On a frosty night in Bridgewater, NJ, Go Soccer FC defeated FC Fort United 1-0 to win the New Jersey Open Cup championship and punch their ticket to the USASA Region I tournament.
With the win, Go Soccer FC will host DC/VA champion Club Atletico Virginia in the first round at regionals, putting them just two wins away from qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match is scheduled for May 1 and will mark the club’s third straight trip to the Region I finals.
Go Soccer came out aggressively in the first half, scoring the game’s only goal in the 17th minute. Former Lafayette College player Chad Barbieri took a shot on goal which was saved by the FC Fort goalkeeper, but Jesus Gregorio was there to clean it up to make it 1-0.
The momentum shifted after the halftime break with FC Fort pushing for an equalizer. The pressure was put on and they created some chances, but Go Soccer’s Dan Roth was able to keep the clean sheet with three critical saves in the second half.
Go Soccer, founded in 2007, will move on to the Region I tournament hoping to win their first regional qualifying game in club history. The past two seasons, they have crashed out in the opening round. In 2009, they fell to Maryland’s Charm City FC, 5-0 and last year, they lost a close match with the Brooklyn Italians, 1-0.
Only three teams entered the New Jersey Open Cup tournament this year, with FC Fort United defeating Santorini FC in the opening round to reach the final. The date of the final was delayed because Santorini filed a protest, but it was eventually denied.
Go Soccer FC starting lineup: Dan Roth (GK) Bryan Oelkers, Chad Barbieri, Chase Barbieri, John Pompeo, Edgardo Alfaro, Isaac Rodriguez, Jesus Gregorio, Matt Heitmann, Paul Racz, Steve Mellen | Subs: Brian Davis, Dominic Paolella, John Parez
2011 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying schedule
First Round (May 1)
Danbury United (CT) at NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
East Providence Sports (RI) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) at Go Soccer FC (NJ)
Maryland Bays (MD) at Phoenix SC (East PA)
Semifinals (May 22)*
Danbury/NYPF winner vs. MPS/East Prov winner
Go Soccer /Atl. Virginia winner vs. Phoenix/Bays winner
* Winners of each game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Past New Jersey Open Cup champions
2010: Go Soccer FC
2009: Go Soccer FC
2008: SC Vistula Garfield (forfeited their opening Region I match)
2007: No team entered
2006: Sport Club Portugues
2005: Kappa Real Wyckoff
2004: Sport Club Portugues
2003: SC Vistula Garfield
2002: ZPA Perth Amboy
2001: ZPA Perth Amboy
2000: SC Vistula Garfield
1999: SC Vistula Garfield
1998: SC Vistula Garfield
1997: No info available
1996: No info available
1995: No info available
Second half highlights – 2011 New Jersey Open Cup Final (Courtesy of Go Soccer FC)