2015 USASA qualifying

Maryland Bays win first USASA Open Cup title, expected to qualify for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

August 1, 2014 by Sean Maslin

Maryland Bays: 2014 USASA Open Cup champions

The first one is always the best. Whether it is the rush of emotions, the sense of accomplishment, or the flood of memories, being able to hoist a trophy and call one’s self a champion is an immense feeling and an important moment for any player or team.

The Maryland Bays had such a moment this weekend as the club won their first-ever USASA Open Cup championship defeating the Des Moines Menace of Iowa by the score of 3-0.

“We finally got over the Open Cup hump,” said Bays coach Bryan Bugarin. “It seems like it was always that one game, or an extenuating circumstance that kept us from getting back to Nationals since our U23s lost to the Chicago Fire in the Final.”

The team nearly had a another extenuating circumstance derail them when seven days before the opening game, their starting goalkeeper Phil Saunders told Bugarin that he had just signed a professional contract to play for a club in Iceland. Luckily for the Bays, they had a quality backup netminder in Kris Ward who performed well, allowing just a single goal in the two games at Nationals.

For those unfamiliar, the USASA Open Cup, officially named the Werner Fricker US Open Cup championship, is an annual competition hosted by the United States Adult Soccer Association which is the main arm for adult club soccer for the United States Soccer Federation. The Open Cup Championship is composed of the best teams from the four major regions in the United States. The Maryland Bays are a part of the Maryland Soccer Association and the Maryland Major Soccer League in Baltimore, Md. The team has won five consecutive Fall Premier League Championships in MMSL and has won five consecutive Stewart Cups, which is the Maryland State Soccer Association Cup. They are the first Maryland-based team to win the USASA Open Cup Championship since the Baltimore Colts FC won the title back in 2005.

This has been quite a run for the Bays. They defeated regional rivals West Chester United (Eastern Pennsylvania), Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), and Mass Premier Soccer (now known as GPS Massachusetts) in the Region I tournament. By winning the Region I tournament, based on last year’s format, the Bays are expected to qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The win also booked them a spot in the USASA Nationals and found themselves matched up with Triangle Brigade in the Semifinals. Against the Region III winners, the Bays dominated possession and were able to defeat the newcomers from North Carolina by the score of 4-1. Glenn Leitch, Danny Baxter, Marco Mangione and Elton Joe all scored goals for the Bays to punch their ticket to the national title game.

“We actually changed up our formation five minutes before kickoff and it proved to be the difference as neither opponent really seemed to figure out any answers to hinder our pace offensively,” said Bugarin. “Our center midfielders clogged the middle and controlled play, while our outside midfielders constantly got around opponent’s backs to provide forward support to our lone striker (Elton Joe). Our back line was very quick to lock things down and the outside guys provided an extra bit of offense as they overlapped our outside midfielders with attacking runs quite often. The six players who came off the bench also provided a great deal of support later in each game.

In the championship game, the Bays faced a Menace side that had beaten Chula Vista FC in the Semis. However, the Bays were able to overcome the Menace with goals by Elton Joe in the 12th minute, Danny Baxter in the 60th minute, and by Bryan Moffa at the end of regulation.

Bugarin credits all the support the team has received over the years to help the club win their first national title. “I would like to thank all of our friends and family who have supported us along the way no matter what the travel distance, or weather conditions,” said Bugarin. “I would like to thank my Assistant Coach, Andrew Dicea, for the countless hours of work he put in to registrations, travel, and of course, helping to coach this great group of guys. And a special thanks goes out to our main sponsor, and very good friend of mine, Mark Shiflett. Mark has supported the Maryland Bays financially since I assembled the team in 2009. Without his contributions we would not be able compete, and properly run the team.”

Maryland Bays roster for 2014 USASA Nationals

Starters: Kris Ward (GK), Josh Taylor, Aaron Beale, Matt Shell, Glenn Leitch, Chris Ports, Mike Gill, Marco Mangione, Danny Baxter, Jon Ports, Elton Joe

Reserves: Collin Rome, Bryan Moffa, Nino Mangione, Ray Kuemmer, Chris Weaver, Chris Williams

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: North Carolina’s Triangle Brigade wins USASA Region III title over NTX Rayados

July 6, 2014 by Michael Berton

Triangle Brigade FC was formed in January 2014 with the intention of creating an elite level of amateur soccer in North Carolina. Head coach Jason Sisneros expected to start small, earning success in his state before moving on to bigger and better things, using the 2014 USASA Region III Open Cup tournament as an opportunity just to get better.

It came as a surprise then when Triangle Brigade not only competed in the Region III tournament, but they won the championship by defeating reigning champions North Texas Rayados in the process and earning an expected berth in the 2015 US Open Cup (assuming the format remains the same as 2014).

“We’re very excited,” said Sisneros, who is also an assistant coach with the University of North Carolina women’s soccer team. “Winning the tournament was huge. It gives us all kinds of new opportunities to train for. Being able to take an amateur team from North Carolina a few wins away from facing professional teams is incredible.”

The Region III Open Cup tournament, which was held at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex in Montgomery, Ala., featured six teams split into two groups of three. Each group winner then would earn a berth to the 2015 US Open Cup. Reigning champions North Texas Rayados were in Group A along with Lynch’s FC, one of two teams from Florida in the tournament. Lynch’s won Region III in 2003 and 2009 and have qualified for the US Open Cup three times. Rounding out Group A was CD Motagua New Orleans (LA), which rolled through an expanded Louisiana qualifying tournament, winning a state title in the process.

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Triangle Brigade was in a Group B that featured Florida’s Red Force, last year’s Region III runners-up. In the 2014 Open Cup, Red Force became the first USASA club from the sunshine state to win an Open Cup game since 2001 when it defeated Colorado Rovers of the USSSA 2-1. Group B also featured Cajun SC, the runner-up from Louisiana.

In the first fixtures, Rayados got off to a winning start, scoring two second-half goals to beat Lynch’s. Red Force needed an 89th minute penalty kick to see off Motagua 3-2, and Triangle Brigade squeaked out a 2-1 win over Cajun SC.

Group play continued with Rayados earning 4-2 win over Cajun, Lynch’s outscoring Motagua 4-2, and Triangle Brigade earning a surprising 5-2 victory over Red Force. Sisneros said that Red Force was shorthanded, unlike Brigade, which had a full bench. According to Sisneros, his ability to use many substitutes helped immensely throughout the tournament.

Triangle Brigade was formed at the end of the UNC club season. Sisneros met and got to know the players, then decided to field an amateur team with a mix of club players and other amateurs. “These are players who potentially could have played Division I, just not at UNC. They sacrificed soccer ambition to have a very strong club team,” he said.

With Rayados and Triangle Brigade having all but wrapped up their spots in the final, the third round of games featured some wacky results. Rayados tied Motagua 3-3, and Cajun SC beat Red Force 4-3. Resting his players, Sisneros’ side lost 11-0 to Lynch’s in its final game. However, Rayados and Triangle Brigade won their groups and earned berths to the 2015 US Open Cup.

The Brigade took it one step further, however, beating Rayados 4-1 in the final. Rayados got on the board first, but two goals each from Jonathan Rivera and Brett Griffith helped Triangle Brigade win the title.

Assuming they qualify for next year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, they will be the first USASA club to represent the Tar Heel State since the Raleigh CASL Elite in 2010.

Sisneros said, “A lot of my players hadn’t won anything before. They deserved it. We feel fortunate, and we’re very happy.”

2014 USASA Region III Tournament results

Group A	P	W	L	D	Pts	GF	GA	GD
NTX Rayados (NTX)	3	2	0	1	7	9	5	+4
Lynch’s FC (FL)	3	2	1	0	6	15	4	+11
CD Motagua NO (LA)	3	0	2	1	1	7	10	-3

Group B	P	W	L	D	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Triangle Brigade (NC)	3	2	1	0	6	7	14	-7
Cajun SC (LA)	3	1	2	0	3	7	9	-2
Red Force (FL)	3	1	2	0	3	8	11	-3

Schedule/Results (All times Eastern)

June 20, 7 p.m.

NTX Rayados 2:0 Lynch’s FC
Red Force 3:2 CD Motagua NO
Triangle Brigade 2:1 Cajun SC

June 21, 10 a.m.

NTX Rayados 4:2 Cajun SC
Lynch’s 4:2 CD Motagua NO
Triangle Brigade 5:2 Red Force

June 21, 6 p.m.

Lynch’s FC 11:0 Triangle Brigade
Red Force 3:4 Cajun SC
CD Motagua 3:3 North Texas Rayados

Championship

June 22, 12 p.m.

NTX Rayados 1:4 Triangle Brigade
Both teams expected to qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland Bays in line for a USASA Region I double as championship games set

June 6, 2014 by Michael Berton

USASA Region I qualifying for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is nearly at an end, with the Maryland Bays remaining alive in both the Open and Amateur Cups. Elsewhere, Mass Premier Soccer is in the Open Final after changing its name to GPS Massachusetts, and the New York Greek American Atlas nearly hit double-digit goals against its Amateur Cup semifinal foes.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup Semifinals
Lansdowne Bhoys 1(4):1(5) GPS Massachusetts

It doesn’t seem to matter what their name is, GPS Massachusetts just keeps on winning in Region I play. Formerly Mass Premier Soccer, the side that switched its name partway through the tournament defeated Lansdowne Bhoys 5-4 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.

According to BigAppleSoccer.com, the hosts from Eastern New York dominated the game after an early goal from Sikele Sylvester. However, GPS equalized from a deflected free kick, and neither team could find the back of the net again until the penalty kick shootout.

GPS is looking to return to the Open Cup in 2015, after gaining a surprise entry into the 2014 edition. With the announcement of an expanded 2014 Open Cup field, the USASA was awarded two additional entries. One of those new spots went to GPS, who lost in the First Round on May 7 to the PDL’s Western Mass Pioneers.

The Massachusetts side faces the Maryland Bays on June 15 for the Region I Open Cup title.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup Semifinals
Maryland Bays 4:0 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks

The Maryland Bays continued to roll through Open Cup qualifying with a 4-0 victory over the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks. Jon Ports scored a first half brace, and Chris Weaver and Chris Ports added goals in the second half.

Maryland was riding high after earning its first-ever victories in Region I qualifying. A week after defeating West Chester United 3-1 in the Open Cup, the Bays stormed past FC Motown 6-1 in the Amateur Cup.

The Aegean Hawks were the only team other than Maryland that qualified for both tournaments, but the DC side is now out of both—they fell in penalty kicks to Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the Amateur Cup.

This game marked the first time Maryland had ever hosted a Region I Open Cup qualifier. The Bays move on to face GPS Massachusetts in the final on June 15.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying
(Home teams on right)

Preliminary Round (April 6)
AC Blaugrana (RI) L:W Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
ACB won original match 2-0, but were DQ’d for use of ineligble player

Quarterfinals (April 6)
Newtown Pride FC (CT) 1:5 Lansdowne Bhoys FC (East NY)
Maryland Bays (MD) 3:1 West Chester United (East PA)
Oak Avalon (West PA) 1:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
Icon FC (NJ) 0:5 Mass Premier Soccer (MA) – April 13

Semifinals (May 4)
Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY) 1(4):1(5) GPS Massachusetts (Mass Premier Soccer) (MA)
GPS Massachusetts advances 5-4 on penalty kicks
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA) 0:4 Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15, 11 a.m.)
GPS Massachusetts (MA) vs. Maryland Bays (MD)
Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup Semifinals
New York Greek American Atlas 9:0 Danbury United

Danbury United just can’t seem to get over the New York hump. Since qualifying for the Open Cup in 2007, United have lost to teams from the Empire State in its three attempts. This year’s 9-0 loss to New York Greek American Atlas was by far the worst of those losses.

Reigning Region I Amateur Cup champions and 2014 US Open Cup entrants NYGAA were up 6-0 at halftime. The victory propels the Cosmopolitan League side to the Final, where last year they defeated fellow New Yorkers, the Italian Americans.

The Greek Americans are four-time US Open Cup champions (1967-69; 1974) and this year qualified for the tournament for the fifth time in the Modern Pro Era and won their first tournament game during that span as they defeated the Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) 2-0 in the Second Round.

2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup Semifinals
Maryland Bays 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge

With a spot in the Regional final on the line the Semifinal battle between the Maryland Bays and Eastern Pennsylvania’s Vereinigung Erzgebirge came down to the final minutes. The Bays put themselves in line for a Region I double with a a game-winning goal in the 86th minute, giving Maryland a 1-0 win. They will play in the Region I Open Cup Final and the Amateur Cup Final, which will be hoested by the Ukrainian Nationals (Horsham, Pa.) on June 15.

In the opening half, the visitors from the Philadelphia area focused on absorbing pressure from the Bays, and with the game scoreless at halftime, it was mission accomplished.

“The game plan was advance. We knew we would need to defend first and finish off one of our chances,’ said VE manager Rob Oldfield.

VE created more chances in the second half as the game opened up, but the Bays would have the best chance thanks to Greg Ermold. Maryland’s John Boswell sent a cross into the box that snuck through all of the traffic in front of the net and fell to Ermold who launched a shot off the post to keep the game scoreless.

The game opened up late and just when it looked like it was heading to extra time, a deflected cross fell to Maryland’s Elton Joe and after a scramble for the ball, Joe got his foot on the ball and put what would prove to be the game-winner into the back of the net with less than five minutes to play.

2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup qualifying
(Home teams on right)

First Round (April 13)
Manzanillol Deportivo (NH) 0:6 Danbury United (CT)
NY Greek American Atlas (East NY) 5:0 Mass United FC (MA)
Maryland Bays (MD) 6:1 FC Motown (NJ)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (East PA) 3(4):3(3) Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
VE advances 4-3 in penalty kicks

Semifinals (May 11)
Danbury United (CT) 0:9 NY Greek American Atlas SC (East NY)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (East PA) 0:1 Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15, 3 p.m.)
New York Greek American Atlas (East NY) vs. Maryland Bays (MD)
Winner qualifies for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: CD Motagua fights past Cajun SC in Louisiana final, both reach Region III Finals

June 5, 2014 by Michael Berton

UPDATE: TheCup.us has confirmed the teams that will take part in the 2014 USASA Region III Open Cup Finals, which are expected to determine two of the USASA’s entries into the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. CD Motagua and Cajun SC will join Lynch’s FC (FL), Red Force (FL), North Texas Rayados (TX), Triangle Brigade FC (TN) in the tournament that will take place in Montgomery, Ala. the weekend of June 20-22.

CD Motagua fought past Cajun SC 3-1 to win Louisiana’s 2014 Open Cup title, completing a state tournament that began in March. Both clubs move on to the USASA Region III Open Cup tournament, where they look to become the first Louisiana-based team to make the Open Cup since the New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (USL A-League) did it in 1997.

Cajun SC scored first in front of the 200 fans in attendance. A long throw-in into the 18 was headed over the keeper to give Cajun the lead in the 55th minute. However, Motagua answered shortly after with a sweet shot from tournament golden boot winner Brandon Chagnard. The tie was broken when Motagua was awarded, and converted, a penalty kick. Then Motagua sealed the deal with about eight minutes left when former Honduran international Steven Morris scored on a breakaway.

The final wasn’t the only planned action for the day, but it turned out that way. Prior to the game, Crossroads Pool Boys and FC New Orleans were supposed to battle it out for third place. However, New Orleans forfeited, and Crossroads were awarded third place, and therefore earning themselves a the state’s entry in the 2014 USASA Region III Amateur Cup.

Both Motagua and Cajun were dominant in group play, with Motagua finishing 3-0-1, and Cajun compiling a perfect 4-0-0 record. The Louisiana tournament also featured two university club teams: Louisiana State University and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The school teams were taught a lesson in USASA soccer, though, as both finished bottom of their respective groups.

All of this year’s Region III tournaments (Open, Amateur, Over-30, etc.) will be held between June 20-22 in Montgomery, Alabama.

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 3:0 FC New Orleans (Forfeit)
Final: Cajun SC 1:3 CD Motagua NO

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I semifinals on tap for Open, Amateur Cup

April 23, 2014 by Michael Berton

UPDATE (5/4/14): The Maryland Bays and Mass Premier Soccer advanced to the USASA Region I Open Cup Final to be held on June 15, 2014, at the Ukrainian Americans Sports Center in Horsham, PA.

The 2014 edition of the US Open Cup is nearly upon us, but qualifying for 2015 is already nearing completion for Region I of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

Originally 17 teams were competing for two guaranteed spots over two separate qualifying tournaments. Now, the field is down to seven, as the Region I Open Cup and Amateur Cup are in their semifinal stages. The recent news that Region I was awarded an extra spot in the 2014 Open Cup makes these semifinals even more important—if the format holds true for next year, both Region I Open Cup semifinal winners could end up in the 2015 tournament.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup

Mass Premier Soccer (MA) at Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY)
May 4, 2 p.m. – Tibbets Brook Park, Yonkers, NY

Mass Premier Soccer might just be the luckiest team in Region I. A 2013 Open Cup entrant, MPS lost in last year’s qualifying final to miss the 2014 tournament and fell to Rhode Island side AC Blaugrana in the play-in game of this year’s qualifying tournament. However, USASA earned two extra berths in the 2014 tournament—one of which went to MPS—and AC Blaugrana was disqualified for using a cup-tied player. MPS went on to beat Icon FC 5-0 in the first round of Open Cup qualifying, meaning they will take part in the 2014 Open Cup and still have a chance for 2015.

Just three days after its qualifying match-up against Lansdowne Bhoys, MPS will take on the Western Mass Pioneers of the PDL in Round One of the 2014 US Open Cup. If MPS was to win, it would travel to Rochester to take on the Rhinos of USL Pro in Round 2.

Lansdowne Bhoys president and ESPN commentator Tommy Smyth must be happy with how much his team is putting “a bulge in the old onion bag.” Through 13 Cosmopolitan Soccer League games, Lansdowne has scored 42 goals—good enough for a 12-1-0 record. To qualify for this tournament, the Bhoys won the Eastern NY title, scoring 13 times in four games. In the first round of the Region I tournament, the high-scoring side put five past Newtown Pride FC in a shutout victory.

This is the first Open Cup qualifying attempt for the Bhoys, who get to play host for the second round in a row.

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) at Maryland Bays (MD)
Calvert Hall High School – Baltimore, MD – May 4, 3 p.m.

The Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks will be hoping a win will be good enough to qualify for the 2015 Open Cup. Coach Jon Knight told TheCup.us that his team will struggle if it makes the final, as many of his players are going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

The Aegean Hawks and Maryland Bays are the only teams who competed in both tournaments. The Hawks breezed past Oak Avalon 3-1 in the first round of Open Cup play, but they lost to Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the Amateur Cup in the penalty kick shootout.

Unlike the Hawks, the Bays remain alive in both tournaments. On the Open Cup side of things, the Bays earned their first-ever Region I Open Cup qualifying victory in the first round against Eastern PA squad West Chester United.

Maryland earns another first in the semifinal, as this will be the first time it hosts a Region I qualifying game.

2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup

Danbury United (CT) at New York Greek American Atlas (NY)
Randall’s Island – Field No. 75 – May 11, 4 p.m.

Usually home-field advantage means something, but it meant little in the first round of the 2014 Amateur Cup. In fact, Danbury United was the only host to win its game, a 6-0 shellacking of Manzanillo Deportivo.

United won’t necessarily be happy to face a New York team in the second round however. After qualifying for the 2007 Open Cup, Danbury has fallen to teams from the Empire State in two straight Region I competitions (2011-12).

As they look to defend their Region I Amateur Cup title, in Round 1, the Greek Americans dispatched Mass United FC 5-0. Last year’s victory earned them an Open Cup berth, which is the first time the Amateur Cup champion was sent to the tournament.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Eastern PA) at Maryland Bays (MD)
Calvert Hall High School – Baltimore, MD – May 11, 4 p.m.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge was founded in 1931, and is looking to qualify for the Open Cup for the first time since 2002. To do that, it will have to do something its fellow Pennsylvania side West Chester United couldn’t do—defeat the Maryland Bays.

VE knocking the Aegean Hawks out of the Amateur Cup tournament was the only close game of the first round. After a 3-3 draw, VE won the ensuing penalty kick shootout 4-3 to advance to the second round.

The Maryland Bays had attempted Open Cup qualification several times over several years without hosting a game. This matchup will be its second home contest in as many weeks.

Traveling to New Jersey in the first round didn’t seem to hurt the Bays any, as they emerged 6-1 winners over FC Motown. Couple that with a 3-1 win in the first round of Open Cup qualifying, and Maryland looks to be a tough out for any team it may face.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Amateur Cup to decide USASA Region I entry for first time

April 21, 2014 by Martin Whiteley

The opening round of the 2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup took place on on April 13 with four teams moving one step closer to qualifying for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Region I announced last fall that, for the first time in tournament history, the winner of the Amateur Cup will represent the region in the US Open Cup.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge from Eastern Pennsylvania traveled to the Maryland Soccerplex to face 2009 Amateur Cup champion Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks from Metro DC/Virginia. In the closest of the four first round games the teams ended play locked at 3-3. A Greg Shertzer goal in the 29th minute gave VE a 1-0 halftime lead, but after Andre Nunes equalized just after halftime for the Hawks, a 60th minute penalty kick by Artie Taylor gave VE the lead again. Aegean Hawks veteran Watson Prather tied the game in the 78th minute off a free kick but the scoring wasn’t done. Five minutes later, Drexel University product Malcolm LeBourne put VE ahead again.

“Malcolm thought the third goal was the finisher, allowing him to get home in time for ‘Game of Thrones,'” said VE’s Paul Dudley after the game.

Unfortunately, LeBourne’s favorite show would have to wait as Prather scored a stoppage time penalty kick for the Hawks to send the game into extra time.

After 30 minutes of scoreless soccer, a place in the semifinals came down to penalty kicks and VE, who have been playing soccer since 1969, emerged victorious 4-3. The Philadelphia area club earned a spot in the Amateur Cup regional semifinals for the first time since 1997 and are looking to qualify for the Open Cup for the first time since 2002.

“This was a complete team win,” said VE’s Brian Madden. “We are playing some of the best soccer I’ve seen in the 9 years I’ve been on the team.”

In other action, Danbury United from Connecticut played host to New Hampshire’s Manzanillol Deportivo at Immaculate High School. Danbury, who last qualified for the Open Cup in 2007, won a one-sided contest by the score of 6-0.

At Montclair State University, the home side FC Motown of New Jersey entertained the Maryland Bays. The Bays, who are also competing in the Region I Open Cup semifinals on May 4, came out comfortable 6-1 winners.

Another home side to struggle was Mass United FC, who lost 5-0 at Manning Stadium against 4-time US Open Cup champion New York Greek American Atlas. Keith Detelj scored two goals in the first 15 minutes, then completed his hat-trick 11 minutes into the second-half. Stephan Barea scored after 69 minutes and the scoring was completed 10 minutes from time. New York is attempting to qualify for the Open Cup for the second year in a row. They have been awarded a spot in the 2014 tournament as the 2013 Region I Amateur Cup champion.

The Amateur Cup semifinals will see Danbury United travel to New York to take on Greek American Atlas, while the Bays will play host to Vereinigung Erzgebirge. Both games are scheduled for May 11.

2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup

First Round (April 13)
Danbury United (CT) 6:0 Manzanillol Deportivo (NH)
Maryland Bays (MD) 6:1 FC Motown (NJ)
NY Greek American Atlas 5:0 Mass United FC (MA)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (East PA) 3:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
VE advances 4-3 in penalty kicks

Semifinals (May 11)
Danbury United (CT) at NY Greek American Atlas SC (East NY)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge (East PA) at Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15)
Danbury/NYGAA vs. VE/Maryland Bays
Winner qualifies for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Mass Premier Soccer cruises past Icon FC to complete USASA Region I final four

April 14, 2014 by Brian O'Connell

Defending USASA Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC will not qualify for a third straight US Open Cup after a 5-0 loss to Mass Premier Soccer. Photo: Brian O'Connell | NESoccerToday.com

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Mass Premier Soccer certainly made the most of their second chance in US Open Cup qualifying.

Days after the AC Blaugrana (Rhode Island) side that beat them in the preliminary round was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, Mass Premier put a 5-0 thrashing on defending USASA Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC (New Jersey) on Sunday at Framingham State University.

Charlie Romero and Nick Figueiredo both bagged a brace while Darren Howerton also aided the Mass Premier cause in a match dominated by the hosts. Icon tested goalkeeper Jeff Newman a handful of times, but he managed to keep the sheet clean for MPS.

The win sends Mass Premier to the USASA Region I semifinals, where they will host Eastern New York side Lansdowne Bhoys on May 4.

Icon started with nine players, and Mass Premier went to work on exploiting the personnel advantage. Using the left flank to great effect, Johnson sent a cross inside the box for Romero, who tapped in the first goal in the 8th minute.

The hosts tried to find another before Icon’s late arrivals made their entrance. But even after the guests went to 11 men around the 13th minute, Mass Premier would have no problem finding the back of the net as the game progressed.

With Icon going with a high line, the Massachusetts XI timed their runs perfectly to find a pair of breakaway opportunities. But even though they weren’t able to bag a goal in that fashion, they managed to find another goal before the interval.

In the 41st minute, Santiago Bedoya hit a shot that was initially saved by Icon keeper Javier Martinez. But the rebound spilled to Romero, who slipped it through right on the doorstep to send his squad to halftime with a two-goal lead.

But Icon put up a valiant fight in the opening moments of the second stanza. Adam Bajek went down the left and sent it central for Gabriel Alvas, who quickly flicked it with his left foot to Enrique San Juan. With only Newman to beat, San Juan made a strong bid, but the Mass Premier keeper made a diving save to thwart Icon’s best opportunity of the afternoon.

Piotr Gorgurewicz and Teddy Niziolek both uncovered chances for Icon as the hour approached. Each time, though, the Mass Premier defense stood strong to keep their adversaries off the board.

While Icon may have failed to convert their chances, Mass Premier wouldn’t be denied on their own as the match reached into the later stages.

After stringing together a series of passes inside the Icon half, Mass Premier put an exclamation point on the match when Figueiredo grabbed a short pass and, with space to operate, unleashed a curling effort that tucked itself in the upper 90 during the 68th minute.

The hosts scored another in the 73rd minute when Romero crossed it for Figueiredo, who scored his second goal within a five minute span on an easy tap in.

Howerton capped the scoring in the 78th minute when his diving header on a Bedoya cross fell into the back of the net, much to the delight of the Mass Premier partisans.

Brian O’Connell is one of the founders of New England Soccer Today. You follow him on Twitter @NESoccerToday or @BrianOConnell21.

Lineups

Mass Premier Soccer: Jeff Newman (GK), Jake Edwards, Alan Ashenfelter, Dan MacGregor, Pumelele Maqubela, Ben Shuleva, Santiago Bedoya, Nick Christman, Charlie Romero, Tyler MacNee, Alex Johnson, Nick Figueiredo, Darren Howerton, Matt Hoff

Icon FC: Javier Martinez (GK), Gregory Bajek, Adam Bajek, Michael Custidiano, Walter Avan, Teddy Niziolek, Chris Duggan, Enrique San Juan, Nathaniel Winslow, Gabriel Alvas, Piotr Gorgurewicz.

Scoring summary
MPS: Charlie Romero – 8th minute
MPS: Charlie Romero – 41st minute
MPS: Nick Figueiredo – 68th minute
MPS: Nick Figueiredo – 73rd minute
MPS: Darren Howerton – 78th minute

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying
(Home teams on right)

Preliminary Round (April 6)
AC Blaugrana (RI) L:W Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
ACB won original match 2-0, but were DQ’d for use of ineligble player

Semifinals (May 4)
Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (CT) at Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15)
Teams TBD – Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Rhode Island’s AC Blaugrana disqualified from USASA Region I tournament

April 11, 2014 by Brian O'Connell

Three days after they became the first Rhode Island-based side to advance to the Region I Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup in recent memory, AC Blaugrana was disqualified from the historic tournament after one of its players was ruled ineligible.

Alencar ‘Junior’ Ventura, who scored Blaugrana’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Mass Premier Soccer in last Sunday’s preliminary round clash, was ineligible to play after he suited up for Mass United FC in the state semifinals last fall. Players are deemed ‘cup-tied’ to their original club during the course of an ongoing tournament.

With Blaugrana out, Mass Premier advances to the Region I Quarterfinals for the third straight year. They will host New Jersey-based Icon FC at Framingham State University on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Brian O’Connell is one of the founders of New England Soccer Today. Follow him on Twitter @BrianOConnell21.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Aegean Hawks, Maryland Bays, Lansdowne Bhoys and AC Blaugrana advance in USASA Region I tourney

April 7, 2014 by Josh Hakala

maryland-bays-west-chester-united-2014-qualifying-big — It was a physical battle between the Maryland Bays (left) and West Chester United in the 2014 USASA Region I Open Cup Quarterfinals | Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

UPDATE: AC Blaugrana of Rhode Island has been disqualified due to the use of an ineligible player. Details here.

The United States Adult Soccer Association’s (USASA) Region I took another step toward the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as their qualifying tournament kicked off this weekend.

In the tournament’s lone preliminary round game, Rhode Island’s lone entry AC Blaugrana made their debut with a 2-0 win over Mass Premier Soccer to earn themselves a date with New Jersey champion Icon FC in the quarterfinals on April 13.

Elsewhere, Open Cup regulars Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks from Metro DC/Virginia defeated Pittsburgh’s Oak Avalon 3-1 to punch their ticket to the final four. They will take on the Maryland Bays who traveled north and defeated the three-time defending Eastern Pennsylvania champions West Chester United by the same score.

And finally, a new face joined the semifinals when Eastern New York champion Lansdowne Bhoys cruised past Newtown Pride SC from Connecticut 5-1. The Bhoys will await the winner of the Icon FC-AC Blaugrana match. The semifinals will take place on May 4.

The winner of the Open Cup tournament, along with the Region I Amateur Cup champion will represent the region at the 2015 US Open Cup.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
AC BLAUGRANA (RI) 2:0 MASS PREMIER SOCCER (MA)
by Brian O”Connell | NESoccerToday.com

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – For many wearing the white AC Blaugrana strip, Sunday’s US Open Cup clash against Mass Premier Soccer at Framingham State University was a chance to right past wrongs. To atone for previous failures. And, perhaps most importantly, to avenge recent defeats.

With no fewer than 12 players from the recently-dissolved East Providence Sports on their squad, Blaugrana (R.I.) grabbed 2-0 Region 1 preliminary round win over the same Mass Premier (Mass.) team that had knocked the former LUSA powerhouse out of Open Cup play in three straight tournaments (2010, 2011 and 2012).

A scoreless first half gave way to a decidedly different sequel, which saw the Rhode Island-based side score its first from Kyle Teixeira in the 48th minute. Local goalscorer extraordinaire Alencar Junior scored Blaurgrana’s second in the 64th minute. Goalkeeper Scott Perdomo kept the sheet clean to ensure that he and his fellow E.P. Sports alumni would taste the nectar of sweet revenge against their recent Region 1 nemesis.

With the win, Blaugrana, who played its first Open Cup clash on Sunday, advanced to the Region 1 quarterfinals, where it will host Icon (N.J.) on Apr. 13 at a location to be determined.

Sunday’s match started off with Mass Premier pressing the issue, with Perdomo and his backline tested early. Tyler McNee and Ben Shuleva made runs into their opponent’s end, but Perdomo wasn’t forced to take any drastic actions.

Though they may have been making gains as the game progressed, Mass Premier found its best opportunities from set pieces. In the 20th minute, they were awarded a free kick near the left edge of the box, but Derek Nobrega’s effort was cleared away by center back Rui Fortes.

The Commonwealth XI found another chance from the set piece in the 40th minute, this time with a free kick given deep inside the right flank. Once again, Nobrega’s cross was cleared away, this time by right back Jimmy Hernandez.

Undaunted, Mass Premier nearly pocketed a goal seconds before the interval. MacNee beat his mark, and went alone into the area with only Perdomo standing in his way. But the Blaugrana keeper held his ground, and denied MacNee with a quick flick of his left arm before corralling the rebound.

Mass Premier may have looked like early favorites following an ambitious first half, thanks to their play along the flanks. But the second half would prove to be an entirely different story for the longtime Region 1 powerhouse.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Blaugrana came alive when Hernandez launched a long ball over to Teixeira, who beat the defense and looked to bring down the pass. MPS goalkeeper Jeff Newman quickly closed in on Teixeira, and the pair collided – but not before the Blaugrana winger pushed the ball on frame and gently into the back of the net.

The lead was theirs, but Blaugrana knew they couldn’t rest easily. Not against the same Mass Premier that proved itself the mightier in matches past.

However, Mass Premier would find its chances far and few in between. Unable to find a comfortable rhythm, they struggled to summon their first half form, and laid waste to the few opportunities afforded to them.

They were further frustrated just after the hour when Blaugrana put together the finest display of offense seen all afternoon. Wilder Arboleda sent it ahead to Hernandez on an overlapping run down the right, where the right back went deep into the MPS end before crossing it far post. With the ball about knee high, Junior clinically finished it on the volley to make it a two-goal game with just under half an hour remaining.

Facing deeper deficit, Mass Premier attempted to assemble their attack in search of a way to get back into the match. Set pieces afforded them glimpses of hope, but each opportunity went unanswered. Around the 75th minute, the men in red went to a 3-4-3, attempting to get bodies into the box.

Yet, the polish required to seize a measure of success eluded them throughout the afternoon, as Blaugrana were crowned victors once the final whistle screeched.

Lineups:

Mass Premier Soccer: Jeff Newman, Sam Brill, Alan Ashenfelter, Jake Edwards, Dan Tweed Kent, Ben Shuleva, Harris Smirko, Derek Stenquist, Charlie Romero, Tyler MacNee, Dan McGregor. Substitutes: Derek Nobrega, Nick Figueiredo, Matt Lemire, Jake Johnson, Matt Hoff

AC Blaugrana: Scott Perdomo, Wilder Arboleda, Quim DePinia, Rui Fortes, Mateo Giraldo, Jimmy Hernandez, Andres Perdomo, Anthony Petrarca, Jefferson Rojas, Alonso Villasenor, Alencar “Junior” Ventura. Substitutes: Patrick Gerard, Tristan Lewis, Peter Maciel, Dom Petrarca, Diego Tabares, Kyle Teixeira.

Scoring summary:
ACB: Kyle Teixeira (Jimmy Hernandez) – 48th min.
ACB: Alencar “Junior” Ventura (Jimmy Hernandez) – 64th min.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
DULLES SPORTSPLEX AEGEAN HAWKS (DC/VA) 3:1 OAK AVALON (WEST PA)
By Grant Czubinski | A Moment of Brilliance blog | @Pieyow

GERMANTOWN, Md. – It was business as usual for the reigning Metro DC-Virginia Open Cup Champion Dulles Sportplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) today as the Washington club handily defeated visiting Oak Avalon (PA West) 3-1 in their USASA Region I Open Cup quarterfinal. The win sees the Hawks advance to the semifinal round where they will face the Maryland Bays on May 4.

If not for the heroics of Oak Avalon’s goalkeeper, Dustin Walker, the score line could have easily been much higher in favor of the Aegean Hawks. Walker – a Penn State Erie graduate – proved to the most important player on the field as he singled handedly prevented the game from becoming a rout, a performance that Aegean Hawks player/ assistant coach Watson Vaughn-Prather called “fantastic.” In the end, his efforts were for naught as the more experienced Hawks found ways to put the ball into the net, as David Rosenbaum, Scott Larrabee, and Gui Fonseca were able to notch goals to send the Washington club through to the next round.

After some pregame pleasantries between former Pittsburgh Riverhounds teammates Devlin Barnes (Aegean Hawks), Anthony Calvano, and John Liersemann (both of Oak Avalon), the game got underway just after 3 p.m. at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, Md.

From the first whistle, the Hawks dictated the tempo of the game, which according to Vaughn-Prather, was part of the Washington club’s game plan. It did not take long for the Hawks to find the back of the net as Rosenbaum got on the end of a cross, found himself alone in the left side of the box, and blasted a mouthwatering shot near post beating Oak Avalon’s Walker for the game’s first tally in the 5th minute.

Following the game’s opening goal, the Hawks repeatedly made deep runs into Oak Avalon’s final third during the game’s first quarter hour, as the visiting Pennsylvania club looked overwhelmed and off balance. As the game progressed, Oak Avalon settled in and eventually created chances of their own, though their forays always sputtered while Walker who kept them in the game by continually turning away shots, which left the home team frustrated to only be up by one goal at the half.

Oak Avalon started the second half much more in control than the first, but could not get a shot on target, despite constantly controlling the ball in the Hawks’ half. The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute as Paul Paradise scored to level the game at 1-1.

The stalemate did not last long as Paradise’s goal proved the motivation the Hawks needed to perform at their highest level. Larrabee, finally got a shot past Oak Avalon’s Walker two minutes later to put the home team back on top 2-1.

Play began to get scrappy after the Hawks’ second goal as Oak Avalon realized that Larrabee’s goal decisively pushed the momentum of the game in the Hawks’ favor. Oak Avalon tried in vain to equalize for the next fifteen minutes, but always failed to find an opening in the host’s competent back four. The entrance of substitute Alex Herrera in the 80th minute proved to be the death knell for the tiring Pennsylvania club, as the speedy winger repeatedly took advantage of Oak Avalon’s often absent left back to control the ball deep in Avalon’s half giving the Pennsylvania club zero opportunity to mount an attack.

With momentum on their side, and a slew of substitutes in the game – including DC United academy product Parnell Hegngi – the Aegean Hawks took advantage of the fact that Avalon traveled with just 12 players, wearing them out as the game went on and dominating the final 20 minutes.

Fonseca decisively put the game away in stoppage time after he broke through several defenders to earn a one-on-one opportunity with the Avalon goalkeeper. Fonseca, a Santos academy product, danced around a fast encroaching Walker inside the box and calmly slotted home a left footed shot in the six yard box to give the Aegean Hawks a 3-1 lead in stoppage time to secure the win.

The win sends the Aegean Hawks into the semifinal round of Region I qualifying, one that Vaughn-Prather feels his team is more than ready to play. When asked how the competition in the Washington Premier League prepared the Hawks for this game, Vaughn-Prather responded, “It’s a competitive league that keeps us fit and allows us to compete in Open Cup qualifiers.”

Scoring Summary:
AEG: David Rosenbaum – 5th min.
OAK: Paul Paradise – 63rd min.
AEG: Scott Larrabee – 65th min.
AEG: Gui Fonseca – 90th min.+

Cautions:
OAK: Andres Lopez (Yellow) – 45th min.
AEG: Watson Vaughn-Prather (Yellow) – 79th min.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
MARYLAND BAYS (MD) 3:1 WEST CHESTER UNITED (EAST PA)
By Michael Berton | @MichaelBerton

In a battle between two teams that had never won a USASA Region I Open Cup game, the Maryland Bays overcame an early deficit to defeat Pennsylvania hosts West Chester United by a 3-1 score.

maryland-bays-west-chester-united-2014-qualifying-goal — The Maryland Bays celebrate Chris Weaver's goal in the 74th minute that gave the Bays a 3-1 win over Wets Chester United. | Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

West Chester won the Eastern Pennsylvania championship for a third year running, but had been knocked out in the quarterfinal round of the Region I tournament in each of its previous two attempts. Maryland won its third state championship in its last four attempts, but similarly had yet to win a regional game.

United got off to a quick start on its home turf. An 8th minute corner kick was cleared out of the Bays penalty box, but only as far as United winger Justin McCall. With time and space, McCall shot from 25 yards out, curling the ball into the right side-netting.

That lead was short-lived however, as Maryland’s Elton Joe sped past the West Chester defense in the 11th minute and easily slotted the ball past the United keeper. Joe’s speed would prove to be an issue for the home side throughout the contest.

maryland-bays-west-chester-united-2014-qualifying — Maryland Bays won a physical battle with West Chester United to advance to the Region I Open Cup semifinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Each side had several more close chances in the first half, but the game remained tied 1-1 at the break. The second half was a different story though. According to West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo, a mixture of tired legs and missing players gave his squad some problems, which showed in a second half dominated by the Maryland champions.

Maryland got the eventual game-winner just six minutes into the second stanza. Once again, a Bays player ran through the middle of the West Chester defense for an easy goal. This time, it was former Loyola University Maryland player Glenn Leitch with the goal.

The game gradually got more physical, culminating in a red card for United’s Aaron Thomas, who got involved in an altercation in the middle of the field in the 67th minute. Maryland made the home team pay seven minutes later, when Joe’s blazing speed got him past the defense. His cross found Chris Weaver, who pushed the ball in from six yards out.

Maryland was able to calmly see out the remainder of the game, and in the process won a Region I game for the first time. The Bays will take on DC/VA champions Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in the semifinals on May 4.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
LANSDOWNE BHOYS (EAST NY) 5:1 NEWTOWN PRIDE FC (CT)
By David Harris | Soccer Long Island Magazine | @DavidHarris0422

Bronx, N.Y. – In a performance worthy of those usually seen in Ballsbridge or Parkhead, Lansdowne Bhoys defeated Newtown Pride FC by a score of 5-1. Representing Eastern New York in the USASA Region I quarterfinal, Lansdowne added to a season of dominant displays with their win over Newtown, who were representing the Connecticut State Soccer Association.

The scoring started early in the first half as Lansdowne earned a penalty, which was coolly converted by midfielder and captain Stephen Roche. Lansdowne midfielder Cian McBrien added to the tally with a goal off a pass from forward Dwayne Reid. McBrien added another goal just before halftime, to make the score 3-0 to Lansdowne.

lansdowne-bhoys-newtown-pride-2014-qualifying — Lansdowne Bhoys captain Stephen Roche in action against Newtown Pride in their USASA Region I Open Cup quarterfinal match. Photo: David Harris

The second half started slow, with both teams struggling to create good scoring chances. Lansdowne maintained possession and Newtown looked to counter, which they eventually did through a goal by Colin Jackson.

With the score now 3-1, Lansdowne knew they had to finish what they started and they did. Lansdowne pushed the pace once again and came up with a fourth goal by Reid. Midfielder Sikele Sylvester added another for Lansdowne just before the end to make the score 5-1 and seal the win for the Eastern New York champions.

Lansdowne president and ESPN commentator Tommy Smyth was among the supporters who were there to cheer on their club. It’s been a dominant season thus far for the Bronx-based Irish-American club, with many terrific performances in the various Eastern New York and USASA competitions.

Currently top of the East group in Division 1 of the Cosmopolitan League with 36 points from 12 wins and only 1 loss, Lansdowne have been the story of the season thus far throughout amateur soccer in the region.

Austin Friel, the player/manager for Lansdowne said after the game, “it was another terrific performance by the lads. Newtown have a very good team, but the lads showed once again the quality that we possess. It’s a special group and it’s been a special season thus far, but we need to keep going with so many important matches coming up. We also want to thank our supporters and sponsors, who’ve been behind us all the way.”

Stephen Roche, the Lansdowne captain said, “I’m very proud of the effort the lads put in today. We pressed them from the word go and looked like we could score every time we had the ball. We will respect our next opponent, but are full of confidence.”

USASA Region 1 national cup commissioner Gus Xikis said, “Lansdowne looked really good today and are a great representative of Eastern New York. I can’t wait to see how they progress throughout the competition. Whether it’s Lansdowne or another club, Region 1 will be well represented at this year’s National Finals in Salt Lake City.”

Lansdowne Bhoys will play the winner of AC Blaugrana (R.I.) vs Icon FC (N.J.) on Sunday, May 4 in the USASA Region I semifinal.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying
(Home teams on right)

Preliminary Round (April 6)
AC Blaugrana (RI) L:W Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
ACB won original match 2-0, but were DQ’d for use of ineligble player

Quarterfinals (April 6)
Newtown Pride FC (CT) 1:5 Lansdowne Bhoys FC (East NY)
Maryland Bays (MD) 3:1 West Chester United (East PA)
Oak Avalon (West PA) 1:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
Icon FC (NJ) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA) – April 13, 2 p.m. at Framingham State College

Semifinals (May 4)
Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY) at Icon FC / Mass Premier winner
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (CT) at Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15)
Teams TBD – Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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

April 5, 2014 by Michael Berton

A 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.