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Emigrantes Das Ilhas

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)

2010 Qualifying: Emigrantes Das Ilhas to represent Massachusetts in Region I Finals

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Emigrantes Das Ilhas will make their second straight appearance in the USASA Region I Finals
Emigrantes Das Ilhas will make their second straight appearance in the USASA Region I Finals

2009 Massachusetts State Cup Champions Emigrantes Das Ilbarhas booked their place in the USASA Region I Open Cup tournament next Spring by defeating Boston Olympiakos (2007 National Amateur Cup champions) 4-2 on penalty kicks on a rainy evening in East Boston. The build up to the game needed no extra incentives as the two teams had just met 48 hours earlier in a fiercely contested US Amateur Cup game in Brockton. The game ended in a 2-2 tie with Emigrantes advancing to the group finals ahead of Olympiakos on goal difference.

The game would prove no different. Emigrantes were first out of the blocks and on the scoresheet within the first eight minutes of play after some delightful skill by Edens Chery down the left flank. His cross into the box was met by Almir Barbosa whose shot was superbly saved by the Olympiakos keeper, but the rebound kindly fell to Cherry who needed no second invitation to shoot and score. It was a fantastic start for Emigrantes considering they began the game without a goalkeeper or any substitutes as many of their players and fans were stuck in the city of Boston’s notorious rush hour traffic.

By the 25th minute Emigrantes were down to 10 men when Jose Veiga picked up a foot injury in a challenge with the Olympiakos keeper. Fortunately their missing players began to arrive and Emigrantes were back to full strength with goalkeeper Jordan Mota coming on for injured Veiga and replacing Aderito Pina in goal who then took up his normal position in defense.

Instead of pushing for a second goal, Emigrantes eased off and Olympiakos began to make a push for an equalizer through playmakers DaSilva and Walker. But the execution of their final pass was poor. Frustration began to mount for twin strikers Jessey and Justin Fernandes as they couldn’t muster any chances against a solid Emigrantes defense. They settled for long range shots which were handled comfortably by Mota. With the evening temperature dropping and rain falling, both teams seemed to be looking forward to the halftime whistle which came after four minutes of injury time.

The second half started with Emigrantes forming an assault on the Olympiakos goal. Wave after wave they attacked. First with Barbosa coming close after some nice work by Daniel Xavier down the right. Then it was Zico Veiga to carve out a decent shot that sent the Boston keeper sprawling to his left. And before he could get on his feet, Iuca was there to rattle his crossbar. It seemed like only a matter of time before Emigrantes would score. But credit to Boston Olympiakos who somehow found a way to weather the storm. Those opening 20 minutes of the the second half must have felt like two hours to them.

Their fortunes would get better as Carlos Amado of Emigrantes pulled a hamstring and had to be replaced by Ernesto Lopes. With only one substitution available, Emigrantes were forced to shuffle their midfield by moving Carlos Semedo to left back. This would become his third position of the night after filling in at center back and midfield. This opened up the center of the park and Olympiakos began to find some space. As time ticked closer to the 90-minute mark, Olympiakos began throwing numbers forward forcing the Emigrantes defense to drop deeper onto their own 18-yard box. Two minutes into stoppage time, a failed clearance fell to the feet of Justin Fernandes who scored the equalizer to send the game into extra time.

It was tough blow to Emigrantes as Olympiakos created a limited number of scoring chances. With overtime looming and Emigrantes dejected, Olympiakos now felt they could win it. Within the 2nd minute of overtime, they used their momentum to go up 2-1 thanks to a cracker of a free kick from 25 yards out by Joshua Grenier. Mota had no chance.

Now Emigrantes were left to chase the game. With time winding down in the second half of extra time, they would find an opening through Chery, who put together a ‘man of the match’ level performance. He made a run down the left wing and sent a cross into the box that was met and turned in by Barbosa to bring the game level. Following the tying goal, each team took a defensive approach into the final minutes, sending the match into a penalty kick shootout to decide the Massaschusetts state championship.

Emigrantes won the toss and opted to shoot first. The defending champs scored on their first three attempts with Lopes, Chery and Daniel Xavier beating the goalkeeper. Olympiakos scored on their first two, but Mota guessed correctly and saved the third try by Geoffrey Walker. Following the save, Zico Veiga stepped to the spot and sent the ball into the back of the net putting the pressure on Jessey Fernandes to score or go home. Once again, Mota dove the right way and made the save to give Emigrantes their second straight Massachusetts Open Cup championship.

Emigrantes Das Ilhas will represent the state at the USASA Region I Finals, which will take place next Spring.

Emigrantes Das Ilhas lineup:

GK: Aderito De Pina(normally central defender and later went back to his regular position replaced by #1 Keeper Jordan Mota)
RB: Carlos Amado(came off injured replaced by Ernesto Lopes)
CB: Carlos Semedo, Carlos Semedo
LB: Sandro Pina
LW: Edens Cherry
CM: Claudino Barros, Zico Veiga
RW: Ze Veiga
ST: Almir Barsosa, Daniel Xavier

2010 Qualifying: Emigrantes Das Ilhas kick off Massachusetts tourney with win

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Emigrantes Das Ilhas - "Immigrants of the Islands"
Emigrantes Das Ilhas - "Immigrants of the Islands"

Emigrantes Das Ilhas took a step toward returning to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-1 win over Alianca CV in the Semifinals of the Massachusetts Open Cup tournament. Emigrantes, who made their debut in the Open Cup last year, rebounded from an early deficit and will advance to the state championship game.

In a match played at Pepe Amaral Field in Taunton, Mass., the two teams battled to a scoreless draw after the first half, but Alianca CV took the lead 10 minutes into the second half thanks to an own goal. However, Emigrantes would level the game five minutes later with a goal by Dany Xavier.

Emigrantes, who compete in the New England Luso American Soccer League, would put the game away with about 20 minutes left to go when Alianca was called for a foul in the penalty area. Ernesto Lopes converted the PK and the defense held on for the remainder of the match to put Emigrantes into the Massachusetts final for the second year in a row.

Last year, the club defeated three teams to win the Massachusetts tournament, earning them a place in the USASA Region I Finals. This year, they will play the winner of MPS and Boston Olympiakos, who are scheduled to play on November 18.

Emigrantes Das Ilhas lineup

GK: Jordan Mota
DEF: Carlos Amado, Carlos Gomes, Aderito Pina, Jailson Pina
MID: Edens Cherry, Ernesto Lopes, Julio Gonsalves, Ze Veiga
FWD: Zico Veiga, Daniel Xavier

Meet the USASA: Class of 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2009 Meet the USASA: Emigrantes Das Ilhas

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“Immigrants of the Islands” making their first US Open Cup appearance

Translated into English from Portuguese, Emigrantes Das Ilhas means “Immigrants of the Islands”, but as manager/player Carlos Amado plainly states, it simply means “We’re from theCape Verde Islands.” The club was founded in 1987 and aside from two seasons with the Super N League, the team has played in the New England Luso American Soccer League, which was formed in 2001 after a merger of the LASA (Luso-American Soccer Association) and NESA (New England Soccer Association). Emigrantes were NELASA champions in 2004, and also won the 2008 Massachusetts state cup. Defeating fellow NELASA club Strela Negra for the honors.

Aside from their success in the USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, which earned them their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup appearance. Emigrantes have also reached the Region I Amateur Cup final. Off the field, many of the younger players on the Emigrantes squad have been awarded scholarships to local colleges and universities due in part to their participation with the club. “We’re a non-profit organization and we rely on neighborhood goodwill and business-based funding for support,” Amado says of his club. “Currently we are actively seeking sponsorship to enable us to not only to continue to compete in NELASA, but to also satisfy our equipment and uniform needs.”

The roster for Emigrantes features many players with experience playing soccer abroad. Leading the way is Carlos Semedo. Semedo played briefly for the New England Revolution in 2002, and before that played professionally in Portugual for clubs like Clube de Futebol Estrela da Amadora and Vitoria Futebol Clube Setubal. Semedo was a part of the Portuguese team that won the European U18 Championship in 1999.the USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, which earned them their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup appearance. Emigrantes have also reached the Region I Amateur Cup final. Off the field, many of the younger players on the Emigrantes squad have been awarded scholarships to local colleges and universities due in part to their participation with the club. “We’re a non-profit organization and we rely on neighborhood goodwill and business-based funding for support,” Amado says of his club. “Currently we are actively seeking sponsorship to enable us to not only to continue to compete in NELASA, but to also satisfy our equipment and uniform needs.”

DOUBLE VISION
USASA Region I qualifiers Emigrantes Das Ilhas and Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks have found themselves in a unique situation. Both have advanced to the Region I Open Cup and Amateur Cup finals, which are both set to be played on June 21. On May 31, Emigrantes got there by defeating Pancyprian Freedoms 1-0, while the Hawks got by Baltimore Colts F.C. 3-1 in extra time.

Semedo was also the first Portuguese native to sign with an MLS club.

Captaining the club is Carlos Fernandes, who has played in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) with the Rhode Island Stingrays, New Hampshire Phantoms and Cape Cod Crusaders. Zico Veiga has been twice selected for the US National Amateur team, and has also represented Cape Verde on the Under-21 level.

Emigrantes cleared their Open Cup hurdle on May 24 by defeating Danbury United 4-2 in extra time. In 2007 it wasDanbury who qualified at the expense of Emigrantes via penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. It looked as though history may repeat itself when Danbury tied the game at 2-2 on an 85th minute penalty kick. Prior to that, Emigrantes took a 2-1 lead on two goals from Zico Viega. However, Denivaldo DaSilva and Justin Fernandez came to the rescue for Emigrantes goals in the second overtime period.

“We were confident going to Connecticut because we felt that they were fortunate to beat us in PKs in Brockton (Mass.) (in 2007) and that it was a missed opportunity for our team,” Amado said. In fact, one of the goals of the club is to grow to the level that Danbury United has, both on the field and off. Danbury’s home field is a part of the Portuguese Cultural Center in Danbury,Connecticut.

Portuguese speaking clubs have had a strong history in the southern New England area, with its roots coming from immigrants from the Azores and Cape Verde Islands in the late 19th century. According to Roger Allaway’s book “Rangers, Rovers and Spindles”, the majority of the Portuguese speaking New Bedford, Massachusetts population came from the Western Azores andCape Verde via American whaling ships, while those who settled in Fall River hailed from theEastern Azores, and did so due to recruiting done by the Fall River textile industry. The 1947 Open and Amateur cup winning Ponta Delgada club, from Fall River, took its name from the capital of Sao Miguel, the island most of the towns’ Portuguese population came from.

While Cape Verde has yet to qualify for either the World Cup or African Cup of Nations, it has produced talents like Nani (Manchester United), Patrick Viera, Miguel (Valencia), Jair (New England Revolution) and Rolando (Porto). However, most of the top talent chose to represent other nations when they are eligible to do so.

Amado knows that his club’s First Round Open Cup game against the Western Mass Pioneers of the USL Second Division is more then just a chance to pull an upset. “This is an opportunity for some of our young players to display their talents and for us to make our Cape Verdeancommunity proud.”

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

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2009 U.S. Open Cup First Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 9
Orange County Blue Star 2:5 Sonoma County Sol
Carolina RailHawks 2:1 Richmond Kickers
Western Mass Pioneers 3:2 (aet) Emigrantes Das Ilhas
Wilmington Hammerheads 2:0 Charlotte Eagles
Rochester Rhinos 1:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Rochester advance on penalities, 4-2
Cleveland City Stars 3:0 St. Louis Lions
Chicago Fire (PDL) 3:1 Bavarian SC
Harrisburg City Islanders 4:1 Reading Rage
Minnesota Thunder 3:2 402
Charleston Battery 2:0 Atlanta FC
Miami FC Blues 2:1 Lynch’s FC
Austin Aztex 2:0 Mississippi Brilla
El Paso Patriots 2:1 Arizona Sahuaros
Kitsap Pumas 0:3 Portland Timbers
June 10
Real Maryland Monarchs 1:0 Aegean Hawks FC
(Match stopped in 74th minute)
Crystal Palace Baltimore 0:3 Ocean City Barons
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Player of the Round: Byron Carmichael (OCB)
Some things you should know about the First Round
Notable upsets in the First Round of the Open Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2009 First Round: Western Mass Pioneers win in-state battle with Emigrantes Das Ilhas, 3-2

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Lusitano Stadium – Ludlow, Mass. | 7 p.m.
Match Reports – MassLive.com
3
AET
 2
Jay Willis 45’+
Neil Krause (Adam Wallace) 73’
Almir Barbosa (Matt Jones) 92’
SENT OFF – Daniel McGarry 119’		       15’ Zico Viega (Luis Landium)
62’ Vladir Fernandes (PK)
85’ Joao Fidalgo – SENT OFF

The Western Mass Pioneers, yet again, survived an extra time scare from a USASA club, this time a 3-2 win over Emigrantes Das Ilhas.

The Brockton, Mass. USASA club took a 1-0 lead when Zico Viego booted a 20-yard shot past Pioneers goalkeeper Matt Jones. The USL-2 team knotted the score just before halftime, when Jay Willis scored in first half stoppage time.

Emigrantes regained the lead on Vladir Fernandes’ penalty kick at the 62nd minute. Western Mass’s Niel Krause scored in the 73rd minute tie the game at 2. The play began when Jeff Deren started a breakaway, which lead to Krause heading home the goal off a pass from Adam Wallace. Emigrantes made things difficult for themselves when Joao Fidalgo was sent off in the 85th minute. The shorthanded USASA club managed to keep the score tied at 2-2 to send the game into extra time.

It wouldn’t take long for Western Mass to take advantage. In the first period of overtime, Jones sent a long clearing kick downfield, which was picked up by Almir Barbosa, who beat a stunned Jordan Mota for what would prove to be the winning goal. Second half substitute Daniel McGarry was sent off late in the second overtime period, but the visitors were unable to capitalize.

This was the third year in a row that Western Mass was given a stiff challenge by a team from the USASA. Last year, the Pioneers played a tight game with Boston Olympiakos, winning by a score of 2-0. In 2007, the Western Mass needed extra time to get by Danbury United, also by a score of 3-2. They now move on to face the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Second Round on June 16.

Lineups

Western Mass – Matthew Jones, Jau Willis, Ben Clark, Mercier (Adam Wallace 65’), David Tyrie, Yan Klukowski (Jeff Deren 72’), Greg Kilkenny, Mark Nerkowski (Daniel McGarry 67’), Adrian Dubois, Almir Barbosa, Jeff Krause

Emigrantes – Jordan Mota, Carlos Fernandes, Felipe Depina, Carlos Amado (Justin Fernandes 77’), Carlos Gomes, Denivaldo Da Silva, Joao Fidalgo, Carlos Semedo, Jairson Jesus, Zico Viega, Luis Landim (Cassio Ribeiro 82’)

Cautions
Emigrantes – C. Fernandes 29’, Semedo 31’, Jesus 33’
Western Mass – Nerkowski 56’, Clark 58’, Mercier 65’, McGarry 102’ 119’, Tyrie 108’

Ejections

Emigrantes – Fidalgo 85’
Western Mass – McGarry 119’

Shots – WMP 19, EDI 12
Saves – WMP 11, EDI 11
Fouls – WMP 12, EDI 14
Corners – WMP 3, EDI 5
Offsides – WMP 0, EDI 3
Att – 1,401

Referee – Niko Blatsis
Assistants – Dave Coutts, Russ Wolf

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