Aromas Cafe FC

2019 US Open Cup qualifying: Houapeu’s brace pushes World Class past Izee Auto

September 25, 2018 by Sean Maslin

Players from World Class Premier (orange) and Izee Auto FC battle for the ball in a 2019 US Open Cup qualifying match. Photo: Sean Maslin

After helping Christos FC make a name for themselves in the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Levi Houapeu has moved on to another Maryland club and has them on a path to qualify for the 2019 tournament.

The 29-year-old striker scored twice for World Class Premier Elite FC in their 4-2 win over Izee Auto FC in the opening round of the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

Despite weeks of unending rain and balmy conditions. Saturday’s match at Blandair Regional Park was actually played under ideal fall-like conditions. With a favorable pitch that allowed both sides to put a heavy emphasis on quick passes and using the counter-attack.

Izee struck first with Rashid Deen putting his side ahead on a counter attack in the 11th minute.

Despite going down a goal early, World Class weren’t deterred. Led by captain Idrissa Sesay, the World Class offense began probing the Izee defense, looking for space to exploit. They found it in the 27th minute when a combination pass from Sesay to Houapeu found the target man with a clear goal-scoring chance. He wouldn’t miss knocking his chance into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Just five minutes later, Sesay snagged a goal of his own. With the Izee defense focusing on Houapeu, he found space down the left flank and hit a low effort towards the far post, making it 2-0 just before halftime.

Early in the second half, Izee showed a sense of urgency, pushing the World Class defense on their heels. In the 47th minute, Izee midfielder Christian Caulker broke past their defense and hit a shot that appeared destined for the back of the net. However, it lifted slightly late and went off the bar. Defender Oumar Ballo, formerly of the USL’s Swope Park Rangers, was there to make the stop and clear the chance away.

Izee were equally unlucky in the 70th minute, with Michael Rouhana receving a pass down the right side with just the keeper to beat. Much like with Caulker earlier in the half his chance looked equally promising, but in the end the fall night lifted his chance just a little high.

After surviving two near equalizers, World Class worked to put the match away late. Daniel Ankrah (72′) and Houapeu (78′) added insurance goals in the final 20 minutes to seal the result for the Maryland Major Soccer League side. While Izee did cut their deficit to two with Abuka Kareem’s goal in the 86th minute, it wasn’t enough to see their side through.

Houapeu’s two goals on Saturday are just the latest chapter in his US Open Cup resume. He made his debut in 2010 with Reading United AC. That year, they took the USL’s Real Maryland Monarchs to extra time before falling short. By 2014, the former University of Maryland Baltimore County standout had signed with the Rochester Rhinos of the USL, in addition to spending time playing indoor soccer where he won a league championship with the Baltimore Blast. With the Rhinos, he scored a goal in the 2014 US Open Cup as Rochester advanced to the Round of 16 where they lost 2-1 to the New England Revolution of MLS. Last year, he played every minute of every game and scored the game-winning goal against Chicago FC United (PDL) which sent Christos FC into the Fourth Round to face D.C. United (MLS), which put the team on the map.

Houapeu and the rest of World Class Premier will take part in the second round of the qualifying tournament where they will travel to Charlottsville, Va. to take on the Cville Alliance FC Reserves on Oct. 20.

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1: Charlottesville Alliance, formerly Aromas Cafe, starts with a win

September 25, 2018 by Ben Montes-Bradley

MORE: 2019 US Open Cup qualifying results/schedule

In a battle of two teams from the Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville (Va.) Area, the Cville Alliance Reserves came away with a 3-1 win over Tigres FC in the opening round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament. With light rainfall and a darkened sky, the Alliance, a club formerly known as Aromas Cafe FC that qualified for the 2016 US Open Cup, took over in the second half to punch their ticket to the second round.

To start the game, both teams played incredibly fast paced and aggressive, attempting to score early and take the advantage. The first half was filled with long balls behind defenses and aggressive runs up the sides by the attacking players. The defenders did not let up either, making sure to close out and chase their man, putting a lot of pressure on the man with the ball.

With a free kick at the 29-minute mark, Cville scored their first goal when midfielder Ivan Arapovic crossed in the ball where captain Price Thomas was able to head it into the back of the net.

The second half brought stronger rain, colder temperatures, and the same amount of intensity that highlighted the first half. Tigres had some great runs led by their two standout players, Erivaldo Da Silva and Tlotzin Chaveste Alatorre.

Unfortunately for Tigres, at the 60-minute mark, Cville scored their second goal as Alan Koger crossed in a corner and Evan Nesterak was able to jump over his defender and head it in to give the Alliance the two goal lead.

The match continued to be hard fought, Erivaldo Da Silva had some really great chances near the goal but none were able to find the back of the net. Yet even with the hard effort from Tigres and some very near misses, the Alliance put the game out of reach when Seyedehsan Monazamialipour crossed the ball just before going out of bounds, finding a wide open Luke Oostdyk on the right side for an easy header in the 87th minute.

Tigres unwilling to end the game in a shutout finally scored when Da Silva got to the ball as it was being knocked around on the Alliance’s defensive side and drilled a shot in to give Tigres their only goal.

The match was hard-fought on both sides as well incredible to watch, both teams flew up and down the pitch, both sides playing like a team instead of a group of individuals. In the end, it ends with a 3-1 victory for the Charlottesville Alliance.

2017 US Open Cup qualifying review: A New York-New Jersey thriller highlights opening weekend of Round 2

October 19, 2016 by Josh Hakala

FC Motown celebrates the game-winning goal scored in second half of stoppage time in the club's 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: James O'Rourke | FC Motown — FC Motown celebrates the game-winning goal scored in second half of stoppage time in the club’s 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: James O’Rourke | FC Motown

The second round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament kicked off with four games. Three teams that qualified for last year’s US Open Cup (West Chester United, Aromas Cafe FC, Lansdowne Bhoys FC) were eliminated by teams who are seeking their first-ever tournament berth (Christos FC, Tartan Devils Oak Avalon, FC Motown). The fourth game featured recent tournament regular GPS Omens who knocked off Newtown Pride FC (CT) as they aiming to qualify for the third time in four years.

The biggest game of the weekend was between New Jersey’s FC Motown and New York’s Lansdowne Bhoys. The Bhoys tied the game up in second half stoppage time but FC Motown answered that with the game-winner in the final minute.

There are still 14 more games to be played in Round 2, but they will take place the following weekend (Oct. 22-23). Check out the full schedule, and past results, here.

Below is a brief recap of each game:

Christos FC kept the Maryland flag flying in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a narrow 1-0 win over one of last year’s darlings, West Chester United. In the end, it was a trio of former University of Maryland Baltimore County players who eliminated the Philadelphia-area club. Pete Caringi III headed home a pass from Geaton Caltabiano in the 87th minute to break the scoreless tie and Phil Saunders earned a clean sheet in goal. Christos FC won last year’s USASA Amateur Cup and has won three Over-30 national championships in club history. They have been a regular entry in US Open Cup qualifying, but have yet to punch their ticket to the big dance. Now they are moving on to the third round.

Keith Caldwell assisted on two of GPS Omens’ three goals as the Massachusetts-based club cruised into the third round of the tournament with a 3-1 win over Newtown Pride FC. With the win, GPS takes another step toward qualifying for the US Open Cup for the third time in four years. FULL MATCH REPORT »

Last year, the Tartan Devils Oak Avalon traveled to Charlottesville, Va. and lost 3-1 to Aromas Cafe FC. It was the second year in a row that they had lost their opening round qualifier by the score of 3-1 (They lost to the Aegean Hawks the year before). This year’s rematch took place in Pittsburgh and it was the Devils who advanced 3-1. It was the first qualifying win in club history and they did it on the strength of two goals by former Pittsburgh Riverhounds player Travis MacKenzie. FULL MATCH REPORT »

FC Motown celebrates their 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: James O'Rourke | FC Motown. — FC Motown celebrates their 3-2 win over Lansdowne Bhoys in the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: James O’Rourke | FC Motown.

New York vs. New Jersey is always a heated rivalry, especially in the sports world. This made Sunday’s battle between FC Motown (Morristown, NJ) and Lansdowne Bhoys FC (New York City) even more intriguing because it featured two of the best amateur clubs from those respective states. The game lived up to the hype with FC Motown, who are making their US Open Cup qualifying debut, eliminating the Bhoys 3-2 on a game-winning goal scored in the final minute.

FC Motown got off to a hot start with a pair of goals in the opening 30 minutes by Dritan Sela and Max Garcia. The Bhoys pulled one back in the 36th minute and could have equalized five minutes later. They earned a penalty kick, but FC Motown’s Andrew Tartara made a full-extension save to help Motown take a one-goal lead into the halftime break.

After a more physical second half, Lansdowne Bhoys earned another penalty kick in stoppage time. This time they converted and most in attendance thought the goal would send the game into extra time. Everyone except Motown FC. They pushed forward and earned a free kick just outside the Bhoys’ penalty area. There, Martin Lukaschik delivered a cross into the box where it was headed into the back of the net by Andres Berriel to give the home team the dramatic 3-2 win.

MORE: Interview with FC Motown head coach Sacir Hot after the win (from OnceAMetro.com)

2017 US Open Cup qualifying: Tartan Devils avenge loss to Aromas Cafe to earn first win

October 18, 2016 by John Krysinsky

Tartan Devils Oak Avalon (TDOA) overpowered Aromas Cafe FC 3-1, on the strength of two Travis MacKenzie goals to win its first-ever US Open Cup qualifying contest. With the win, the Devils are one step closer to becoming the first open division amateur club from Western Pennsylvania to qualify since 1992.

The victory was a reversal of last year’s result with Aromas Cafe winning 3-1 in front of their home fans in Charlottesville, Va. This time, it was the Devils with the home field advantage at Rooney Field at Dusquesne University, and they took advantage on Sunday afternoon.

“It was a great win for our club and for soccer in the Pittsburgh area,” said Tartan Devils player/coach Andy Karas. “This was a good team we beat today. They beat us last year, and had a nice run in Open Cup, so it was great to come back and beat them this year.”

After both teams exchanged chances and runs into the box in the early going, it was a former Duquesne Dukes and Pittsburgh Riverhounds standout, MacKenzie, who scored the game’s first tally in the 25th minute.

MacKenzie played a pass to Erin McCormick, who quickly turned and chipped a ball in the air back toward the box. MacKenzie beat his mark to get to the ball and buried a low shot past Aromas Cafe FC keeper Michael-Martin Hohoff for the 1-0 lead.

Aromas Cafe had two excellent chances in the 34th and 40th minutes, but each time, TDOA keeper Vargas made quick reaction saves on Luke Oosdyk and Jacob Van Yahres shots to preserve the lead.

“In the first half, it could have gone either way,” said Karas. “As the game went on, we started to play our game, and things opened up.”

Sure enough, after halftime, as TDOA strengthened its defensive shape, they started to find a lot of open space on counter attacking opportunities.

In the 60th minute, Gregory Annan delivered a high ball from the left side to MacKenzie beyond the far past. MacKenzie’s shot was stopped by Hohoff, but Tyler Solis put the rebound through to give the Devils a two-goal edge.

Annan initiated the next goal in the 75th minute by making a nice play to make a solid tackle and steal the ball away. He then found Ryan Slaby streaking along the left side with plenty of space. Slaby drew two Aromas Cafe defenders and played a through ball to an unmarked MacKenzie on the right side, who delivered the final blow for his second goal of the game.

Aromas Cafe added a late goal on a Neil Harrison redirected header from a corner kick in the 90th minute to prevent the TDOA shutout.

The Tartan Devils Oak Avalon will find out its next opponent in the next qualifying round after this weekend’s action. The next round dates and locations are yet to be finalized but are tentatively scheduled for Nov. 19-20.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Richmond Kickers strike early, cruise past Aromas Cafe FC, 4-0

May 20, 2016 by Craig Tower

The Richmond Kickers celebrate a goal against Aromas Cafe in the Second Round of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: James Loving | Richmond Kickers — The Richmond Kickers celebrate a goal against Aromas Cafe in the Second Round of the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: James Loving

Aromas Café went to Richmond hoping to come out giant killers, but their hopes were squashed almost immediately and never revived.

After a goal in the first minute, the Richmond Kickers never looked back as they cruised to a 4-0 win in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 1995 US Open Cup champions, playing in their 10th straight Open Cup game at home, emerge with a seven-game winning streak in opening round games.

The Kickers took an early lead when they were awarded a free kick at the top of the Aromas box in the first minute. Sunny Jane steered his powerfully dipping shot over the wall and into the near corner at hip level for the one goal lead.

Richmond continued to press, winning a series of corners and free kicks in the Aromas end. In the 25th minute, after winning one of those free kicks at a distance of forty yards, the Kickers directed the ball onto the head of Yomby William who found himself unmarked on the left side of the goal box. Directing his shot down and into the near corner, a good strategy in most instances, he managed to drive it into the keeper’s calf. The ball dribbled into the path of a charging Hugh Roberts who slotted it home for the 2-0 lead, which held until the half.

Richmond came out almost as strong in the second half as the first, but had to wait until the 48th minute of the new term to find the net on an Anthony Grant strike of a feed from Travis Pittman. Grant forced a diving save off Aromas keeper Hohoff in the 57th off a volley, and Jackson Eskay pinged a shot off the crossbar in the 4th.

“I’m elated with that goal and as coach said earlier we need some goals in this game,” said Grant about his first tally for the Kickers. “I’m really elated with my performance, with my goal, and most of all with the team performance.”

The Kickers put the game to bed in the 83rd minute when Romulo Peretta deflected a cross for Luiz Fernando to clean up for the four-goal victory while preserving the clean sheet.

The Kickers move on to meet the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL in the Third Round.

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: Aromas Cafe’s OT winner helps amateur side win cup debut

May 12, 2016 by Craig Tower

Jake Van Yahres delivered the game-winning goal as the Charlottesville, Virginia-based United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA) side Aromas Café FC took down the National Premier Soccer League’s (NPSL) Richmond Strikers by a final score of 2-1.

The win sends the amateur side into a matchup with a professional team, the Richmond Kickers in Round 2 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Aromas Café FC overcame some pretty tough odds just to qualify for the first round of the tournament. In their first open division qualifying match back in the fall, they broke up a DC-metro area dynasty by defeating the Aegean Hawks, who had represented the nation’s capital in regional qualifying for nine of the previous 10 years. Then in the second round of qualifying they beat a Tartan Devils side that was undefeated in three seasons of Greater Pittsburgh soccer league play. Now they’re headed to the second round of the tournament itself after Douglas Clare’s brace lifted his side to a dramatic victory.

The game got off to a somewhat slow start and was scoreless at the half. Then right out of the gate in the 47th minute, Douglas Clare scored the first of his two goals on the evening. Richmond would go on to equalize through a penalty kick from assistant coach/striker Will Bates. If the name sounds familiar, Will Bates came up through the Strikers’ youth system and went on to star at the University of Virginia before being selected by the Seattle Sounders in the 2013 Supplemental Draft. He earned a roster spot with Seattle, but was let go soon after that and bounced around the lower divisions for a couple seasons before ending up back home in Virginia.

But Aromas would not be denied their fairy tale victory as Van Yahres blasted home the game-winner before the first period of extra time ended and his team held on in the second to advance in the team’s first-ever cup run.

As fate would have it, they’ll come right back to the Virginia capital on Wednesday, May 18 to face another Richmond side: the United Soccer League’s Richmond Kickers.

2016 Meet the Underdogs: Aromas Cafe FC embrace their “5000-to-1” odds in US Open Cup debut

May 10, 2016 by Sean Maslin

A debutant in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Aromas Café FC is breaking ground not just in the Charlottesville area but also in the D.C. Metro area. The club’s victory against the Aegean Hawks was a watershed moment for the D.C.-Metro area as the Hawks have represented the state association at the region qualifying tournament nine of the last 10 years. That Aromas had also defeated a Tartan Devils side who have gone undefeated in the Greater Pittsburgh soccer league for three seasons should speak to the level of play of the Charlottesville team.

“Those were two great opponents who have a lot of great soccer and playing against them have definitely helped us prepare for this tournament,” said Aromas Café FC player-coach David Deaton.

Café FC is by no means a new team. Prior to securing a sponsorship deal with Aromas Café, a local French bistro from the Charlottesville area, the team played under various names in the region for close to a decade. It is a team made up of former Division 1 soccer players, and players from countries as diverse as Croatia, Morocco, and Mexico.

One name that might be familiar to soccer supporters from the D.C. –Metro area would be Jake Van Yahres. Van Yahres, who scored two of the club’s three goals against the Hawks, played for both American University and Virginia Commonwealth University. He was also named second team All-District in 2005 and Second Team All Region in 2004 for Charlottesville High School.

Despite their different backgrounds and experience levels Deaton believes what makes this team special is their bond.

“We may have 5000-1 odds of winning but in the history of this tournament smaller sides have succeeded when they are highly organized, they have good management, and play with purpose,” said Deaton.

Deaton believes his club’s background and experience will also come into play against their next opponents, the Richmond Strikers (who were known as Chesterfield United until a club merger shortly before the tournament).

“We feel very good ,” said Deaton. “They have a lot of players who are currently playing Division 1 soccer. But many of our players have also played Division 1 and we have tested ourselves in recent friendlies. We have also had players who have had the opportunity to go pro. There is no doubt that they are a talented squad; but we believe with our bond and our passion that we have a chance to win.”

Watch a local news story on Aromas Cafe FC below

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Aromas Cafe takes out Aegean Hawks 3-1 to reach final round (video)

November 15, 2015 by Josh Hakala

MORE: Five teams advance to final round of qualifying in first weekend

Over the last 20 years, there has only been two USASA clubs from the state of Virginia (Mo’s Sport Shop in 1996 and Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in 2007, 2009) to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. On Sunday, Aromas Cafe FC of Charlottesville, Va. put themselves one step closer to joining that club with a 3-1 win over the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks.

Jake Van Yahres scored a pair of goals to lead the way at Charlottesville High School, the same place that he played his high school ball.

Aromas Cafe, making their first attempt at qualifying for the Open Cup, will advance to the final round of the qualifying tournament which is scheduled to take place in April of 2016. Their opponent won’t be announced by the US Soccer Federation until after Jan. 1.

Aromas opened the scoring around the 40th minute when Ty Clare received the ball outside the 18-yard box with his back to the goal. He turned and chipped a pass behind the defense to an onrushing Van Yahres who fired a low shot that the goalkeeper got a piece of, but was unable to keep it out.

About 10 minutes into the second half, they doubled the lead with Ivan Arapovic playing a long searching ball forward for Van Yahres to run onto. Van Yahres, who played his college ball at Virginia Commonwealth, muscled his way past two defenders and was able to chip the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Aromas finished off the scoring through Van Yahres who combined with Price Thomas for the third goal. Thomas made a long dribbling run out of the midfield to the edge of the 18 and laid it off to Van Yahres, who rifled a shot on goal that was saved by the Hawks netminder. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, he was unable to control the rebound and Luke Oostdyk, who was trailing the play pounced on the loose ball to put the game away.

“You only get one career in soccer, and a lot of times you’re not able to play at a high level with friends that you’ve been with for a while,” Van Yahres told NBC29 after the match. “I’m 27, and this is something I probably won’t get to do again, so it’s a one-time thing. Two goals, I get the attention, but everyone is doing something that deserves it as well.”

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.