-3.

In the first period of overtime, there was only one goal, but it provided quite a bit of controversy. In the 100th minute, there was a loose ball in the Pipeline penalty area, and a Washington player played the ball to a teammate while lying on his back. Pipeline stopped play, expecting a dangerous play call, but no such call was given. Menzengia collected the loose ball and fired it into the back of the net to give Washington a 4-3 lead heading into the second period of extra time.

In the second period of extra time, Washington began to pull away with two quick goals in the 110th and 113th minute, scored by Kevin Gnatiko and Harold Tchameni, respectively. Taylor Brummitt of Pipeline headed one into the net in the 117th minute, but it wasn’t enough for them, as Elite hung on to win, 6-4.

After the game, Bill George, the Pipeline SC coach, said “All credit to Washington Elite. They were the better team today and had us under a lot of pressure. We lacked depth today and it showed. I am proud of how hard our boys battled. Despite missing numerous key players, we battled hard and put ourselves in position to win. Without the depth, we ran out of gas in overtime and Washington was able punish us. Good luck to Carlos and his squad.”

Washington will move on to face two-time Rowland Cup champion Christos FC in the quarterfinals.

Lineups
Pipeline SC: Rob Hollasch (GK), JD Kershaw, Gus Teren, Phil Greatwhich, Eric Mullins, Nick Bermudez, Joe O’Rourke, Tommy Quaranta, Stafford Afori, Taylor Brummitt, Malcs Manswell (Brian Hernandez – 70′)

Washington Elite: Erick Batres (GK), Dannish Nelson, Joel Denose, Darrell Gonzalez, Juele Lawrence, Josselin Passion, Samuel Edoung-Biyo, Nahome Menzengia, Tim Wilson, Luis Rivera, Idrissa Seisay

Scoring Summary
WAS: Luis Rivera (Josselin Passion) – 10th min.
PSC: Taylor Brummitt (Malcs Manswell) – 16th min.
PSC: Joe O’Rourke (Tommy Quaranta) – 40th min.
WAS: Nahome Menzengia (Tim Wilson) – 60th min.
WAS: Josselin Passion (Luis Rivera) – 75th min.
PSC: Stafford Afori (Joe O’Rourke) – 85th min.
WAS: Kevin Gnatiko (Unassisted) – 110th min.
WAS: Harold Tchameni (Unassisted) – 113th min.
PSC: Taylor Brummitt (Nico Bermudez) – 117th min.

Baltimore Kickers Bayern 3:1 Malawi FC

The other Rowland Cup first round match of the day featured two teams that both have featured on the Maryland soccer scene for years. Baltimore Kickers Bayern used to be known as Mundo FC and made a strong run to the state semifinals last year, while Malawi was making their first appearance in several years.

The game was back and forth, with both teams enjoying long sustained bouts of possession and attacking movement. The Kickers registered the only goal of the first half, when Kunle Akinfeleye broke past the Malawi defense off of an assist by Vahid Zeinoddini.

Malawi equalized in the second half, but shortly after were called for a penalty kick after a defender chopped down Baltimore’s Suman Rai in the box. Johnny Melcher slotted it home from the spot to give the Kickers a 2-1 lead. In the 70th minute, Baltimore scored what proved to be an insurance goal when Frank Bakong cut through the Malawi backline on a Melcher assist, and made the scoreline 3-1.

After the game, Baltimore coach Leonard Van de Graaff heaped praise on his man of the match.

“Our central midfielder Johnny Melcher is the person I’d like to point to as having had an excellent game,” said Van de Graaff. “He recently joined the squad (after having played for the Air Force team) and has brought organization and discipline to our team. In this game, he assisted on one goal and scored a penalty kick for us. We’ve moved forward quickly since Johnny joined us and we look forward to more success, not only in the Rowland and Stewart Cup competitions, but also in the years to come. “

Local fans may remember the Kickers name as they have been around since 1953 and are one of the oldest amateur clubs in the state. The Kickers needed help keeping the team on the field, so Van de Graaff stepped with his Mundo club, took on the Kickers name to keep the tradition alive. The addition of ‘Bayern’ to the name was made to distinguish between the club’s first and second teams.

Baltimore will move on to play the Screaming Eagles, a rematch of last year’s semifinal match which the Eagles won 4-1.

Scoring Summary
BAL: Kunle Akinfeleye (Vahid Zeinoddini) – First half
MAL: Unknown goalscorer – Second half
BAL: Johnny Melcher (PK) – Second half
BAL: Frank Bakong (Johnny Melcher) – 70th min.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Lansdowne Bhoys’ surprise debut ends in Eastern NY title

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Lansdowne Bhoys win the 2013 Eastern NY Open Cup title. Photo: Lansdowne Bhoys Facebook page

Lansdowne Bhoys are the Eastern New York Open Cup champions in its first attempt after defeating New York Athletic Club last November. The 2-1 victory in the final finished off a magical run that saw the side upset one of New York’s oldest and most famous clubs, Greek American Atlas SC.

The Bhoys may be relative unknowns nationally, but in New York they were steamrolling through competition in their local league, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. Containing such teams as the four-time US Open Cup champion Greek Americans and three-time Open Cup winners New York Pancyprian Freedoms, the CSL is the top amateur conference in New York, and arguably the nation. Lansdowne finished the fall season with a 9-1-0 record, outscoring its opponents 31-7.

The champions began their tournament at home against the Greek Americans, emerging 5-4 winners. After taking a 5-1 lead, Bhoys player/coach Austin Friel said that the team took its “foot off the gas.” The Greek Americans scored three goals in the last three minutes but could not find an equalizer.

In the second round, Lansdowne was pitted against United FC, which upset the Pancyprian Freedoms in the prior round 7-6 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The Bhoys pulled out another close victory, this time winning 3-2 on the road. In a back-and-forth affair, United scored first, the Bhoys netted two goals, then United equalized. Lansdowne ended up scoring a late goal to win the game and advance to the final four.

Lansdowne’s next opponents were fellow CSL side Clarkstown FC Eagles, which made it to the semifinals with a pair of victories against non-CSL competition. In the first round, the Eagles scored a 4-0 victory over Stade Breton New York, which according to its Facebook page is the oldest French soccer team in the United States, having been created in 1955. Then, in round two, Clarkstown was a 4-1 victor over Westchester CF.

In the semifinal match-up, Lansdowne was dominant, earning a 5-0 victory over Clarkstown, which also operates a club in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Clarkstown coach Kevin Grogan, who was an Irish youth international who signed for Manchester United in 1997, said that while Lansdowne deserved the victory, an early sending-off influenced the game and led to the flattering scoreline.

USASA Region I logo

In the final, the Bhoys got ahead quickly against NY Athletic Club, who advanced straight to the final thanks to winning the Rapaglia Cup, a tournament of champions in New York. Dwayne Reid, who was among the PDL leaders in points per minute last summer with the Ocean City Nor’easters, opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Fewer than 10 minutes later, Jermaine Russell added a second. NYAC had a glimmer of hope after Alessandro Sucre’s 88th minute goal, but Lansdowne was able to hold on to the 2-1 lead to earn its first state Open Cup title.

“For the first 25 minutes we were really dominant and possibly could have scored a few more,” Friel said. “We were just happy to win the game and move on to the next round.”

Lansdowne Bhoys will now represent Eastern New York in the 2014 USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, which is scheduled to begin April 6. The winner of that tournament will join the Region I Amateur Cup winner in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The USASA’s qualifying deadline was moved up to Dec. 31, and since there was no way to fit state and regional tournaments in before the end of the year, the 2014 Region I entries were already decided based on 2013’s results. The 2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC (New Jersey) and Amateur Cup winners, Greek American Atlas, punched their tickets to this year’s Open Cup already.

2013-14 Eastern NY Open Cup Tournament
Home teams listed first

First Round

United FC 3:3 New York Pancyprian Freedoms
United FC advances 7:6 on penalty kicks
Lansdowne Bhoys 5:4 New York Greek Americans
Clarkstown FC Eagles 4:0 Stade Breton
Barnstonworth Rovers FC 1:1 Westchester CF
Westchester CF advances 11:10 on penalty kicks
New York Athletic Club – bye

Quarterfinals

United FC 2:3 Lansdowne Bhoys
Westchester CF 1:4 Clarkstown FC Eagles
New York Athletic Club – bye

Semifinals

Lansdowne Bhoys 3:0 Clarkstown FC Eagles
New York Athletic Club – bye

Final

New York Athletic Club 1:2 Lansdowne Bhoys

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United earns rare Eastern Pennsylvania three-peat

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West Chester United celebrate their third straight Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup tournament. Photo: West Chester United

West Chester United defeated Vereinigung Erzgebirge 4-2 on Sunday to win their third straight Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup title. Four different players scored for the tournament’s top seed, who played without former MLS player Jeremiah White, who missed the game due to injury.

With the win, United becomes the first team to win the state title three years in a row since the United German Hungarians won four straight from 1997-2000. They now move on to next year’s USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, where the winner will earn a spot in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The USASA’s qualifying deadline was moved up to Dec. 31, and since there was no way to fit state and regional tournaments in before the end of the year, the 2014 Region I entries were already decided based on 2013’s results. The 2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC (New Jersey) and Amateur Cup winners, New York Greek American Atlas SC, punched their tickets.

There were a number of key performances that led to the club clinching a spot in the USASA Region I tournament for a third straight year, but West Chester manager Blaise Santangelo was quick to credit the most important performance of the day.

“The MVP award should definitely go to the Jeep Wrangler that plowed the field,” Santangelo joked. It was a selfish award, as Santangelo, a man of many hats, was the one plowing the field in the early morning hours at YCS Sports in Wayne, Pa. Heavy snowfall blanketed the Philadelphia area over the weekend, forcing the match to be moved from West Chester’s home field to the complex where Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union practice.

Luckily for the players involved, the weather was a relative non-factor. The temperature hovered around the mid-30s with little wind, but it was set pieces that made the difference in the game as two of the four West Chester goals came from free kicks.

The first goal of the game didn’t take long, as West Chester earned a free kick on the left wing. From about 25 yards out, Andrew Kummerer took the free kick and bent the ball from left to right and buried it in the back of the net.

A few minutes later, VE equalized from the penalty spot. The referee called a foul just inside the penalty area and Artie Taylor stepped up and tied the game in the 8th minute.

The match remained level heading into halftime, with VE controlling the majority of the possession as West Chester’s midfield play struggled to establish itself.

“VE had the better of the play in the first half,” said Santangelo. “We weren’t connecting our outside backs to our outside mids very well and we turned the ball over a lot.”

WCU found themselves forcing direct balls from the backline to the strikers and VE took advantage of the turnovers, but were unable to take the lead before the break.

The second half was a completely different story, as the two-time defending champs focused on more two-touch passing and erupted for three goals.

Within ten minutes of the restart, a scrum broke out in the penalty box and West Chester’s Peter Pittaoulis found himself at the right place at the right time. Pittaoulis drilled the ball past goalkeeper Tim Washam to put WCU up 2-1.

Shortly after, Billydee Scantlebury entered the game as a substitute and the former Joe Public midfielder made an immediate impact. Roughly five minutes after he entered the game, West Chester won a free kick and Scantlebury struck an unstoppable shot past Washam to give his team a two-goal lead around the 65th minute.

Needing multiple goals to have a chance to win their first state Open Cup title since 2009, VE pushed players forward, but they paid the price for it on the counter-attack. West Chester found themselves on a 3-on-2 break and Joe Scales scored to make it 4-1.

The game seemed out of reach, but VE was given a lifeline around the 78th minute. The referee awarded them a penalty kick and, to make things even better for the underdogs, Kummerer of West Chester was shown a straight red card for dissent after arguing the decision. Anthony Bafiel converted the spot kick to make it 4-2 as VE looked to rally with a man advantage.

Despite playing with 10 men, United managed to hold on in the final 10 minutes to secure the win.

West Chester United lineup

Anthony Noel (GK), Chris Amato, Peter Luzak (Tomasz Fryzel – 81st), Mark Fetrow, Dave King, Joe Sales (Charlie Sales – 78th), Andrew Kummerer, Bill Brown (Billydee Scantlebury – 57th), Mike Lodge, Dom Popolizio, Pete Pittaoulis (Tony Murungi – 87th)

Vereinigung Erzgebirge lineup

Tim Washam (GK), Artie Taylor (Brian Madden – 75th), Alex Shuptar, Mike Reese, John Boswell, John Fazio (Mike McKee – 78th), Brian Devlin, Greg Ermold (Kevin Wolfe – 75th), Anthony Bafiel, Julian Ward (Giuseppe Bua – 75th), Greg Shertzer

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United, Vereinigung Erzgebirge reach Eastern PA final

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West Chester United celebrate their opening goal in the 2nd minute against Salone FC in the Eastern Pennsylvania semifinal. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

The semifinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania qualifying tournament for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup couldn’t have been more different than the quarterfinals. After a round of eight that saw few goals and three upsets, 12 goals were scored in the semis, and both favorites, West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge, advanced to the tournament final.

West Chester United 3:2 Salone FC

Two-time reigning champion West Chester United was pushed to its limits by Salone FC, but the top seed managed a 3-2 victory over the only Philadelphia-based club in the competition.

West Chester came into the match dealing with some injury issues, as former pro Jeremiah White could not play while recovering from an ankle problem. Despite that, United still managed to jump on top early. Mike Lodge cut in from the left side of the field in the second minute and curled a shot over the Salone goalkeeper from just outside the box to give his side a 1-0 lead.

That lead was short-lived, however, as Salone answered back a minute later. A cross into the West Chester box was blocked out to Salone’s Junisa Sandi, who then sliced the ball off the outside of his right foot over the keeper and into the top corner to tie the game at 1-1.

West Chester United and Salone FC battled for 90 minutes in their Eastern Pennsylvania semifinal match. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

“I’m really impressed at how Salone handled themselves,” West Chester coach Blaise Santangelo said. “We got off strong, but Salone played some really nice soccer.”

Sandi’s goal gave the strong contingent of away supporters something to cheer about, which in turn motivated Salone to continue pressing forward. That pressure culminated in a penalty kick in the 23rd minute, when a Salone player was tripped in the box. Sandi stepped up to take the kick and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way on his attempt.

Down 2-1, United pushed forward and found an equalizer in the 37th minute. A ball that was crossed into the Salone penalty area caused a mad scramble as West Chester United players tried to get shots off while Salone players desperately tried to clear the ball. Eventually United’s Justin McCall gathered the ball at the penalty spot and side-footed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to tie the game at 2-2.

Despite the wild first half, Santangelo said that he was confident heading into the break. He said, “At halftime, we felt that we were going to be okay. We felt that we were getting away from Salone’s coverage, and we thought that we could get in on goal against them.”

Santangelo was proven correct as West Chester created the best chances of the second half. And, in the 66th minute, former Penn State defender Mark Fetrow put the home side up for good. Andrew Kummerer curled in a free kick from about 30 yards out that found the head of the tall center back. Fetrow’s game-winning header looped up and over the keeper and several defenders before finding the back of the net.

West Chester United celebrate what would prove to be the game-winning goal against Salone FC in the Eastern Pennsylvania semifinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

With a 3-2 lead, West Chester concentrated on possessing the ball, which limited Salone’s chances. In the end, the away side just did not have enough to find a tying goal.

Salone manager Foday Turay said, “It was a good game. We gave it our best. That’s soccer…someone has to win. We’ll definitely be back next year.”

West Chester moves on to the final on Dec. 15, where it will host Vereinigung Erzgebirge. United is looking for a third Eastern PA Open Cup championship in a row. “Our guys are ready to go back to another final,” Santangelo said. “We’re excited to move forward and try for a third-straight cup.”

Vereinigung Erzgebirge 7-0 Upper Moreland Celtic

In the other semifinal, Vereinigung Erzgebirge scored early and often in a rout of Upper Moreland Celtic. Paul Dudley scored a first-half hat trick, and four other players added goals in the 7-0 victory.

Dudley’s goals came in the 2nd, 15th, and 33rd minutes. Also scoring were Nate Baker (30’), Artie Taylor (50’), Mike McKee (62’), and John Fazio (65’).

“We just had to go out and get a few goals,” VE manager Rob Oldfield said. “They didn’t have the depth to cause us too many problems. We just got a couple goals early, then we got to sit on the lead.”

VE, which has been playing soccer since the 1930s, is looking to win its first Eastern PA Open Cup championship since 2009 and its first US Open Cup berth since 2002. The club is also in the final of the Eastern PA Amateur Cup, marking only the third time in club history that it has made both cup finals in the same year (1991 and 2002). VE will host the Amateur Cup final on Dec. 8 against Phoenix SC.

Region I has decided to use the winners of both the Open Cup and the Amateur Cup as its qualifiers to the 2015 US Open Cup, meaning VE still has two chances to make it to the tournament.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Mass Premier Soccer wins state title, advances to Region I finals

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Note: Due to a change in the qualifying deadline, USASA Region I has already determined their two entries for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC and 2013 Region I Amateur Cup champion New York Greek American Atlas). Therefore, this fall’s Massachusetts champion will advance to the 2014 Region I tournament, which will then determine the region’s entry into the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The fixture was set weeks ago. Two teams, Mass Premier Soccer and Mass United FC, were to meet on a Sunday afternoon in late November to decide who would be Massachusetts Open Cup champion.

As the poet once said, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

The game was set for a 2 p.m. kickoff, but when some fans arrived at Clemente Field in Boston, the game was already under way after the start of the match was moved up to 1:30 p.m. over concerns of running out of daylight. However, the surprising thing about the match wasn’t the early start.

The problem was Mass United FC were not on the field.

Prior to the game, Mass Premier Soccer were informed that Mass United FC were disqualified after fielding an ineligible player in the semifinal. The disqualification resulted in the loser of the semifinal, Valeo Sports, moving on to the final instead.

Mass Premier Soccer would prevail over Valeo Sports in extra time, 2-1, to win their second straight Massachusetts Open Cup title and will move on to next spring’s USASA Region I tournament.

Despite fielding a team of irregulars, Valeo Sports took the lead in the first half with a brilliant piece of individual play from Marillo Zanetti. Zanetti beat the defender by bouncing the ball over his opponent, and bringing it down on to his foot, fired past the MPS Keeper, Jeff Newman.

However, Mass Premier Soccer were able to keep their composure and equalize near the 40 minute mark. MPS pressured their opponents deep into their own half, and former SMU and FC Dallas midfielder Ben Shuleva managed to capitalize by beating the keeper inside a very congested penalty area.

The second half saw both teams struggle against the elements with sub-freezing temperatures, and a swirling wind that whipped down the field and back the other way. Other than the cold and wind, the only constant in the game was the stream of profanity coming from the Valeo coaches sitting in the stands, presumably prohibited from the touchline. The verbal tirade had little effect however, but despite their overall poor play, they were able to hold off an ineffective MPS attack.

Both teams had chances toward the end of full time to go ahead, and Valeo probably deserved a penalty awarded in their favor for a trip near the box, but the referee called no foul as MPS was able to counter. MPS also had a chance in the second half with a free kick from Nick Crestman, who swung it inside the box from 25 yards out on the right side. The ball was flicked on to Shuleva by forward Chuck Romero, but Shuleva’s header was caught by the keeper right on the line.

The game quickly went into extra time as daylight was running out. MPS proved to be the more consistent with the ball and pressed hard for the go ahead goal. It came finally in the second extra time period with about 10 minutes left to play. When a corner kick found its way to MPS forward Tyler MacNee, who was left unmarked, and was able to take a touch in the box, settle, and drive it past the Valeo keeper with his right foot for the go-ahead goal.

Valeo however did not give up and continued to press forward. With under five minutes left, they pushed forward and seemingly had Newman beat, but the shot was cleared off the line by MPS defender Jake Edwards. Time eventually ran out on Valeo and MPS secured a spot in the regional tournament.

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