Greenville Eagles

USASA Region III tournament updates: ASC New Stars, NTX Rayados clinch US Open Cup berths

April 28, 2012 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE: The ASC New Stars and the North Texas Rayados both qualified for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after winning their respective groups in the USASA Region III tournament. The New Stars become the first team from Southern Texas to qualify in back-to-back seasons in the Modern Pro Era, while the Rayados, from North Texas, are in the tournament for the first time. We will have more on this weekend as we receive the details.

While both teams have clinched a spot in the US Open Cup, the two clubs will square off on Sunday at 10 a.m. local time to determine who will represent Region III at the USASA Nationals in Chicago this summer.

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Saturday results will be updated with the standings below

The first day of the USASA Region III tournament in Houston is in the books with four matches and four winners. The competition, that will determine the region’s two entries into the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, is divided into two groups of four with the winner of each group punching their ticket.

In Group A, ASC New Stars are looking to return to the tournament for the second year in a row, and they got off to a good start with a 3-1 victory over the NPSL’s Galveston Pirate SC. It was Galveston who struck first with an early goal, but the New Stars took over with three unanswered goals before the halftime break. They are joined at the top of the table with fellow Texas club, FC Rahr who shut out the Greenville Eagles 2-0.

The two first place clubs will square off on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. local time with the winner of that match being put in the driver’s seat for one of the two US Open Cup spots. If the match finishes in a draw, then it will come down to the final round of matches at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Much like in Group A, Saturday morning will feature a match between the Group B co-leaders. The Royal Eagles from Florida and the North Texas Rayados both were victorious and will play each other at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The Eagles, who are representing Florida in the tournament for the second straight year, defeated the South Texas club Barracudas 2-0. The North Texas Rayados edged Oklahoma champion Boston Avenue AC 2-1 to earn the full three points.

Check out the standings and the schedule below for more information …

2012 USASA Region III US Open Cup qualifying tournament

GROUP A	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GD
ASC New Stars (TXS)	2	0	1	7	9	2	+7
Galveston Pirate SC (TXS)	2	1	0	6	7	6	+1
FC Rahr (NTX)	1	2	0	3	4	8	-4
Greenville Eagles (SC)	0	2	1	1	2	6	-4

GROUP B	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	GD
NTX Rayados (NTX)	2	1	0	6	8	9	-1
Royal Eagles (FL)	2	1	0	6	7	8	-1
Boston Avenue AC (OK)	1	2	0	3	7	7	+0
Barracudas (TXS)	1	2	0	3	8	6	+2

Friday, April 27 – 8 p.m. CT

Group A
ASC New Stars (TXS) 3:1 Galveston Pirate SC (TXS)
FC Rahr (NTX) 2:0 Greenville Eagles (SC)

Group B
Royal Eagles (FL) 2:0 Barracudas (TX)
NTX Rayados (NTX) 2:1 Boston Avenue AC (OK)

Saturday, April 28 – 10 a.m. CT

Group A
Greenville Eagles (SC) 1:3 Galveston Pirate SC (TXS)
ASC New Stars (TXS) 5:0 FC Rahr (NTX)

Group B
Royal Eagles (FL) 0:4 NTX Rayados (NTX)
Barracudas (TX) 0:2 Boston Avenue AC (OK)

Saturday, April 28 – 8 p.m. CT

Group A
FC Rahr (NTX) 2:3 Galveston Pirate SC (TXS)
Greenville Eagles (SC) 1:1 ASC New Stars (TXS)

Group B
Boston Avenue AC (OK) 4:5 Royal Eagles (FL)
NTX Rayados (NTX) 2:8 Barracudas (TX)

Sunday, April 29 – 10 a.m. CT
ASC New Stars vs. NTX Rayados
Both group winners qualify for the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2012 USASA Region III participants

ASC New Stars (South Texas): The New Stars are the top-flight side from the Houston-based Aria Soccer Club that was founded in 1974. After winning the title last year, the team fell 4-0 in the first round on the road to Orlando City, who went on to nearly upset MLS’ FC Dallas in the third round as well as win the USL Pro championship. The defending champions were winless two years ago (0-2-1) in the Region III tournament, but qualified previously in 2008 for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, finishing runners-up in a 2-1 decision against Clearwater Galactics (FL) for the regional title. They were blanked, 3-0, by the USL First Division’s Charleston Battery (pro second division) in the First Round that year. They participated in the regionals in 2006, finishing second in their group after withdrawing the previous year. MORE: 2011 Meet the USASA – ASC New Stars

Boston Athletic (Oklahoma): The entrants from the Oklahoma Soccer Association were complete unknowns that were simply listed as the Tulsa-based BAAC Reserves, who won the Adult State Cup Division I tournament in mid-March. They had advanced with a 2-1 victory over COASL IFC in the championship of the three-team event, which also included Ponca City Tiburones. This year, only the club team from Oklahoma University stood in the way. The early March contest was a back-and-forth affair that saw BAAC rally twice for a 3-2 victory on three goals from Ashley McInnes, a former University of Tulsa star. According to TheCup.us records, this year will mark only the seventh time in the last 18 years where a team from the Sooner state has entered the Region III tournament. Prior to 2010, the last team to enter from Oklahoma was a club called Guerrero finished last in Region III group play back in 2001.

Greenville Eagles (South Carolina): The faith-oriented club, which has numerous teams in local Greenville 11v11 and 7v7 leagues, returns for a second chance. The full-sided team is currently dominating the local league with a 3-0 record and 13-2 aggregate goal ledger. Last summer the club had the top two teams in the local league with identical 7-1-0 records as well as the first-place team in the second-flight. The club was well-rounded a year ago with seven different players accounting for their eight goals. Juan Martinez scored in the 2-0 opening victory and his second in a 9-0 rout to finish the group in second with a 2-1 record. They advanced last year from the South Carolina tournament in Myrtle Beach.

Royal Eagles (Florida): Launched in 2009 in the Lakeland area, east of Tampa, and during their brief existence, they’ve experienced nothing but success. They were undefeated in Division 3 of the Florida Suncoast Soccer Leagues (FSSL), winning the league and the Florida Classic tournament in their inaugural campaign. The following year, because of their high level of play, the FSSL approved an unprecedented jump from Division 3 to the Premier Division. They edged Florida Gators, the only other state entrant, in a thrilling 3-2 decision for the state title.

FC Rahr (North Texas): A team a lot of fans can get behind, it is a successful side that is one of the powerhouses in Fort Worth. It is also sponsored by the popular local microbrewery, Rahr and Sons Brewing Company. The club, consisting of 120 players on eight teams, has won 14 league and tournament championships out of the Fort Worth Adult Soccer Association.

NTX Rayados (North Texas): A largely unknown side, the team is currently in first place in the North Texas Premier Soccer Association’s 1A Division with a 6-1-0 record. The league features past US Open Cup participants, Legends FC and Dallas Roma FC.

Barracudas (South Texas): An unknown side, the team had a good showing in the state tournament, qualifying with 2-0 and 4-3 wins in their group. The second victory was over fellow Region III participant Galveston Pirate.

Galveston Pirate (South Texas): The team was a late addition to fill the eighth berth in the tournament. The Pirates fell 4-3 to fellow Region III participant Barracudas in the state tournament and, according to the South Texas site, did not play its second – likely due to Barracudas having already won the three-team group. The club is also a member of the National Premier Soccer League’s four-team South Central Conference.

2011 US Open Cup Qualifying: ASC New Stars & Regals FC claim berths at USASA Region III tournament

May 27, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

The draw for the USASA Region III Open Men’s tournament to be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama May 27-30 that will also determine the region’s two Lamar Hunt US Open Cup berths was held at the University of Alabama Recreational Center Thursday evening. The draw set the stage for the next four days of competition, which kicked off Friday morning at 10:00 am ET.

With seven teams taking part, the format was similar to that of last year with two groups playing a round robin and the winner of each group qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While it doesn’t affect the Open Cup tournament, those two group winners played each other on Memorial Day to determine Region III’s Open Cup champion that will represent Region III at the USASA’s national tournament.

The Region III tournament took place less than a mile from the path of destruction left by an F5 tornado. The tornado, estimated to be a mile and half wide, produced winds of 190 mph winds and traveled 80 miles killing more than 35 people in Tuscaloosa while injuring more than 800 others. The tornado was on the ground for nearly one and half hours.

The two returning clubs from last year, ASC New Stars and CASL Elite, were in different groups this year. A year ago they were in the same group with CASL Elite finishing unbeaten en route to the tournament title. ASC New Stars, meanwhile, were winless. ASC had a completely different experience the second time around though, and although CASL got off to a great start, they were surprised in the end as ASC’s fellow Houston-based rival Regals FC proved to be the other stars of the event.The ASC New Stars opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory against the Boston Avenue Athletic Club Reserves, coming from behind on a pair of Alex Bolan strikes after a BAAC penalty. The club also found itself behind a goal on differential as the Greenville Eagles also opened up group play with a win, blanking Florida Gators 2-0. The deficit became meaningless the next day when ASC thumped the South Carolina club 4-1. Four different players scored this time, but Bolan tallied his third of the event, along with an assist, giving ASC command of the group. On the final day of group play Greenville rebounded against a dispirited BAAC side, and hoping for a chance via the goal differential tiebreaker ran up a 9-0 scoreline only to see ASC post their third win. Bolan struck 14 minutes in against Florida and ASC made the goal stand for a sweep of the group, clinching a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup berth for the second time in four years as well as a spot in Monday’s Final.

“After last year’s extreme disappointment we came into this year with redemption on our mind,” said ASC head coach Majid Savadkoohi. “We just keep building positive momentum after each win along with improved chemistry and purpose.

“Now this is our second qualification for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which is an honor; however, we are especially eager to finish the overall tournament as victors and qualify for Men’s Open National championships in Kentucky,” he added after the group finale.

“I thank all the players for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. Especially, I would like to thank the ASC Club President and co-founder Mr. Tom Khalili for all his efforts and hard work all year long.”

The defending Region III champion CASL Elite got off to a dominant start with its roster comprised of numerous former professionals, blanking the Royal Eagles, 3-0, with Stephen Nsereko scoring twice in the first half. Regals was idle as the group was reduced to three teams following the withdrawal of a club prior to the event. Regals made their debut the following day against Royal Eagles, who rebounded from the opening loss by downing Regals 2-1. The final match of the group proved to be a crazy turn of events. Regals jumped out to a stunning four-goal lead with Roy Hernandez scoring twice. CASL, though, replied with two goals as the game came to a close. The 4-2 result not only created a three-way draw with records, but also put Regals and CASL into a deadlock on tiebreakers, forcing a penalty kick tiebreaker to determine the group winner. The two clubs stepped to the spot with the Final and a berth into the US Open Cup on the line. Regals goalkeeper Marcos Sanchez became the star of the day, stopping three of CASL’s four attempts for a 4-1 tally, making the Final an all-Houston affair.

“Houston has one of the deepest talent pools in the country, so it does not surprise me to be facing the New Stars in the,” said Regals head coach Miguel Landaverde.”We are a very young club, formed only 17 months ago, but we built this team for the US Open Cup. We are very excited for the opportunity to showcase our players to professional teams.”

The club’s general manager, Stephen Heisler, added that the success of USASA entrant Dallas Roma in the 2006 tournament in which they upset USL-1 side Miami FC, 1-0, and edged MLS club Chivas USA in penalties after a scoreless draw was an inspiration.

“Getting coach Landaverde on board was the perfect foundation, and the rest is history.” Heisler commented, adding praise for those that made it possible. “This team represents Houston, we are a team of the people, for the people. Having amazing sponsors like Coors Light, Powerade, Maya Park, and Lacho Alya Motors makes everything possible. Maya Park is an incredible home pitch, and we would not be here today if it were not for their generosity.”

In the all-Houston championship match, Savadkoohi’s New Stars did just what he was hoping, edging Regals 2-1 in overtime to claim the 2011 Region III title.

Having allowed just two goals in three group games, a defensive error left ASC trailing for the second time in the Region III tournament as Regals took the advantage in the 44th minute. The 1-0 Regals lead was also partially to the credit of keeper Marcos Sanchez, who made three spectacular saves to keep the veteran club off the board despite its domination of play.

In a more evenly played second stanza ASC would finally break through though in the 65th minute courtesy of Miko Simon to level the match. At the close of regulation the New Stars had a perfect opportunity to seal the title when Alex Bolan was fouled in the penalty area, but the attempt would fail to be converted, sending the final to overtime.

The stalemate continued, and as penalties neared for a second straight day for Regals, their city rivals found the back of the net. Four minutes from time Marco Carrizales sent a nice cross into the box that Chuks Ndame headed home for the championship-winning goal.

USASA REGION III TOURNAMENT
*Group winners qualify for 2011 US Open Cup*

Group A	P	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	GD
ASC New Stars	3	3	0	0	9	7	2	+5
Greenville Eagles	3	2	1	0	6	12	4	+8
Florida Gators	3	1	2	0	3	1	3	-2
Boston Avenue ACR	3	0	3	0	0	1	12	-11

All times Eastern

5/27	Greenville Eagles	2:0	Florida Gators	A1
5/27	Boston Avenue ACR	1:2	ASC New Stars	A2
5/28	Florida Gators	1:0	Boston Avenue ACR	A3
5/28	ASC New Stars	4:1	Greenville Eagles	A4
5/29	Greenville Eagles	9:0	Boston Avenue ACR	A5
5/29	Florida Gators	0:1	ASC New Stars	A6

*ASC New Stars advance

Group B	P	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Regals FC	2	1	1	0	3	5	4	+1
CASL Elite	2	1	1	0	3	5	4	+1
Royal Eagles	2	1	1	0	3	2	4	-2

All times Eastern

5/27	CASL Elite	3:0	Royal Eagles	B1
5/27	Regals FC	–	BYE	–
5/28	Royal Eagles	2:1	Regals FC	B2
5/28	CASL Elite	–	BYE	–
5/29	CASL Elite	2:4	Regals FC	B3
5/29	Royal Eagles	–	BYE	–

*Regals FC win tiebreaker penalty shootout 4-1 to advance

FINAL (Both group winners qualify for 2011 US Open Cup)
5/30	ASC New Stars	2:1 (AET)	Regals FC	9:00 AM

MATCH DETAILS:

A1 – Goals: GE – Chris Williams, Juan Martinez Lineups: GE – Cody Gray, Talon Stroud, Jesse McCormick, Chris Williams, Adan Cabrera, Cesar Flores, Miguel Teos (JD Hufstetler), Sebastian Velasquez, Marvin Lemus, Keenon Copeland, Haven Bruce (Juan Martinez) FL – Not Available
A2 – Goals: ASC – Alex Bolan (Sal Lopez) 37, Alex Bolan (Jad Masri) 92+ BA – Eric Defraites pen 25 Lineups: ASC – Aramik Allahverdian, Peter Kozlowski, Salvador Lopez, Gifford Okatah, Fatai Alabi, George Sangria, Lukas Simon, Jad Masri, Cuks Ndame, Alex Bolan, Arzgang Salahshoor subs Emilio Frias, Destiny Ohiri, Carlos Ayala, Martin Jimenez BAAC – Jacob Rogers, Thomas Story, Jordan Gaines, Jason Rogers, Randy Randolf, Stephen Brocks, Brian McCurdy, Eric Defraites, James Dabney, Todd Goddard, Justin Cook
A3 – Goals: FL – Not Available Lineups: BAAC – Dan Mason, Thomas Story, Jason Rogers, Greg McKenna, Randy Randolf, Stephen Brocks, Brian McCurdy, Eric Defraites, James Dabney, Todd Goddard (Dalesandro), Justin Cook
A4 – Goals: GE – Keenon Copeland 32 ASC – Lucas Simon 11, Piotr Kozlowski 15, George Sangira (Alex Bolan) 49, Alex Bolan (Aramik Allahverdian) 90 Lineups: GE – Cody Gray, Talon Stroud, Jesse McCormick, Chris Williams, Adan Cabrera (David Netz), Cesar Flores (Jeff Fulton), Miguel Teos (David Stovall), Sebastian Velasquez (Fernando Morales), Marvin Lemus (Juan Martinez), Keenon Copeland, Haven Bruce ASC – Aramik Allahverdian, Peter Kozlowski, Salvador Lopez, Gifford Okatah, Marcos Carrizales, George Sangira, Lukas Simon, Anthony Ashiufu, Chuks Ndamed, Alex Bolan, Arzgang Salahshoor subs Emilio Frias Destiny Ohiri Carlos Ayala Martin Jimenez Jad Masri
A5 – Goals: GE – Sebastian Velasquez, Haven Bruce, Juan Martinez, JD Hufstetler, David Stovall Lineups: GE – Cody Gray, Talon Stroud, Jesse McCormick, Chris Williams, Adan Cabrera (Marvin Lemus), David Stovall (Cesar Flores), J.D. Hufstetler, Sebastian Velasquez (Greg Fulton), Keenon Copeland, Haven Bruce, Juan Martinez (Fernando Morales)
A6 – Goals: ASC – Alex Bolan 14 Lineups: ASC – Aramik Allahverdian, Piotr Kozlowski, Salvador Lopez, Gifford Okatah, Marcos Carrizales, George Sangira, Lukas Simon, Anthony Ashiufu Chuks Ndamed, Alex Bolan, Arzgang Salahshoor subs Emilio Frias, Destiny Ohiri, Carlos Ayala, Martin Jimenez, Jad Masri
B1 – Goals: CASL – Nsereko 20, 36, Shields 80 Lineups: CASL – Akira Fitzgerald; Steven Curfman, Andre Sherard, Mike Walters, Caleb Norkus; Chris Lemons, Clint Pires, Stephen Nsereko, Aaron West, Daniel Shields; Daniel Revivo
B2 – Not Available
B3 – Goals: RFC – Jose Sibrian, Roy Hernandez, Roy Hernandez, Luis Licerio CASL – Not Available, Not Available Lineups: Not Available
Tiebreaker Shootout – Not Available (RFC keeper Marcos Sanchez made 3 saves on 4 attempts)

FINAL – Goals: RFC – Not Available 44 ASC – Miko Simon 65, Chuks Ndame 116 Lineups: ASC – Aramik Allahverdian, Piotr Kozlowski, Anthony Ashiufu, Alex Bolan, Marco Carrizales, Sal Lopez, Jad Masri, Chuks Ndame, Giff Okatah, George Sangira, lukas Simon, Subs: Fatai Alabi, Carlos Ayala, Emilio Frias, Martin Jimenez, Arzhang Salahshoor, Destiny Ohiri

ABOUT THE TEAMS:

ASC New Stars (South Texas): Houston’s Aria Soccer Club (ASC) New Stars are on fire entering the tournament. The team boasts an impressive goal difference after scoring 58 goals and allowing only 18 through as many match’s in the Houston Football Association league. The New Stars went 0-2-1 a year ago in the tournament and finished bottom of their group, only scoring 2 goals while conceding six.

Boston Avenue Athletic Club Reserves (Oklahoma): The BAAC of North East Oklahoma are nearing the end of their 2011 league campaign. The BAAC (9-0-1) are currently undefeated in league play and have scored 75 goals while conceding only 8 in 10 matches. BAAC won the Division I Adult State Cup tournament in mid-March, beating COASL IFC 2-1 in the championship.

CASL Elite (North Carolina): The reigning Region III champions are aiming for back-to-back US Open Cup berths. CASL Elite, formed just over two years ago, was meant to be a quality training team for high level boys teams to train and compete against. The team eventually became more than just a “training side” and developed an identity of its own. Last year’s team had six former professionals including Scott Schweitzer, a former Rochester Rhino who won the US Open Cup in 1999. In 2010 CASL fell in the first-round 4-2 to USL-2 side Charleston Battery.

Florida Gators (Florida): The first university club team to ever submit their application to compete in the competition. Florida’s club soccer program was established in 1953, making it the oldest in the country. The Gators made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 NCCS National Soccer Championships, losing to the University of Arizona in penalty kicks. The Gators lost 3-2 to regional foe Royal Eagles in the Florida State Cup Final. (RECAP)

Greenville Eagles (South Carolina): The Eagles defeated Sin Bandera to win the Div. I 2011 SCYSA State Cup. The SCYSA State Cup was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Regals FC (South Texas): Regals FC is based in Houston, Texas and is a founding member of the Southern Premier Soccer League (SPSL) for the 2010-2011 season. Regals FC (16-2-2) were crowned SPSL Winter Cup Champions in April. Regals FC defeated fellow Region III competitor ASC New Stars on penalty kicks in the 2011 Copa Verizon Alianza. The Regals have gone 42-8-7 since October 2010.

Royal Eagles (Florida): The Royal Eagles are based in Lakeland, FL and were founded in the Spring of 2009. This season, the Eagles have won the FSSL Premier Championship, Florida Classic and were finalists in the Amateur State Cup. The Eagles defeated Region III qualifying foe Florida Gators 3-2 for the state title. (RECAP)

Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana) The team is a representative of Crossroads Soccer Association located in Alexandria. CSA operates adult, youth and indoor soccer in the area. This club withdrew in advance of the event.

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The draw for the USASA Region III Open Men’s tournament to be held in Tuscaloosa Alabama May 27-30 that will also determine the region’s two Lamar Hunt US Open Cup berths was held at the University of Alabama Recreational Center Thursday evening. The draw set the stage for the next four days of competition, which kicks off Friday morning at 10:00 am ET.

With seven teams taking part, the format will be the similar to that of last year with two groups playing a round robin and the winner of each group qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While it doesn’t affect the Open Cup tournament, those two group winners will play each other on Memorial Day to determine Region III’s Open Cup champion that will represent Region III at the USASA’s national tournament.

The Region III tournament will take place less than a mile from the path of destruction left by an F5 tornado. The tornado, estimated to be a mile and half wide, produced winds of 190 mph winds and traveled 80 miles killing more than 35 people in Tuscaloosa while injuring more than 800 others. The tornado was on the ground for nearly one and half hours. http://thecup.us/usasa-region-iii-to-determine-us-open-cup-entries-amid-tuscaloosa-tornado-aftermath/

Group A

Greenville Eagles (SC)

Florida Gators (FL)

Boston Avenue Athletic Club Reserves (OK)

ASC New Stars (TX-S)

Friday, May 27 – 10:00 am ET

Greenville Eagles v Florida Gators

Boston Avenue ACR v ASC New Stars

Saturday, May 28 – 2:00 pm ET

Florida Gators v Boston Avenue ACR

ASC New Stars v Greenville Eagles

Sunday, May 29 – 11:00 am ET

Greenville Eagles v Boston Avenue ACR

Florida Gators v ASC Stars

Group B

CASL Elite (NC)

Royal Eagles (FL)

Regals FC (TX-S)

Friday, May 27 – 10:00 am ET

CASL Elite v Royal Eagles

Regals FC v BYE

Saturday, May 28 – 2:00 pm ET

Royal Eagles v Regals FC

CASL Elite v BYE

Sunday, May 29 – 11:00 am ET

CASL Elite v Regals FC

Royal Eagles v BYE

Monday, May 30 – 9:00 am ET – CHAMPIONSHIP

USASA Region III to determine US Open Cup entries amid Tuscaloosa tornado aftermath

May 20, 2011 by John Justice

Just one month after tornadoes tore through the Southeast and brought heavy destruction to Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (USOC) qualifying tournament for Region III is set to begin. Eight teams from the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) will compete for two slots in the first round of the US Open Cup, which begins June 14. (Update: Seven teams remain after withdrawal of Louisiana’s Crossroads Alexandria)

In a unique arrangement to Open Cup qualifying, the Region III organizers host a blind draw on Thursday, May 26, the night before the opening day of the tournament. The draw will be held at the University of Alabama Recreational Center and only then will the teams know who they will play on Friday to kick off the competition.

With eight teams taking part, the format will be the same as last year with two groups of four playing a round robin and the winner of each group qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While it doesn’t affect the Open Cup tournament, those two group winners will play each other on Memorial Day to determine Region III’s Open Cup champion that will represent at the USASA’s national tournament.

For information on how to donate to the relief effort
for all of those affected by the tornado devastation
this year, visit the Red Cross website HERE.

While recovery is underway, additional revenue for the city is welcome and was a major factor in deciding not to move the tournament.

The Region III cup commissioner and director of programs for Georgia Soccer, Kim Bowen, said changing the qualification venue was never considered.

tuscaloosa-tornado-descruction-2 — Photo: John Justice

“The thought of not going to Tuscaloosa really never crossed my mind,” said Bowen. “As long as the fields were available and the incredible staff at the University Recreational Center were available and as long as there was at least one hotel standing to house us, we were going. It was my thought that if the USASA Region 3 National Cup Championships could bring one day, if not a few days, of normalcy to the community, any economic impact at all, then we were going. Our only regret at this point is given the packed itinerary for the competition, we are not able to do more.”

The Greenville Eagles are bringing more than just the typical sports event revenue. The club has arranged, along with Tuscaloosa’s Capstone Church and Harvest Church, to assist in the relief efforts as volunteers. It’s not an easy process for a team with a busy tournament schedule as they will also have to undergo a training session in order to be credentialed to enter the disaster area as a volunteer.

Aid from people and organizations have been pouring in from across the country. The New York Yankees have donated $500,000 to the Southeast relief efforts with $250,000 going to the Red Cross and $250,000 going to the Salvation Army.

Charlie Sheen, actor and former sitcom star of the television show “Two and a Half Men,” visited Tuscaloosa and is organizing events to help fund tornado-relief efforts.

“I want to bring some money, hope, faith and healing to the area,” Sheen said.

tuscaloosa-tornado-descruction-1 — Photo: John Justice

Sheen recently launched a relief Web site called “Torpedos Against Tornados,” where users can make tax-deductible donations using PayPal. “Torpedoes,” a term Sheen coined for his “Tornadoes of Truth” comedy tour. Any user who donates a gift of $100 or more will receive an autographed baseball by Sheen, the “Major League” star.

Sheen said he is also considering organizing a celebrity softball game to raise money and awareness for tornado victims.

The backdrop for the tournament couldn’t be farther from perfect but like the great English playwright Noël Coward said, “the show must go on.”

TEAMS:

ASC New Stars (South Texas): Houston’s Aria Soccer Club (ASC) New Stars are on fire entering the tournament. The team boasts an impressive goal difference after scoring 58 goals and allowing only 18 through as many match’s in the Houston Football Association league. The New Stars went 0-2-1 a year ago in the tournament and finished bottom of their group, only scoring 2 goals while conceding six.

Boston Avenue Athletic Club Reserves (Oklahoma): The BAAC of North East Oklahoma are nearing the end of their 2011 league campaign. The BAAC (9-0-1) are currently undefeated in league play and have scored 75 goals while conceding only 8 in 10 matches. BAAC won the Division I Adult State Cup tournament in mid-March, beating COASL IFC 2-1 in the championship.

CASL Elite (North Carolina): The reigning Region III champions are aiming for back-to-back US Open Cup berths. CASL Elite, formed just over two years ago, was meant to be a quality training team for high level boys teams to train and compete against. The team eventually became more than just a “training side” and developed an identity of its own. Last year’s team had six former professionals including Scott Schweitzer, a former Rochester Rhino who won the US Open Cup in 1999. In 2010 CASL fell in the first-round 4-2 to USL-2 side Charleston Battery.

Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana) The team is a representative of Crossroads Soccer Association located in Alexandria. CSA operates adult, youth and indoor soccer in the area. This club has withdrawn in advance of the event.

Florida Gators (Florida): The first university club team to ever submit their application to compete in the competition. Florida’s club soccer program was established in 1953, making it the oldest in the country. The Gators made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 NCCS National Soccer Championships, losing to the University of Arizona in penalty kicks. The Gators lost 3-2 to regional foe Royal Eagles in the Florida State Cup Final. (RECAP)

Greenville Eagles (South Carolina): The Eagles defeated Sin Bandera to win the Div. I 2011 SCYSA State Cup. The SCYSA State Cup was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Regals FC (South Texas): Regals FC is based in Houston, Texas and is a founding member of the Southern Premier Soccer League (SPSL) for the 2010-2011 season. Regals FC (16-2-2) were crowned SPSL Winter Cup Champions in April. Regals FC defeated fellow Region III competitor ASC New Stars on penalty kicks in the 2011 Copa Verizon Alianza. The Regals have gone 42-8-7 since October 2010.

Head Coach Miguel Landaverde said his team has an advantage over others in the competition and expects his team to do well in qualification.

“I like our chances of getting out of the qualifier, most of the other clubs expected to participate are generally very competitive, but do not train like our guys do, this will give us a bit of an advantage over a three game stretch,” Landaverde said.

Royal Eagles (Florida): The Royal Eagles are based in Lakeland, FL and were founded in the Spring of 2009. This season, the Eagles have won the FSSL Premier Championship, Florida Classic and were finalists in the Amateur State Cup. The Eagles defeated Region III qualifying foe Florida Gators 3-2 for the state title. (RECAP)

USASA Region III field set for 2011 US Open Cup qualifying

April 19, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Region III Adult Soccer of the United States Adult Soccer Association announced the field of teams that will compete in the Regional National Cup Championship, unveiling eight teams from Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Texas. The draw for the competition will take place, as it is annually, on the eve of the tournament, May 26. The tournament will be held on Memorial Day weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the University of Alabama Recreational Center.

Returning from the competition a year ago are CASL Elite (North Carolina) and ASC New Stars (South Texas). Joining them will be Regals FC (South Texas), Greenville Eagles (South Carolina), Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana), Boston Athletic (Oklahoma) and the Florida duo of Royal Eagles and Florida Gators.

Last year, the Region III tournament consisted of group play with the two group winners advancing not only to the Region III Championship game, but also as the two representatives in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup conducted by the US Soccer Federation.

CASL Elite are the defending champions, finishing atop their group a year ago with a 2-0-1 record and narrowly defeating Legends FC (North Texas) in the Final, 1-0, on a goal from former professional Steven Curfman.

The other returning team, ASC New Stars, had an opposite experience last year, going winless at 0-2-1. They posted a 1-1 draw against the NPSL’s Atlanta FC in the opener before falling 2-0 to FC Tulsa (NPSL) in the second game later that day as the tournament was forced to double up matches following lightning cancellations the day prior. They finished group play with a 3-1 loss to CASL Elite.

Half of the field a year ago included clubs from the National Premier Soccer League, which will have its own qu

alification process for direct berths into the US Open Cup this year. Two NPSL clubs from Alabama and Oklahoma finished runners-up in the two groups. Tournament host Alabama will not have any representatives after being the lone state with two teams last year.

“I like our chances of getting out of the qualifier, most of the other clubs expected to participate are generally very competitive, but do not train like our guys do,” said Regals FC head coach Miguel Landaverde. “This will give us a bit of an advantage over a three game stretch. We will take it one match at a time and try and force teams into our game, stretching the field with a lot of touches.”

About the Teams

ASC New Stars (South Texas): The New Stars are the top-flight side from the Houston-based Aria Soccer Club that was founded in 1974. The team was winless a year ago (0-2-1) in the Region III tournament, but qualified previously in 2008 for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, finishing runners-up in a 2-1 decision against Clearwater Galactics (FL) for the regional title. They were blanked, 3-0, by the USL First Division’s Charleston Battery (pro second division) in the First Round. They participated in the regionals in 2006, finishing second in their group after withdrawing the previous year.

Boston-Athletic-celebrate — Boston Athletic from Oklahoma

Boston Athletic (Oklahoma): The entrants are believed to be what the Oklahoma Soccer Association lists as the Tulsa-based BAAC Reserves, who won the Adult State Cup Division I tournament in mid March. They advanced with a 2-1 victory over COASL IFC in the championship of the three-team event, which also included Ponca City Tiburones.

CASL Elite (North Carolina): The defending tournament champions are a side developed in 2009 by the Capital Area Soccer League designed initially to provide higher caliber scrimmage opposition for its youth teams by utilizing former Premier Development League and adult CASL alumni. The team won the Region III championship in its first campaign to qualify for the US Open Cup, where it was eliminated in the First Round, 4-2, by the Charleston Battery of the USL Second Division (pro third division). CASL also previously operated a PDL team from 2002-09, reaching the US Open Cup in its first two years, exiting both times in the Second Round. (MORE: Meet the USASA CASL Elite)

Crossroads Alexandria (Louisiana): The team appears to be a representative of Crossroads Soccer Association located in Alexandria. CSA operates adult, youth and indoor soccer in the area.

Florida Gators (Florida): The team is, according to TheCup.us records, the first university to submit their club team to participate in USASA’s Open Cup qualifying process. Founded in 1953 by Alan “A.C.” Moore, Florida holds the title as the oldest university club soccer team in the country. Moore coached the club from 1953-1990, earning over 500 wins at UF. They were narrowly defeated, 3-2, by the Royal Eagles for the state championship, the lone match held.

Greenville Eagles (South Carolina): The side is largely unknown, but advanced from the South Carolina tournament, held April 9-10 in Myrtle Beach. Details of the tournament are currently unavailable, but the Eagles defeated Sin Bandera of Summerville for the state’s division one men’s title.

Regals FC (South Texas): Based in Houston, the club is a founding member of the new Southern Premier Soccer League. Aside from local league competition, Regals FC has played friendlies versus FC Dallas of MLS and Mexico’s Puebla FC. The club recently won the SPSL Winter Season title and also secured the top seed in the Houston Soccer Association championship tournament.