2016 US Open Cup qualifying

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Pancyprian Freedoms need OT to oust Greek Americans in true New York derby

October 21, 2015 by Luis Hernandez

New York Pancyprian Freedoms 2015 Team Photo

On a cold Sunday in Maspeth, Queens, two long-time rivals faced off in the first open division qualifying round for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The four-time champion New York Greek American SC hosted three-time champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms at the historic Metropolitan Oval in what is one of the longest-running rivalries in American soccer.

In a battle of two teams that have dominated the city of New York in Open Cup play since 2003, it was the Freedoms taking an early lead, only to lose it and force extra time where they beat the Greek American 4-2.

A steady back and forth opened the match. While the Freedoms initially had more chances available to them, the Greek Americans had several dangerous opportunities of their own. An element of chippiness came into play near the end of the first half with a Freedoms player going studs first into an opposing player’s ankle. Shortly after, another Freedoms player was upended in the corner by a Greek American defender and tempers flared again.

The Freedoms took advantage in the moments that followed, getting on the scoreboard first through a Chris Megaloudis goal in the 38th minute. Megaloudis was quick to pounce on a ball as the keeper came off his line and made a mistake, bobbling the ball away.

The Greek Americans would start the second half with a bang. Dele Akinyode beat the keeper on his left side, putting the sides back level on the board just two minutes in. The Greeks increased the pressure in the second half and only strong play from the Freedoms’ goalkeeper kept his club in it.

The home side took the lead in the 66th minute when Omar Edwards made a run down the left side before cutting in behind his defenders a ripping a shot from about 27 yards out to beat the Freedoms keeper with a spectacular goal.

With six minutes remaining in the half, the Freedoms managed to tie it up at two with a Nick Katsanos header coming off a corner kick sending the game into extra time.

Stoppage time would go to the visitors as the Freedoms scored one in the first half, courtesy of Panagiotis Halkidis. Chris Megaloudis would take away any hope for penalties by burying another in the second half, sending the Freedoms into the second round.

Despite the win, Freedoms captain Nick Katsanos was not satisfied with his team’s performance.

“We looked sloppy out there, especially in those first ten minutes,” Katsanos stated.

While he was happy with the victory, he also said the tight, physical game was what they expected.

“Yeah, we know these guys,” the defender said with a laugh. “This game comes as no surprise.”

With the victory, the Freedoms move on to the second round of qualifying and will host Jersey Shore Boca of the Garden State Soccer Association on Nov. 14 at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University. The Freedoms are now two wins away from qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time since 2011.

MORE: Ten teams advance to Round 2 in opening weekend of 2016 US Open Cup qualifying

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Salone FC edges Vereinigung Erzgebirge in Philadelphia area matchup

October 20, 2015 by Chris Allen

Courtesy of BrotherlyGame.com

One of the opening matches of the 2016 US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament featured a pair of Philadelphia area teams as Vereinigung Erzgebirge (VE) hosted Salone FC in Warminster, Pa. In the end, Salone were rude guests as they pulled off a 1-0 win to take the next step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time.

The match on Oct. 17 was a very evenly-matched fixture. Both sides applied high pressure and put an emphasis on dangerous crosses, adding to the back-and-forth nature of the game. The match started out favorably for VE, who controlled possession and had a number of shots on the Salone net through the first 40 minutes. Just before halftime, a cross from VE was put into the back of the net and for a moment it seems like the home side had pulled ahead, but the offsides flag went up and the contest remained deadlocked.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge came out strong in the second half and earned a penalty kick in the 50th minute, Anthony Bafile stepped up to take the kick but his weak rolling shot was saved by the keeper. The missed penalty completely swung the momentum toward Salone. VE began to lose the possession battle, and the game became very stretched. As Salone continued to grow into the game VE began to increasingly rely on counterattacks to generate offense, creating a fast-paced game that added a sense of excitement to the match. The pace of the match caught up with VE, they seemed to become increasingly tired as the game progressed and it opened the door for the game-winning strike from Salone.

The go-ahead goal came after VE lost possession in the midfield, Salone capitalized on the opportunity and sprung a counterattack. They worked the ball out wide and delivered a dangerous cross into the box, which was tapped into the far post to give them the lead in the 81st minute. Unfortunately, the visitors were unable to finish the game with all 11 players, after a second yellow card was issued for dissent just minutes after the goal. Nevertheless, Salone was able to hold on to their slim lead for the remaining 10 minutes and come away with a hard-fought victory.

With the win, Salone FC, who compete in the Philadelphia Premier Soccer League, moves on to host United Soccer League of Pennsylvania opponent West Chester United on Nov. 15.

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Newcomers Aromas Cafe oust Pittsburgh power Tartan Devils, 3-1

October 19, 2015 by CJ Cunningham

It was cafe versus pub in Saturday’s 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying match in Charlottesville, Va., with the home side Aromas Cafe FC defeating the Tartan Devils Oak Avalon of Pittsburgh, 3-1.

The Tartan Devils, who are undefeated in their last two seasons in the Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League. were tense coming off their five-hour trip south and Aromas Cafe imposed their will in the first 45 minutes. The Virginians had the better of the chances and finally converted one right before halftime when they sprung a counterattack around the 40th minute. An Aromas player slipped a pass through the face of goal with Price Thomas on the other end to drive home the game’s first goal.

Hope for a second half comeback for the Devils quickly suffered a setback when a penalty kick was awarded to Aromas three minutes into the second half. Dangerous striker Jake Van Yahres was taken down in the box by a Tartan Devils defender. Van Yahres then scored the spot kick to double Aromas’ lead.

Five minutes later, the Devils flipped the switch through a quick response from former Pittsburgh Riverhound Travis McKenzie. Midfielder Greg Annan turned a couple defenders before finding McKenzie in space, who then split the two center backs and fired a shot past the keeper.

It was then the traveling team on the front foot for the next half hour with belief restored. Tartans Devils had an opportunity to level, but a one-on-one with the Aromas keeper was fired over the crossbar.

Legs started to wilt in crunch time for the Steel City soccer team. The final substitution for Tartan Devils twisted an ankle. Once another player began cramping up, they essentially closed the match with nine men. Despite fighting valiantly through the disadvantage, Thomas sealed the match for Aromas at the stroke of full time with his second goal of the day.

“In the first half we came out flat and showed them too much respect,” said Tartan Devils player coach Andy Kalas. “We weren’t confident enough. In the final 35 minutes we were playing much better. In these kind of tournaments you have no idea what to expect from the opposition, and (Aromas) had two or three playmakers that really took it to us.”

Aromas Café FC will continue their qualifying campaign at home next month against Open Cup regulars, Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC. The game is scheduled for Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United edge Junior Lone Star to continue Philly dominance

October 19, 2015 by Michael Berton

West Chester United prepares to face Junior Lone Star in 2016 US Open Cup qualifying.

West Chester United took a first step toward qualifying for its first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by going on the road and defeating Junior Lone Star 2-1 on a frigid October night.

From 2011-2013, West Chester won the Eastern Pennsylvania qualifying tournament, but fell short of the US Open Cup with losses in the USASA Region I tournament. In 2014-15, United won their third straight Eastern Pennsylvania title, won the Region I championship for the first time, and even moved on to win the USASA national tournament, but a change in the qualifying format denied the team a spot in the 2015 US Open Cup.

This year, West Chester, who competes in the United Soccer League of Philadelphia, is determined not to let anything get in its way, including a fiery Junior Lone Star team that took the lead in the 47th minute. After a cagey first 45, Lone Star came out strong in the second half. Jerome Pour, a native of Liberia (as are many of Junior Lone Star’s players), hit a beautiful shot from 25 yards out into the bottom left corner of the West Chester goal.

But the road team equalized seven minutes later with a nearly identical effort. Eric Giovagnoli, an Eastern University graduate and 2015 NCAA Division III All-American hit a laser from distance that gave the Lone Star keeper no chance.

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United vs. Junior Lone Star

Buoyed by strong home support, Junior Lone Star continued to press forward, but West Chester had the best chances as regular time came to a close.

In overtime, the game opened up and both teams had some incredible chances, but the focus at the end of the match would be on a referee decision. In the 115th minute, West Chester was on the attack, and the ball was played into the Junior Lone Star penalty area. After a Lone Star player made what seemed to be a normal clearance, the referee called him for a penalty, presumably for a dangerous play.

Arguments ensued, but that did not faze Giovagnoli, who stepped up and scored his second to give United the lead. Junior Lone Star pushed everything forward to no avail, not able to convert on two opportunities as the game came to a close.

“We are familiar with the Junior Lone Stars squad,” said head coach Blaise Santangelo. “We came in expecting a very physical battle. They took advantage of a mistake and scored on a ball from distance but once we started linking up on the carpet and running at the backline, we created scoring chances. Our quick ball play paid off.”

With the victory, West Chester United moves on to the second round against Salone, a team that plays in the same league as Junior Lone Star, the Philadelphia Premier Soccer League. Salone defeated Eastern Penn. heavyweight Vereinigung Erzgebirge 1-0 earlier in the day. Salone will host West Chester on Nov. 15, scheduled for 4 p.m. at Marcus Foster in Philadelphia.

MORE: Ten teams advance to Round 2 in opening weekend of 2016 US Open Cup qualifying

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Southie FC shuts out Battery Park Gunners in Boston-area battle

October 19, 2015 by Zach Smith

Southie FC and Battery Park Gunners square off in 2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Photo: NonLeagueAmerica.com

The 2016 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup opened up with a bang as Southie FC topped the Battery Park Gunners 2-0 Friday afternoon in the first game of qualifying with US Soccer Federation organizing the tournament.

Southie FC scored early in the first half before both Boston-based teams went down a man after a double red card in the 20th minute. Southie added an insurance goal later in the second half and will face Global Premier Soccer (GPS) Omens in the next round of qualifying on Nov. 15. The game will be played at Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Mass. with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.

The only other time Southie FC tried to qualify for the Open Cup was on Nov. 10, 2013 when they lost a 2015 US Open Cup qualifying match to that same GPS club 6-2 in the state semifinals.

Anthony Baumann scored the first goal of the game off across from Chris Stoker. Stoker beat two Gunners in the corner of the field before crossing the ball into the box where Baumann was there to head it into the upper right corner in the 18th minute.

Two minutes later, a player from both teams went down and tempers flared. Southie FC manager Chris Valence said he didn’t have the best look at the play, but to him it looked like someone caught a leg trying to clear the ball.

“Our player swung his arm out and pushed him away and their kids tried to punch him. After five minutes, the referee sent off a player from each team. I had to make some adjustments because we were shadowing one of their better central midfielders, but we managed to continue on.”

Trevor Hoxsie came on as a substitute in the 65th minute and got on the end of a ball over the top of the Batter Park back line. His initial shot was saved, but left back Thomas Ballethin was there to put away the rebound.

Southie and GPS Omen know each other well. GPS Omens plays in the Saturday league in the Boston area, while Southie plays in the Sunday league.

“Our captain and one of our team managers play with them on Saturdays, and their captain-manager plays with us on Sunday sometimes,” Valence said. “It’s more of a friendship than a rivalry. Playing against guys you know is always a good time.”

MORE: Ten teams advance to Round 2 in opening weekend of 2016 US Open Cup qualifying

MORE: Match report from NonLeagueAmerica.com

Ten teams advance to Round 2 in opening weekend of 2016 US Open Cup qualifying

October 19, 2015 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE: Results from the rest of Round 1

The opening weekend of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament is in the books with 10 East Coast teams punching their ticket to Round 2. 20 amateur clubs from the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and one from US Club Soccer squared off between Saturday and Sunday to determine which teams would take another step toward qualifying for the 103rd edition of the US Open Cup.

The remainder of the opening round will take place Oct. 24-25, with the second planned for mid-November. After the third round (scheduled for April 1-2, 2016) is complete, eight teams will emerge to join 15 Premier Development League teams and 13 National Premier Soccer League teams in next year’s competition.

Below is a summary of each open division qualifying game with the updated schedule (full match reports will be added):

SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 2015
Southie FC (MA) 2:0 Battery Park Gunners (MA)

With a noon start on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Battery Park Gunners hosting Southie FC was officially the first qualifying game of the season. In the end, it was an early goal off a set piece that proved to be the game-winner as Southie FC headed home a goal in the 18th minute and added another to win the game 2-0. This was Southie’s second attempt at qualifying for the tournament after falling in the Massachusetts state semifinals the year before. The team that beat them 6-2 that day is the same team they will host in Round 2: Global Premier Soccer Omens (Nov. 15, 4 p.m. ET). FULL MATCH REPORT

Salone FC (EAST PA) 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EAST PA)

Salone FC edged fellow Philadelphia area club Vereinigung Erzgebirge 1-0 to advance to Round 2. It was a defensive battle until Salone finally broke through in the 81st minute when a loose ball was tapped-in from close range to give the Philadelphia Premier Soccer League team the victory. VE, who qualified for the Open Cup in 2002 will have wait until next year, while Salone FC moves on to host United Soccer League of Pennsylvania opponent in West Chester United on Nov. 15. FULL MATCH REPORT

Aromas Café FC (DC/VA) 3:1 Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (WEST PA)

Aromas Cafe from Virginia were making their first attempt to qualify for the US Open Cup and they were victorious in their opener against the Tartan Devils Oak Avalon, 3-1. Aromas opened the scoring in the 40th minute with Price Thomas. Just after halftime, #6 converted a penalty kick to double the lead in the 48th minute. Seven minutes later, Travis McKenzie pulled one back for the Pittsburgh-based club, but the Devils had a stroke of bad luck in the 70th minute. One of their players, Frye, had to leave the game due to injury and the Devils didn’t have any substitutes available, so they played shorthanded for the remainder of the game. Tartan held strong until the 90th minute when Thomas scored his second goal against the 10-man Devils to put the game away. Aromas will host another local team, the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks, in Round 2 on Nov. 15 in Crozet, Va. FULL MATCH REPORT

Junior Lone Star FC (EAST PA) 1:2 (AET) West Chester United (EAST PA)

It was another Philadelphia Premier Soccer League vs. United Soccer League of Philadelphia matchup when West Chester United hosted Junior Lone Star in Wayne, Pa. The two teams needed overtime to decide it and it was a controversial one. After a scorless first half, the two teams traded long-distance goals early in the second half but regulation would finish tied at 1-1. It appeared as though the match was going to a penalty kick shootout, but instead, United was awarded a disputed penalty kick in the 116th minute and that would prove to be the difference. West Chester has represented Eastern Pennsylvania at the regional tournament in each of the last three years, but have fallen short each time. They advance to Round 2 to play at Salone FC on Nov. 15. FULL MATCH REPORT

Jersey Shore Boca (NJ) 2:1 South Jersey Elite Barons (NJ)

Another match was decided on a late penalty kick as 2012 qualifier Jersey Shore Boca edged the South Jersey Elite Barons 2-1. The Barons struck first in the 25th minute, but Boca would equalize and in the 90th minute earned a penalty kick that they converted to move on to Round 2. There they will have a tall task as they head into the city to take on the three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms on Nov. 14. FULL MATCH REPORT

Lansdowne Bhoys FC (EAST NY) 3:0 Newtown Pride FC (CT)

A new powerhouse from New York’s famed Cosmopolitan League is hoping to follow up their Eastern New York Open Cup championship a year ago with a berth in the 2016 US Open Cup. The Lansdowne Bhoys began that journey with a 3-0 home win over the Newtown Pride FC. They will head to New England for Round 2 as they take on Worcester FC on Nov. 14.

SUNDAY, OCT. 18, 2015

Global Premier Soccer Omens (MA) 5:0 Boston Olympiakos FC (MA)

Global Premier Soccer Omens had an easy day at the office as they defeated a shorthanded Boston Olympiakos squad and won 5-0. Boston were unable to field a full squad and after starting the match with eight players, they would eventually add two more and play most of the match with 10 men. GPS, who has qualified for the Open Cup in each of the last three years, will play at Southie FC on Nov. 15 in Round 2. FULL MATCH REPORT

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD) 2:1 (AET) Maryland Bays (MD)

The Aegean Hawks, representing the Maryland side of the Washington D.C.-area these days, took on last year’s USASA Region I Open Cup champion, the Maryland Bays. On this day, it was the Hawks who avenged last year’s 4-0 loss in the Region I semifinals with a dramatic 2-1 extra time win. After a scoreless first half, the Bays converted a penalty kick five minutes after the restart, and it looked like they were going to survive but former Bucknell standout Patrick Selwood scored a stoppage time equalizer to send the match into extra time. Much like the Jersey Shore Boca / South Jersey Elite Barons match, it appeared like the match was heading to penalty kicks, but former Georgetown Hoya Scott Larrabee scored the game-winner with five minutes left in the extra frame. The Hawks will travel to Virginia to take on Aromas Cafe FC in Round 2 on Nov. 15. FULL MATCH REPORT

NY Greek American SC (EAST NY) 2:4 (AET) NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY)

With seven US Open Cup titles between them (Greeks with 4, Pancyprians with 3) and countless matches over the last several decades, the headline match of the opening round of qualifying was between the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and the New York Greek American SC at the historic Metropolitan Oval. Since 2003, one of these two powerhouses have won the Eastern New York Open Cup tournament in all but two years and the two powerhouses would need extra time to decide the latest meeting. After entering extra time tied at 2-2, Panagiotis Halkidis put the Freedoms in front in the 98th minute and Chris Megaloudis added his second of the game in the 114th minute to seal the deal. While they won the title three times in 1980, 1982 and 1983, but they haven’t qualified for the tournament since 2011. With the win, they will host Jersey Shore Boca on Nov. 14 at St. John’s University in Round 2. FULL MATCH REPORT

Worcester FC (MA) 2:0 Newport FC (RI)

Marcus Pizzetti struck twice before halftime to send Worcester FC to a 2-0 win over Newport FC on Sunday at Foley Stadium in Worcester, Mass. In their first Open Cup qualifying appearance, Worcester moves on to host Lansdowne Bhoys in a New York-New England battle in Auburn, Mass. on Nov. 14.

QUALIFYING: FIRST ROUND (All Times Eastern)

OCT. 17, 2015
Southie FC (MA) 1:0 Battery Park Gunners (MA)
Salone FC (EAST PA) 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EAST PA)
Aromas Café FC (DC/VA) 3:1 Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (WEST PA)
Junior Lone Star FC (EAST PA) 1:2 (AET) West Chester United (EAST PA)
Jersey Shore Boca (NJ) 2:1 South Jersey Elite Barons (NJ)
Lansdowne Bhoys FC (EAST NY) 3:0 Newtown Pride FC (CT)

OCT. 18, 2015
Global Premier Soccer Omens (MA) 5:0 Boston Olympiakos FC (MA)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD) 2:1 (AET) Maryland Bays (MD)
NY Greek American SC (EAST NY) 2:4 (AET) NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY)
Worcester FC (MA) 2:1 Newport FC (RI)

OCT. 24, 2015

NTX Rayados (NORTH TX) at Austin Real Cuauhtemoc (SOUTH TX)
San Gabriel Park; Georgetown, Texas – 4 p.m.

Colorado Rovers (CO) at Harpo’s FC (CO)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. – 6:30 p.m.

La Maquina (SOUTH CA) at Strikers FC South Coast (SOUTH CA)
Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center; Lake Forest, Calif. – 9 p.m.

San Nicolas FC (SOUTH CA) at Corinthians USA (SOUTH CA)
Rialto High School; Rialto, Calif. – 10 p.m.

Footballers Academy (SOUTH CA) at San Pedro Monsters FC (SOUTH CA)
Daniel’s Field; San Pedro, Calif. – 10 p.m.

Del Rey City SC (SOUTH CA) at LA Wolves FC (SOUTH CA)
Toyota Sports Complex; Torrence, Calif. – 11 p.m.

OCT. 25, 2015

Boca Raton FC (FL) at Real Miami Club of Football (FL)
St. John Bosco Football Stadium; Miami, Fla. – 4:30 p.m.

Colorado Rush (CO) at FC Boulder (CO)
Pleasant View Soccer Complex; Boulder, Colo. – 5 p.m.

El Farolito (NORTH CA) at San Francisco City FC (NORTH CA)
Kezar Stadium; San Francisco, Calif. – 6 p.m.

Outbreak FC (SOUTH CA) at Buena Park FC (SOUTH CA)
John F. Kennedy High School; La Palma, Calif. – 6 p.m.

Charlotte Sporting Soccer Academy FC (NC) at Queen City United FC (NC)
West Mecklenburg Stadium; Charlotte, N.C. – 7 p.m.

Real Sociedad (SOUTH CA) at Ozzy’s Laguna FC (SOUTH CA)
East Los Angeles College; Monterey Park, Calif. – 7 p.m.

Red Force FC (FL) at Uruguay Kendall FC (FL)
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, Fla. – 8 p.m.

Davis Legacy (NORTH CA) at IFX Ballistic (NORTH CA)
Las Positas College; Livermore, Calif. – 8 p.m.

Valley United SC (SOUTH CA) at Cal FC (SOUTH CA)
Agoura High School; Agoura Hills, Calif. – 10 p.m.

Chula Vista FC (SOUTH CA) at Temecula Football Club (SOUTH CA)
Linfield Christian School; Temecula, Calif. – 10 p.m.

~~Tobacco Road FC (NC)~~ at CD Motagua of New Orleans (LA)
NOTE: Tobacco Road FC withdrawn (Travel). CD Motagua advances to Round 2

~~KC Athletics (KS)~~ at International Portland Select (OR)
NOTE: KC Athletics have withdrawn (Travel) IPS advances to Round 2

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QUALIFYING: SECOND ROUND (All Times Eastern)

GPS Omens (MA) at Southie FC (MA)
Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium; Lawrence, Mass. – Nov. 15, 4 p.m.

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Lansdowne Bhoys (EAST NY) at Worcester FC (MA)
Pappas Recreation Center; Auburn, Mass. – Nov. 14, 5 p.m.

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Jersey Shore Boca (NJ) at NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY)
Belson Stadium, St John’s University; Jamaica, N.Y. – Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

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West Chester United (EAST PA) at Salone FC (EAST PA)
Marcus Foster; Philadelphia, Pa. – Nov. 15, 4 p.m.

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Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD) at Aromas Cafe FC (DC/VA)
Western Allenade High School; Crozet, Va. – Nov. 15, 3 p.m.

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La Maquina / Strikers FC South Coast winner at Chula Vista FC
Eastlake High; Chula Vista, Calif. – Nov. 21, 11 p.m.
OR
La Maquina / Strikers FC South Coast winner at Temecula FC
Temecula Valley High School; Temecula, Calif. – Nov. 21, 10 p.m.

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Boca Raton FC / Real Miami winner at Uruguay Kendall FC
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, Fla. – Nov. 21, 6 p.m.
OR
Boca Raton FC / Real Miami winner at Red Force FC
Broward College-South Campus; Pembroke Pines, Fla. – Nov. 22, 6 p.m.

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Colorado Rush / FC Boulder winner at Colorado Rovers
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. – Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.
OR
Colorado Rush / FC Boulder winner at Harpo’s FC
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. – Nov. 22, 12 p.m.

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Davis Legacy / IFX Ballistic winner at San Francisco City FC
Crocker Amazon Field; San Francisco, Calif. – Nov. 21, 4 p.m.
OR
Davis Legacy / IFX Ballistic winner at El Farolito
Boxer Stadium; San Francisco, Calif. – Nov. 22, 4 p.m.

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Valley United SC / Cal FC winner at LA Wolves FC
Mira Costa High School; Manhattan Beach, Calif. – Nov. 21, 10:30 p.m.
OR
Valley United SC / Cal FC winner at Del Rey City SC
St. Bernard High School; Playa Del Rey, Calif. – Nov. 22, 8:30 p.m.

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Outbreak FC / Buena Park FC winner at San Pedro Monsters FC
Daniel’s Field; San Pedro, Calif. – Nov. 21, 10 p.m.
OR
Outbreak FC / Buena Park FC winner at Footballers Academy
Orange County Great Park; Irvine, Calif. – Nov. 22, 11 p.m.

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San Nicolas FC / Corinthians USA winner at Ozzy’s Laguna FC
Santa Ana Stadium; Santa Ana, Calif. – Nov. 22, 7 p.m.
OR
San Nicolas FC / Corinthians USA winner at Real Sociedad
St. John Bosco Football Stadium; Bellflower, Calif. – Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.

NOV. 21 or 22

Charlotte Sporting / Queen City United winner vs. CD Motagua (LA)
Site / Date TBD

NTX Rayados / Austin Real Cuauhtemoc winner vs. International Portland Select
Site / Date TBD

QUALIFYING: THIRD ROUND
April 1-2, 2016

US OPEN CUP FIRST ROUND: May 11, 2016

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Matchups announced for open division amateur tournament

September 22, 2015 by Josh Hakala

Chula Vista FC celebrates in the locker room after their 3-0 upset of Arizona United in the Second Round of the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: Chula Vista FC

SCHEDULES UPDATED 10/16/15

KC Athletics and Tobacco Road FC have both withdrawn from the competition citing travel as the main reason in both cases. Chula Vista/Temecula match moved to Oct. 25.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the first round matchups for the 2016 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. The competition, which kicks off the weekend of Oct. 17-18, features 56 amateur clubs representing 16 different states from the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), US Club Soccer, and the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA).

The three-round regional tournament will determine which eight teams will join 15 Premier Development League and 13 National Premier Soccer League teams in the 103rd edition of the US Open Cup next year.

Teams from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will kick off the tournament the weekend of Oct. 17-18, with the remaining teams in the competition beginning play the following weekend, Oct. 24-25. The second round is scheduled to take place Nov. 14-15 for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and Nov. 21-22 for the remaining teams. The matchups for Round 1 will be announced on Sept. 21.|

The teams that survive Round 2 will advance to the third and final round the weekend of April 2-3 of next year. The eight teams that are left standing will qualify for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which has a tentative start date of May 11, 2016.

Check out the schedule for the first two rounds below. There are a number of intriguing matchups, highlighted by a New York derby between two old rivals. The New York Pancyprian Freedoms will take on the New York Greek American SC and between the two clubs they have played each other countless times and have won seven US Open Cup titles (Greek Americans 4, Pancyprian Freedoms 3).

QUALIFYING: FIRST ROUND (All Times Eastern)

OCT. 17, 2015
Southie FC (MA) at Battery Park Gunners (MA)
Madison Park High School; Roxbury, Mass. – 12 p.m.

Salone FC (EAST PA) at Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EAST PA)
Vereinigung Erzgebirge; Warminster, Pa. – 2 p.m.

Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (WEST PA) at Aromas Café FC (DC/VA)
South Fork Soccer Park; Charlottesville, Va. – 3 p.m.

West Chester United (EAST PA) at Junior Lone Star FC (EAST PA)
YSC Sports Field; Wayne, Pa. – 6:30 p.m.

South Jersey Elite Barons (NJ) at Jersey Shore Boca (NJ)
Pinewood Park; Brick, N.J. – 7 p.m.

Newtown Pride FC (CT) at Lansdowne Bhoys FC (EAST NY)
Gaelic Park; Bronx, N.Y. – 7:30 p.m.

OCT. 18, 2015

Boston Olympiakos FC (MA) at Global Premier Soccer Omens (MA)
West Roxbury High School; West Roxbury, Mass. – 2 p.m.

Maryland Bays (MD) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (MD)
Maryland SoccerPlex; Boyds, Md. – 2:30 p.m.

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EAST NY) at NY Greek American SC (EAST NY)
Metropolitan Oval; Maspeth, N.Y. – 6 p.m.

Newport FC (RI) at Worcester FC (MA)
Foley Stadium; Worcester, Mass. – 7:30 p.m.