Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Danbury United

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2014 USASA Region I Amateur Cup

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

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

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

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Home clubs sweep quarterfinals of USASA Region I tournament (Video)

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New York Pancyprian Freedoms vs. Danbury United
The New York Pancyprian Freedoms (blue) defeated Connecticut's Danbury United 4-0 at St. John's University. Photo: Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

Home field proved to be a deciding factor on the day as each of the four hosts were victorious in the Quarterfinals of USASA Region I qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Sunday afternoon. Moving onto the Semifinals were Go Soccer FC (NJ), Mass Premier Soccer (MA), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) and Phoenix SC (East PA).

Dan Rudolph and Julio Cesar DoSantos were stars on the day, scoring twice each to lead their clubs to victories that will now bring them head-to-head. Rudolph’s brace gave MPS a 4-1 win over East Providence Sports (RI) while DoSantos’ double added another chapter to his fantastic career while guiding the Freedoms to a 4-0 shutout against Danbury United (CT). Phoenix Sports Club needed overtime to edge the Maryland Bays 3-2 and Go Soccer rallied with two second half goals to down Club Atletico Virginia in a 2-1 decision (Video highlights below).

With the win, Mass Premier will face the N.Y. Pancyprian Freedoms on May 22 in Lancaster for the Region I USASA semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament. In the another “Win & You’re In” match, Go Soccer FC will play host to Phoenix SC.

Mass Premier Soccer downs East Providence Sports 4-1
Report by Brian O’Connell | New England Soccer Today

LANCASTER, Mass. – Dan Rudolph’s two strikes against East Providence Sports helped advance Mass Premier Soccer to the USASA Region I Semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory at Citizens Bank Fields at Prongin Park Sunday afternoon.

Rudolph, who gave MPS the first goal of the game in the 32nd minute, added another in first half stoppage time while Andrew Hench and Derek Stenquist each picked up a goal in the 35th minute and second half stoppage time, respectively. A 44th minute strike from Armando Gomes gave East Providence its only measure of success on the afternoon.

Despite the scoreline, it was East Providence that appeared ready and able to find the board first. In the opening minutes, the guests had made a number of runs into their host’s half and earned a trio of corner kicks before the 10th minute. But, it was all for naught as each chance went begging.

By the half hour mark, MPS began to probe the East Providence end, testing keeper James Underhill with a couple of dangerous shots. Underhill withstood the attacks until the 32nd minute, when Rudolph nodded a cross through for the opening goal.

Minutes after Rudolph’s header, MPS stormed into the attacking third, where Hench helped himself to the second goal of the game inside the area at the 35th minute.

East Providence, who’s attacking spirit had left them empty-handed going into halftime, were stunned. Down two goals with the interval approaching, Gomes took possession in the middle of the park, beat a pair of defenders, and with only the goalkeeper ahead, slid it through to cut the lead in half at the 44th minute.

Any hopes of heading into the break down a single goal evaporated moments later when Rudolph emerged from a scramble in front of the East Providence net to bury his second goal of the game in stoppage time.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions
Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions

Entering the second frame staring at a 3-1 deficit, East Providence went from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation, hoping to find better success in the attacking third.

But, after coming up empty-handed following a series of chances, frustration began to mount. At the 57th minute, a hard challenge near the center circle fueled a midfield scuffle. East Providence’s Rui Fortes and MPS’s Tony Tornaritis were each given straight red cards for their roles, leaving each team with 10 men.

In the 76th minute, East Providence nearly cut the deficit again when Kyle Texeira sent a spectacular free kick that screamed over the paw of keeper Nick Christman before it continued over the bar.

Sending numbers forward in the remaining minutes, East Providence desperately sought any chances they could find. But, as a result, their defense was painfully exposed when MPS counter-attacked in stoppage time as Stenquist broke free and coolly finished it to find goal number four.

Freedoms blank Danbury United 4-0 in New York
Report by Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

QUEENS, NY — The New York Pancyprian Freedoms moved onto the next round of the US Open Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win over Danbury United today in Queens, New York fueled by a man advantage and a pair of goals from longtime club star Julio Cesar DoSantos.

The Pancyprian Freedoms, three-time winners of the tournament, are one win away from returning to the US Open Cup for the second year in a row. Photo: Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

The first half saw some chances, including a Freedoms header just wide of goal in the 32nd minute, but the game really did not pick up in action until the 35th minute when Danbury United’s Michael Mingione was sent off for a challenge on a New York defender.

The ejection opened the door for the Freedoms to take over the game, and they did.

In the 40th minute, former two-time USL Second Division (pro third division) Most Valuable Player and Scoring Champion DoSantos opened up the scoring with a header to put the Freedoms up 1-0, which they would take into the intermission.

New York came out of the dressing room looking to put Danbury away and nearly did 10 minutes in only to see the shot fly off the post.

Despite the best efforts of Danbury to get the equalizer, the flood gates opened in the 65th as the Freedoms were awarded a penalty. Stefan Dimitrov stepped to the spot and converted.

Ahead 2-0, New York did not let up on its opposition as just two minutes later John Koutsounadis put in the third goal.

Another New York attempt was volleyed off the post in the 75th minute before the easy victory was capped off in the 84th minute as man of the match DoSantos netted his second.

The Freedoms advance to the next round to play at Mass Premier on May 22 in a “Win & You’re In” match. New York, who has won the tournament three times (1980, 1982, 1983), is looking to return to the competition for the second year in a row and the fifth time in the Professional Era (1995-present).

Go Soccer FC rallies to top Club Atletico Virginia 2-1

Go Soccer FCBRIDGEWATER, NY – The only home club to trail on the day in Region I Quarterfinal action, Go Soccer FC tallied twice in the second half to beat the Metro DC/VA champion Club Atletico Virginia 2-1 to secure a spot in the Semifinals.

After a cautious opening few minutes, Go Soccer created the first chance with a long ball over the defense from Bryan Oelkers to Dom Paolella forcing a point blank kick save from the CAV keeper and again 10 minutes later after making a first save the CAV keeper denied Paolella again on the rebounded effort with a low diving save. Shortly after, the keeper came up big again when Brian Davis’ header off a corner kick was saved.

The hosts found themselves behind 14 minutes into the contest when a shot from John Carson from 45 yards out surprised and floated over goalkeeper Joe Roth’s reach to give Club Atletico Virginia the initial advantage.

The visitors looked to take advantage of the surprise, forcing Roth to make a diving save just another five minutes later.

The hosts engaged in their first series of pressure on the Virginian side with five minutes remaining in the half. A Go Soccer free kick from the top of the box that was initially cleared out was sent over the goal on a follow-up shot in the 40th minute and two minutes later a corner kick led to a shot that Fabio Andrade pushed over the crossbar.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 1st half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

It took very little time for the hosts to continue the offensive in the second half. Seeking an equalizer Chase Barbieri sent a shot wide left two minutes into the second stanza and in the 51st minute got his foot on a corner that was saved at the near post.

Around the 60th minute, Bryan Oelkers won a tackle on the left sideline and passed it off to Barbieri who drilled a low shot from about 25 yards to the far post, just under the keeper’s reach to level the score at 1-1 (2:53 of the video highlights)

The pace of the game changed after that goal and the Reds created several opportunities, but could not finish them off. A cross from Matt Heitmann was almost headed home by Paolella from the penalty spot, but the CAV keeper came off his line to get a hand to it, and gobbled up the loose ball right after.

CAV had a golden opportunity on back-to-back free kicks from just outside the box, but Roth came up big once again to keep the score tied.

Finally, the game-winner would come in the 87th minute (5:15 mark of the video highlights) when a Go Soccer free kick was headed out by a CAV defender. The ball wasn’t cleared out far enough as Dennis Maldonado took the ball out of the air on the right side of the box and volleyed a shot that went off the far post. After the ball smacked off the post, Heitman tracked it down and found enough space on the near side to fire a shot that beat the keeper to the near post to send the New Jersey champions to the Semifinals.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 2nd half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

Phoenix SC holds off Maryland Bays in overtime to earn first-ever Open Cup regional win
(Still awaiting details from Maryland Bays)

FEASTERVILLE, PA – The visiting Maryland Bays made a valiant comeback from a two-goal halftime deficit to force extra time in Pennsylvania only to see the home side Phoenix Sports Club come away the victors, 3-2.

The Eastern Pennsylvania champions got off on the right foot with a goal in the 15th minute. Phoenix was pressuring Maryland’s end of the field when the ball was played into the penalty area. It came back out to the top of the 18 where Scott Rowling was waiting for it. Rowling fired a low-driving shot into the back of the net to strike first blood.

Later in the half, it was a case of teamwork and persistence as Danny Murtagh was sent in behind the defense after a nice 1-2 sequence in midfield. Murtagh found himself one on one with the Maryland keeper and took the shot. The goalkeeper stood tall, stopping the shot, but the ball deflected right back to Murtagh, went off his knee and past the goalkeeper for the second goal.

In the second half, the Bays leveled the match. After a cross came in on the left side, Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Pratico came off his line and attempted to swat the ball out of danger. However, the ball found it’s way through to the right wing where Bryan Moffa was making a well-timed run, and he put it into the back of the net.

Later in the half, Phoenix took a throw-in deep in their own territory. The throw was stolen by Maryland’s Chris Ports who dribbled through two defenders into the left side of the penalty area and beat the keeper with an impressive shot with his left foot into the far upper right hand corner.

Both teams created chances down the stretch, but the match would have to be decided in extra time. In the seventh minute of the extra session, Phoenix made a run down the right side and crossed the ball in but it deflected off a Maryland defender’s hand and earning a penalty kick for the hosts. Team captain Bobby Francis stepped up and buried the PK to put Phoenix up 3-2.

Maryland did everything they could to equalize and nearly did in the final minutes. With everyone back defending, the Bays forced Pratico to make an acrobatic save. He was unable to control the rebound and the ball deflected off a Maryland player, and rolled just wide of the post.

The win marks the first US Open Cup qualifying win for Phoenix SC at the regional level. Last year, they won their first-ever Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup title, but lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the opening round. This year, they defended their Eastern PA title, beat CAV, and are now one win away from their first trip to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. To accomplish that they will have to play at Go Soccer FC (NJ) on May 22.

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Maryland Bays (MD) 2:3 (AET) Phoenix SC (East PA)
Phoenix Sports Club (Feasterville, Pa.) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
PHO: Scott Rowling (Unassisted) – 15th minute
PHO: Danny Murtagh (Unassisted) – 40th minute
MAR: Bryan Moffa – 65th minute
MAR: Chris Ports – 75th minute
PHO: Bobby Francis (PK) – 97th minute

Lineups
Maryland Bays: Ryan Hock (GK), Nino Mangione (Evan Scheffey), Matt Shell, Matt Beckman, Josh Taylor, BJ Quigley (Lucas Emil), Tim Lane, Chris Ports (Matt Beale), Bryan Moffa, Marco Mangione, Jon Ports

Phoenix SC: Tony Pratico (GK), Pat Dillon, Jack Pocorobba, Ryan Kelly, Danny Murtagh, Nick Pittaoulis, Frebole Kamara, Scott Rowling, Bobby Francis, Greg Mangels, Ben Castor | Subs: Ryan Soroka, Tom McNeil, Virginijus Anusauskas


East Providence Sports (RI) 1:4 Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Citizen Bank Fields at Progin Park – Field #6 (Lancaster, Mass.) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 32nd minute
MPS: Andrew Hench – 35th minute
EPS: Armando Gomes – 44th minute
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 45th minute+
MPS: Derek Stenquist – 90th minute+

Lineups unavailable

Danbury United (CT) 0:4 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s University) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 40
NY: Stefan Dimitrov pen. 65
NY: John Koutsounadis 67
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 84

Discipline
DAN: Michael Mingione (red) 35

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 1:2 Go Soccer FC (NJ)
Torpey Athletic Complex (Bridgewater, NJ) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
CAV: John Carson (Javier Castro) – 14th minute
GOS: Chase Barbieri – 60th minute
GOS: Matthew Heitmann – 89th minute

Lineups
CA Virginia: Fabio Andrade, Nikolay Aleksandrov, Javier Castro, Jordan Cullinane, Matt Davis, Dave Leon, Bryant Meckley, Matt Miller, Ryan Rich, Andrew Stadler, Kevin Tangney

Go Soccer FC: Dan Roth, Matt Heitmann, Chad Barbieri, Bryan Davis, Edgardo Alfaro, Bryan Oelkers, Dennis Maldonado, Justin Kamine, Steve Mellen, Chase Barbieri, Dominic Paolella


Semifinals (May 22)*
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) at Go Soccer FC (NJ)

* Winners of each game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Open Cup qualifying: Only New York, Philly remain after USASA Region I quarterfinals

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After a weekend of quarterfinal action, the USASA’s Region I, which covers the northeastern part of the country, has reached it’s final four. With victories on Sunday, May 1, three New York-based clubs and a Philadelphia team have put themselves one win away from qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Brooklyn Italians defeated Go Soccer FC 1-0 and will face newcomers Fenerbahce USA in the semifinals. Fenerbahce survived a wild match with Danbury United and advance on penalty kicks. Meanwhile, the United German Hungarians defeated Charm City FC 3-1 to set up a match with the historic club, New York Pancyprian Freedoms. The Freedoms needed extra time to eliminate D.C.’s Aegean Hawks, 2-1. The semifinal matches are scheduled to be played on Sunday, May 23, with the winners qualifying for the US Open Cup. Fenerbahce USA is the only club of the four who has never qualified for the tournament, with the other three having either won the tournament (Brooklyn: 1991; New York: 1980, 1982, 1983), or finished as a runner-up (UGH: 1977, 1993; Brooklyn: 1979, 1981, 1990).

RECAPS:

GO SOCCER FC (NJ) 0:1 BROOKLYN ITALIANS (NPSL – NY)
John Dewey High School – Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Italians moved one step closer to qualifying for the US Open Cup with a 1-0 win over New Jersey’s Go Soccer FC. JP Ahoua headed home the lone goal off a free kick in the 55th minute. The free kick was cleared out, but Brooklyn sent it back in where Ahoua nodded it past the keeper.

After the game, Go Soccer’s player/coach Dominic Paolella was proud of the way his team played. “It was a good game, though really tight the entire time,” said Paolella. “Our keeper Faouzi Bendaoud played a hell of a game. He made at least a dozen saves. I thought we did a good job against a very good NPSL team.” He added, “We made it one round further than we did last year, so at least we improved. We’ll be back next year for sure.”

Brooklyn is the NPSL representative in the Region I tournament, having just joined the league this past off-season, after decades in New York’s historic Cosmopolitan League. Brooklyn will travel to play at Fenerbahce USA on May 23 in the next round, however the site and time of the match are yet to be determined.

Go Soccer FC lineup:
GK: Faouzi Bandaoud
RB – Paul Racz
CB – Paul Breen (injured and subbed out 6th min)
CB – Dan Ryan
LB – Chris Tatro
RM – Steve Mellen
LM – Matt Connor
CM – Steve DeMatteo
CM – Dennis Maldonado
CM – Gary Gibbings
ST – Dominic Paolella (injured and subbed out in 60th min.)

sub – Matt Heitmann (6th min.)
sub – Matt Tatro (60th min.)

FENERBAHCE USA (EAST NY) 4:4 DANBURY UNITED (CT)
(Fenerbahce USA advances 4-3 on PKs)
Portuguese Cultural Center – Danbury, Conn.

Keith Detelj of Fenerbahce USA challenges for the ball against Danbury United. Photo: Gus Xikis

After a crazy back and forth match, it would take penalty kicks to separate Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York and Connecticut’s Danbury United. Fenerbahce, competing in US Open Cup qualifying for the first time, would emerge victorious in the tiebreaker after finishing extra time tied at 4-4.

Fenerbahce USA scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the match, but before the game got out of hand, Danbury answered with two goals of their own before halftime. The two clubs couldn’t break the deadlock in regulation, but in overtime, it was the first half all over again. Fenerbahce scored twice, and it looked like they were going to walk away with the match, but, once again, the Connecticut club retaliated with two goals to tie the game back up in the final minutes of extra time to send the match into a penalty kick shootout.

Jose Batista scored two of the goals for Fenerbahce, with Keith Detelj and Frank Alesci adding one each.

Fenerbahce USA will host fellow New York club, the Brooklyn Italians, in a battle of the old and the new. Brooklyn won the tournament in 1991 and finished runner-up three times, while this is brand new to Fenerbahce, who was founded in 2001.

Fenerbahce USA lineup: GK: EJ Xikis (45th – John Sanfilippo), James Davis, Laurent Manuel, Alejandro Montanez, Diego Martinez, Mohammad Mashriqi, Torres Garcia, Christopher Alesci (75th – Deleon Herbert), Frank Alesci, Jose Batista, Keith Detelj

DULLES SPORTSPLEX AEGEAN HAWKS (DC/VA) 1:2 (AET) NY PANCYPRIAN FREEDOMS (EAST NY)
Belson Stadium – Queens, NY (St. John’s University)

Robby Wright of the Aegean Hawks, pictured above in pre-game warm-ups, scored the lone goal for the Hawks. Photo: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms are through to the semifinals after being taken the distance by a shorthanded Aegean Hawks club from D.C. The Freedoms won the match 2-1 after extra time, but needed a late equalizer to survive into overtime against a team who had only brought 11 players up to New York.

The previous night, the Hawks had competed in the championship game of “La Super Copa” tournament, which was hosted by DC United of Major League Soccer. They won the game in a penalty kick shootout after a 3-3 draw but lost three key players to injury. Less than 24 hours later, the 11 players remaining drove up to Queens for Sunday’s quarterfinal match.

Predictably, the Hawks played a defensive game throughout, especially after striker Carlos Garcia suffered a hamstrong injury. Garcia played through the injury, but was largely ineffective throughout.

The Hawks held off the New York attack, but it was the visitors who scored the first goal. Watson Prather sent a penetrating ball into John Stephens who flicked a layoff to Robby Wright, who was making a secondary run. Wright dodged a defender at the top of the box, then hit a looping left-footed strike into the top left corner of the goal.

Just when it looked like the Hawks were going to pull off an improbable upset, New York’s Joel Gustafsson saved the Freedoms with a goal in the 86th minute. The match went into extra time and the Hawks would run out of gas. The Freedoms Stelios Andreou would find Julio Cesar DoSantos for the game-winning goal.

For a full report of this match by Dylan Butler of the New York Post, click HERE.

New York will host the United German Hungarians (East PA) in the next round on May 23.

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC lineup: Alex Fatovic (GK – Long Island University), Eddie Thurston (Brown), Devlin Barnes (UMass), Karsten Smith (American University), Alan Golden (William & Mary), Michael Goldman (George Washington University), Watson Vaughan-Prather (Univ. of Wisconsin), Robby Wright (Virginia), Erwin Diaz (U of Maryland), John Stephens (James Madison), Carlos Garcia (William & Mary)

CHARM CITY FC (MD) 1:3 UNITED GERMAN HUNGARIANS (EAST PA)
UGH Field – Oakford, PA

The United German Hungarians are now one step away from qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time in over a decade after a 3-1 win over Charm City FC. The representative from Maryland got an early goal in the fifth minute and held on to the lead until halftime, but the second half was taken over by the hosts. Jeremy Ortiz tied the game in the 51st minute and David Castellanos gave UGH the lead nine minutes later. Andrew Weyershaeuser would put the game away in the 83rd minute to put the 100-year old club into the semifinals to face the New York Pancyprian Freedoms.

Scoring Summary:
CHA: Unknown goalscorer – 5th
UGH: Jeremy Ortiz – 51st
UGH: David Castellanos – 60th
UGH: Andrew Weyershaeuser – 83rd

UGH lineup: Eric Talbot (GK), Jason Karasow (c), Ryan Tadley, Will Thornton, Jeremy Ortiz, Brian Blesi, Ben Marucci, Tony Rod, Ryan Moseley, Blair Carson, Dave Castellanos | Subs: Andrew Weyershaeuser, Brian Bowers, Jimmy Bradley, Kevin Sherry | Coach: Mike Curley

USASA Region I quarterfinals results
(All games are Sunday, May 2)

Fenerbahce USA (East NY) 4:4 Danbury United (CT) (Fenerbahce USA advance 4-3 on PKs)
Aegean Hawks FC 1:2 (AET) NY Pancyprian Freedoms
Charm City FC 1:3 United German Hungarians
Go Soccer FC 0:1 Brooklyn Italians
Go-Soccer FC vs. Emigrantes Das Ilhas *Emigrantes Das Ilhas disqualified*

USASA Region I semifinals schedule
(All games are Sunday, May 23 – All times Eastern)

Brooklyn Italians at Fenerbahce USA – Park Stadium (Franklin Square, NY) | 5 p.m.
United German Hungarians at NY Pancyprian Freedoms – Belson Stadium (St. John’s University) | 4 p.m.
*Semifinal winners will qualify for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: First round of Region I tournament in the books (Video)

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The USASA Region I tournament that got underway this weekend, is the beginning of what will eventually send two clubs to the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The opening round which kicked off this weekend will be followed by the quarterfinals on May 2 and the semifinals on May 23. The two teams that emerge victorious in the semifinals will both be awarded a spot in the US Open Cup, and if the format remains true to recent form, they will be matched up with either a second division or a third division side. Major League Soccer teams will not enter the competition until the third round.

Go Soccer FC from New Jersey pose for a team picture before their Region I match with Olympia Stamford of Connecticut on Saturday, April 10, 2010. Photo: Go Soccer FC

There will be a lot of familiar faces when the quarterfinal round of the USASA Region I tournament begins on May 2. Out of the six opening round matches, five of the winners have qualified for the US Open Cup before with Go Soccer FC from New Jersey representing as the lone newcomer.

Two games were not played due to forfeits. Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York got a bye because the NPSL’s Erie Admirals couldn’t field a full team due to player availabilities and injuries. Maryland’s Charm City FC, a former NPSL club, got a free pass when Athletic Club (Western PA) lost their main sponsor.

Here are the results from the weekend:

Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go Soccer FC (NJ) | Sat. April 10 at Torpey Athletic Complexl

Go Soccer FC from New Jersey defeated Olympia Stamford of Connecticut 1-0 on Saturday to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. Alex Russo scored the lone goal in the 35th minute as the Go Soccer defense held Olympia in check for most of the evening.  CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT.

Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) | Denison Nursery – Ft. Washington, MD

The Aegean Hawks, the runner-up from the Metro D.C. / Virginia tournament, dispatched Jilly’s Bar & Grill from Maryland, 3-0. Watson Prather converted a penalty kick for the Hawks in the 37th minute and it wasn’t until the 76th when Ricky Schramm added a second and John Stephens put the game away in the 82nd to make it 3-0. The Hawks move on to the quarters to face the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT FROM AEGEANHAWKS.com

Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT) | Portuguese Cultural Center – Danbury, CT

Danbury United avenged their 2007 Region I tournament loss with a 2-1 win over Boston Olympiakos. Back in 2007, the two teams squared off in the Region I semifinals, with a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line. Danbury scored midway through the first half on a penalty kick that was scored by Gerson Canhao. On the other side of halftime, Valdo Miguel tied the game up at 1-1 around the 65th minute. The game-winner would arrive near the 80th minute when veteran Toni Fernandes sent a blast into the back of the net from outside the box.

“It was two different styles of play,” said Danbury United manager Victor Sousa. “Olympiakos played a very direct and physical brand of soccer with long balls being sent directly from the defense, so their chances were limited in the first half. We played more short passes, bringing the ball up the field, creating chances to score. In my opinion, the result showed justice.”

With the win over Boston, Danbury snap a two-game losing streak to Massachusetts-based clubs in the Region I competition.  United will face Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York in the quarterfinals.

Danbury United lineup: Andres Sanchez, Robert Miller, Justin Dell, Walter Salinas, Daniel Tomas, John Meyer, Michael Mingione, Toni Fernandes, Lamar Chancey, Gerson Canhao, Mauro Dos Santos | Dennys Farias, Joseph Dos Santos, Arthur Hilario, Ryan Chmielewski, Mauro Costa, Kenneth Cook, Ajani Maillard

Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY) | John Dewey High School – Brooklyn, NY

Almir “Zoro” Barbosa scored a pair of first half goals to help put Emigrantes Das Ilhas on their way to a 3-2 win over the NPSL’s newest team, the Brooklyn Italians. Brooklyn, who has a rich history and is a two-time Open Cup champion (1979, 1991), mounted a comeback with a goal by Marco Ruiz in the second half but Jose Veiga of Emigrantes extended the lead back to two with a goal in the 70th. 18-year old Kevin Beaton scored a second for Brooklyn, but it was too late as Emigrantes win to move on to face Go Soccer FC in the next round.

Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) | Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Queens, NY

Julio Cesar Dos Santos carried the New York Pancyprian Freedoms past Phoenix SC 3-2. Phoenix scored twice in the first 30 minutes, then the Freedoms, specifically, Dos Santos (featured by the USL as one of the best players in USL players in the last decade) stormed back. Dos Santos scored two and also had an assist in leading his team to the next round, where they will play Aegean Hawks FC on May 2. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT FROM THE NY POST

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (1:4 PKs) United German Hungarians (East PA) | UGH Field (Oakford, PA)

One of the tighest matches of the opening round, the United German Hungarians eliminate Club Atletico Virginia  in a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw. UGH, hosting the match at their home field in Oakford, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, trailed 1-0 at the break after CAV’s Billy Whittington scored on a header in the 20th minute after a cross from the right side from Andrew Richardson. UGH came out in the second half and leveled the match a few minutes after the break, after a shot on goal was saved but spilled by CAV goalkeeper Matt Scheer. UGH forward Jeremy Ortiz jumped on the loose ball to tie the game up 1-1. UGH added a second in the 70th minute off a corner kick that found Ben Marucci in the box, but CAV equalized ten minutes later. Virginia’s John Carson sent a long throw into the box and multiple defenders failed to clear, leaving the ball to Billy Whittington who missed on a volley attempt. After the ball snuck through all that penalty area traffic, it fell to Victor Krasij, who put it away. After going scoreless through extra time, United won the penalty kick shootout 4-1 to move on to the next round to play Charm City FC.

CAV lineup: Matt Scheer (GK) Tremaine Chinapoo & Phil Purdy (center backs), Jordan Cullinane (right back), Dave Leon (left back), Matt Davis and Victor Krasij (defensive center mids), John Carson (offensive center mid), Andrew Richardson (right mid), Fabio Andrade (left mid), Billy Whittington (forward)

UGH lineup: GK – Eric Talbot, (13) Tony Rod, (6) Will Thornton, (7) Blair Carson, (20) Ken Tomczuk, (9) Brian Blesi (Capt), (19) Matt Hemberger, (12) Ben Marucci, (10) Tim O’Neill, (15) Ryan Moseley, (8) Jeremy Ortiz
Subs: (5) Ryan Tadley for Moseley (46’), (18) Kevin Sherry for O’Neill (46’), (11) Brian Bowers for Blesi (87’), (4) Lou Daniele for Tadley (117’)

2010 USASA Region I tournament – first round results:

Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go-Soccer FC (NJ) – Sat. April 10
Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT)
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (UGH advances on PKs 4-1) United German Hungarians (East PA)
Athletic Club (West PA) at Charm City FC (MD) – Athletic Club forfeits (Loss of sponsor)
Erie Admirals (NPSL) at Fenerbahce USA (East NY) – Erie forfeits (Injuries/Not enough players avail.)

Quarterfinal schedule (May 2)

Fenerbahce USA at Danbury United – 2 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center (Danbury, CT)
Aegean Hawks FC at NY Pancyprian Freedoms – 2 p.m., Belson Stadium (St. John’s University)
Charm City FC at United German Hungarians – 2 p.m., UGH Field (Oakford, PA)
Go-Soccer FC vs. Emigrantes Das Ilhas *Emigrantes Das Ilhas disqualified*
Go Soccer FC at Brooklyn Italians – 4p.m., John Dewey High School (Brooklyn, NY)

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: Region I down to 14 teams as tournament begins this weekend

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The USASA Region I tournament gets underway this weekend, the beginning of what will eventually send two clubs to the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The opening round kicks off with a game on Saturday, April 10, with the rest of the round to be played Sunday, April 11, followed by the quarterfinals on May 2, and the semifinals on May 23. The two teams that emerge victorious in the semifinals will both be awarded a spot in the US Open Cup, and if the format remains true to recent form, they will be matched up with either a second division or a third division side. Major League Soccer teams will not enter the competition until the third round.

The 2010 edition of the tournament was expanded to 16 teams, but it wasn’t meant to be as two teams were forced to drop out. Athletic Club, the lone entry from Western Pennsylvania, had their main sponsor abandon them, thus making it impossible for them to cover their travel expenses to Maryland to take on Charm City FC.

The other team that won’t be competing is the Erie Admirals of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). A combination of injuries and a lack of player availability left them without a full roster for their game against Fenerbahce USA, the Eastern New York runner-up.

The two teams who benefit from the forfeits, Fenerbahce USA and Charm City FC, will both move on to the quarterfinals where they will be forced to play on the road.

The rest of the games on the opening round schedule feature a number of intriguing matchups.

Boston Olympiakos has been a regular in Open Cup qualifying, but has only reached the Region I tournament twice. In 2004, they lost in the semifinals and in 2008, they defeated Danbury United from Connecticut in the group final to punch their ticket to the Open Cup. Those two teams will meet again on Sunday at the Portuguese Cultural Center. Danbury qualified for the Open Cup in 2007, but lost that deciding game against Boston in 2008 and last year to Emigrantes Das Ilhas, another Massachusetts team.

That win over Danbury last year was the first trip to the Open Cup for Emigrantes. Repeating will be a challenge as they will travel to New York to take on the Brooklyn Italians. The two-time Open Cup champions (1979, 1991) just joined the NPSL after decades as a member of the Cosmopolitan Soccer League.

On Saturday, Olympia Stamford from Connecticut will begin their quest to qualify for the Open Cup for the second time in a decade when they open up against Go-Soccer FC from New Jersey. Olympia last made a trip to the big dance in 2001 when they had a one-and-done Cup run, falling to the PDL’s Seattle Sounders Select.

The Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks, complete with their committed sponsor, are aiming to be a Region I finalist (and thus, an Open Cup participant) for the third time in four years, a rare feat among USASA clubs. They will begin at home against one of the Maryland co-champions Jilly’s Bar & Grill, who highlighted the opening round of the Maryland Open Cup tournament with a 10-0 thrashing of and knocked out the defending state champions, Christos, by a score of 3-0.

Phoenix SC of Eastern Pennsylvania will have the task of facing the New York Pancyprian Freedoms, a club that not only plays in the ultra-competitive Cosmopolitan Soccer League, but they also boast the greatest Open Cup pedigree of any club in the tournament. The Freedoms have qualified for the Open Cup three times in the Professional Era (1995-present) and prior to that, they won the competition three times (1980, 1982, 1983) and are the last team to ever repeat as champions. Phoenix SC is making their first appearance in the tournament after beating the United German Hungarians (UGH) 2-1 in overtime in the Eastern PA final.

With the expansion of the Region I finals, that made room for UGH as Eastern PA runners-up and they will take on Club Atletico Virginia. The champions of the DC/VA Open Cup championship, beat the Aegean Hawks for the first time in nine tries, denying the Hawks their fifth straight DC/VA title. The Washington Premier League club will take on UGH who have not qualified for the Open Cup since 1999 when they upset the Staten Island Vipers of the D3 Pro League. UGH have finished runners-up in the Open Cup twice (1977, 1993).

2010 USASA Region I tournament – first round schedule:
(All times Eastern)

Boston Olympiakos (MA) at Danbury United (CT) – 2 p.m. at Portuguese Cultural Center
Erie Admirals (NPSL) at Fenerbahce USA (East NY) – Erie forfeits (Injuries/Not enough players available)
Olympia Stamford (CT) at Go-Soccer FC (NJ) – Sat. April 10, 5:30 p.m. at Torpey Athletic Complex
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) at Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) – 3 p.m. at John Dewey High School
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) – 2 p.m. at Denison Nursery
Phoenix SC (East PA) at NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) – 2 p.m. at Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.)
Athletic Club (West PA) at Charm City FC (MD) – Athletic Club forfeits (Loss of sponsor)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) at United German Hungarians (East PA) – 2 p.m. at UGH Field

Quarterfinal schedule (May 2)

Fenerbahce USA at Danbury United/Boston Olympiakos
Go-Soccer FC / Olympia Stamford vs. Brooklyn Italians / Emigrantes Das Ilhas – Site TBA
Aegean Hawks FC / Jilly’s Bar & Grill vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms / Phoenix SC – Site TBA
Charm City FC at United German Hungarians / Club Atletico Virginia

Bracket

First Round (April 11) Quarterfinals (May 2) Semifinals (May 23) Final (June 27)
Danbury United (CT)
Boston Olympiakos (MA)
Fenerbahce USA (E NY) Fenerbahce USA (E NY)
Erie Admirals (NPSL) (forfeit)
Go-Soccer FC (NJ)
Olympia Stamford (CT)
Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
Emigrantes das Ilhas (MA)
DS Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD)
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (E NY)
Phoenix SC (E PA)
Charm City FC (MD) Charm City FC (MD)
Athletic Club (W PA) (forfeit)
UGH Majors (E PA)
Club Atletico (DC/VA)

2007 US Open Cup Round 1: Western Mass Pioneers avoid upset with late goals vs. Danbury United

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In the opening match of the day, the Western Mass Pioneers needed extra time and a pair of penalty kicks to overcome the upset bid of the USASA’s Danbury United.

After playing a scoreless first half, former Pioneer Tony Fernandes was called for a foul on Everson Maciel, who appeared to exaggerate the contact to draw a penalty kick.  Maciel converted the kick to give the USL-2 side a 1-0 lead. Danbury dramatically drew the game level in the 86th minute, when Mauro Costa headed in a free kick from Mauro Santos.

Both teams nearly won the game in added time. Danbury goalkeeper Renildo Oliveira mishandled the ball, and Jeff Deren took a shot on an open net, but a Danbury defender slid in across the goal mouth to clear the ball away. Three minutes into added time, Tony Fernandes was awarded a penalty kick after a foul from Anthony Augustine, but Pioneers’ goalkeeper Kevin Trapp guessed correctly and made the save, sending the game to extra time.

In extra time, Santos quickly gave Danbury their first lead of the match, with a header in the 92nd minute that caught Trapp off his line. Western Mass bounced back when they were awarded another penalty in the 104th minute, when Alex Paulichi was called for a foul on Augustine in the area. Danbury goalkeeper Oliveira nearly saved Deren’s penalty kick, getting a glove on the ball, but was unable to fully stop it.  Easton Wilson scored the eventual game winner off a rebound of a 20-yard shot shot from Maciel, which he slid into an empty net.

Western Mass will travel to face Rochester in the Second Round on June 26.

Scoring
(WMP) Everson Maciel 59’ (PK)
(DAN) Mauro Costa 86’
(DAN) Mauro Santos 92’
(WMP) Jeff Deren 105’ (PK)
(WMP) Easton Wilson 109’

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