florida soccer soldiers

2022 US Open Cup Qualifying: City Soccer qualify with shutout of Florida Soccer Soldiers

December 26, 2021 by Michael Battista

City Soccer FC defender Christopher Llorente celebrates after scoring a goal during the club’s 2022 US Open Cup qualifier vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers. Photo: Alex Venegas | IG: @real.wpb

City Soccer FC stepped up and cruised to a 4-0 win on Saturday night against Florida Soccer Soldiers in a Fourth Round “Win & You’re In” qualifier. The club, founded in 2011, can celebrate it’s ten year anniversary knowing it will compete in the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament beginning next March.

“Our weekend result wasn’t a surprise, it was the ultimate reward for the hard work put in by players, coaches and owners, throughout the whole year,” City co-owner Andres Colman told TheCup.us. “A great year, for sure, for the organization. We’ve made club history this past weekend, getting our name out there. We will keep working hard, stay humble and prepare for what’s next, this is only the beginning.”

City Soccer FC goalkeeper Fernando Cortes Jr. makes a save during the club’s 2022 US Open Cup qualifier vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers. Photo: Alex Venegas | IG: @real.wpb

Coming into the match City knew their opponent well. Both teams compete in the United Premier Soccer League’s (UPSL) Southeast Conference Florida South Division (Premier Division). The two sides tied in their first-ever league meeting last fall, 2-2, during the Fall 2020 season. However, this past Spring may have been an indicator of things to come. City swept the winless Soldiers with two clean sheets, 2-0 and 3-0, en route to a loss in the first round of the division playoffs.

(Note: City Soccer FC entered US Open Cup Qualifying as a member of the National Soccer League, which it also currently fields a team in)

In Saturday’s match, the two teams followed a similar script. The first half looked competitive with the Soldiers’ offense producing chances but City looked in control. The breaking point came in the 32nd minute when a City throw-in was slightly chipped into Florida’s box. Two defenders, not realizing either how far away the goalkeeper was, or how close the attackers were, put their hands up and encircled the ball. The advancing keeper was out of place allowing a City player to break in from behind. His kick went right toward the keeper, who faintly tried to clear it but landed the ball at Kevin Velasquez’s feet on the right side of the box. The City player slammed the ball into the back of the net to put his team up, 1-0.

The Soldiers’ best chances of the half came in it’s middle and final minutes. A run down the right side in the 26th minute set up a cross one-on-one with the City goalkeeper Fernando Cortes Jr. A fantastic save was the only thing keeping the home side from taking the lead. Then in the first minute of stoppage time, a long pass from the left side produced an extravagant back heel score that was called off by the linesman for offside.

The final 45 minutes were dominated by City Soccer. Ricardo Tapia scored twice in the first ten minutes of the half to give City a sizable cushion. The first came just over 60 seconds in when Auner Escobar set up the striker to double his team’s lead. Later on, in the 55th minute, after just failing to convert on a rebound off the keeper, Tapia essentially sealed the game. A long pass from Jesus Escobar from midfield gave Tapia space for a run on the right side of the box. He slotted a shot just to the keeper’s right, where the momentum pushed the ball into the goal.

City Soccer FC players celebrate during the club’s 2022 US Open Cup qualifier vs. Florida Soccer Soldiers. Photo: Alex Venegas | IG: @real.wpb

For their part, the Soldiers attempted to congest the midfield and pushed up players to try and get back into the game, possibly hoping to capitalize on the momentum from the nullified equalizer. However this left too much space open whenever a City player got through. That, in turn, allowed the visitors to score three goals in a 15 minute span while Florida struggled to make deep possessions into the opposite end.

City added a fourth goal a few minutes later in the 60th minute, when Escobar’s free kick from the right side, near the touchline, was headed down by defender Christopher Llorente before trickling into the back of the net. Llorente, a Cuban international in his third season with City, previously spent time with professional side Cienfuegos FC in his home country.

City will now await the First Round draw on Jan. 19, 2022 to see which Open Division team they face in the competition proper.

Florida Soccer Soldiers has been a regular in Open Cup qualifying the past few years. After finally making the tournament in 2019, the team made a run to the Third Round upsetting Miami FC (then defending National Premier Soccer League champions) and USL Championship side Charlotte Independence. Two members of that roster, Valentin Sabella and Bryant Martin Gammiero, went on to sign with Charlotte and Miami respectively.

The Florida Soccer Soldiers were the third UPSL team that City Soccer FC defeated to qualify for the 2022 US Open Cup. City began their qualifying run the Second Round where they edged Miami Sun FC, 3-2, and followed that up with a 7-2 win over International Soccer Association. By punching their ticket, CSFC join Orlando FC Wolves as the only two teams from the United States Specialty Sports Association’s National Soccer League to qualify for next year’s tournament.

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2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Outward Soccer Soldiers … North Carolina FC ousts Florida 1-0 to advance

May 29, 2019 by Neil Morris

Players from North Carolina FC celebrate the team's only goal against Florida Soccer Soldiers in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Credit - Rob Kinnan — Players from North Carolina FC celebrate the team’s only goal against Florida Soccer Soldiers in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Credit – Rob Kinnan

The last time North Carolina FC played a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on Field 2 (aka the Koka Booth Stadium) at WakeMed Soccer Park was 2014, when the team was called the Carolina RailHawks. The game featured a higher caliber, more talented squad coached by Dave Sarachan against a scrappy, yet overmatched underdog that nevertheless managed to pull off an improbable upset win.

Wednesday night in Cary, North Carolina FC, now a second-division pro team in the USL, hosted the amateur side Florida Soccer Soldiers in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Sarachan was back, now as the manager of North Carolina, which defeated Sarachan’s LA Galaxy in 2014 by a score of 1-0. Five years later, history partly repeated itself, as North Carolina carried an early second half goal by DJ Taylor to another 1-0 victory to advance to the Fourth Round of the Open Cup.

“It was a good win,” Sarachan said. “The Open Cup is what you saw tonight. You have a group of players from Florida who did a good job disrupting us and asking questions of us. We were in second gear in the first half, for whatever reason, and we created nothing. We adjusted some things at halftime, and I thought our second half start was good. We got the early goal, and I thought the soccer was good in the second half.”

For Sarachan, the win adds to his US Open Cup coaching resume, as the two-time champion improved his career advance percentage to .889, and his winning percentage to .833. Both numbers are the best of any manager in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present).

The amateur @SoccerSoldiers gave good account of themselves in Cary, NC, but there was no stopping @NorthCarolinaFC, who picked up the 1-0 win & a place in the Fourth Round.

? Highlights | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/m8B45rA4rx

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 30, 2019

“We came with huge expectations about this game because we thought we could win,” said Soccer Soldiers manager Daniel Godoy. “We played a high level against an excellent team with an excellent staff and excellent coach. Of course, we knew that if we made one mistake, they would score. We did our best, but it wasn’t for us.”

A back-and-forth opening half saw the hungrier Soccer Soldiers stymie North Carolina FC’s occasional attacking sorties and clog the midfield. The visitors’ offense consisted mainly of hunting for poaching opportunities. But the feisty Soccer Soldiers kept the scoreline clean entering intermission.

For the second straight Open Cup match, Sarachan was not pleased by his squad’s sluggish first half.

“The message was more urgency and more movement,” said Sarachan, who is leading a team in the US Open Cup for the first time since winning the tournament in 2006 with the Chicago Fire. “Sure it’s hot and all, but the message was let’s get to third and fourth gear. Step up the pressure and step up the tempo, get the game more on our terms.”

“In the first half, our movement was too slow,” Taylor added. “The team came out very lethargic—I don’t know if it was the heat or whatever. We weren’t moving the ball fast enough, and technically they were good and making it difficult for us.”

Graphic by Harrison Huntley | @hhuntley17

A more determined North Carolina FC came out for the second stanza and immediately christened the scoreboard. Fullback D.J. Taylor took a lay off from Steven Miller and drove towards goal, cutting loose a low liner from 19 yards out that slipped past Soccer Soldiers goalkeeper Bryant Gammiero Martins for a 1-0 advantage.

“I just saw space and dribbled through opponents, and they gave me space to cut onto my left foot and I hit it,” Taylor beamed. “It was a good goal.”

From there, the fitter Dead Whales wore down the Florida visitors. Three bookings, including a late red card shown to Florida’s Carlos Daniel Meneses Freire, were the lone notable events as North Carolina FC ground out a win and Florida appeared to finish the match with heavy legs.

“Maybe we pressured too high, but we knew that if we did that we were going to find one opportunity,” Godoy said. “We created a couple of those early in the game, but in the second half came with better energy.”

North Carolina FC now moves on to the fourth round of the Open Cup, the MLS round, which is familiar territory for the Cary-based side. An MLS side has ousted North Carolina from six of the past seven Open Cups.

“I’m very excited,” Taylor said. “We have a new coach, new team, and I think we’ll have a lot of success this year. I think it’s a great challenge to show what we can do. Last year, we lost to DC United on PKs, so we have to settle the score through the MLS rounds.”

BOX SCORE
LINEUPS
NC: MacLeod, Taylor, Mehl, Guillen, Duvernay, G. Smith, Wapiwo (da Luz, 77’), Perez (Miller, 46’), Fortune, Chester, Kristo (Ewolo, 73’)
FSS: Gammiero Martins, Serrano, Aldunate (Coll 85’), Calderon, Hoyos Cadavid, Suazo Williams, Meneses Freire, Boggio, Ruiz de Somocurcio (Ferro, 56’), Guanipa Morles (Olivares, 55’), Sabella

GOALS
NC: Taylor, 47’ (Miller)
FSS: —

CAUTIONS
NC: Mehl, 21’; Wapiwo, 71’
FSS: Sabella, 45’; Olivares, 90’

EJECTIONS
NC: —
FSS: Freire, 90’

ATTENDANCE: 1,270

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Bryant Martin of Florida Soccer Soldiers voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

May 28, 2019 by Lee Ifans

Bryant Martin - Florida Soccer Soldiers, TheCup.us Player of the Round — Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

It’s a well-known cliche in soccer that of all the positions on the field, you have to be a little different to be a goalkeeper. You’re the last line of defense and in the modern game sometimes the first spark of a counter attack. The mix of mental and physical strength, bravery, reflexes, being able to read the game well, the need to command the penalty area and these days the ability to be good with your feet means that a good keeper is hard to find.

A great keeper is even harder.

Those who have been following the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup run of the Florida Soccer Soldiers, know that coach Daniel Godoy may have unearthed a fantastic one in Bryant Martin.

Martin’s performance in the Soccer Soldiers’ penalty kick win over the USL Championship’s Charlotte Independence in Round 2 was enough to earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) of TheCup.us’ Patreon team.

Martin beat out some very talented players for the award. Finishing in second was Saint Louis FC’s teenage goalkeeper Patrick Schulte who stopped three of four penalties in his side’s shootout win against the Des Moines Menace. Also in the conversation were Christian ‘Pato’ Diaz of Forward Madison FC, a defender who helped keep a clean sheet and scored a goal in a 3-0 road win over El Paso Locomotive, and Eddie Opoku of Birmingham Legion who was involved in all four goals in a 4-1 home win over West Chester United.

Martin has been a big reason why the Miami-based amateur side is one of just two Open Division teams left in the Third Round.

In the First Round victory against Miami FC he pulled off a string of wonderful saves to keep his opponents at bay. He’s not the biggest keeper but his acrobatic agility means he is difficult to beat. Bryant is a man enjoying playing the sport and it shows.

“I came to play for Florida Soccer Soldiers because I knew Daniel Godoy,” said Martin, who born in Miami to Venezuelan parents. “He needed a keeper and called me and asked me to join the team. I went there and started training and I feel really good with the team. I played before with Miami United and Miami Fusion, also professionally in Venezuela with Atletico Venezuela and Deportivo Lara. The energy, the humbleness and the motivation I feel within this team, I never felt that before. This is amazing, it feels like a real family.”

That team spirit was on show in Charlotte as the Soccer Soldiers twice came from behind to take the USL Championship (Division 2 pro) team to a penalty shootout. Again Martin was a huge factor in keeping the game on level terms with the Independence and even came close to scoring with a free kick during the game. But in the penalty shootout he excelled. Stepping up and keeping his nerve to score the first penalty of the shootout and then making the decisive save to send the Soldiers into dreamland and the Third Round of the US Open Cup. A goalkeeper who isn’t overawed by being either side of a penalty kick. How can that happen?

What. a. GAME!?@SoccerSoldiers take down the @Independence for a HUGE #cupset!?#USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/8Zv4To2bKi

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 15, 2019

“In this team I feel free to play, I feel no pressure at all,” said Martin. “It’s important to feel like this because your performance is always going to be very high. I feel great about it, I go to training every day and I’m motivated. Motivated because the team believes in me and I believe in the team.”

Like other Open Division teams that have put together good runs in the Open Cup you can see the chemistry in the Soldiers camp and credit has to go to coach Godoy for unlocking the potential of his players and molding them into a good side. Again, a dependable goalkeeper is a huge advantage.

“He’s an angel,” said Godoy. “He’s one of the best goalkeepers in Florida. He has experience as a professional player. He’s living his moment. He’s inspired in this team environment and he’s very motivated and that is the key. He’s a great goalkeeper and when I have a great player my job as a coach is to get the best out of them. I might not be the best coach but with this group I found a way to get the potential out of these great players.”

A trip to North Carolina FC awaits Florida Soccer Soldiers and it’s fair to say this will be the toughest test for this group so far but no one will be writing the South Florida outfit off.

“There is a magic energy every inside this group. Something is happening and we are living a good moment and we are going to fight until the end,” said Godoy.

Bryant hopes the recognition and the spotlight of the Open Cup will ultimately lead to a return to playing professionally. And he’s proudto be named the Player of the Round.

“ fills my heart with excitement, and takes me one step closer to my dream of being signed by a professional team once again,” said Martin. “I am leaving my heart on the field every chance I get in hopes of accomplishing my objective. I am also very grateful to have so many people cheer for our team. At the beginning, we had a very small group of supporters, people would actually make fun of our team name but now, after our two big victories, we have won the hearts of people all over the USA and that is very motivating for us and we are truly blessed to have the support of such wonderful people who have helped us make this possible. We believe in ourselves and we will give it all to win on Wednesday and stay in the Cup making our families and those cheering for us proud!”

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Shorthanded Florida Soccer Soldiers find a way to upset Charlotte Independence

May 15, 2019 by Corey Inscoe

Florida Soccer Soldiers pose for a team photo before their game against Miami FC in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography

The Florida Soccer Soldiers found a way. Despite being the underdogs, despite a long trip up to Charlotte from Miami, despite going a man down in the second half and despite trailing by a goal in extra time, the Florida Soccer Soldiers finished off a second straight upset Tuesday night, beating Charlotte Independence 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout in the Second Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“This is huge, man,” said Florida forward Valentin Sabella, who scored the tying goal in extra time. “Coming all the way from Miami, first time playing a professional team in an official match, and being able to beat them the way we did is absolutely incredible.”

Florida’s dream run will continue with another road game in Round 3 at the winner of Wednesday’s match between the Richmond Kickers (USL League One) and North Carolina FC (USL Championship).

MORE >> 2019 Meet the Underdogs: First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

It was an uphill road for the Florida Soccer Soldiers of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). Charlotte controlled possession, especially in the first half, never trailed and had multiple chances to win the game in the final moments of regular time.

Independence defender Hugh Roberts opened the scoring off a 31st-minute free kick from Enzo Martinez. The free kick found Hassan Ndam at the far post and he headed it to the near post where Roberts punched it in to give the Independence a 1-0 lead. It was Roberts’ second career US Open Cup goal, his first since 2016 when he was a member of the Richmond Kickers.

Charlotte had a plethora of chances to double the lead. One of the best came in first half stoppage time, when Abdoulie Mansally found himself wide open in the box with the ball. But, after a short hesitation, he lifted the right-footed shot over the crossbar.

What. a. GAME!?@SoccerSoldiers take down the @Independence for a HUGE #cupset!?#USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/8Zv4To2bKi

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 15, 2019

“Offensively we’ve got to be more clinical,” said Charlotte coach Jim McGuinness, whose team has just one win in 10 USL Championship matches. “You know, creating chances has been off the charts all season, to be honest with you. We’re up at 16, 17 shots every game, but we’re not making that count on the scoreboard and I think that’s really hurting us.”

The Soccer Soldiers also had their chances. The best in the first half came on a Sabella breakaway in the 42nd minute, but the speedy forward’s shot went just right of the goal.

The Soccer Soldiers finally broke through in the 78th minute, when Adolfo Suazo headed home a long cross to the far post from Daniel Meneses to knot the game at 1-1.

Then, everything seemed to go the Independence’s way.

Florida’s Antonioni Gonzalez was sent off with his second yellow card in second half stoppage time. A few minutes later, Florida keeper Bryant Martin made an incredible, game-saving save on a Dominic Oduro header. And in the dying embers of regular time, it looked like Ndam scored a game-winner off a rebound in the box, but it was negated by an offside call and the game went to extra time tied 1-1.

Charlotte pounced quickly in the first extra period. Enzo Martinez’s shot in the 92nd minute was saved, but the ball fell to the feet of Oduro just outside the six-yard box and he poked home the goal, giving the Independence a 2-1 lead. For Oduro, it was his eighth career US Open Cup goal, which ranks among the Modern Era’s top 20 goalscorers.

That goal seemed like it would be enough against the short-handed Soccer Soldiers. But the lead vanished the final minute of the second period of extra time. Sabella took advantage of a poor back pass by Ndam, beat Charlotte keeper Curtis Anderson and slid home the goal that tied the game at 2-2 and forced the penalty shootout.

“I know sometimes defenders tend to like playing it back,” Sabella said about the goal. “I read the play. I don’t know … it just happened. I can’t explain it. I don’t know how.”

The first four players for each team made their penalty. Then Florida’s Sabella came through in the clutch again, making fifth kick to put the pressure on Charlotte. Soccer Soldiers keeper Martin, who had nearly saved two penalties earlier in the shootout, guessed right, dove to his right and saved Enzo Martinez’s attempt to give Florida the win.

But the Soccer Soldiers aren’t done yet.

“There are nine games in this competition,” Sabella said. “We’re past two already. Seven to go. We believe in ourselves to get that far, trust me.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Florida Soccer Soldiers upset NPSL champion Miami FC in tournament debut

May 9, 2019 by Neil Blackmon

Players from Florida Soccer Soldiers and Miami FC battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography

The reigning national champions of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Miami FC began and ended their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup campaign Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss to the Miami-based Florida Soccer Soldiers.

The Soccer Soldiers were a tough opening draw for Miami FC, having themselves been a national finalist in the UPSL a year ago. The Soccer Soldiers steamrolled through the qualifying competition, earning their shot at Miami FC by outscoring four opponents 9-1 in the Cup’s Open Division Local qualifying tournament. The Soccer Soldiers also play a difficult brand of soccer to play against, comfortable sitting deep in a setup that allows them to play 5-3-2 when they aren’t in possession but quickly morph into a wingback-driven counterattacking 3-5-2 in possession.

2019 MEET THE UNDERDOGS SERIES: First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

Miami FC came out prepared and struck first. Dylan Mares made a swashbuckling run down the Soccer Soldiers left flank before peppering a ball across the face of goal for Ariel Martinez. The 31-year-old Cuban international is no stranger to the US Open Cup, having been a part of Miami FC’s magical run to the Open Cup quarterfinals as a member of the now-defunct North American Soccer League in 2017. Martinez added to his Open Cup tally with a clinical finish, giving the Orange and Blue a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the match.

The Florida Soccer Soldiers pose for a team photo before their match against Miami FC in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Orovio Photography

Soccer Soldiers recovered well, absorbing pressure until making a vital tactical change in the 34th minute. Pushing their fullbacks higher up the pitch and removing left back Carlos Paredes for substitute Mario Ferro, the Soccer Soldiers managed to grab a bit more of the ball and with it, a pulse in the game. They created two golden chances to equalize in the final ten minutes of the first half, only to see forward Valentin Sabella denied by Mark Pais in the 36th minute and Sabella missing a sitter just before halftime.

Miami FC pressed for a second before halftime, but Soccer Soldiers keeper Bryant Martin was repeatedly up to the task, making big save after big save. Martin, who played in NPSL last year for Miami United, made a spectacular save on Tomas Granito in the 40th minute, stoned Dylan Mares two minutes later from only twelve yards, and closed the half with a lunging save on Ariel Martinez just prior to the halftime whistle.

Instead, it was Soccer Soldiers who would score next.

Just moments into the second half, Miami FC centerback Brenton Griffiths sent a pass lazily across the face of his own goal. None of his teammates showed for the ball, and before goalkeeper Mark Pais could react, Soccer Soldiers number nine William Stamatis had intercepted the pass and buried it in the Miami FC net. Suddenly, the game was 1-1, and the prospects of some early round Open Cup magic– in the Magic City no less- seemed high.

A genuine #Cupset. ?@SoccerSoldiers charged past @NPSLSoccer pro side @TheMiamiFC to book a date in the #USOC2019 Second Round. GAME ? HIGHLIGHTS ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/eIdn8jV4Be

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 9, 2019

Soccer Soldiers nearly took the lead at the hour mark after Miami goalkeeper Mark Pais was caught hopelessly off his line after another Miami FC midfield giveaway. An initial attempt at a chip was deflected, leading to a Miami FC handball. The Soccer Soldiers were unable to capitalize on that Pais error, but minutes later they would get another opportunity.

A lovely ball from midfield sliced into the 18 towards Valentin Sabella, who had split the Miami defense. Reacting late, Pais took down the Soccer Soldiers forward and referee Jamie Willis pointed to the spot.

Goalkeeping can be brutal business, but it’s one of the few positions on the field where you can go from goat to hero in an instant, and Pais seized his moment. Carlos Meneses hammered a ball hard and low, but Pais was up to the challenge, parrying it away with his right leg. As the penalty rebound sailed harmlessly high, it appeared as if Miami FC may have dodged Soccer Soldiers’ best bullet.

Unfortunately for Miami FC, they hadn’t.

With both teams out of substitutions, a driving tropical rain falling and time-winding down, yet another poor Miami clearance resulted in Soccer Soldiers winning the ball in the always dangerous zone fourteen, where former NPSL Boca Raton midfielder Carlos Meneses took a touch and lifted a beautiful strike over a helpless Pais. The goal set-off a raucous sideline celebration from the Soccer Soldiers, and sent an immediate hush over the typically rowdy Miami FC supporters group.

Miami FC sent bodies hurling forward late, but couldn’t muster a shot on goal despite nearly ten minutes of stoppage time and plenty of the ball. When it ended, an overjoyed Soccer Soldiers team lingered on waterlogged field to celebrate.

“We knew we were capable, a strong team. We just had to show it tonight and we did. We gave up the early goal but felt we were the better team most of the night and the result showed. I’m proud of our effort,” a jubilant Martin said afterwards.

There was no joy on Miami FC’s side.

As the NPSL national champion, Miami FC were one of the few teams with the talent to make a deep Open Cup run. Instead, their Cup dreams were snuffed out after one evening, and their players, front office and fans were left to wonder what might have been. On the heels of another early Open Cup exit last year, the team rallied and won the NPSL championship. But the pressure is now firmly on manager Paul Dalglish, who was well aware of the emphasis Miami FC’s ownership placed on the Open Cup. Whether Dalglish will get a third chance at an Open Cup run next year is now a fair question. Such is life in the lower tiers of American soccer, where the only chance to prove oneself against the best is the Open Cup, and to have the chance snuffed out after one evening is an especially brutal blow.

A hushed Dalglish acknowledged as much post game, first praising the victorious Soccer Soldiers but adding, “I need to reassess what I’m doing as a coach as well.”

He will. He just won’t get to do it in a US Open Cup.

2019 Meet the Underdogs: First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with “respect, pride and commitment”

May 7, 2019 by Lee Ifans

Florida Soccer Soldiers celebrate in the locker room after a game. Photo: Lee Ifans

Florida Soccer Soldiers were founded in 2018, and in just one year, they have already marched their way to the top of the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). Now they have their crosshairs on the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

In their inaugural league campaign they were Florida South Division regular season champions and playoff winners. The UPSL Southeast Conference title came soon after. At the national playoffs they won a quarterfinal match 2-0 against Inocentes FC (Ft. Worth, Texas) before losing 2-0 to eventual national champions Bavarian SC in the semifinals.

As you might expect from a team from South Florida, there is a strong Latin American identity to the side and an especially visible Venezuelan influence. Head coach is Daniel Godoy, a man with an impressive resume. In his professional career he played with Caracas FC in Venezuela winning plural national titles and playing in three Copa Libertadores tournaments. With Deportivo Lara he appeared in the Copa Sudamericana. Godoy also has international experience with one appearance for the Venezuelan under 23 side in an Olympic Games qualifier against Chile plus two full international caps with the Vinotinto in 2006 and 2007 against Uruguay and Ecuador. Closer to home he has NPSL titles with Miami United in 2016 and Miami Fusion in 2017 before taking the reins with Florida Soccer Soldiers.

Antonioni González | Photo: Florida Soccer Soldiers

“I was very happy when I heard I would be coaching the team. I talked to the owners and they showed me a good project thinking for the future, to have a youth academy and give young players opportunities to play for the first team,” said Godoy. “And yes, I liked the name because we are as soldiers committed with one idea. The name transmits respect. You know how honorable soldiers are fighting for a country or ideology? This team needs soldiers fighting to win games together with respect, pride and commitment. This group is thinking with the same ideology. Win games and help grow the club.”

Soccer Soldiers were the only team from South Florida to make it through the Open Cup qualifiers. Defeating UPSL rivals Miami Sun 2-1 in the first qualifying round, established Miami non-league outfit Red Force 1-0 in the second round and then hammering Hurricane FC of Delray Beach 6-0 in the third.

They received a bye in the fourth and final round when opponents America SC from the Orlando area forfeited due to them leaving the UPSL league system. Florida Soccer Soldiers were drawn to play at Miami FC in the first round of the 2019 Open Cup tournament proper.

It promises to be one of the games of the round, with two teams fighting for a shot at the Charlotte Independence (USL Championship) in the second round. The Soccer Soldiers are a technical side who build patiently from the back and have a talented roster who can pull that kind of game off.

“That’s my style, that’s the way I like to transmit my knowledge as an ex-professional players,” said Godoy. “I try to teach the same way of playing I learned in the past. I don’t like to send balls to the front and wait for mistakes. I rather build play from the back, make connections and move the ball so that we have clear options for the forwards. I am lucky to have good players, ex-pros and very good young kids who want to improve. Soccer Soldiers like to give young players a chance to get exposure so universities and colleges can come and watch players and give them scholarships and opportunities.”

Florida Soccer Soldiers head coach Daniel Godoy | Photo: Florida Soccer Soldiers

One of those young players is Valentin Sabella. An exciting winger raised in Miami who likes to take on players and score goals. In the qualifiers he got on the scoresheet decisively in the first and second rounds and grabbed a brace in the rout of Hurricane FC. Sabella is also one of the team’s top free kick takers.

The midfield is anchored by experienced Venezuelan Antonioni González, the captain. A deep-lying playmaker, he is the embodiment of the Soldiers’ philosophy. Calm in possession and capable of opening up teams with a great range of passing. Both the old hands and the young guns are sure to be excited for a crack at the Open Cup.

“It’s a very honorable competition, the oldest competition for club soccer in this country,” said Godoy. “Everyone is proud to be part of this and be at this level. It’s an amazing opportunity for my players. Some of the ex-pros have played at a high level and had this chance before, but for those who haven’t played at this kind of level it’s a great opportunity. Everyone’s excited to be a part of this competition.”

Looking ahead to the team’s opening round matchup, according to their coach, playing against a team that fields some professional players isn’t going to intimidate them.

“If look honestly at our weaknesses and our strengths, if we focus and work hard and not worry about the other team, Miami FC, we have a great chance to advance,” added Godoy. “Everyone knows it will be an intense, hard game but we have been preparing with international games against sides like Boca Juniors, Penarol and the Puerto Rico national team. So this game won’t be a surprise for us. We trust in our strengths and we are working on our weaknesses to be in the best shape to face this game.”

2019 US Open Cup qualifying: Florida Soccer Soldiers qualify for first time after America SC withdraws

March 19, 2019 by Josh Hakala

The Florida Soccer Soldiers have punched their ticket to the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup without playing their final Open Division Local Qualifying tournament game. On March 18, 2019, the US Soccer Federation announced on Twitter that their final round opponent, Jacksonville, Fla.-based America Soccer Club, has withdrawn from the competition.

TheCup.us has confirmed with the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) that America SC is no longer a part of the league due to financial reasons, which disqualifies them from participating in the US Open Cup.

America SC did not respond to a request for comment.

This will mark the first time that Florida Soccer Soldiers, who are based in the Miami area, will take part in the US Open Cup. The Soldiers won the UPSL Florida Conference regular season championship in their inaugural season in 2018.

They began their qualifying journey on Sept. 22 when they edged fellow UPSL side Miami Sun FC, 2-1. In Round 2, the Soldiers took advantage of a second half red card and earned a 1-0 win over fellow Miami club Red Force FC who were seeking their fifth trip to the Open Cup.

They advanced to the final round with a one-sided 6-0 win over Hurricane FC. Valentin Sabella, who scored the game-winner against Red Force FC, scored two goals and dished out two assists in the win. William Stamatis also bagged two goals for the Soccer Soldiers.

With one less game, the final round of the qualifying tournament is down to six games, which will be played the weekend of April 6-7. The winner of each game will join the field of 84 teams in the 106th edition of the tournament. Click here for the full qualifying schedule.