Arizona Sahuaros

Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup

May 27, 2016 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Cal FC celebrate their goal in the first period of extra time. Photo: L.M. Parr | Portland Timbers — Cal FC celebrate their goal in the first period of extra time against the Portland Timbers of MLS. Photo: L.M. Parr | Portland Timbers

MORE: Notable upsets in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Since the expanded format in 1997, a USL League Two (formerly Premier Development League) team has failed to reach the Third Round just six times (1998, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2019). The recent struggles can be attributed to the fact that in 2007, the format was changed so that all non-MLS teams began the tournament in the First Round, unlike previous tournaments where USL League Two teams were matched up with other Open Division clubs. In more recent years, that format has been altered slightly where the First Round is exclusively Open Division clubs, with lower division pro teams entering in Round 2 and Round 3.

The biggest rout in the Third Round during the Modern Era came in 2014 when the Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) defeated the Fresno Fuego (PDL) 6-0.

In their 1998 Third Round match, Major League Soccer’s Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Worcester Wildfire of the A-League combined for nine cautions, and saw four players sent off. Tampa Bay won the match on penalties, after finishing extra time drawn 2-2.

The attendance record for the Third Round during the Modern Era is technically 20,376, which was set in 1999 by the Colorado Rapids when they hosted the Seattle Sounders (USL) at Mile High Stadium. The number of fans who actually watched the game is unknown because that game was part of a doubleheader with the U.S. Men’s National Team who were playing against English club Derby County. Since that game, the highest attendance in a Third Round game has been 17,212. This was set on May 29, 2012 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah when Real Salt Lake of MLS hosted the Minnesota Stars FC of the NASL. Unfortunately for the home team, they lost 3-1.

The highest scoring Modern Era Open Cup game occurred in the Third Round on July 19, 2005 when the Richmond Kickers (USL-1) defeated the Ocean City Barons (now the Ocean City Nor’easters of USL League Two) 8-4. The game was played at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va., a week after the original match was re-scheduled due to bad weather. The Barons scored first in the 4th minute, but Richmond stormed back with four goals in less than 20 minutes. With the score 4-1, Ocean City scored a pair of goals on either side of halftime to cut the lead to one. At that point, Neil Holloway, the Barons player/manager made some offensive-minded substitutions and pushed for the equalizer, but at that point, the flood gates opened and Richmond scored four more in the second half. The game would finish 8-4. The previous total goals record was shared by a pair of games. In 1995, the Seattle Sounders (A-League, now USL-1) defeated the Everett BigFoot (USISL Pro, now USL-2) 9-2 and in 1999 the San Diego Flash (A-League) cruised past the Arizona Sahuaros (D3 Pro, 3rd Division) by the same score.

In 2007, a record five MLS teams were upset in the Third Round, with only three clubs advancing to the next round. It was the fewest MLS teams to enter the Quarterfinals in the Modern Era (1995-present).

On five occasions, a pair of 3rd Division clubs have won Third Round games in the same tournament. In 2007, the Richmond Kickers (1-0 win vs. Los Angeles Galaxy) and the Harrisburg City Islanders (1-0 win vs. DC United) were victorious. Two years later, in 2009, the Wilmington Hammerheads won another Third Round match (their fourth) and with the Harrisburg City Islanders, they were the second pair of USL-2 teams to reach the Quarterfinals in the same season. In 2010, the City Islanders made it two years in a row, upsetting the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in overtime, while the Charleston Battery (who moved down to the 3rd Division after several years in the 2nd Division) eliminated the Chicago Fire of MLS in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw. In 2012, with the expanded tournament (64 teams), three clubs from the 3rd Division reached Round 4. The Harrisburg City Islanders erased a 3-0 deficit in the second extra time period, forced penalty kicks and upset the New England Revolution. The Charlotte Eagles knocked off FC Dallas 2-0, while the Dayton Dutch Lions surprised the Columbus Crew by winning the first ‘Ohio Derby’ by a score of 2-1. In 2013, Orlando City SC upset their first MLS team, knocking off the Colorado Rapids 3-1, while the Charleston Battery upset the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0.

In 2014, seven 3rd Division clubs (USL PRO) and in 2015, 12 advanced past the Third Round, but this was largely due to a change in format where Major League Soccer didn’t enter the tournament until Round 4. In 2016, that number dropped to six.

In 2004, a Modern Era record four Open Division teams reached the Third Round. All four teams were from USL Leageu Two (PDL) and all four of them lost by a single goal (three of them by golden goal) in their Round 3 matches:

* Boulder Rapids Reserve lost to the Minnesota Thunder (A-League, Division II) 2-1 in sudden death extra time
* Carolina Dynamo lost to the Atlanta Silverbacks (A-League, Division II) 3-2 in sudden death extra time
* Cape Cod Crusaders lost to the Richmond Kickers (A-League, Division II) 1-0 in sudden death extra time
* Chicago Fire Reserves lost to the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League, Division II) 1-0 in regulation.

In 2013, that record was matched with four new teams:

* Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
* Des Moines Menace (PDL) lost 2-0 at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
* Reading United (PDL) lost 2-0 at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
* FC Tucson (PDL) lost 2-0 at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

In 2015, that record was broken with FIVE teams:

* Chattanooga FC (NPSL) lost 2-1 (AET) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
* Chula Vista (USASA) lost 7-3 at Sacramento Republic (USL)
* Jersey Express (PDL) lost 3-0 at New York Cosmos (NASL)
* PSA Elite (USASA) defeated Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 2-1 (1st all-Open Division Round 3 matchup)

In 2016, that number was up to SEVEN:

* Lansdowne Bhoys (USASA)
* Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
* Jersey Express (PDL)
* Des Moines Menace (PDL)
* La Maquina (USASA)
* LA Wolves FC (USASA)
* Kitsap Pumas (PDL)

In 2006, four more Open Division clubs reached Round 3, but for the first time, TWO of them advanced:

* Dallas Roma FC eliminated Chivas USA of MLS 4-2 in penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw to become the first USASA club to eliminate a Major League Soccer team.
* Carolina Dynamo defeated the Seattle Sounders (USL First Division, Division II) 3-2 after extra time
* Michigan Bucks lost to the Columbus Crew (MLS, Division I) 4-1
* Des Moines Menace lost to the Kansas City Wizards (MLS, Division I) 2-1

In 2014, due to an increase in Open Division entries and a change in format (most teams beginning in Round 2), a record 12 Open Division clubs reached the Third Round. Three of them advanced.

In 2012, for just the second time in the Modern Era, two Open Division teams advanced beyond Round 3, but both of them were particularly historic:

*The Michigan Bucks became just the fourth USL League Two (PDL) team to eliminate a Major League Soccer team when they defeated the Chicago Fire 3-2 in extra time at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. With the win, they also became the first Open Division team to defeat multiple MLS teams in club history after they upset the New England Revolution in Foxboro, Mass. in 2000.

* Cal FC, a USASA club from Southern California managed by former US international Eric Wynalda, not only became the first USASA team to score a goal against a Major League Soccer team, but they became the first to defeat one. (Dallas Roma FC won their game in PKs, and therefore is officially a draw) Cal FC upset the Portland Timbers 1-0 in extra time at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Ore. Cal FC joined the Michigan Bucks as the only Open Division team to defeat an MLS team on the road, but the Bucks’ upset of New England in 2000 remains the only time an Open Division team has done it within 90 minutes.

In 2003, the Fresno Fuego (PDL) became the first Open Division team to win a Third Round game in the Modern Era (1995-present), upsetting the El Paso Patriots (A-League, Division II) by a score of 5-2.

Prior to 2014, only 12 3rd Division clubs have ever advanced beyond the Third Round. In 2015, seven NEW clubs advanced. San Antonio FC was the only new USL teams to accomplish that feat in 2016.

Wilmington Hammerheads (2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2016)
Harrisburg City Islanders (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016)
Charleston Battery (2010, 2013, 2015)
Richmond Kickers (2007, 2011, 2014, 2015)
Charlotte Eagles (2012)
Dayton Dutch Lions (2012)
Orlando City SC (2013, 2014)
San Francisco Bay Seals (1997)
Rochester Rhinos (2014, 2015, 2016)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2014, 2015)
Arizona United SC (2014)
Seattle Sounders 2 (2015)
Charlotte Independence (2015)
Louisville City FC (2015)
Saint Louis FC (2015)
Oklahoma City FC Energy (2015, 2016)
Austin Aztex (2015)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks (2015, 2016)
Sacramento Republic (2014, 2015)
San Antonio FC (2016)

Note: The format of the 2014 US Open Cup changed so Major League Soccer teams didn’t begin the tournament until Round 4 to accommodate the increase in teams (80).

In the Modern Era, only 16 open division teams have advanced beyond the Third Round:

Fresno Fuego (2003, PDL)
Des Moines Menace (2005, PDL)
Dallas Roma FC (2006, USASA)
Carolina Dynamo (2006, PDL)
Cal FC (2012, USASA)
Michigan Bucks (2012, PDL)**
Orlando City U23s (2014, PDL)
Laredo Heat (2014, PDL)
PSA Elite (2014, USASA)
PSA Elite (2015, USASA)*
Kitsap Pumas (2016, PDL)
La Maquina (2016, USASA)*
Christos FC (2017, USASA)*
Miami United FC (2018, NPSL)*
NTX Rayados (2018, USASA)*
FC Golden State Force (2018, PDL)**
Orange County FC (2019, NPSL)

** Defeated a MLS team in Round 3
* Defeated an Open Division team in Round 3

Things you should know about the Second Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era)

May 17, 2016 by Josh Hakala

FC Cincinnati fans cheer on their team during a Second Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup against Detroit City FC. Photo: Brett Hansbauer | 4th Floor Creative

In 2002, no team below the Second Division advanced beyond the Second Round.

The Modern Era (1995-present) record for single-game attendance is held by FC Cincinnati when they had an announced attendance of 12,790 at Nippert Stadium (University of Cincinnati) when they defeated AFC Cleveland (NPSL) 1-0 in extra time on May 17, 2017. The record for average attendance in the Second Round is 3,019 (16 games) from the 2001 tournament.

The El Paso Patriots recorded the biggest rout in the Second Round since 1995, defeating the Arizona Sahuaros 9-1 in 1998. Kirk Wilson scored three times to lead the Patriots. Matching the eight-goal margin, the most lopsided shutout came in 2001 when DC United of MLS trampled the New Jersey Stallions of the D3 Pro League 8-0.

From 1996-2013, only three Open Division Local clubs won Second Round games. Bavarian SC defeated the Reading Rage (D-3 Pro League) 1-0 in the Second Round of 2003. Dallas Roma FC became the first USASA team to defeat a second division team when they eliminated Miami FC (USL First Division) 1-0 in 2006. Cal FC traveled across the country and upset the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL Pro (Div. 3 pro) 4-0 to reach Round 3 in 2013. However, in 2014, that mark was blown out of the water, as a record five Open Division Local teams reached the Third Round: New York Greek American Atlas (Region I), RWB Adria (Region II), North Texas Rayados (Region III), Des Moines Menace (Region II), and PSA Elite (Region IV) who advanced after the San Diego Flash forfeited. The reason for this increase was due, in large part, to the change in format which saw an increase to 80 teams, and an abbreviated opening round (8 games). Of this group, only RWB Adria and PSA Elite began in the First Round, so the rest of the teams only had to win one game.

Open Division teams winning Second Round games doesn’t happen often, but it’s not unheard of during the Modern Era. 41 USL League Two (formerly PDL) teams have made it to the Third Round in the Modern Era. The Flint City Bucks (formerly Michigan Bucks) have done it more than anyone else, advancing to Round 3 six times. 19 Open Division Local teams have reached the Third Round. The NPSL has had nine teams win Second Round games, with four of them all coming in 2018: Brooklyn Italians (2014), Chattanooga FC (2014, 2015, 2016), Elm City Express (2018), Miami United (2018), FC Wichita (2018), Jacksonville Armada (2018), Orange County FC (2019).

The US Soccer Federation increased the number of teams to 80 in 2014, creating the largest Second Round in the Modern Era (and quite possibly of all time) with 24 games on the schedule. One of the games was forfeited, and one was moved to May 13, leaving a record 22 games to be played on May 14. That record was broken as the tournament continued to expand in 2017 when there were 26 games played, and then again in 2022 when 31 games were on the schedule.

In 2013, a record four Open Division clubs advanced to Round 3. The following year, due to a change in format and an increase in amateur entries, 12 amateur clubs reached the Third Round, which remains a Modern Era record.

1997: Central Coast Roadrunners
1999: Mid-Michigan Bucks
2000: Mid-Michigan Bucks, Chicago Sockers
2001: Seattle Sounders Select
2003: Mid-Michigan Bucks, Fresno Fuego
2004: Chicago Fire Reserves, Cape Cod Crusaders, Boulder Rapids Reserves, Carolina Dynamo
2005: Ocean City Barons, Des Moines Menace
2006: Michigan Bucks, Des Moines Menace, Carolina Dynamo
2009: Ocean City Barons
2011: Chicago Fire PDL, Kitsap Pumas
2012: Michigan Bucks, Ventura County Fusion,
2013: Des Moines Menace, FC Tucson, Ocean City Nor’easters, Reading United AC
2014: Reading United AC, New York Greek American Atlas SC, RWB Adria, Orlando City U23s, Brooklyn Italians, Laredo Heat, North Texas Rayados, Fresno Fuego, PSA Elite, Baltimore Bohemians, Chattanooga FC, Des Moines Menace
2015: Chattanooga FC, Chula Vista FC, Jersey Express, PSA Elite, Ventura County Fusion
2016: Chattanooga FC, Des Moines Menace, Jersey Express, Kitsap Pumas, La Maquina, Lansdowne Bhoys FC, Los Angeles Wolves FC
2017: Chicago FC United, Christos FC, GPS Omens, Los Angeles Wolves FC, Michigan Bucks, Reading United AC
2018: Elm City Express, FC Golden State Force, FC Wichita, Jacksonville Armada FC, Miami United, Mississippi Brilla FC, NTX Rayados, Ocean City Nor’easters, Sporting AZ FC
2019: Florida Soccer Soldiers, Orange County FC

Updated after 2019 US Open Cup

2010 US Open Cup Second Round: Marosevic sparks Aztex past Sahuaros (Video)

June 23, 2010 by Eric Anderson

Talk about the rich getting richer.

Peri Marosevic, on loan from Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas, recorded the second hat trick in team history – and second in just four days – as the Austin Aztex knocked off the Arizona Sahuaros 3-1 in a second-round match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night in Austin, Texas. (Video highlights below)

Austin advanced to the third round of the tournament for the second straight year, and will play MLS club Chivas USA in the third round next Tuesday night in Fullerton, Calif. Last season, the Aztex lost to the Houston Dynamo of the MLS in the third round.

The 21-year-old Marosevic, a U.S. youth international, was making his second appearance and first start adding to an already-impressive attack for the Aztex, who lead the USSF Division-2 Pro League in goals scored and goal differential.

Sahuaros goalkeeper Brad Swenby started the match the same way he ended the amateur side’s first-round game: By saving a penalty kick.

Swenby turned aside Michael Callahan’s shot from the spot in the 10th minute after Stephan Campbell was taken down in the box – last Tuesday, Swenby made a big stop in a penalty kick shootout after Arizona tied the Ventura County Fusion of the USL Premier Development League.

The veteran keeper also made a nice save on a drive by Marosevic, but the former University of Michigan standout broke through in the 35th. Callahan slipped a pass to Marosevic on the left side, and he slotted a left-footed past Swenby for the 1-0 lead.

The Sahuaros, the only one of nine U.S. Adult Soccer Association teams to advance out of the first round, equalized when second-half substitute Kevin Cornwall ran on to a long ball from Alex Lopez and scored against Austin keeper Sean Kelley in the 55th.

But that came on Arizona’s lone shot of the second half – the Sahuaros also had but one in the first 45 minutes – and Marosevic put the Aztex ahead for good with 10 minutes to go. He collected a pass from Sullivan Silva and again went in down the left side before zipping a right-footed shot past Swenby.

Marosevic capped his hat trick in stoppage time, when Silva rounded Swenby on the side and crossed the ball back for him to finish in front. Maxwell Griffin posted Austin’s first hat trick Saturday in a 3-1 league victory over Miami FC.

Lineups
AUS: GK Kelley, D Allen, D Bernard, D Brill, D Worthen, M Silva, M Callahan, M Caicedo (Alvarez 73), M Campbell (Watson 61), F Marosevic, F McFayden (M. Griffin 72).
ARI: GK Swenby, D Parson (Cornwall 46), D DeLeon (Blase 52), D Duhaney, D B. Green, M C. Green, M Hampton, M Lopez, M Sleniker, F Thames (Auditore 62), F Garcia.
Scoring Summary
AUS: Marosevic (Callahan), 35
ARI: Cornwall (Lopez), 55
AUS: Marosevic (Silva), 80
AUS: Marosevic (Silva), 90+
Misconduct Summary
AUS: Marosevic (caution/foul), 31
ARI: Thames (caution/dissent), 65
ARI: Blase (caution/foul), 85
AUS: Callahan (caution/delaying a restart), 88
ARI: Hampton (caution/foul), 89
Match Statistics
Shots: Austin 20, Arizona 2. Saves: Austin (Kelley) 0, Arizona (Swenby 4). Fouls: Austin 15, Arizona 10. Corner kicks: Austin 7, Arizona 0.

2010 Meet the USASA: Arizona Sahuaros

June 14, 2010 by Jose M. Romero

When you’ve been the longest-lasting franchise in what is otherwise a no-man’s land for high-level soccer and you’re about to go to your fifth US Open Cup in 20 seasons of existence, the American soccer community knows who you are.

Such is the case with the Arizona Sahuaros, a highly regarded USASA club on hiatus for the second straight year from the NPSL. The Sahuaros might be the lonely oasis of soccer in the hot and dusty Arizona desert, but they have two things going for them as they head into the first round of the US Open Cup in 2010: History in the Open Cup and a defense-first mentality that causes opponents fits.

The Sahuaros under first-year coach Orhan Kraja, a native of Albania who has coached third-division football in Italy, have never advanced past the second round of the Open Cup. But their match against the defending PDL champion Ventura County Fusion Tuesday night will mark their third straight Open Cup berth.

Arizona’s roster is always in flux with its mixture of college players trying to stay in shape over the summer, young players trying to stay in the game and advance their careers and experienced veterans who have cut their teeth in higher professional ranks. The Sahuaros are led by veteran goalkeeper Brad Swenby, who has played for the USL’s Minnesota Thunder and commutes to key Sahuaros games from Wisconsin.

Sahuaros-boca-team-photo — The Arizona Sahuaros pose for a team photo with Boca Juniors of Argentina as part of the 2007 Copa PanAmericana. The Sahuaros played exhibition games against Boca and Mexican clubs Cruz Azul and Club America. Photo: Arizona Sahuaros.

Swenby and defender Mike Duhaney, the 1997 MLS Rookie of the Year with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, are expected to be with the club in California when they face the Fusion. Former MLS players Greg Vanney and Mike Munoz have other commitments and will not play.

That said, the Sahuaros bring a young team, for the most part, to Ventura. Those young players, with Swenby the rock in the net, played well enough at the USASA Region IV Cup in Sacramento last month to earn the second and final berth into the US Open Cup from the region, a credit to team president Ali Alexander and GM Mark Nabity for their work and commitment to fielding a competitive team.

The Sahuaros run through the Region IV tournament was a difficult one, finishing 1-1-1 in group play. A 1-0 loss to the Sacramento Gold in their opener forced Arizona to get points in their last two matches. The next match was a 10-1 drubbing of Yakima United, while the last was a 2-2 draw against Doxa Italia.

The nine-goal blowout proved to be the most important result as Arizona tied with three other clubs with four points, as the best second place team would book a place in the semifinals. With a plus-8 goal differencial, the Sahuaros would edge out Doxa-Italia (+6), San Diego Boca FC (+0), and the French Soccer Academy (-2) for a spot in the final four.

In the semifinals, the Sahuaros defeated Real San Jose 2-1 on a pair of goals from Pat Perkins. The second goal appeared to be a handball, but after consulting with the AR, the center ref let the goal stand. Real San Jose pulled one back in the second half but it was too little, too late.

“I think our goalkeeper Brad Swenby was the key to our success this weekend.” said former long-time Sahuaros head coach Petar Draskin. ”A few other players to recognize were Skelly Keller, Mitch Garcia, defenders Chris Green and Brian Green, midfielder Paul La Larva and forward Pat Perkins. This was the youngest team Sahuaros have ever brought to this event. Also, Seth George, a former pro, made his first appearance in a Sahuaros jersey.”

This year, the Arizona Sahuaros have become only the third USASA club to qualify for the US Open Cup three seasons in a row (2008, 2009, 2010). Los Lobos (Oklahoma) qualified from 1997-1999 and Mexico SC qualified four years in a row from 1999-2002.

The Sahuaros have been able to make it hard on PDL and USL teams in past Cups because of their emphasis on defense. Arizona’s belief in a system despite a constantly changing roster is what they claim to be the key to their success, along with playing games throughout Arizona to increase their exposure and tap into young talent from outside greater Phoenix.

Arizona Sahuaros qualify for 3rd straight US Open Cup, Ambassadors from Bay Area to make their debut

May 24, 2010 by Ryan Knapp

After an exhausting five games in three days, Region IV of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) has submitted their two teams to the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

: The Bay Area Ambassadors accept the USASA Region IV Open Cup championship trophy. Bay Area qualified for the US Open Cup by reaching the semifinals, and then defeated the Arizona Sahuaros in the final, 2-0. Photo: Bay Area Ambassadors

The Arizona Sahuaros and the Bay Area Ambassadors of the NPSL both reached the final of the Region IV tournament and therefore qualified for the tournament. For the Sahuaros, this is their third straight Open Cup appearance and fifth overall in the Professional Era (1995-present). The Ambassadors have not only punched their ticket to the Open Cup but won the entire tournament, defeating the Sahuaros in the final to advance to the USASA National Cup Finals.

The Ambassadors opened the weekend on a high note beating San Diego Boca 2-0. Both goals came in the 2nd half from Tony Salcicca and Jacob assisted by Pedro Osorio and Jordan Keyes. The victory was sweet for the 2nd year NPSL club as they struggled with injuries of three keys players in the first game.

On Saturday morning, BayArea FC beat the Arizona Pros 1-0. Jasko Begovic netted the game’s only goal in the 70th minute. Fresh from the win the Ambassadors handed the French Soccer Academy a lesson with a final score of 5-1. Dannylo Ayllon scored two Goals each and Jasko Begovic assisted by Aneesh Rana.

*Bear with us on the formatting in this table, we’re trying to fix it*

WIN & YOU’RE IN (Special Play-in game)
PSA LOS GATOS STORM (US CLUB SOCCER)
0:3
SONOMA COUNTY SOL (NPSL)
PAL Stadium – San Jose, Calif.

USASA REGION IV TOURNAMENT
Qualified Clubs:
Arizona Pros (Arizona)
Arizona Sahuaros (NPSL – on hiatus)
Bay Area Ambassadors (NPSL)
Doxa-Italia (California South)
FC Hasental (California South)
French Soccer Academy (Washington)
Real San Jose (NPSL)
Sacramento Gold (NPSL)
San Diego Boca FC (NPSL)
San Diego United (NPSL – on hiatus)
San Francisco Italian Athletics (California North)
Yakima United (Washington)

Group A	P	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Real San Jose	2	2	0	0	6	5	2	+3
FC Hasental	2	1	1	0	3	6	3	+3
SF Italian Athletics	2	0	2	0	1	1	7	-5

*San Diego United withdrew, therefore the second place
team in the group is not eligible to reach the semifinals

All times Eastern

5/21	FC Hasental	5:0	SF Italia Athletics	5:00 PM
5/22	FC Hasental	1:3	Real San Jose	1:00 PM
5/22	SF Italia Athletics	1:2	Real San Jose	6:00 PM

Group B	P	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Bay Area Ambassadors	3	3	0	0	9	8	1	+7
San Diego Boca FC	3	1	1	1	4	3	3	+0
French Soccer Academy	3	1	1	1	4	3	5	-2
Arizona Pros	3	0	3	0	0	1	6	-5

All times Eastern

5/21	San Diego Boca FC	0:2	Bay Area Ambassadors	5:00 PM
5/21	French Soccer Academy	2:0	Arizona Pros	5:00 PM
5/22	Bay Area Ambassadors	1:0	Arizona Pros	12:00 PM
5/22	French Soccer Academy	0:0	San Diego Boca FC	2:00 PM
5/22	Arizona Pros	1:3	San Diego Boca FC	5:00 PM
5/22	Bay Area Ambassadors	5:1	French Soccer Academy	7:00 PM

Group C	P	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Sacramento Gold	3	3	0	0	9	10	2	+8
Arizona Sahuaros	3	1	1	1	4	12	4	+8
Doxa-Italia	3	1	1	1	4	10	4	+6
Yakima United	3	0	3	0	0	2	24	-22

All times Eastern

5/21	Sacramento Gold	1:0	Arizona Sahuaros	7:00 PM
5/21	Doxa-Italia	7:0	Yakima United	7:00 PM
5/22	Arizona Sahuaros	10:1	Yakima United	12:00 PM
5/22	Doxa-Italia	1:2	Sacramento Gold	2:00 PM
5/22	Yakima United	1:7	Sacramento Gold	7:00 PM
5/22	Arizona Sahuaros	2:2	Doxa-Italia	7:00 PM

SEMIFINALS
5/23	Bay Area Ambassadors	1:0	Sacramento Gold	11:00 AM
5/23	Real San Jose	1:2	Arizona Sahuaros	11:00 AM
FINAL
5/23	Bay Area Ambassadors	2:0	Arizona Sahuaros	4:00 PM

Bay Area emerged as Group B winners with a record of 3-0-0 and would take on Sacramento Gold.

Come Sunday morning, the soccer Gods were with the Ambassadors. Team captain Sergio Valle who had an outstanding tournament saved a Sacramento penalty kick in the first half. BayArea FC midfield maestro Jasko Begovic scored in the 69th minute to give the Ambassadors the 1-0 victory.

In the finals, the Ambassadors came up against a strong Arizona Sahuaros who beat Real San Jose 2-1 to advance to the finals. The teams were evenly matched in the first half, not to mention exhausted playing four 90-minute competitive matches in a span of three days.

The Bay Area Ambassadors were not deterred with only a two hour rest and playing with only 10 men for most of 2nd half due to injury and no subs. In the 53rd minute Jasko Begovic rose to the occasion and slotted one home and the second goal came in the 80th minute from St. Mary’s College star player, Mohammed Yusuf Samy.

“The Bay Area Ambassadors won today because the players played with heart. Most of the players carried an injury and some of them missed their graduation to sacrifice for this victory. It is a gallant effort noting that we played with very limited men and so many games in a short span.,” said Mohammed Mohammed, Head Coach the Bay Area Ambassadors.

The Arizona Sahuaros run to the Open Cup proper was not as clear cut as Bay Area, as they finished 1-1-1 in group play.

A first match loss 1-0 to the Sacramento Gold forced Arizona to get points in their last two matches. The next match was a 10-1 drubbing of Yakima United, while the last was a 2-2 draw against Doxa Italia.

The 9-goal blowout proved to be the most important result as Arizona tied with three other clubs with four points, as the best second place team would book a place in the semifinals. With a plus-8 goal differencial, the Sahuaros would edge out Doxa-Italia (+6), San Diego Boca FC (+0), and the French Soccer Academy (-2) for a spot in the final four.

Teams in Group A, which consisted of only three teams due to San Diego United dropping out of the competition, were informed prior to the tournament starting that the second place team in the group would not be eligible for the semifinals, since each team was only playing in two matches.

In the semi-finals the Sahuaros defeated Real San Jose 2-1. Pat Perkins netted both goals for Arizona. The second goal appeared to be a handball, but after consulting with the AR, the center ref let the goal stand. Real San Jose pulled one back in the second half but it was too little, too late.

“What can we do? I thought the boys battled very hard and were very unlucky on that call and unlucky not to get the game into overtime at least. In all it was great experience. We took perhaps powerhouse amateur team to the wire in our first Open Cup experience. I learned a lot about coaching from my coaching opponent today. He’s one of the best in my opinion,” said RSJ manager Nick Arellano.

“I think our GK Brad Swenby was the key to our success this weekend.” said Sahuaros head coach Petar Draskin. “A few other players to recognize were Skelly Keller, Mitch Garcia, Defenders Chris Green and Brian Green. Midfielder Paul La larva and forward Pat Perkins. This was the youngest team Sahuaros have ever brought to this event. Also, Seth George former pro had his first appearance in the Sahuaros Jersey.”

This is the third straight US Open Cup for Arizona Sahuaros (2008, 2009, 2010). They are the third USASA club to qualify for the US Open Cup for three straight seasons. Los Lobos (Oaklahoma) qualified from 1997-1999 and Mexico SC qualified four years in a row from 1999-2002.

I think our GK Brad Swenby  was the key to our success this weekend. Few other players to recognize Skelly Keller, Mitch Garcia, Defenders Chris Green and Brian Green. Mid fielder Paul La larva and forward Pat Perkins. This was the youngest team Sahuaros brought to this event. Also, Seth George former pro had his first appearance in the Sahuaros Jersey.

Meet the USASA: Class of 2009

September 13, 2009 by Aaron Stollar

USASA logo Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (Region I)
DC-based club has learned from their inaugural Open Cup berth in 2007

Emigrantes Das Ilhas (Region I)
“Immigrants of the Islands” making their first US Open Cup appearance

402 (Region II)
New Nebraska team has familiar names excited to play in Minnesota

Bavarian SC (Region II)
Milwaukee club making amateur-record sixth appearance in Pro Era

Atlanta FC (Region III)
The second year NPSL franchise adds first Open Cup berth to list of early success

Lynch’s FC (Region III)
Jacksonville club has plenty of changes coming, they hope one will be winning an Open Cup game

Arizona Sahuaros (Region IV)
On hiatus from the NPSL, the Sahuaros are back in the Open Cup for the third time in four years

Sonoma County Sol (Region IV)
Three-time cup participants are a family affair, on and off the field

Things you should know about the First Round of the US Open Cup

September 1, 2009 by Josh Hakala

David Geno and the Seattle Sounders Under-23s celebrate one of the club's five goals in a 5-1 win over Doxa Italia in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Coulter | SoundersPhotos.com — David Geno and the Seattle Sounders Under-23s celebrate one of the club’s five goals in a 5-1 win over Doxa Italia in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Chris Coulter | SoundersPhotos.com

A total of 40 clubs took part in the first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (then known as the National Challenge Cup) tournament in 1913/14, a majority of whom came from the Northeast region of the country.

In 2008, the Seattle Sounders USL franchise became the first club in the Modern Era to advance to the Semifinals in consecutive seasons after beginning play in the First Round.

Since 1996, only five teams have advanced to the Semifinals after beginning play in the First Round. The Charleston Battery (2008), Carolina RailHawks (2007), San Francisco Bay Seals (1997) and the Seattle Sounders who did it twice in 2007 and 2008. San Francisco remain as the only third division club to advance to the final four (after beginning in Round 1) during that span.

Since 1995, an Open Division Local team has failed to advance past the First Round only three times (1995, 1998, 2002). Uruguay SC from Florida made the Second Round in back-to-back years (2000, 2001), and Mexico SC (Fresno, CA) joined them in 2000. Dallas Roma FC advanced in consecutive seasons in 2005 and 2006 and Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI) moved on to the next round in 2003 and 2007. From 2008-2010, only one USASA club survived the opening round each year (Hollywood United – 2008, Sonoma County Sol – 2009, Arizona Sahuaros – 2010). After the tournament expanded in 2012, it has become more common.

In 1999, the Wilmington Hammerheads saw two players score hat tricks in their First Round match. Ryan Walker and Luke Griffith both scored three times in Wilmington’s 8-1 rout of Los Lobos, a USASA team from Oklahoma.

The Atlanta Silverbacks (USL First Division, Div. 2 pro) embarrassed Azzurri, an Open Division Local club from North Texas, 10-0 in the First Round of the 2007 tournament. It was the biggest route in the Modern Era, topping the Chicago Stingers’ (USL D3 Pro) 8-0 win over SAC Wisla (USASA) in 1997.

2007 marked the first year that all non-MLS teams began the tournament in the First Round. It was also the first year that any Division 2 pro teams started in Round 1.

In 2013, David Geno of the Seattle Sounders U-23s (USL League Two) became the first player from an Open Division team to score four goals in one game, and just the 10th player from any division to pull off the feat. He did this in Seattle’s 5-1 home win over Doxa Italia, and he scored all four of his goals in the first half.

The First Round in 2013 marked the first time that four different players scored a hat trick in the same round. Prior to that year, no more than two players had ever done it in the same round in the Modern Era (1995-present). David Geno of the Sounders U23s scored four against Doxa Italia (USASA), while Hakan Ilhan (Carolina Dynamo), Kwadwo Poku (Georgia Revolution) and Argjent Duka (Icon FC) each scored a trio of goals in their respective games.

The attendance record for the First Round of the US Open Cup (Modern Era) is 5,816, when the Arizona Sahuaros (D3 Pro League) hosted the San Gabriel Valley Highlanders (PDL) at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona on June 12, 1998.

The record for highest average attendance in the First Round (Modern Era) is 1,247, but there were only four games scheduled that year (and one of them was forfeited).

The record for the biggest Second Round in the Modern Era is 2017 when there were 28 games played.

Updated after the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2009 Meet The USASA: Arizona Sahuaros

August 20, 2009 by

The Arizona Sahuaros pose for a team photo with Boca Juniors of Argentina as part of the 2007 Copa PanAmericana. The Sahuaros played exhibition games against Boca and Mexican clubs Cruz Azul and Club America. Photo: Arizona Sahuaros.

You might be hard pressed to find a bigger soccer advocate in the state of Arizona than the manager of the Arizona Sahuaros, Petar Draksin. The Grand Canyon University coach doesn’t get paid to manage the Sahauros, a club that has existed continuously, in many forms, since 1989. He also “will never give up” in his effort to bring high-level professional soccer to the city that he loves and works tirelessly to help his players move on to the next level.

This is the third time in the last four years that Draksin has led his team through USASA Region IV qualifying into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This year marks the fifth year that the club has qualified as a franchise. What makes that feat remarkable is that this year, just like their 2006 appearance, they have qualified without being affiliated with a league.

This year, the club is on hiatus from the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) due to the fact that the league lacks enough teams in the Southwest. Arizona and San Diego United are the lone teams in that part of the country and both are sitting this year out. San Diego is playing in a local league, while Arizona is just playing exhibition games and tournaments.

“Our location is a challenge,” said Draksin. “We’re waiting for the NPSL to find teams in this area, so that travel costs won’t be such a burden.” He added that cities like El Paso and Albuquerque would be a good fit for the league.

There are plenty of local teams in the USL’s Premier Development League, but he said financially it just doesn’t work right now. “If the USL had the right financial situation, we would love to join the PDL,” said Draksin, who has a tremendous respect for the league.

The club has a very committed ownership group, but at the same time, with the economy being what it is, having to travel to places in the NPSL Western Conference like Northern California and Oregon was just too much. “We’re very lucky to have the ownership we have, but right now, playing exhibitions and competing in the Open Cup is all they can allow right now.”

SAHUAROS HISTORY

The Sahuaros have had three name changes and have played in three different leagues (as well as spending time without a league) in their 21 years as a club.

1989-92: Phoenix Hearts (Indoor)
1990-91: Phoenix Hearts (PDL)
1992-95: Arizona Cotton (PDL)
1996: Arizona Phoenix (PDL)
1997-02: Arizona Sahuaros (D3 Pro)
2003-04: MPSL
2005-07: No league
2008: NPSL
2009: No league

Draksin moved to New York City in 1976 from his native Yugoslavia. There he was thrust into the thriving club soccer scene in the city, which was dominating the Open Cup at the time. Between 1967 and 1984, the Open Cup tournament was won by a team from New York or New Jersey 12 times. Draksin describes playing at the historic Metropolitan Oval as an experience he’ll never forget as he played for the German Hungarians and the Brooklyn Italians.

He relocated to Phoenix where he has been the head coach at Grand Canyon University for almost 20 years, and has overseen the Sahuaros from the beginning. The franchise started in 1989 as an indoor team called the Phoenix Hearts and three name changes and three different leagues later, the Sahuaros are celebrating their 21st year as a club.

If two games would have gone their way over the last few years, this story would be discussing Arizona’s fifth straight Open Cup berth. The only qualifying efforts that fell short were in 2005 and 2007 when they lost to the team that advanced to the Open Cup from Region IV.

This year, it was a scoreless draw against Miran (California South) on the final day that was the club’s third near miss, leaving them two points shy of winning the group and moving on to the Cup. However, it was determined that there were multiple players on the Miran roster who were ineligible. This wasn’t discovered by Arizona until after their match was completed and the Region IV rules state that you cannot file a protest after the match is over. Therefore, the Sahuaros and the other clubs in the tournament, petitioned Region IV semifinalists Sonoma County Sol to file a protest on their behalf before the final. The protest was upheld, Miran was disqualified and the Sahuaros took their place in the US Open Cup.

ALMOST…

After winning the USASA Region IV tournament in 2008, they qualified for the national cup finals in Seattle. There they were defeated in the national championship game 2-1 in extra time by the New York Pancyprian Freedoms from Region I.

“There are rules that everyone has to follow,” said Draksin, who left as many as four players off his tournament roster due to eligibility issues. “Sonoma did the right thing to protest. Miran is a very good club and it was a learning experience for everyone.” He added that the rule that you can’t protest after a match is complete is one that needs to be evaluated and changed for future tournaments. This situation caused the Sahauros to miss out on an opportunity to play for the national finals, but Coach Draksin says he wasn’t that disappointed because he values the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup above all over competitions.

Last year’s run in the Open Cup was one that Draksin and his club will cherish. After qualifying on a goal difference tiebreaker with Sonoma County Sol (Arizona was a +5, Sonoma was a +4), the Sahuaros earned a home date with the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division. It was 117 minutes of scoreless soccer in Phoenix as the Sahuaros battled with one of the top clubs in USL-1. Seattle wasn’t taking Arizona lightly as they brought their full compliment of players to the desert that night. Finally in the 118th minute, Kenji Treschuk scored the winner for the Sounders to save them from the uncertainty of penalty kicks.

According to Draksin, Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer said his team was “lucky” to get out of Grand Canyon University with the win, which the Sahuaros head coach took as the highest compliment from a team of that quality.

One of the keys to his team’s success over the years has been treating players right. Draksin knows that not being in a league, his players might not get as much exposure playing for the Sahuaros, so he helps players find homes with other teams, even though it hurts his squad to lose key members of his team. He currently has players suiting up for PDL teams like 2009 Open Cup entrant Orange County Blue Star and the PDL champion Thunder Bay Chill. Probably their highest-profile alumni is Roger Espinoza, the Ohio State University standout who currently plays for the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer, as well as the Honduras National Team.

The 2009 roster features a variety of players, ranging from former professionals to local youth players.

The strength of the team is the defense, led by goalkeeper Brad Swenby from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After a few seasons as the backup for the Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division, he is playing for Arizona and is keeping an eye out for a USL job. In front of him is veteran Carlos Gomez, former Cincinnati Kings defender Jake Slemker and promising young outside back, Nick Sykes.

On the attacking side of the ball the Sahuaros return a veteran with Dominic Papa who scored a pair of goals for the club in the 2006 Open Cup. Phillipe Garre (Gonzaga University) and Imad Id-Deen, who played for Banat Arsenal (USASA Region IV) during the 2007 tournament, will also factor into the offense.

Playing a fellow amateur club in the opening round is always better than playing a professional team, especially an amateur team that they know.

“We’re very familiar with the El Paso Patriots franchise and their style of play,” said Draksin. “We feel that we have a chance to win on Tuesday.”

2009 First Round recap: Favorites survive first day, Barons pull off upset, Hawks just upset on day 2

June 11, 2009 by

2009 U.S. Open Cup First Round
(Home team listed on right)

June 9
Orange County Blue Star 2:5 Sonoma County Sol
Carolina RailHawks 2:1 Richmond Kickers
Western Mass Pioneers 3:2 (aet) Emigrantes Das Ilhas
Wilmington Hammerheads 2:0 Charlotte Eagles
Rochester Rhinos 1:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Rochester advance on penalities, 4-2
Cleveland City Stars 3:0 St. Louis Lions
Chicago Fire (PDL) 3:1 Bavarian SC
Harrisburg City Islanders 4:1 Reading Rage
Minnesota Thunder 3:2 402
Charleston Battery 2:0 Atlanta FC
Miami FC Blues 2:1 Lynch’s FC
Austin Aztex 2:0 Mississippi Brilla
El Paso Patriots 2:1 Arizona Sahuaros
Kitsap Pumas 0:3 Portland Timbers
June 10
Real Maryland Monarchs 1:0 Aegean Hawks FC
(Match stopped in 74th minute)
Crystal Palace Baltimore 0:3 Ocean City Barons
——————————————————————
Player of the Round: Byron Carmichael (OCB)
Some things you should know about the First Round
Notable upsets in the First Round of the Open Cup

If seeing the underdogs prevail is your thing, then you went to sleep disappointed last night.

Of the fourteen matches first round US Open Cup matches last night, only one was won by a team from the lower division, and even that wasn’t much of an upset.

The evening began with the lone “upset” of the day, as the NPSL’s Sonoma County Sol, perhaps the hottest team of the 32 set to play in the First Round, defeated the PDL’s Orange County Blue Star 5-2. Shawn Percell scored twice and Trevor Hurst, Eric Lafon, Eric Larson added the others for the Sol. The Sol are 12-0-1 in all matches played in 2009.

The most dramatic game of the night was in Rochester, as the Rhinos needed a stoppage time equalizer and penalties to overcome the USL-2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Trailing 1-0 for much of the game, the Rhinos forced extra time when Tai Atieno knocked in a corner kick in second half stoppage time. Atieno then missed a potential game winning penalty kick with two minutes left in overtime, but Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow came up with two saves in the penalty shootout to see his club through to the Second Round.

Two matches were postponed and were moved to the following day. Ocean City and Crystal Palace Baltimore was put off early in the day when heavy overnight rains left the Barons’ home field, Cary Stadium, flooded. The Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks and Real Maryland Monarchs were forced to set their game back a day when heavy thunderstorms rolled through the Rockville, Md. area.

The next day, the Ocean City Barons became the first PDL team to beat a USL professional squad in the 2009 tournament, winning a 3-0 decision over Crystal Palace Baltimore of the USL Second Division.

Byron Carmichael opened the scoring in the 7th minute, with an assist from Neal Melchionni. Carmichael struck again in the 33rd minute with an unassisted goal to gibe the Barons a 2-0 halftime lead.

With 12 minutes remaining, JT Noone left no doubt as to who the winners were with a Ryan Richter-assisted goal. The game had been postponed on Tuesday due to a flooded field from heavy overnight storms.

In Rockville, Maryland, the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks were done in by Mother Nature on Wednesday night, as their opening round game versus the Real Maryland Monarchs was halted in the 74th minute after an hour and a half lightning delay, giving the USL-2 club a 1-0 win. The only goa,l of the match game from Ryan Cordeiro in the 14th minute, with an assist from Gary Brooks. Soon after, the Hawks were reduced to 10 men when Michael Goldman was shown a red card.

Hawks manager Jonathan Knight was understandably upset that the game was called. We have been told there was a 10 pm deadline, which is when the stadium lights had to be shut off (presumably by a city ordinance), and the game was official called at 10:18 pm. The game had to be rescheduled for tonight due to severe thunderstorms on Tuesday night.

This is the second year in a row weather has played a part in Real Maryland’s First Round Open Cup game. Last year their gasme against NY Pancyprian Freedoms was moves back three days after severe storms prevented play on the original date. Maryland won the rescheduled game 3-2 in extra time.

Ocean City will host Real Maryland next Tuesday in the Second Round.

2009 First Round: El Paso Patriots continue opening round success, beat Sahuaros 2-1

June 9, 2009 by

Patriot Stadium – El Paso, Texas | 10 p.m.

Match Reports:

	2	FT	1
Rodrigo Morin 27’ Gerardo Moreira (A. Barrera) 59’				67’ Skelly Keller

The El Paso Patriots secured a Second Round spot in the US Open Cup tournament after clinching a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Sahuaros Tuesday night at Patriot Stadium.

Midfielder Rodrigo Morin opened the scoring in the 27th minute to give the Patriots a lead they would not relinquish, while Gerardo Moreira added another in the 59th minute after sending an Antonio Berrera pass into the back of the net.

Arizona cut the lead in half in the 67th minute when second half sub Skelley Keller scored for the Sahuaros, giving the road club a chance to come back with just over twenty minutes remaining. But the equalizer proved to be elusive, as goalkeeper Jorge Muniz walled up the Patriots net for the remainder of the match.

With the victory, the Patriots earned their third straight First Round victory (2005, 2007) and a ticket to a Tuesday night Texas showdown next week, where they will travel east to play the Austin Aztex of the USL First Division at 8:30 PM ET.

Lineups

El Paso – Jorge Muniz, Adrian Moreno (Mario Alvarez 54’), Esteban Palacios, Jair Olivarez, Diego Ruiz, Omar Tena (Mario Garcia 69’), Enrique Cervantes, Rodrigo Morin, Antonio Barrera, Edgar Mendoza, Gerardo Moreira (Jonathan Camardia 76’)

Arizona – Bradley Swenby, Carlos Gomez (Imad Id-Deen 63’), Jake Slemker, Stephen Hollinger, Nick Sykes, Davey Lopez, Mitchell Garcia, Zachary Thomas, Vlastimir Davidovic, Phillipe Garre (Vu Minh 69’), Dominic Papa (Skelly Keller 48’)

Cautions

El Paso – Tena 5’, Cervantes 52’, Palacios 78’

Arizona – Lopez 90’

Shots – ELP 15, AS 12

Saves – ELP 9, AS 8

Fouls – ELP 5, AS 3

Corners – ELP 10, AS 10

Offsides – ELP 3, AS 1

Att – 1,042

Referee – Carlos Salas

Assistants – Andrew Gage, Martina Rivas