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USASA Region II qualifying: Iowa Menace first amateur team to qualify for Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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Special thanks to Michael Kuhn (@DownTheByline) of the blog “Down The Byline,” David Gubala (@DavidGubala) from Goal.com and Max Ciszek from MichiganSoccerNews.com for live updates during these matches and contributing to this article.

At the end of a dramatic day in Region II of USASA, one man may have been the deciding factor in which team became the first amateur club to advance to the 2011 edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It could have been Jakub Piotrowski of the AAC Eagles, but his four-goal effort was not enough to make up for a six-goal victory the Iowa Menace claimed earlier in the day against a Kansas City Athletics side that started and only played with 10 men. With the greatest goal differential of three matches, Iowa Menace move on from Region II of the USASA while AAC Eagles will have to face RWB Adria in a playoff, a match-up of two Chicago clubs, for the second berth from the region.

The fireworks started in Pontiac, Michigan where Detroit United played host to RWB Adria, a late replacement added over the past two weeks, at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas. The visitors jumped into the initial lead after 17 minutes courtesy of Vlad Baciu, but a flurry at the end of the half was an early glimpse of what was to come. Detroit equalized in the 40th minute only to see RWB answer back immediately with a strike one minute later from Elemidin Zukic.

Iowa Menace (vs. KC Athletics) - 2011 Region II quarterfinals
With a 7-1 win over Kansas City (+6 goal difference), the Iowa Menace qualified for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Photo: Sodagraphics.blogspot.com

The second stanza was a tale of two halves in itself.

RWB scored back-to-back goals in the 50th and 53rd minutes to push out to a commanding 4-1 advantage that looked promising for their efforts to secure a quality goal differential in hopes of securing the first berth from Region II. Baciu notched his second of the day, assisted again by Taylor Bond, who added the next strike with help from Nermin Crnkic.

Detroit, however, had other ideas, answering back with goals in the 58th and 68th to cut the lead to one. Tommy Eller then converted a crucial penalty in the 90th minute to send the contest into overtime.

Again, RWB got an early goal five minutes into extra time from Crnkic, assisted by Alex Rickett, to reclaim the advantage. Detroit nearly equalized yet again in the 110th minute only to see the shot ring off the crossbar. As they pushed to keep their chances alive with a draw, Detroit’s hopes were dashed as RWB locked up victory with Zukic finding Alen Ejupovic for a sixth strike in the 119th minute as they held on for a 6-4 decision.

RWB Adria

While Detroit was eating away at RWB Adria’s three-goal advantage, the bad news was being compounded elsewhere as home side KC Athletics only had 10 players for their match versus the Iowa Menace.

Kyle Perkins. the player/manager for the Athletics, explained that there were a number of factors that contributed to the team playing shorthanded. A few of them were out of town, some others were called into work, including a couple who were sent down South to assist with the tornado disaster. Also, after the final roster was submitted, two of the players were signed by pro clubs.

Regardless of the numbers on the field, the Menace did play a strong game at Rockhurst University, controlling the game for the opening 30 minutes. The Menace traveled with 17 players and early on dominated, created good chances, including John Sosa beating the offside trap and chipping the ball just wide of the goal.

The lack of finishing by the Menace came back to bite them in the 31st minute. The Athletics had been working themselves back into the game, having weathered the early attack by the visitors.  Marty Johnston collected the ball on the right side and sent in a cross that was cleared, but not far enough, allowing Johnston another chance. He squared it into the middle where Perkins slid in, knocking the ball into the net to give the Athletics the 1-0 lead.

The Menace almost had the equalizer in the 39th when Sosa was played behind the defense again, but KC goalkeeper Bret Clark got enough on the shot to slow it down so that Josh White could recover it and cleared it from danger.

In the 42nd minute, KC created another good chance through Johnston, but the Menace cleared the ball out for a corner.  The corner came to nothing, but the Menace sprung the counter through Sosa, who played Bryan Perez in behind the KC defense. Perez’s first shot was saved by Clark in goal, but Perez followed and was able to slot home the tying goal in the 43rd minute. The goal started a late flurry for the Menace as KC seemed to tire a bit.

The Iowa club pressed for a second goal and got one just before stoppage time. Perez played a give and go with Sosa and Perez slotted the ball to the far post giving the Menace a lead that they would not surrender.

Things got worse for the Athletics as the Menace continued to push. The visitors earned a corner and with the last touch of the first half, Iowa made it 3-1. Sosa took a corner kick for the Menace and found Brady Blankenship, who had beaten his man and headed the ball easily into the net to give the home team a big halftime lead.

Looking to bolster the advantage in the game and on goal differential for Region II, the visitors brought on at the half Tomas Boltnar, a former two-time Premier Development League MVP and the league’s all-time leading scorer of the Des Moines Menace.

It wouldn’t take long for Boltnar to contribute as the halftime sub set up the Menace’s first goal of the half, playing Sosa through, who chipped Clark from the top of the box to give him a goal to add to his two assists in the first half in the 58th minute. Shortly after Sosa’s goal, the Athletics almost got back into the game as Geoff Miles fired in a free kick from the side of the box that almost caught Menace keeper Matt Wade napping. Wade palmed the ball away keeping it 4-1.

That sign of life by KC was quickly erased as the Menace scored a couple minutes later to make it 5-1. Right back Ben Taylor played a cross into the middle for second half substitute Jarrett Hamilton, who just had to tap the ball home in the 63rd minute. About four minutes later, Hamilton got his second of the game as Perez broke down the right again. Perez’s initial cross was nearly cut out by Ben Hicks for the Athletics, but his clearance deflected off of Hamilton and into the net making it 6-1.

Iowa seemed to take their foot off the gas a little bit, and at times got a little to fancy in trying to find a seventh goal, knowing that goal difference was very important. Perez got in behind the defense twice, but both times was too unselfish as he played the ball back, once missing his man and another time playing the ball to an offside Hamilton.

There was no quit in the Athletics as they cried for a penalty in the 70th minute when Sosa appeared to be sandwiched by two Menace defenders, but the referee waived play on. KC was still trying to make a game of it, and in the 85th they almost got a second.  Josh White, normally a defender, was playing up top trying to give a break to Perkins, who for long periods was totally isolated for KC.  White got played in behind the Menace defense and got around Wade in the Menace goal, but Wade had gone down to push White wide and his shot just missed the near post. In the 89th  minute, the Menace got their seventh and final goal, the one that would ultimately qualify them for the US Open Cup. Substitute Austin Otto played a great cross-field ball into the box for Boltzmann, who settled, took a touch and then played the ball back to Sosa, who fired the ball inside the far post to make it 7-1.

With Iowa setting the bar high with a +6 goal difference, the AAC Eagles knew they had to come out firing against FC Indiana if they wanted to assure themselves a spot in the US Open Cup. In a game played at the north practice field of Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill., home of the Chicago Fire, the Eagles did just that, having learned of the outcome of the two earlier games and knowing that they had to win by 7 to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2008.

The one-sided affair got started with the Eagles scoring about 10 minutes into the match. Jakub “Kuba” Piotrowski received a centering pass from David Otachel and took care of business inside the box to make it 1-0. About 10 minutes later, Marcin Simson got a little help from mother nature as the wind carried his shot from about 25 yards out, helping him beat the keeper on the play. Five minutes later, Matthew Kochanowski made it 3-0 on a centering pass by Jacek Lechowicz that worked it’s way through traffic to the foot of the goalscorer.

Piotrowski would dribble through traffic in the 40th minute to put the winner of the game beyond doubt with a fourth goal, but the players and coaches knew there was more work that needed to be done. Adding two more goals in the second half to tie, or three more to advance, seemed daunting before the halftime break. But just  a couple minutes into the second half, AAC earned a penalty kick. Naturally, they handed the ball to Piotrowski, but his spot kick was saved. However, neither Piotrowski or the Eagles let the failed attempt keep them down. Two minutes later, Piotrowski completed his hat trick on an assist by Michael Kapusta.

With the score  5-0, Indiana would pull one back in the 60th minute, only to have Piotrowski score his fourth just five minutes later. Lechowicz provided his second assist of the day to set up the goal.

Hope was restored in the 82nd minute when Adrian Skital received a pass from Kochanowski to make it a 7-1 game, matching the score of the KC victory from earlier in the day. With still plenty of time left and the victory in hand, the Eagles pushed for the Open Cup berth-clinching goal. It was a frantic finish by the home side as they fielded as many as six forwards in the final 10 minutes of the match desperate to avoid having to play one more game to decide their Open Cup fate.

However, that scenario was dashed about a minute after the seventh goal was scored when Indiana tallied on a counter attack with the Eagles’ numbers out of alignment. With the score at 7-2 the Eagles continued to fight because equaling the +6 goal difference would at least give them a chance, via coin flip, to earn a spot directly into the tournament without another match, but it was not meant to be. Twice the Eagles put the ball into the back of the net in the final few minutes, but both times they were called offside.

The five-goal victory sets up an intriguing game with the Eagles taking on fellow Chicago club RWB Adria in a “Win & You’re In” match.

“Adria is a very good side,” said AAC Eagles team president Stanley Makowka. “Their players have played together for a long time so they have good chemistry. We’ve played them before and we know it won’t be easy but we expect to get the job done.”

Jakub Piotrowski will likely be a focus of the Adria defense, as the Polish forward has now scored 12 goals in his last four Open Cup qualifying matches dating back to last year. He drew high praise from his club’s president.

“He is a game changer,” said Makowka  after the match. “He is very good technically and fully aware of his surroundings on the field. Of course, I don’t want him leaving us, but I think bigger clubs will notice him as we move on further in the tournament.”

RWB Adria (IL) 6:4 (AET) Detroit United (MI)
Ultimate Soccer Arenas (Pontiac, Mich.) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
RWB: Vlad Baciu (Taylor Bond) – 17th minute
DET: Unidentified – 40th minute
RWB: Elemidin Zukic (Unassisted) – 41st minute
RWB: Vlad Baciu (Taylor Bond) – 50th minute
RWB: Taylor Bond (Nermin Crnkic) – 53rd minute
DET: Unidentified – 58th minute
DET: Unidentified – 68th minute
DET: Tommy Eller (PK) – 90th minute
RWB: Nermin Crnkic (Alex Rickett) – 95th minute
RWB: Alen Ejupovic (Elemidin Zukic) – 119th minute

Iowa Menace (IA) 7:1 Kansas City Athletics (KS)
Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Mo.) – 3 p.m.

Scoring Summary
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Marty Johnston) – 31st minute
IAM: Bryan Perez (Unassisted) – 43rd minute
IAM: Bryan Perez (John Sosa) – 45th minute
IAM: Brady Blankenship (John Sosa) – 45th minute+
IAM: John Sosa (Tomas Boltnar) – 53rd minute
IAM: Jarrett Hamilton (Ben Taylor) – 63rd minute
IAM: Jarrett Hamilton (Unassisted) – 67th minute
IAM: John Sosa (Tomas Boltnar) – 89th minute

Lineups:
KC Athletics: Bret Clark, Ben Hicks, Ryan Barber, Josh White, Mike Robards, Marty Johnston, Stephen Homan, Geoff Miles, Kyle Perkins.
Iowa Menace: Matt Wade, Anthony Colaizzi, Thomas Catania, Diego Marroquin, Ben Taylor (Austin Otto 75), Luis Piffer, Chris Van Leur (Tomas Boltnar 45), Brady Blankenship (Graham Nugent 67), Aaron Douthitt (Jarrett Hamilton 53), Bryan Perez, John Sosa.

Booking Summary:
IAM: Anthony Colaizzi – 40th minute
IAM: Diego Marroquin – 57th minute
IAM: John Sosa – 90th minute

Note:  KC started & played with 10 men

FC Indiana (IN) 2:7 AAC Eagles (IL)
Toyota Park Practice Field (Bridgeview, Ill.) – 3 p.m.

Scoring Summary
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (David Otachel) – 10th minute
AAC: Marcin Simson (Unassisted) – 20th minute
AAC: Matthew Kochanowski (Jacek Lechowicz) – 25th minute
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Unassisted) – 40th minute
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Michael Kapusta) – 49th minute
IND: Unknown goalscorer – 60th minute
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Jacek Lechowicz) – 65th minute
AAC: Adrian Skital (Matthew Kochanowski) – 82nd minute
IND: Unknown goalscorer – 83rd minute

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2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Detroit United repeat as Michigan champs, oust Soony Saad, Bucks ‘Reserves’ in OT (Video)

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For the second year in a row, Detroit United has captured the Michigan Open Cup title and has punched their ticket to the USASA Region II tournament. They defeated a Michigan Bucks “reserve” squad registered under the name “MBSC Rush,” 2-1, in extra time with Tommy Eller scoring both goals for United, overcoming a goal by Soony Saad early in the second half.

Eller, who was a key player on last year’s team that qualified for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, scored the equalizing goal on a penalty kick in the 87th minute. He followed that up with the game-winner in extra time in the 100th minute (SEE VIDEO BELOW). Eller scored the game-winning goal in last year’s Michigan Open Cup final, beating Ann Arbor Elite FC, 1-0.

Saad, the former University of Michigan star and US Under-20 player, who recently left school after his freshman year to pursue a pro career, was last seen playing for NSC Minnesota of the NASL. He was a surprise addition to the MBSC Rush roster which was full of former great Bucks players. The roster for the newest member of the Michigan United Soccer League read like a all-star reunion team, including former Bucks like Nate Craft, Simon Omekanda, Spencer Thompson and the PDL’s co-all-time leading goalscorer, Kenny Uzoigwe (76 career goals). The Bucks formed the team after a merger with the local club, the Michigan Rush.

Tommy Eller’s game-winning goal for Detroit United in 100th minute (MLive.com/soccer)

As of the day of this game, only four other teams have been confirmed as participants in the 2011 Region II finals. Detroit will join Bavarian SC (Wisconsin), Des Moines Menace Reserves (Iowa), AAC Eagles (Illinois) and last year’s Open Cup entrant, KC Athletics (Kansas). The registration deadline has passed and an announcement is expected to be made soon.

Detroit United pose for a picture in 2010

Both teams entered the match looking to find some cohesion. Neither club had played together much more than a single practice session entering the final, so it was hard to predict at the outset how the match was going to play out. On paper, the MBSC Rush had the bigger names, and the stronger resumes, but it was Detroit United who had most of their roster from last year coming back for 2011.

In the early going, it was the Rush who had the advantage, but Detroit still managed a couple chances. Seventeen minutes into the match, Adam Brent thwarted an attack by clearing a cross off the back post. A few minutes later, Saad earned a corner kick and the ball was played into a dangerous spot, forcing United goalkeeper Ryan Mathe to paw the ball away.

Jake Munchiando fed Taiwo Olorunnimbe from the right wing in the 25th minute, but Jeff Weiss dove to make the low diving save. Three minutes later, Saad was taken down just outside the penalty area on the right wing, and took the free kick himself. He blasted the ball toward the near post, but United defender Thomas Stark deflected it out for a corner kick. That ensuing corner by former Penn State star Simon Omekanda, was sent into the box where it was cleared high into the air (avoiding the rafters of the indoor stadium). When the ball came down the Rush headed the ball toward goal and someone the ball got behind the goalkeeper, but the Detroit defense cleared it off the line.

Detroit United at Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Detroit United warms up before the 2011 Michigan Open Cup final at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas main field. The “USA” is one of two indoor venues to ever host an US Open Cup event. Photo: Josh Hakala

The best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when the ball fell to Chris Edwards in the penalty area. The former Bucks player fired a shot which forced a highlight reel save from Mathe.

“They were the better team in the first half,” said Detroit United captain Thomas Stark. “But in typical Detroit United fashion, we fought and clawed and found a way.”

In the second half, both teams came out firing. In the 53rd minute, Eller launched a half-volley from the right side of the penalty area that just went over the bar. A couple minutes later, Spencer Thompson (Michigan State grad, who was drafted by Toronto FC in the MLS Supplemental Draft) had a shot of his own just float over the bar.

It was Saad who had the game’s first breakthrough in the 58th minute. After dribbling down the left wing, the former Wolverine cut inside and took a low shot to the far post which beat the keeper. Even with the 1-0 lead, MBSC continued to pressure with scoring chances for Jake Stacy, Saad and an open shot from Edwards at the top of the penalty arc.

Ultimate Soccer Arenas
The main entrance of the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the home of the PDL’s Michigan Bucks. Photo: Josh Hakala

It appeared as though the Rush were going to hold on until MBSC defender Wade Allen took down Detroit’s Renato Susnja in the penalty area, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

Tommy Eller converted the penalty kick in the 87th minute to tie the game at 1-1. The Bucks would mount one more attack before Stacy’s shot from the left side of the penalty area would find side-netting in the 90th minute.

In the extra time session, both teams played attacking soccer, but the number of quality chances were minimized by some solid defense.

The tie would be broken in the 100th minute when Detroit won the ball in midfield and Kenny Simon found the ball at his feet, crossing midfield and dribbling down the middle of the park. With his options on the wing cut out by Rush defenders, Simon played a perfectly placed ball down the middle as Eller was making a diagonal run. He got in behind the defender Allen and Eller shot the ball across goal, and underneath the goalkeeper for what would prove to be the winning goal.

“It’s the Michigan Bucks, they’re one of the best teams in the country,” said Stark. “So you know that when they put out a team, it’s going to be good, and to have a player like Soony Saad out there, one of the best college players in the country, it was definitely a challenge. But in the end, we deserved to win today.”

Detroit United, led by manager George Juncaj, will now move on to the Region II finals where they will attempt to become the first USASA team from Michigan to qualify for the US Open Cup two years in a row in the Modern Era (1995-present).

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2011 US Open Cup qualifying
Michigan Open Cup final – April 9, 2011
Detroit United 2:1 MBSC Rush (After Extra Time)
United Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, Mich.

Scoring Summary
MBSC: Soony Saad (Unassisted) – 58th minute
DETU: Tommy Eller (PK) – 87th minute
DETU: Tommy Eller (Kenny Simon) – 100th minute

MBSC Rush lineup: Jeff Weiss (GK), Nate Craft, Ryan Rzepka, Stewart Givens, Adam Brent, Chris Edwards, Piotr Nowak, Spencer Thompson, Simon Omekanda, Kenny Uzoigwe, Soony Saad | Subs: Wade Allen, Brent McIntosh, Nicholas Dreshaj, Jake Stacy

Detroit United lineup: Ryan Mathe (GK), David Nesbitt, Thomas Stark, Zachary Wilker, Jacob Munchaindo, Renato Susnja, Kenny Simon, Nik Djokic, Ryan Montegue, Tommy Eller, Taiwo Olorunnimbe | Subs: Mark Berisha, Benni Tetaj

2010 Meet the USASA: Detroit United

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Detroit United poses for a team photo.

Michigan usually has a consistent amateur competitor in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a team you all might know as the Michigan Bucks. They’ve made the tournament a total of eight times in their 15 seasons, their most recent appearance coming in 2008. But instead of them, a different team is representing Michigan this time around. For the first time since 2001, a USASA team from the state has qualified: Detroit United.

Owner/manager George Juncaj started his soccer journey immigrating to the United States in 1983. He played semi-pro in Southern California for his first few years, before coming to Michigan when a new opportunity arose in 1993. He played with various amateur teams around Metro Detroit until fights between players and spectators (fueled by ethnic hatred) forced him to hang up his boots.

Juncaj returned to the local soccer scene in 2002, playing simple pick-up with some friends, when younger players started to come around and join in the action. At some point, others started to cause trouble, and that’s when he decided it’s time to start a team in a structured league.

The new team that Juncaj started would come to be known as Detroit United, and the name comes from his past experiences at the amateur level, as well as inflicting a change in how an amateur team in Detroit comes to be:

The logo for Detroit United

“The reason I came to Detroit United, I looked, and … you basically have ethnic groups. You have the White Eagles (a Polish club), you have Drita (Albanian), you have the Kickers (German), etc. … So I said, you know what, I’m going to put Detroit United, where it’s going to be an option, whoever lives in Detroit, they can come play for this team. And that’s exactly what’s happened. I have two, three guys from Africa, I have a guy from Israel, I have many from Europe, I have an Argentinean, I have a Brazilian, and I used to have a Chinese guy. I used to have a Japanese guy, but he left soccer, and he went to play pro baseball in Japan.”

Juncaj feels that it’s important to not have any barriers keeping certain players from his team, unlike the many ethnic clubs that dot the soccer landscape in the Detroit area. “I never ask a person ‘where are you from?’ It doesn’t mean anything to me.”

As mentioned earlier, there are many international players on the squad. However, the core group of the team is mostly American. The first player Juncaj was quick to point out is Tommy Eller. He’s described as a fast player, controlling the ball very well, and one of the most unselfish players in the game (winning an award in that respect). According to his coach, “he might be one of the better players in the state of Michigan.” Other players mentioned include his captain, defender Tom Stark, as well as goalkeeper Ryan Mathe, Zach Wilkes, and Worteh Sampson (the last two formerly suiting up for the pro indoor team Detroit Ignition). Sampson also played for a time with the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division. Those five players are the core group of the team.

Another player that might be recognizable, if you have been following this year’s road to qualification, is Fernando Gatica. He scored twice in Milwaukee in the win over the Kickers, then scored again in the semifinal battle with Nebraska’s 402 Academy. Juncaj has praise for him, but mentions that his ego is a little inflated. “He’s not a star yet. He’s a very good player; he controls the ball, which basic Argentineans do. But, he’s also got to be a team player. … Nobody can win a game alone.”

Taiwo Olorunnimbe does an acrobatic goal celebration after putting Detroit United up 5-4 in overtime. Photo: Josh Hakala

Speaking of that Kickers win, Detroit United managed to finish the match with only 11 healthy players. 14 were set to make the trip, but two were held back as they traveled separately, then were involved in a minor car accident before even leaving the area. Then, early in the Milwaukee match, a Detroit United player had to be removed from the pitch due to an injury, forcing the team to make the only substitution they had.

Although Detroit United is a new entry into the tournament, they have a little history in qualifying. They made a run in 2007, qualifying for the Region II tournament along with Ann Arbor FC Elite (the team they defeated earlier this year 1-0 for the Michigan title that qualified them for the Region II tournament). In the quarterfinals, they defeated the NPSL’s Princeton-56ers 2-1 on a late goal by Humberto Toscan, then matched up with famed Chicago club RWB Adria with a spot in the Open Cup on the line. Unfortunately for the club, they lost 3-0, and with AAFC Elite also losing in the semifinals (to Bavarians SC), the state of Michigan lost both their chances for a tournament bid at the very end.

George Juncaj has high hopes for both his club, as well as soccer in Detroit in general. He feels his team could compete in the National Premier Soccer League, but believes there’s a structural problem with the league itself. “I want to go to the NPSL, but there’s really nothing there, not enough teams. You’d be playing the same team four or five times. It’s not fun. They only have five teams . (currently there are six in 2010) I told them, you get eight to ten teams, you call me.” He mentioned the Premier Development League as an option, but currently the rights to Detroit (as well as the rights to any USL level team) are held by Michigan Bucks owner Dan Duggan, who remains committed to his team, even after Juncaj says he sent Duggan offers to buy the club.

As for professional soccer in the area, Juncaj believes there’s a good chance for Detroit to provide great support. “I really do think we have enough people who love the game in which we can have not just a USL team, but we can have an MLS team…. I think that would be the goal for the younger generation. I love seeing Chicago, I love seeing Columbus playing because you feel closer to your home.” He hopes investors come around and give Detroit a spot on the big stage, and feels that between all the soccer-loving Americans in town and the different ethnic groups, support for a professional club could be outstanding.

Detroit United is set to open their 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, June 15, as they play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Second Division. They look to show the ‘Hounds that United’s players are up to the task and well prepared to advance in the tournament.

Detroit United, KC Athletics win high-scoring shootouts to qualify for their first US Open Cup

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A view from the press area at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas’ main field as Detroit United hosts 402 Academy in US Open Cup qualifying. | Photo: Josh Hakala


402 Academy (Nebraska) 5:5 Detroit United (Michigan)
Detroit United qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, 4-2 on PKs
Saturday, May 15 – Ultimate Soccer Arenas (Pontiac, Mich.)

In the first USASA Open Cup qualifier ever played indoors, Detroit United earned their first trip to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. They defeated 402 Academy, 4-2, in a penalty kick shootout, after finishing extra time tied 5-5 in a USASA Region II semifinal match.

United hosted the game at United Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the indoor home of the PDL’s Michigan Bucks, and they bounced back after trailing 3-1 late in the game and sent the match into overtime. A shorthanded 402 squad, who only brought 12 players with them from Nebraska, battled hard after falling behind twice in the extra session, only to level the match each time. The final goal came in the 116th minute on a penalty kick.

It was the visitors from Nebraska who controlled the majority of the first half and they were rewarded with a pair of goals. Former Minnesota Thunder player Johnny Torres, who is now an assistant coach at Creighton University, scored the opening goal in the 30th minute on an assist from Sean Moahatt, one of Creighton’s athletic trainers.

Four minutes later, 402 would strike again, this time, it was another member of the Creighton coaching staff, player/manager Jason Mims, who also received a pass from Moahatt, to make it 2-0.

After the halftime break, Fernando Gatica, the hero of last round’s 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Kickers, pulled one back in the 49th minute. However, two minutes later, Torres would snatch the momentum right back, scoring his second of the match, on a third assist from Sean Moahatt.

As the 85th minute approached, it appeared as though Detroit was going to fall one game short of the Open Cup, like they did in 2007, but Taiwo Olorunnimbe came to the rescue. Gatica played a ball across the penalty area from the left wing to Olorunnimbe who, rather than hitting the ball one-time, he touched the ball forward to avoid his defender, and fired the ball past the helpless goalkeeper from close range. His goal gave the team new life, which led to Tommy Eller’s equalizer two minutes later where he dribbled in from the left side and beat the keeper from an angle.

The game finished tied 3-3 at the end of regulation and the momentum continued into the extra session. Olorunnimbe scored to put United up 4-3 in the 97th minute, and afterward he wow’d the crowd with an acrobatic goal celebration.

The celebration was cut short a few minutes into the second overtime period when Michael Krause, a player who was cut by the Kansas City Wizards in the final round of roster cuts, leveled the match. Moahatt assisted on his fourth goal of the night, winning the ball in midfield and dribbling to the top of the 18 before finding Krause on the left side of the box. Krause beat the goalkeeper to the far post to make it 4-4.

“Krause was the best player on the field tonight,” said 402 player/manager Jason Mims after the match.

Taiwo Olorunnimbe does an acrobatic goal celebration after putting Detroit United up 4-3 in overtime. Photo: Josh Hakala

The fans cheering on the home team had the wind knocked out of them by the tying goal, but Detroit would regain the lead three minutes later when Tommy Eller dribbled into the penalty area from the left wing and fired a shot that beat 402 goalkeeper Joshua Walz and clipped the underside of the crossbar and went straight down. The ball may have crossed the line, but it didn’t matter because Jake Munchiando crashed the net and headed it in from point blank range to give them the lead.

The Nebraska club continue to fight, despite not having any subs left and having a couple players playing through injuries in extra time. They would manage to find a second equalizer in the 116th minute when Krause drew a penalty kick on a tough individual effort. Krause received the ball in the penalty area with his back to goal. He battled with his defender, but when he found enough room to turn toward goal, he was tripped and the referee pointed to the spot. Tony Schmitz converted the spot kick to bring the game level a second time.

Olorunnimbe nearly drew a penalty kick with two minutes remaining, but the defender who grabbed a handful of his jersey went unpunished and the match finished tied at 5-5.

In the penalty kick shootout, United goalkeeper Ryan Mathe needed to make a stop in the fifth round to send his team to the Open Cup. Tim Walters of 402 approached the ball for his attempt, and then hesitated in an effort to get Mathe to show his hand. Mathe bit on the fake and started leaning heavily to his left, but unfortunately for Walters, he shot to the keeper’s left so the save was made and Detroit piled on Mathe in celebration.

“ were excited after beating Milwaukee, and they are excited now,” said head coach George Juncaj. “Right now, our focus is the US Open Cup. There are better teams and it’s better competition.”

“We don’t really practice, we just put a team together for this tournament and see what we can get out of it,” said Mims about his 402 Academy team. “This year we got three games out of it and it was fun, but it was a tough trip having only 12 players. I was very proud of the way we played.”

Prior to begining their 13-hour trek back to Nebraska, three key players for 402 announced their retirement.  Mims, Walters and former New England Revolution player Matt Wieland.

With the win, Detroit United becomes the first USASA team from Michigan to qualify for the Open Cup since Detroit’s Chaldean Arsenal made it in 2001. They will begin play in the tournament in the first round which begins June 15.

Scoring Summary:
402: Johnny Torres (Sean Moahatt) – 30th
402: Jason Mims (Sean Moahatt) – 34th
DET: Fernando Gatica – 49th
402: Johnny Torres (Sean Moahatt) – 51st
DET: Taiwo Olorunnimbe (Fernando Gatica) – 85th
DET: Tommy Eller (Unassisted) – 87th
DET: Taiwo Olorunnimbe – 97th
402: Michael Krause (Sean Moahatt) – 108th
DET: Jake Munchiando (Tommy Eller) – 111th
402: Tony Schmitz (PK) – 116th

Penalty Kick Summary:
DET – Nate Robinson (GOAL)
402 – Johnny Torres (GOAL)
DET – Fernando Gatica (GOAL)
402 – Michael Krause (GOAL)
DET – Tommy Eller (GOAL)
402 – Ryan Junge (SAVED)
DET – Chris Long (GOAL)
402 – Tim Walter (SAVED)


AAC Eagles (Illinois) 3:3 KC Athletics (Kansas)
KC Athletics qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, 5-3 on PKs
Saturday, May 15 – CommunityAmerica Ballpark (Kansas City, Kan.)

It was a night that was all about the city of Kansas City against the city of Chicago. At CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, the Wizards of MLS played to a 2-2 draw against the Chicago Fire. Following the game, the KC Athletics, the first Kansas entry into the USASA Region II qualifying tournament in several years, hosted Chicago’s AAC Eagles, the 1990 Open Cup champions who are celebrating their 70th anniversary.

AAC Eagles, the Illinois champions, held a one-goal lead twice during the match, only to see KC equalize both times in front of a handful of fans who braved the poor weather conditions.

In USASA qualifiers, it’s typically the road team that arrives with a short bench, but it was KC who played the game shorthanded. A pair of injuries, multiple coaching commitments, and a wedding left the team with only 11 available players.

The Eagles struck first with a goal by Jakub “Kuba” Piotrowski, on an assist by Sebastien Skital. Piotrowski is one of the main reasons why the team advanced to the Region II semifinals after he scored five goals in last round’s 8-3 win over Fire SC ’00 of Minnesota.

Kansas City equalized in the 27th minute thanks to a cross by Geoff Miles. The former Wizard found space on the left wing and served a ball to Kyle Perkins, whose glancing header beat the keeper to the far post. The Eagles would answer just before halftime with another goal by Piotrowski on an assist by David Otachel.

The KC Athletics pose for a team photo prior to their US Open Cup qualifying match against the Des Moines Menace USASA in Des Moines, Iowa.       Photo: KC Athletics

The Athletics would come out firing in the second half, with Miles starting the attack in the 55th minute. Miles sent in a low cross from the left wing which found Perkins who left it for an onrushing Marty Johnston who took a touch, then shot the ball off the near post and into the back of the net.

Four minutes later, KC took the lead when another former Wizard Brian Roberts switched the ball to Garrett Guthrie who headed the ball toward the center of the penalty box. Perkins ran on to the ball and connected on a diving header, sending the ball to the underside of the crossbar and in. For Perkins it was his fifth goal in the last two qualifying games, after he notched a hat trick in their opening round game against the Des Moines Menace USASA.

Trailing 3-2, the Eagles leveled the match with a shot from distance by Otachel in the 75th minute. The match would end up in extra time, and after 30 minutes of scoreless soccer, KC would make their fans’ patience pay off, by winning the penalty kick shootout, 5-3, to punch their first-ever ticket to the US Open Cup. The team will enter the first round, which is scheduled for June 15.

“The match was played at a high level,” said AAC Eagles president Stanley Makowka. “I think for the eye, it was better than the Wizards and Fire game earlier. The Eagles surely had no luck that day, but we are a young team and we’ll be back.”

“We are very grateful to the Kansas City Wizards organization for allowing us to play at CommunityAmerica Ballpark,” said player/manager Kyle Perkins. “We also would like to say thanks to all the fans who stuck around to cheer us on. We are grateful for their support.”

You can also read Mike Kuhn’s report of the match on his Kansas City Wizards blog, “Down The Byline.”

Lineups

AAC Eagles: Piotr Sliwa, Piotr Kolasinski, Darek Szewczyk , Mariusz Napiorkowski, Jacek Lechowicz, David Otachel, Mathew Kochanowski, Sebastian Skital, Jakub Piotrowski, Rafal Popko, Michael Kapusta
Subs: Mark Golik (47th), Rafal Zalewski (65th), Chris Gasiorek (78th)

KC Athletics: Zach Brennan (GK), Neal Woodworth, Brian Roberts, Jason Woods, Stephen Hoffman, Garrett Guthrie, Ryan Barber, Josh McDaniel, Geoff Miles, Kyle Perkins, Marty Johnston (No subs available)

Scoring Summary:
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Sebastien Skital) – 6th
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Geoff Miles) – 27th
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (David Otachel) – 42nd
KCA: Marty Johnston (Kyle Perkins) – 55th
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Garrett Guthrie) – 59th
AAC: David Otachel (Unassisted) – 75th

Penalty Kick Summary:
KCA: Stephen Hoffman (GOAL)
AAC: Piotr Kolasinski (GOAL)
KCA: Josh McDaniel (GOAL)
AAC: David Otachel (SAVED)
KCA: Ryan Barber (GOAL)
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (GOAL)
KCA: Geoff Miles (GOAL)
AAC: Chris Gasiorek (GOAL)
KCA: Marty Johnston (GOAL)

Open Cup qualifying: AAC Eagles dominate, 402 gets late PK to join KC, Detroit in Region II final four

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With Detroit United and KC Athletics punching their ticket to the USASA Region II semifinals the day before, the other two quarterfinal matches took place on Sunday with one producing a goalfest, and another a dramatic nailbiter.

AAC Eagles: 1990 Open Cup champions

FIRE SC ’00 (MN) 3:8 AAC EAGLES (IL)
Toyota Park Turf Field – Bridgeview, Ill.

At the Toyota Park turf field in Bridgeview, Ill., the host AAC Eagles scored a goal against Fire SC ’00 in the opening minute of the match and never looked back. The goal was scored by Jakub “Kuba” Piotrowski, and it would be the first of five goals he would tally in the match in an 8-3 blowout against the newcomers from Minnesota. Piotrowski, who was an All-American college player at the NAIA level playing for the University of Illinois at Springfield. He also scored the second goal in the Illinois Open Cup title game last November as the AAC Eagles defeated RWB Adria 2-0.

AAC Eagles lineup: Marek Los (GK), Mirek Modzelewski (46th), Piotr Kolasinski, Pawel Policht, Darek Szewczyk, David Otachel, Sebastian Skital, Michal Kapusta, Rafal Zalewski (60th), Matchew Kochanowski (73rd), Jakob Piotrowski. Subs: Mariusz Napiorkowski (46th), Jacek Lechowicz (60th), Rafal Popko (73rd)

Scoring Summary:
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Michal Kapusta) – 1st
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Unassisted) – 38th
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Assist?) – 40th
AAC: Matchew Kochanowski (Sebastien Skital) – 44th
AAC: David Otachel (Michal Kapusta) – 45th
FSC: Unknown goalscorer – 45th+
FSC: Unknown goalscorer – 49th
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Sebastien Skital) – 62nd
FSC: Unknown goalscorer – 73rd
AAC: Jakub Piotrowski (Jacek Lechowicz) – 74th
AAC: Jacek Lechowicz (Jakub Piotrowski) – 76th

KC ATHLETICS (KA) 4:4 DES MOINES MENACE USASA (IA)
(KC Athletics advances 6-5 on PKs)
Cownie Stadium – Des Moines, Iowa

The Eagles will travel to Kansas City in the semifinals where they will face the KC Athletics, who survived an exciting quarterfinal match against the Des Moines Menace USASA on Saturday. The match is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 15 at a site to be determined. Player/coach Kyle Perkins lead the way with a hat trick for the first Kansas-based team to compete in Open Cup qualifying in several years.

KC would break through first with a goal by Perkins, set up by a cross by Marty Johnson, but it wouldn’t take long for the home team to answer. 15 minutes later, Des Moines would level the match on a counter attack goal by Austin Otto.

Former two-time Premier Development League MVP, Tomas Boltnar and long-time teammate Armin Mujdzic each added a goal on either side of halftime to put Des Moines up 3-1.

A few minutes later, Perkins would add another, this time from a free kick from 25 yards out. The ball took a deflection on the way and ended up in the back of the net. He would complete the hat trick soon after that off a corner kick that was delivered to the far post and then crossed back across goal to the foot of Perkins who fired it home.

Scoring Summary:
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Marty Johnston)
DMM: Austin Otto
DMM: Tomas Boltnar
DMM: Armin Mujdzic
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Stephen Hoffman)
KCA: Kyle Perkins (Brian Williams)
DMM: Armin Mujdzic
KCA: Brian Williams (Josh McDaniel)		 Penalty Summary:
DMM: Armin Mujdzic – GOAL
KCA: SAVED
DMM: GOAL
KCA: GOAL
DMM: Medina – SAVED
KCA: GOAL
DMM: Austin Otto – SAVED
KCA: GOAL
DMM: Tomas Boltnar – GOAL
KCA: SAVED
DMM: Scott – MISS
KCA: SAVED
DMM: Downes – GOAL
KCA: GOAL
DMM: Staley – GOAL
KCA: GOAL
DMM: Collins – SAVED
KCA: Zach Brennan – GOA

Not long after that, Mujdzic would give the lead back to the Menace, only to have the Athletics pull one right back just minutes later. With 10 minutes left, KC’s Stephen Hoffman played a diagonal ball to midfielder Josh McDaniel who beat the offside trap and found teammate Brian Williams wide open at the far post for the game-tying tap-in.After 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, the two teams went to the penalty shootout. All three keepers, Zach Brennan for KC, and Kyle Fitch (first half) and Jason Williams (second half, overtime) for Des Moines, made clutch saves for their teams. In the end, the Athletics would emerge victorious as Brennan saved Des Moines’ attempt in the ninth round, and then immediately stepped to the spot himself to score the winning PK.

The KC Athletics pose for a team photo prior to their US Open Cup qualifying match against the Des Moines Menace USASA in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: KC Athletics

“Going to Des Moines in our first Open Cup qualifier and coming out with a win was big,” said Perkins after the match. “I think this game shows the resolve of our team as we overcame a 3-1 deficit. A lot of credit goes to our goalkeeper Zach Brennan, who not only did he save four penalty kicks, but he also coverted the game-winner.”
Des Moines Starting Lineup: GK: Kyle Fitch, DEF: Staley, Smith, Downes, Scott, MID: Perez, McGowan, Tomas Boltnar, Austin Otto, FWD: Piffer and Armin Mujdzic.

KC Athletics Starting Lineup: Zach Brennan, Barber, Robards (subbed off at 70 Hicks), Woods (subbed off at 80 Woodworth), Stephen Hoffman, Josh McDaniel, Atwood, Miles, Gutherie (subbed off at 60 for Brian Williams) Kyle Perkins, Marty Johnston

DETROIT UNITED (MI) 2:1 MILWAUKEE KICKERS (WI)
Uihlein Soccer Park – Milwaukee, Wis.

Fernando Gatica scored two impressive goals for Detroit United as the Michigan champions eliminated the Milwaukee Kickers, 2-1. Read a full report of the match by Matt Schroeder of WisconsinSoccerCentral.com. Detroit United will host the 402 Academy from Nebraska in a “Win & You’re In” match tentatively scheduled for May 15.

MINNESOTA TWIN STARS (MN – NPSL) 1:2 402 ACADEMY (NE)

There was some late drama with the 402 Academy from Nebraska, as they needed a penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game to get past the Minnesota Twin Stars of the National Premier Soccer League. It was a wet game from the start and Minnesota struck first and taking a 1-0 lead into the halftime break. 402, who qualified for the US Open Cup in their first-ever attempt last year, would equalize thanks to Minnesota native Amad on a shot from about 20 yards out. Finally, in the 89th minute, 402 was awarded a penalty kick, which Tim Walters converted to make it 2-1.

402 will travel to Detroit in their “Win & You’re In” match on May 15.

USASA Region II Quarterfinal schedule

KC Athletics (KS) 4:4 Des Moines Menace USASA (IA) – (KC advance 6-5 on PKs)
Detroit United (MI) 2:1 Milwaukee Kickers (WI)
Minnesota Twin Stars (MN – NPSL) 1:2 402 Academy (NE)
Fire SC ‘00 (MN) 3:8 AAC Eagles (IL)

USASA Region II semifinals schedule
 (All games are Saturday, May 15 – All times Eastern)

402 Academy at Detroit United – 6 p.m. (Borden Park – Rochester Hills, Mich.)
AAC Eagles at KC Athletics – 9:45 p.m. (CommunityAmerica Ballpark – following Chicago Fire / KC Wizards game)
*Semifinal winners will qualify for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: Fernando Gatica carries Detroit United to win over Milwaukee Kickers

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MILWAUKEE (May 1, 2010) — If Fernando Gatica’s debut in the starting lineup is any indication, Detroit United is a serious threat to reach the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Argentinean-born target striker tallied a pair of superb goals on Saturday as Detroit United eliminated the Milwaukee Kickers 2-1 in the USASA Region II quarterfinals at Uihlein Soccer Park.

Gatica’s work on a warm, windy afternoon pushed United within one victory of a berth in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It was especially important because Detroit United left Michigan at 11:30 p.m. Friday with only 11 total players. Then, when Sean Nesbitt took ill, he was only able to give a few minutes at a stretch, leaving his team down a man for much of the match.

But the Kickers, who surprised Bavarian SC 3-1 to win the Wisconsin state title and advance to the Region II quarterfinals, could never find a comfort level on their home field.

“We seemed to be a little out of sorts on both ends, offense and defense,” said John Sweeney, the Kickers coach.

After Nate Robinson was foiled by the underside of the crossbar in the 12th minute, he initiated the sequence that led to United’s first goal in the 29th minute. Following a nice run into the right corner, a cross was sent in and then a rebound went high in the air. Gatica measured it and delivered a dynamic scissor kick from just outside the goal box at the far post.

United controlled most of the action for the remainder of the half. In the last couple of minutes, the Kickers generated a pair of good through balls and one opportunity in front of the goal but couldn’t convert.

Playing with the wind largely at their backs in the second half, United used it to score their second goal in the 68th minute. A long punt by the keeper found the burly Gatica at the right of the penalty area. He shook his mark to the ground to gain some space, then beat Nick Farrell for the 2-0 lead.

“It’s hard to foul me,” said the 21-year-old, who played high school soccer in New Jersey and spent some time with the Waza professional indoor team of the PASL. “The goalie came out and saw I had a teammate coming in. He left the near post a little open and that’s where I finished.

The Kickers pulled with in a goal in the 72nd minute. Detroit United was whistled for a handball just outside the penalty area. Kyle Ingold decided on a quick restart as the wall was forming, and his left-footed effort curled around that wall to make it 2-1. They couldn’t generate the equalizer, while at the other end Gatica missed a few golden opportunities for a hat trick against a thinned-out defense.

“This is his first game as a starter, since some of our other starters are not here,” said Detroit United coach George Juncaj, “I guarantee you he will start (in our next game).”

United plays May 15 in the semifinals against an opponent to be determined.

USASA Region II Quarterfinal schedule
(Saturday, May 1 unless noted – All times Eastern)

KC Athletics (KS) 4:4 Des Moines Menace USASA (IA) (KC advances 6-5 in PKs)
Detroit United (MI) 2:1 Milwaukee Kickers (WI)
Fire SC ‘00 (MN) at AAC Eagles (IL) – 4 p.m. Sunday, May 2 (Toyota Park turf field)
St. Paul Twin Stars (MN – NPSL) at 402 Academy (NE) – 4 p.m. Sunday, May 2

USASA Region II semifinals schedule
(All games are Saturday, May 15 – All times Eastern)

Blind draw for the semifinals will be held Saturday, May 1
*Semifinal winners will qualify for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: Detroit United edge Ann Arbor FC Elite to win Michigan Open Cup title

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Ann Arbor FC Elite’s midfielder Drew Ducker (12) fires a shot past Detroit United goalkeeper Ryan Mathe late in the second half of Sunday’s Michigan Open Cup final. The play was ruled offside, denying Ann Arbor a late equalizer. Photo: Matthew Carey

The USASA Region II tournament is complete with Detroit United’s 1-0 win over their rival Ann Arbor FC Elite in the

Michigan Open Cup championship. This was the third straight year that the two teams had met in the state competition, with Ann Arbor winning the first two years.

2010 Michigan Open Cup Final
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saline High School | Saline, MI
Ann Arbor FC Elite 0:1 Detroit United
75th – Tommy Eller
Photo gallery by Matthew Carey
 

The match was hosted by Ann Arbor at Saline High School in Saline, Michigan, located just outside of the city of Ann Arbor on a cool evening. The home team controlled the majority of the possession through the first half, but neither team was able to break the scoreless tie. Ann Arbor did manage to put the ball in the back of the net, but the play was ruled offside. After a poor defensive clearance by Detroit, AAFC midfielder David Dwaihy sent the ball immediately to the right wing and when the ball was crossed to Yaacov Rubin in front of goal, he scored, but the flag went up.

Detroit created a few more chances in the second half, but the Ann Arbor defense, led by former New England Revolution goalkeeper TJ Tomasso, held strong until the 75th minute. After a corner kick, Ann Arbor attempted to clear, but the ball was collected, settled, and played square to Tommy Eller just outside the penalty area, who fired a laser into the back of the net to break the tie.

Ann Arbor FC Elite vs. Detroit United
in Michigan Open Cup tournament
2010 Final Ann Arbor FC Elite
 0:1 Detroit United
2009 Final Ann Arbor FC Elite 6:5 Detroit United
2008 Semifinal Ann Arbor FC Elite 3:2 Detroit United
Both teams were entered into the 2007 Region II Finals and did not
play each other. Both reached the semifinals of the regional
tournament, leaving themselves one win away from the Lamar
Hunt US Open Cup, but both were eliminated. Ann Arbor lost
6-0 to Bavarian SC (WI) Detroit lost 3-0 to RWB Adria (IL).

Ann Arbor threw everything forward for the remaining 15 minutes and seemed to have equalized a few minutes after the goal was scored when Drew Ducker was sent through on the left side of the penalty area. His shot beat Detroit goalkeeper Ryan Mathe, but the play was called offside. After a frantic final ten minutes, Detroit would hold on for their first state championship since 2007.

Ann Arbor head coach Casey Bantle was very disappointed after the game. “This was one of the best teams I’ve ever put on a soccer field,” he said.

Detroit’s reward for winning is a spot in the Region II tournament where they will travel to Wisconsin to take on the Milwaukee Kickers on Saturday, May 1.

Ann Arbor FC Elite lineup:
TJ Tomasso (GK)
CB: Andy Gutowski
CB: Bobby Raymond
RB: Charlie Watts
LB: Dan Clatterbuck
CM: David Dwaihy
CM: Miki Djerisilo
RM: Drew Ducker
LM: Scott Tomlins
ST: Yaacov Rubin
ST: Blake Ordell

Substitutes (all subs in 2nd half)
Matt Johnson in for Bobby Raymond
Eric Bowman in for Charlie Watts
Javier Arana in for Dan Clatterbuck
Jacob Puente in for Yaacov Rubin


USASA Region II tournament schedule
Saturday, May 1
 (All games at 3 p.m. ET)

Detroit United (Michigan) at Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
Fire SC ‘00 (Minnesota) at AAC Eagles (Illinois) – 3 p.m. at Toyota Park turf field
St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL Midwest) at 402 Academy (Nebraska)
KC Athletics (Kansas) at Des Moines Menace USASA (Iowa)

USASA Region II first round draw announced, Michigan championship decided Sunday

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The draw for the USASA Region II Open Cup tournament is set, with several new teams among the eight amateur sides that will vie for two berths in the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

KC Athletics, the first entry from Kansas in at least several years, opens up at the Des Moines Menace USASA team in a first-round match May 1. The Menace have competed under a number of different names, including the Iowa Menace and the Des Moines Menace Reserves. The team is a collection of players from the Des Moines Menace Under-20s and some former PDL players.

Newcomer Fire SC ’00 is playing as the Minnesota representative, and travels to AAC Eagles, who ended RWB Adria’s three-year run as Illinois state champion. AAC Eagles, however, qualified for the 2008 Open Cup — along with Adria — after being the state runners-up. The Fire, as the name would suggest, were founded in 2000 and compete in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League where they are the two-time defending league champions.

One interesting first-round game pits the St. Paul Twin Stars, the two-time defending National Premier Soccer League Midwest Region champions, but a first-time entry in this tournament, against 402 Academy. The Nebraska team advanced to the Open Cup last year in its first attempt, falling to the Minnesota Thunder 3-2 in the first round.

The other opener sees the Milwaukee Kickers, who ousted six-time Open Cup qualifier Bavarian SC in last fall’s Wisconsin state final, play host to the Michigan champion, Detroit United. Detroit United is scheduled to play Ann Arbor United on Sunday, April 11 at Saline High School to determine the final qualifier. Detroit United defeated Ann Arbor United 1-0 to win their first state title since 2007 and to deny Ann Arbor their second straight championship.

The winners of the two second-round matches earn spots in the Open Cup, and will play in the Region II championship June 18-20 at Gaelic Park in Chicago for a spot in the USASA national semifinals. No information was announced about the second round draw.

Saturday, May 1
(All games at 3 p.m. ET)
Detroit United (Michigan) at Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
Fire SC ’00 (Minnesota) at AAC Eagles (Illinois)
St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL Midwest) at 402 Academy (Nebraska)
KC Athletics (Kansas) at Des Moines Menace USASA (Iowa)

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