Jeff Matteo

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: NY Pancyprian Freedoms avenge the Greeks, beat Fenerbahce to win Eastern NY

December 17, 2009 by adamspangler

New York Pancyprian Freedoms: Three-time US Open Cup champions

There was plenty of drama entering the Eastern New York Open Cup Final. The game featured Fenerbahce USA, a second-year club that reached the championship game due to a controversial protest filed after they lost 4-1 to the New York Greek American Atlas in the Semifinals. When the decision was made to disqualify the Greek Americans, New York Pancyprian Freedoms general manager George Halkidis, stepped to the defense of his rivals in an interview with FirstTouchOnline.com.

“It’s a shame what happened to . Games are decided on the field and not on paper,” said Halkidis. “It’s OK though because I promise that this team, , will not advance. Not on the field nor on paper. Pancyprians will take care of business.”

Halkidis made good on that promise as the Freedoms dispatched Fenerbahce 4-1 to continue their dominance over Eastern NY. For New York, it was their third straight Open Cup title and their fourth in the last five years.

Jeff Matteo, Chris Megaloudis, Julio Cesar DoSantos and Tasos Polydefkis all scored for the Freedoms as they qualify for the 2010 USASA Region I Finals that will be held next Spring. Last year, they lost in the opening round to Emigrantes Das Ilhas of Massachusetts, but they earned a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2008 after advancing to the Region I title game.

More details to follow …

Entries for the 2010 USASA Region I Finals

New York Pancyprian Freedoms (Eastern NY)
Phoenix SC (Eastern PA)
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (Massachusetts)

Entries for the 2010 USASA Region II Finals

Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
AAC Eagles (Illinois)

2010 Qualifying: Pancyprian Freedoms reach 5th straight Eastern NY Final

November 25, 2009 by

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms continued their Eastern New York dominance with a 2-0 Semifinal win over the New York Athletic Club. The Freedoms got their goals from Chris Megaloudis and Jeff Matteo to reach their fifth straight Eastern NY Open Cup Final. They move on to play the winner of the other final four match between Fenerbahce USA and New York Greek American Atlas for the right to advance to the USASA Region I tournament next Spring.

After a scoreless first half, the Freedoms broke through in the 60th minute. Pete Halkidis played a ball over to Megaloudis who split three defenders and placed a low shot to the left of a diving goalkeeper.

The game was a defensive battle with both teams able to withstand the attack of the other, however the Freedoms would put the game away off a set piece. After a foul was called just outside of the penalty area, second half substitute and former USL player Jeff Matteo stepped up and scored off the free kick to make it 2-0.

The Freedoms will host the winner of next week’s match between Fenerbahce USA and New York Greek American Atlas. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2 at St. John’s University. The championship game is also scheduled to be played at St. John’s on a date to be determined.

NY Pancyprian Freedoms Lineup:

(Luka Lukovic) Chad Calderone, Srdjan Stojiljkovic, Chris Zisimatos, Matia Damiani, Stelios Andreou, Tasso Polydefkis (Jeff Matteo 50th min), Pete Halkidis (Peter Pavlakos 85th min), Andreas Pafitis, Peter Antoniades (Marc Reeves 20th min), Chris Megaloudis, Julio Cesar DoSantos