Julio Cesar DoSantos

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Pancyprian Freedoms take Eastern NY title back from rival Greek American Atlas

December 9, 2012 by Josh Hakala

Last year, the New York Greek American Atlas defeated their rival the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the Eastern NY Open Cup Final. The 4-0 victory denied the Freedoms a fifth straight state title, but on Wednesday night, they got their revenge, winning a penalty kick shootout after the teams finished regulation and extra time tied at 2-2. It was their sixth state championship in the last eight years.

With the win, the Freedoms advance to the USASA Region I Finals which will take place in the spring. There they will attempt to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fourth time in the last six years.

It was a cold night at St. John’s University’s Belson Stadium as the two New York powerhouses found themselves squaring off in a cup final once again. For the Freedoms, they had to win three games to reach the championship game. The Greek Americans, on the other hand, earned themselves a bye into the final by winning the Sal Rapaglia Cup, a Cup Winners Cup-style competition that they were a part of as defending Cosmopolitan Soccer League champions. The Greeks defeated the Freedoms 2-0 on their way to winning the tournament back in September. They defeated Long Island’s Forest Park in the title game.

It didn’t take long for the game to warm up as the Freedoms struck first in the opening minutes. John Koutsounadis sent a through ball to veteran Stefan Dimitrov, who finished to give him at least one goal in every game in this year’s tournament.

Leo Fernandes leveled the match with an impressive individual effort around the 40th minute. Fernandes, a star for Stony Brook University, stole the ball from Jeff Matteo in midfield, went on the attack, dribbled through a couple of defenders and beat the keeper to make the game 1-1 heading into halftime.

The Freedoms would regain the lead in the 74th minute when Dimitrov turned provider, setting up another veteran Julio Cesar Dos Santos for a goal. Just like Dimitrov, Dos Santos, one of the greatest pro players to ever play in the United Soccer Leagues (115 career goals), has scored in all three of the team’s Open Cup qualifiers .

Minutes away from taking the Eastern NY trophy back from the Greeks, the Freedoms had their celebration spoiled when the Greeks tied the game up on a goal by former New York Red Bulls forward Chris Megaloudis, on an assist by Shaun Foster, in the 88th minute.

The match would have to be decided by a penalty kick shootout, which favored the Freedoms and their outstanding goalkeeper Chad Calderone. The veteran shot stopper came through, saving the Greeks’ first attempt by Tom Wharf, and what would prove to be their fourth and final attempt by Leo Fernandes. The Freedoms went 4-for-4 on their attempts to clinch a spot in the 2013 USASA Region I Finals.

2013 Eastern New York tournament
Round 1
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 15:1 NY Olympiacos
Barnstonworth Rovers 1:1 JC Eagles (BR advances 4-3 on PKs)

Round 2
United FC 2:0 NY Athletic Club
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 4:1 Barnstonworth Rovers

Round 3
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:1 United FC

Final (Dec. 5)
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:2 NY Greek American Atlas (NYPF win championship, 4-2 in penalty kicks)

Past Eastern NY Open Cup champions (US Open Cup finish)
2003: Greek American Atlas (Did not qualify)
2004: Greek American Atlas (US Open Cup Round 1)
2005: Greek American Atlas (US Open Cup Round 1)
2006: Pancyprian Freedoms (Did not qualify)
2007: Greek American Atlas (Did not qualify)
2008: Pancyprian Freedoms (US Open Cup Round 1)
2009: Pancyprian Freedoms (Did not qualify)
2010: Pancyprian Freedoms (US Open Cup Round 1)
2011: Pancyprian Freedoms (US Open Cup Round 2)
2012: Greek American Atlas (US Open Cup Round 1)
2013: Pancyprian Freedoms (TBD)

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Cup veterans NY Pancyprian Freedoms qualify along with first timers Phoenix SC (Video)

May 22, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Phoenix SC opening goal – Murtagh free kickIn two very contrasting USASA Region I semifinal matches, the three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fifth time in the Pro Era with a dramatic 4-2 victory against Mass Premier Soccer while Phoenix SC of Philadelphia shutout Go Soccer FC 3-0 to advance to the tournament for the first time. Both clubs won on the road.

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

It was a tale of two halves. Sometimes cliches are over-used, but there is no better way to describe the USASA Region I Semifinal match between Mass Premier Soccer and the visiting New York Pancyprian Freedoms Sunday afternoon as the New Yorkers rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 4-2 and claim a berth to the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Meeting for the first time, the sides felt each other out for the first 20 minutes before strategies started too take shape. MPS would absorb a Pancyprian attack and look to pick off the small passes and quickly counter with speed.

The strategy worked as planned when the MPS defense stole a through ball and quickly advanced it through midfield in the 24^th minute. One touch outside and Nick Tornaritis whipped in a deadly cross which found rumbling forward Dan Rudolph. Rudolph got his head to it, and the ball struck the post. However, his persistence paid off as he collected his own rebound and slotted it home for opening tally of the game.

New York tried to respond but they were settling for long range blasts that goalkeeper Nick Armington was handling well. MPS kept the ball in New York’s half for the majority of the play and the pressure paid off.

2011 New York Pancyprian Freedoms: Standing (Left to Right): Nick Katsanos, Chris Iordanou, Tasso Polydefkis, Mahamadu Simpara, Pete Halkidis, Matia Damiani, John Koutsounadis, Stefan Dimitrov, Peter Pavlakos, Jon Simos | Seating (Left to Right): Nick Christopher, Chris Zisimatos, Chad Calderone, Stelios Andreou, Jeff Matteo, Tommy Vlahos, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, Billy Antoniou

Nearing halftime, Matt Nolan made a cheeky run down the right flank and, after juggling the ball over a New York defender, he was brought down hard outside the box. The foul warranted a New York yellow card, but moments later the foul would prove more costly. From about 30 yards out, Matt Hoff let loose a rocket of a free kick that careened off a Freedoms defender and deflected into the net two minutes before the break, doubling the advantage.

Each club made two changes at the half, and from the get-go you could see it was going to be a different game. New York came out fired up clearly did not want to make a five-hour drive home without earning a berth in the US Open Cup. The Freedoms began to attack the flanks instead of trying go though the heart of the MPS defense, and it started to stretch MPS.

Their new game plan paid off quickly as they halved the MPS lead in the 48th minute. Attacking down the right flank the Freedoms had MPS on their heels and defenders out of position. A great cross from Anastasios Polydefkis found the foot of an onrushing Stefan Dimitrov who calmly finished off a great goal.

After the strike, you could almost feel the momentum shift and New York knew they were back in the game.

Less than five minutes later the Freedoms would strike again on a goal by Julio Cesar Dos Santos. The two-time USL Pro scoring champion and MVP received a through ball from Dimitrov, and after taking a great touch towards goal, he was able to beat the MPS keeper and even the game at the 53^rd minute mark.

With the game back to par, MPS tried to regain its composure but the tide had shifted. With New York dominating possession and the MPS defenders constantly on their heels, it was only a matter of time.

Dimitrov scored New York’s go-ahead goal in the 71st minute. There was some debate as to whether Dimitrov was offside, but the assistant referee had a good view and kept the flag down. With MPS defenders caught off guard, Dimitrov collected a long range ball from Panagiotis Halkidis and was able to sneak through the flat MPS defensive line. One-on-one with the goalie, Dimitrov was composed and gave New York the 3-2 lead.

MPS had several chances to even it up, including a few chances on the opposition’s goal by Nick Christman and Dan MacGregor. But the New York defenders recovered well to cut down angles and break up the counter-attacks.

The last blow of the bout came in the 84th minute, and was again the result of flank play by the Freedoms led by John Koutsounadis and Dimitrov. Driving down the right side New York exposed the MPS backline and Dos Santos was able to get a slight touch on the Dimitrov cross, directing the ball inside the left post.

The strike sealed the club’s fifth trip to the US Open Cup in the professional era (1999, 02, 08, 10, 11) after having won the tournament three times in four years during the early eighties (1980, 82, 83).

“We are very excited,” said NYPF Manager Mike Iordanou. “We’re going to celebrate on the way back, but we have to get ready for the Cosmopolitan League playoffs next Wednesday, so we will be very busy leading into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.”

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

In the second match of the day, a free kick from Dan Murtagh four minutes before the break put things in motion for the visiting Phoenix SC from Philadelphia as the club used a penalty and own goal in the second half to secure a place in the US Open Cup. The free kick from 25 yards out was curled around the wall and into the upper corner.

Six minutes into the second half captain Bob Francis doubled the lead from the spot. The penalty was the result of Phoenix breaking down the right flank through Ryan Soroka for a cross in to Murtagh, whose effort was blocked by a handball.

Phoenix put the game well out of reach courtesy of Soroka again in the 70^th. The club quickly moved up the left side through Greg Mangels to Soroka, who crossed the ball into the area. A defender, tracking back to deny another Murtagh chance made a play to intercept the cross, but sent it instead into the back of his own net.

“I think it’s great, great for the kids because they’ve worked so hard,” said head coach Blair Thomson after the match. “The players are very excited about being in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“It has taken us a long while to get here,” added Thomson, noting that the club’s journey began last June with the club playing in events and league play before moving onto the state tournament and the current regional stages of the USASA national open cup. They will meet in the Region I Final the same Freedoms team that eliminated them in the First Round a year ago, 3-2, on an unanswered three-goal comeback led by Julio Cesar Dos Santos with two goals and an assist.

“We have only had two losses since last August. We are hoping that we can take the next step. It’s quite exciting,” he said about where the team is and what it means for the players, including standout striker Frebole Kamara as well as a couple of younger players that came on late in the game.

“He’s as good a player as I’ve seen,” Thomson said of his Liberian forward that put in an hour of work on the day. “He went down to DC on a trial and didn’t get past the first day, and I couldn’t believe it. Now, I hope we play well in the tournament so that he has another opportunity to be seen and get another chance.”

Match Capsules

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph (Nick Tornaritis) 24
MPS: Matt Hoff 43
NY: Stefan Dimitrov (Anastasios Polydefkis) 48
NY: Julio Cesar Dos Santos (Stefan Dimitrov) 53
NY: Stefan Dimitrov (Panagiotis Halkidis) 71
NY: Julio Cesar Dos Santos (Stefan Dimitrov) 84

MPS Lineup: Dan Rudolph, Nick Tornaritis, Tommy Day, Matt Nolan, Matt Hoff, Derek Stenquist, Nick Armington, Matt Cross, John O’Reilly, Nick Chistman, Desmond Mitchell – Subs: Kevin Unger (17th minute), Dan MacGregor (Half Time) Chris Doran (Halftime)

New York Lineup: Chad Calderone, Stelios Andreou, Stefan Dimitrov, Nick Christopher, Matia Damiani, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, Jeff Matteo, Mahamadou Simpara, Peter Pavlakos, Anastasios Polydefkis, Chris Zisimatos – Subs: Billy Antoniou, Panagiotis Halkidis, John Koutsounadis, Athanasios Vlahos

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

Scoring Summary
PHO: Dan Murtagh 41
PHO: Bob Francis penalty 51
PHO: GSFC own goal 70

Phoenix SC Lineup: Anthony Pratico; Bob Francis, Jack Pocorobba, Nick Pittaoulis, Greg Mangels; Dan Murtagh, Stephen Mellor (Kyle Soroka 70), Ben Castor, Ryan Soroka (Justin Dotzman 80); Scott Rowling, Frebole Kamara (Virgis Anusauskas 62)

Go Soccer Lineup: not available

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Home clubs sweep quarterfinals of USASA Region I tournament (Video)

May 2, 2011 by Josh Hakala

New York Pancyprian Freedoms vs. Danbury United — The New York Pancyprian Freedoms (blue) defeated Connecticut's Danbury United 4-0 at St. John's University. Photo: Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

Home field proved to be a deciding factor on the day as each of the four hosts were victorious in the Quarterfinals of USASA Region I qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Sunday afternoon. Moving onto the Semifinals were Go Soccer FC (NJ), Mass Premier Soccer (MA), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) and Phoenix SC (East PA).

Dan Rudolph and Julio Cesar DoSantos were stars on the day, scoring twice each to lead their clubs to victories that will now bring them head-to-head. Rudolph’s brace gave MPS a 4-1 win over East Providence Sports (RI) while DoSantos’ double added another chapter to his fantastic career while guiding the Freedoms to a 4-0 shutout against Danbury United (CT). Phoenix Sports Club needed overtime to edge the Maryland Bays 3-2 and Go Soccer rallied with two second half goals to down Club Atletico Virginia in a 2-1 decision (Video highlights below).

With the win, Mass Premier will face the N.Y. Pancyprian Freedoms on May 22 in Lancaster for the Region I USASA semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament. In the another “Win & You’re In” match, Go Soccer FC will play host to Phoenix SC.

Mass Premier Soccer downs East Providence Sports 4-1
Report by Brian O’Connell | New England Soccer Today

LANCASTER, Mass. – Dan Rudolph’s two strikes against East Providence Sports helped advance Mass Premier Soccer to the USASA Region I Semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory at Citizens Bank Fields at Prongin Park Sunday afternoon.

Rudolph, who gave MPS the first goal of the game in the 32nd minute, added another in first half stoppage time while Andrew Hench and Derek Stenquist each picked up a goal in the 35th minute and second half stoppage time, respectively. A 44th minute strike from Armando Gomes gave East Providence its only measure of success on the afternoon.

Despite the scoreline, it was East Providence that appeared ready and able to find the board first. In the opening minutes, the guests had made a number of runs into their host’s half and earned a trio of corner kicks before the 10th minute. But, it was all for naught as each chance went begging.

By the half hour mark, MPS began to probe the East Providence end, testing keeper James Underhill with a couple of dangerous shots. Underhill withstood the attacks until the 32nd minute, when Rudolph nodded a cross through for the opening goal.

Minutes after Rudolph’s header, MPS stormed into the attacking third, where Hench helped himself to the second goal of the game inside the area at the 35th minute.

East Providence, who’s attacking spirit had left them empty-handed going into halftime, were stunned. Down two goals with the interval approaching, Gomes took possession in the middle of the park, beat a pair of defenders, and with only the goalkeeper ahead, slid it through to cut the lead in half at the 44th minute.

Any hopes of heading into the break down a single goal evaporated moments later when Rudolph emerged from a scramble in front of the East Providence net to bury his second goal of the game in stoppage time.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions

Entering the second frame staring at a 3-1 deficit, East Providence went from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation, hoping to find better success in the attacking third.

But, after coming up empty-handed following a series of chances, frustration began to mount. At the 57th minute, a hard challenge near the center circle fueled a midfield scuffle. East Providence’s Rui Fortes and MPS’s Tony Tornaritis were each given straight red cards for their roles, leaving each team with 10 men.

In the 76th minute, East Providence nearly cut the deficit again when Kyle Texeira sent a spectacular free kick that screamed over the paw of keeper Nick Christman before it continued over the bar.

Sending numbers forward in the remaining minutes, East Providence desperately sought any chances they could find. But, as a result, their defense was painfully exposed when MPS counter-attacked in stoppage time as Stenquist broke free and coolly finished it to find goal number four.

Freedoms blank Danbury United 4-0 in New York
Report by Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

QUEENS, NY — The New York Pancyprian Freedoms moved onto the next round of the US Open Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win over Danbury United today in Queens, New York fueled by a man advantage and a pair of goals from longtime club star Julio Cesar DoSantos.

The first half saw some chances, including a Freedoms header just wide of goal in the 32nd minute, but the game really did not pick up in action until the 35th minute when Danbury United’s Michael Mingione was sent off for a challenge on a New York defender.

The ejection opened the door for the Freedoms to take over the game, and they did.

In the 40th minute, former two-time USL Second Division (pro third division) Most Valuable Player and Scoring Champion DoSantos opened up the scoring with a header to put the Freedoms up 1-0, which they would take into the intermission.

New York came out of the dressing room looking to put Danbury away and nearly did 10 minutes in only to see the shot fly off the post.

Despite the best efforts of Danbury to get the equalizer, the flood gates opened in the 65th as the Freedoms were awarded a penalty. Stefan Dimitrov stepped to the spot and converted.

Ahead 2-0, New York did not let up on its opposition as just two minutes later John Koutsounadis put in the third goal.

Another New York attempt was volleyed off the post in the 75th minute before the easy victory was capped off in the 84th minute as man of the match DoSantos netted his second.

The Freedoms advance to the next round to play at Mass Premier on May 22 in a “Win & You’re In” match. New York, who has won the tournament three times (1980, 1982, 1983), is looking to return to the competition for the second year in a row and the fifth time in the Professional Era (1995-present).

Go Soccer FC rallies to top Club Atletico Virginia 2-1

BRIDGEWATER, NY – The only home club to trail on the day in Region I Quarterfinal action, Go Soccer FC tallied twice in the second half to beat the Metro DC/VA champion Club Atletico Virginia 2-1 to secure a spot in the Semifinals.

After a cautious opening few minutes, Go Soccer created the first chance with a long ball over the defense from Bryan Oelkers to Dom Paolella forcing a point blank kick save from the CAV keeper and again 10 minutes later after making a first save the CAV keeper denied Paolella again on the rebounded effort with a low diving save. Shortly after, the keeper came up big again when Brian Davis’ header off a corner kick was saved.

The hosts found themselves behind 14 minutes into the contest when a shot from John Carson from 45 yards out surprised and floated over goalkeeper Joe Roth’s reach to give Club Atletico Virginia the initial advantage.

The visitors looked to take advantage of the surprise, forcing Roth to make a diving save just another five minutes later.

The hosts engaged in their first series of pressure on the Virginian side with five minutes remaining in the half. A Go Soccer free kick from the top of the box that was initially cleared out was sent over the goal on a follow-up shot in the 40th minute and two minutes later a corner kick led to a shot that Fabio Andrade pushed over the crossbar.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 1st half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

It took very little time for the hosts to continue the offensive in the second half. Seeking an equalizer Chase Barbieri sent a shot wide left two minutes into the second stanza and in the 51st minute got his foot on a corner that was saved at the near post.

Around the 60th minute, Bryan Oelkers won a tackle on the left sideline and passed it off to Barbieri who drilled a low shot from about 25 yards to the far post, just under the keeper’s reach to level the score at 1-1 (2:53 of the video highlights)

The pace of the game changed after that goal and the Reds created several opportunities, but could not finish them off. A cross from Matt Heitmann was almost headed home by Paolella from the penalty spot, but the CAV keeper came off his line to get a hand to it, and gobbled up the loose ball right after.

CAV had a golden opportunity on back-to-back free kicks from just outside the box, but Roth came up big once again to keep the score tied.

Finally, the game-winner would come in the 87th minute (5:15 mark of the video highlights) when a Go Soccer free kick was headed out by a CAV defender. The ball wasn’t cleared out far enough as Dennis Maldonado took the ball out of the air on the right side of the box and volleyed a shot that went off the far post. After the ball smacked off the post, Heitman tracked it down and found enough space on the near side to fire a shot that beat the keeper to the near post to send the New Jersey champions to the Semifinals.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 2nd half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

Phoenix SC holds off Maryland Bays in overtime to earn first-ever Open Cup regional win
(Still awaiting details from Maryland Bays)

FEASTERVILLE, PA – The visiting Maryland Bays made a valiant comeback from a two-goal halftime deficit to force extra time in Pennsylvania only to see the home side Phoenix Sports Club come away the victors, 3-2.

The Eastern Pennsylvania champions got off on the right foot with a goal in the 15th minute. Phoenix was pressuring Maryland’s end of the field when the ball was played into the penalty area. It came back out to the top of the 18 where Scott Rowling was waiting for it. Rowling fired a low-driving shot into the back of the net to strike first blood.

Later in the half, it was a case of teamwork and persistence as Danny Murtagh was sent in behind the defense after a nice 1-2 sequence in midfield. Murtagh found himself one on one with the Maryland keeper and took the shot. The goalkeeper stood tall, stopping the shot, but the ball deflected right back to Murtagh, went off his knee and past the goalkeeper for the second goal.

In the second half, the Bays leveled the match. After a cross came in on the left side, Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Pratico came off his line and attempted to swat the ball out of danger. However, the ball found it’s way through to the right wing where Bryan Moffa was making a well-timed run, and he put it into the back of the net.

Later in the half, Phoenix took a throw-in deep in their own territory. The throw was stolen by Maryland’s Chris Ports who dribbled through two defenders into the left side of the penalty area and beat the keeper with an impressive shot with his left foot into the far upper right hand corner.

Both teams created chances down the stretch, but the match would have to be decided in extra time. In the seventh minute of the extra session, Phoenix made a run down the right side and crossed the ball in but it deflected off a Maryland defender’s hand and earning a penalty kick for the hosts. Team captain Bobby Francis stepped up and buried the PK to put Phoenix up 3-2.

Maryland did everything they could to equalize and nearly did in the final minutes. With everyone back defending, the Bays forced Pratico to make an acrobatic save. He was unable to control the rebound and the ball deflected off a Maryland player, and rolled just wide of the post.

The win marks the first US Open Cup qualifying win for Phoenix SC at the regional level. Last year, they won their first-ever Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup title, but lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the opening round. This year, they defended their Eastern PA title, beat CAV, and are now one win away from their first trip to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. To accomplish that they will have to play at Go Soccer FC (NJ) on May 22.

——————————————————————————-

Maryland Bays (MD) 2:3 (AET) Phoenix SC (East PA)
Phoenix Sports Club (Feasterville, Pa.) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
PHO: Scott Rowling (Unassisted) – 15th minute
PHO: Danny Murtagh (Unassisted) – 40th minute
MAR: Bryan Moffa – 65th minute
MAR: Chris Ports – 75th minute
PHO: Bobby Francis (PK) – 97th minute

Lineups
Maryland Bays: Ryan Hock (GK), Nino Mangione (Evan Scheffey), Matt Shell, Matt Beckman, Josh Taylor, BJ Quigley (Lucas Emil), Tim Lane, Chris Ports (Matt Beale), Bryan Moffa, Marco Mangione, Jon Ports

Phoenix SC: Tony Pratico (GK), Pat Dillon, Jack Pocorobba, Ryan Kelly, Danny Murtagh, Nick Pittaoulis, Frebole Kamara, Scott Rowling, Bobby Francis, Greg Mangels, Ben Castor | Subs: Ryan Soroka, Tom McNeil, Virginijus Anusauskas

East Providence Sports (RI) 1:4 Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Citizen Bank Fields at Progin Park – Field #6 (Lancaster, Mass.) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 32nd minute
MPS: Andrew Hench – 35th minute
EPS: Armando Gomes – 44th minute
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 45th minute+
MPS: Derek Stenquist – 90th minute+

Lineups unavailable

Danbury United (CT) 0:4 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s University) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 40
NY: Stefan Dimitrov pen. 65
NY: John Koutsounadis 67
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 84

Discipline
DAN: Michael Mingione (red) 35

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 1:2 Go Soccer FC (NJ)
Torpey Athletic Complex (Bridgewater, NJ) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
CAV: John Carson (Javier Castro) – 14th minute
GOS: Chase Barbieri – 60th minute
GOS: Matthew Heitmann – 89th minute

Lineups
CA Virginia: Fabio Andrade, Nikolay Aleksandrov, Javier Castro, Jordan Cullinane, Matt Davis, Dave Leon, Bryant Meckley, Matt Miller, Ryan Rich, Andrew Stadler, Kevin Tangney

Go Soccer FC: Dan Roth, Matt Heitmann, Chad Barbieri, Bryan Davis, Edgardo Alfaro, Bryan Oelkers, Dennis Maldonado, Justin Kamine, Steve Mellen, Chase Barbieri, Dominic Paolella

Semifinals (May 22)*
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) at Go Soccer FC (NJ)

* Winners of each game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Open Cup qualifying: Only New York, Philly remain after USASA Region I quarterfinals

May 5, 2010 by Josh Hakala

After a weekend of quarterfinal action, the USASA’s Region I, which covers the northeastern part of the country, has reached it’s final four. With victories on Sunday, May 1, three New York-based clubs and a Philadelphia team have put themselves one win away from qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Brooklyn Italians defeated Go Soccer FC 1-0 and will face newcomers Fenerbahce USA in the semifinals. Fenerbahce survived a wild match with Danbury United and advance on penalty kicks. Meanwhile, the United German Hungarians defeated Charm City FC 3-1 to set up a match with the historic club, New York Pancyprian Freedoms. The Freedoms needed extra time to eliminate D.C.’s Aegean Hawks, 2-1. The semifinal matches are scheduled to be played on Sunday, May 23, with the winners qualifying for the US Open Cup. Fenerbahce USA is the only club of the four who has never qualified for the tournament, with the other three having either won the tournament (Brooklyn: 1991; New York: 1980, 1982, 1983), or finished as a runner-up (UGH: 1977, 1993; Brooklyn: 1979, 1981, 1990).

RECAPS:

GO SOCCER FC (NJ) 0:1 BROOKLYN ITALIANS (NPSL – NY)
John Dewey High School – Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Italians moved one step closer to qualifying for the US Open Cup with a 1-0 win over New Jersey’s Go Soccer FC. JP Ahoua headed home the lone goal off a free kick in the 55th minute. The free kick was cleared out, but Brooklyn sent it back in where Ahoua nodded it past the keeper.

After the game, Go Soccer’s player/coach Dominic Paolella was proud of the way his team played. “It was a good game, though really tight the entire time,” said Paolella. “Our keeper Faouzi Bendaoud played a hell of a game. He made at least a dozen saves. I thought we did a good job against a very good NPSL team.” He added, “We made it one round further than we did last year, so at least we improved. We’ll be back next year for sure.”

Brooklyn is the NPSL representative in the Region I tournament, having just joined the league this past off-season, after decades in New York’s historic Cosmopolitan League. Brooklyn will travel to play at Fenerbahce USA on May 23 in the next round, however the site and time of the match are yet to be determined.

Go Soccer FC lineup:
GK: Faouzi Bandaoud
RB – Paul Racz
CB – Paul Breen (injured and subbed out 6th min)
CB – Dan Ryan
LB – Chris Tatro
RM – Steve Mellen
LM – Matt Connor
CM – Steve DeMatteo
CM – Dennis Maldonado
CM – Gary Gibbings
ST – Dominic Paolella (injured and subbed out in 60th min.)

sub – Matt Heitmann (6th min.)

sub – Matt Tatro (60th min.)

FENERBAHCE USA (EAST NY) 4:4 DANBURY UNITED (CT)
(Fenerbahce USA advances 4-3 on PKs)
Portuguese Cultural Center – Danbury, Conn.

fenerbahce-usa-vs-danbury-united-2010-qfinals — Keith Detelj of Fenerbahce USA challenges for the ball against Danbury United. Photo: Gus Xikis

After a crazy back and forth match, it would take penalty kicks to separate Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York and Connecticut’s Danbury United. Fenerbahce, competing in US Open Cup qualifying for the first time, would emerge victorious in the tiebreaker after finishing extra time tied at 4-4.

Fenerbahce USA scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the match, but before the game got out of hand, Danbury answered with two goals of their own before halftime. The two clubs couldn’t break the deadlock in regulation, but in overtime, it was the first half all over again. Fenerbahce scored twice, and it looked like they were going to walk away with the match, but, once again, the Connecticut club retaliated with two goals to tie the game back up in the final minutes of extra time to send the match into a penalty kick shootout.

Jose Batista scored two of the goals for Fenerbahce, with Keith Detelj and Frank Alesci adding one each.

Fenerbahce USA will host fellow New York club, the Brooklyn Italians, in a battle of the old and the new. Brooklyn won the tournament in 1991 and finished runner-up three times, while this is brand new to Fenerbahce, who was founded in 2001.

Fenerbahce USA lineup: GK: EJ Xikis (45th – John Sanfilippo), James Davis, Laurent Manuel, Alejandro Montanez, Diego Martinez, Mohammad Mashriqi, Torres Garcia, Christopher Alesci (75th – Deleon Herbert), Frank Alesci, Jose Batista, Keith Detelj

DULLES SPORTSPLEX AEGEAN HAWKS (DC/VA) 1:2 (AET) NY PANCYPRIAN FREEDOMS (EAST NY)
Belson Stadium – Queens, NY (St. John’s University)

robby-wright-vs-ny-pancyprian-freedoms — Robby Wright of the Aegean Hawks, pictured above in pre-game warm-ups, scored the lone goal for the Hawks. Photo: Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms are through to the semifinals after being taken the distance by a shorthanded Aegean Hawks club from D.C. The Freedoms won the match 2-1 after extra time, but needed a late equalizer to survive into overtime against a team who had only brought 11 players up to New York.

The previous night, the Hawks had competed in the championship game of “La Super Copa” tournament, which was hosted by DC United of Major League Soccer. They won the game in a penalty kick shootout after a 3-3 draw but lost three key players to injury. Less than 24 hours later, the 11 players remaining drove up to Queens for Sunday’s quarterfinal match.

Predictably, the Hawks played a defensive game throughout, especially after striker Carlos Garcia suffered a hamstrong injury. Garcia played through the injury, but was largely ineffective throughout.

The Hawks held off the New York attack, but it was the visitors who scored the first goal. Watson Prather sent a penetrating ball into John Stephens who flicked a layoff to Robby Wright, who was making a secondary run. Wright dodged a defender at the top of the box, then hit a looping left-footed strike into the top left corner of the goal.

Just when it looked like the Hawks were going to pull off an improbable upset, New York’s Joel Gustafsson saved the Freedoms with a goal in the 86th minute. The match went into extra time and the Hawks would run out of gas. The Freedoms Stelios Andreou would find Julio Cesar DoSantos for the game-winning goal.

For a full report of this match by Dylan Butler of the New York Post, click HERE.

New York will host the United German Hungarians (East PA) in the next round on May 23.

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC lineup: Alex Fatovic (GK – Long Island University), Eddie Thurston (Brown), Devlin Barnes (UMass), Karsten Smith (American University), Alan Golden (William & Mary), Michael Goldman (George Washington University), Watson Vaughan-Prather (Univ. of Wisconsin), Robby Wright (Virginia), Erwin Diaz (U of Maryland), John Stephens (James Madison), Carlos Garcia (William & Mary)

CHARM CITY FC (MD) 1:3 UNITED GERMAN HUNGARIANS (EAST PA)
UGH Field – Oakford, PA

The United German Hungarians are now one step away from qualifying for the US Open Cup for the first time in over a decade after a 3-1 win over Charm City FC. The representative from Maryland got an early goal in the fifth minute and held on to the lead until halftime, but the second half was taken over by the hosts. Jeremy Ortiz tied the game in the 51st minute and David Castellanos gave UGH the lead nine minutes later. Andrew Weyershaeuser would put the game away in the 83rd minute to put the 100-year old club into the semifinals to face the New York Pancyprian Freedoms.

Scoring Summary:
CHA: Unknown goalscorer – 5th
UGH: Jeremy Ortiz – 51st
UGH: David Castellanos – 60th
UGH: Andrew Weyershaeuser – 83rd

UGH lineup: Eric Talbot (GK), Jason Karasow (c), Ryan Tadley, Will Thornton, Jeremy Ortiz, Brian Blesi, Ben Marucci, Tony Rod, Ryan Moseley, Blair Carson, Dave Castellanos | Subs: Andrew Weyershaeuser, Brian Bowers, Jimmy Bradley, Kevin Sherry | Coach: Mike Curley

USASA Region I quarterfinals results
(All games are Sunday, May 2)

Fenerbahce USA (East NY) 4:4 Danbury United (CT) (Fenerbahce USA advance 4-3 on PKs)
Aegean Hawks FC 1:2 (AET) NY Pancyprian Freedoms
Charm City FC 1:3 United German Hungarians
Go Soccer FC 0:1 Brooklyn Italians
Go-Soccer FC vs. Emigrantes Das Ilhas *Emigrantes Das Ilhas disqualified*

USASA Region I semifinals schedule
(All games are Sunday, May 23 – All times Eastern)

Brooklyn Italians at Fenerbahce USA – Park Stadium (Franklin Square, NY) | 5 p.m.
United German Hungarians at NY Pancyprian Freedoms – Belson Stadium (St. John’s University) | 4 p.m.
*Semifinal winners will qualify for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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)

2008 First Round: Real Maryland’s late goal, OT winner, spoil Freedoms’ upset bid

June 13, 2008 by

The Real Maryland Monarchs survived the New York Pancyprian Freedoms’ upset bid with two late goals, one in regulation and the other in extra time, after New York were reduced to ten men for a 3-2 First Round win.

The USASA side took an early lead when Julio Cesar DoSantos took advantage of a mistake by Maryland defender Marcos Chantal to score the first goal of the match. The score remained 1-0 until a few minutes into the second half, when Dennis Alas’s free kick was headed home by Muner Hassen to tie the score.

Thirteen minutes after the Monarchs drew level, the Pancyprian Freedoms regained the lead, when a free kick was headed into the penalty area, and Matia Damiani met the ball at the back post for a 2-1 lead.

The turning point came in the 83rd minute, when the Freedoms’ Panagoitis Halkidis was booked twice in the span of a minute, reducing New York to ten men. Just two minutes later, the Monarchs found the tying goal, when Nilson Perez put away a pass from Alas. In the final minutes of the half, Maryland pressed for the winning goal, but short-handed New York survived to send the match to extra time.

On through extra time, Maryland held the run of play, but New York withstood the pressure. Just as the game seemed destined for penalty kicks, the Monarchs scored. A free kick from Alas was initally blocked by goalkeeper Dilmer Martinez, but Marcos Chantal met the rebound with a header for the winning goal.

The Monarchs now move on to face the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division in the Second Round, with the winner to take on a team from Major League Soccer in the Third Round.

LIVE BLOG COVERAGE

A gutsy performance by 10 man New York playing on the road against a team from a higher division, but the extra bit of class showed in the end. The loyal Monarchs fans stayed and sang to the end and are now headed to Cary, North Carolina on June 24th to face the Carolina Railhawks of USL-1.
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Again, we would like to thank Max Lom for providing the updates for the final match of the First Round!
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10:28 pm: The referee blows the whistle, and it is all over! The Monarchs have survived the upset bid of NY Pancyprian Freedoms!
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10:27 pm – 120th minute: Last ditch from new york with a corner kick upcoming. Scramble in front is cleared, immediate 2 v 1 counter which is struck over by Nilson Perez.
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10:26 pm – 119th minute: Yellow to Martin Reeves of New York as tempers flare.
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10:25pm – 117th minute: GOAL REAL MARYLAND MONARCHS. Alas free kick from 35 yards is saved but rebound is headed over the keeper by Marcos Chantal.
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10:24 pm – 116th: Alas tries another one from an acute angle and it goes into the side netting
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10:22 – 114th minute: Alas with a run down the right and plays it off to overlapping Matthew Eby who’s shot is mishit and goes wide of the near post.
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10:20 – 112th minute: Maryland with constant pressure, Ney York has eight minutes to hold them off for penalties
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10:17 pm – 107th minute: Hassen receives the ball on the right side of the area and passes square to Alas whos weak shot is scooped up by the keeper.
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10:13 pm – The second half of extra time is underway
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10:10 pm – 105th minute: The first period of extra time is over
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10:06 pm – 103th minute: Nilson Perez rips a shot wide left of the goal
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10:04 pm – 100th: Sub for New York – Andreas Pafitis for Nikolaos Katsanos
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10:00 pm – 96th minute: Long ball over the top finds Cerritos’s head but he nods it wide of the far post
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9:57 pm – 93rd minute: Perez with a goal for Maryland but he was well offside. New York appear to have regained their composure following a tough final minutes of regular time
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9:55 pm – The first period of extra time is under way
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9:50 pm – After a wild injury time period we head to 30 minutes of extra time
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9:48 pm – 2nd half stoppage time: Ramirez with a cross to Alas on the right, his shot from an angle is saved and put out for a corner. Ensuing corner results in a shot from the left side which is saved nicely
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9:46 pm – 90th minute: Yellow for Cerritos for pushing a New York player before a free kick. Three minutes of stoppage time added.
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9:44 pm – 88th minute: Alas with another low drive this time from the right. keeper stops it but allows a rebound which is scrambled away
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9:42 pm – 86th minute: Alas with a low drive from 25yards out, which is handled impressively by Martinez
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9:41 pm – 85th minute: GOAL REAL MARYLAND MONARCHS Hassen passes to Alas on the right. Alas plays a strong ball in and Perez is there to stick it in at the ar post
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9:40 pm – 84th minute: Sub Real Maryland – Pablo Gomez for Mateus Dos Anjos
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9:30 pm – 83rd minute: PANAGOITIS HALKIDIS WITH 2 YELLOWS IN A SPACE OF A MINUTE AND NEW YORK IS DOWN TO 10 MEN FOR THE REST OF THE GAME
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9:38 pm – 82nd minute: Alas draws dangerous freekick on right side and drills it into a crowd but is cleared by New York.
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9:36 pm – 80th minute: With the Monarch supporters urging them on, they have a header blocked from a corner.
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9:35 pm – 79th: Sub for NYPF – Bart Stolarczyk for Erion Qoku, who came on earlier this half.
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9:32 pm – 77th minute: Sub for Real Maryland – Victor Ramirez replaces Devlin Barnes
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9:30 pm – 75th minute: Sub for Real Maryland – Matthew Eby replaces Phillippe Bissohang
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9:28 pm – The Freedoms still have plenty of business left to take care of after this match. Next weekend they face Boston Olympiakos in the USASA Region I Open Cup final, and they have their Cosmopolitan League semifinal playoff vs. Central Park Ranngers, which was set for tonight before Tuesday’s postponement.
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9:24 pm – 69th minute: GOAL NEW YORK PANCYPRIAN FREEDOMS
Free kick inswinger from the left side is nodded on in the box where Matia Damiani meets it at the back post to retake the lead and send the Freedoms’ small pocket of traveling supporters into rapture. Just before the goal: Bissohang with a yellow for Maryland
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9:23 pm – 67th minute: Dennis Alas with a rocket from 25 yards that goes off the post
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9:18 pm – 61th minute: NYPF substitution, Erion Qoku comes on for Stelios Andreou
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9:17 pm – 60th minute: Matia Damiani gets a yellow for dissent for New York
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9:16 pm – 59th minute: A sliding tackle in the corner prompts a fracas between Dennis Alas and several New York players. Results in a Monarchs corner and nothing comes of it.
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9:15 pm – 58th minute: Defender Andy Kish comes on for midfielder Angel Higueras for Maryland. looking to shore up the defense
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9:13pm – 56th minute: GOAL REAL MARYLAND MONARCHS
A free kick from the right side is swung in by Dennis Alas and headed back across goal from the top of the box by Maryland midfielder Muner Hassen
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9:11 pm – 54th minute: Long ball forces collision between Martinez and Alas as New York’s keeper comes rushing out just in time.
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9:08 pm – 52nd minute: Run down the right by Nilson Perez ends with his shot going just over Dilmer Martinez’s goal.
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9:07 pm – 51st minute: Cross from right side by monarchs causes goal mouth scramble which is eventually cleared.
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9:06 pm – 49th minute: Bball over the top by DoSantos just misses for New York
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9:02 pm – Neither team has made any subs to start the half
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9:00 pm – The second half is under way!
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8:47pm – And it is halftime at the Maryland SoccerPlex, with the NY Pancyprian Freedoms 45 minutes away from joining Hollywood United as the only amateur clubs in the second round. The Monarchs have had the better of play, but New York had several opportunties and capitalized on Maryland’s one big mistake.
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8:47 pm – 1st Half stoppage time: Jeff Matteo sends Tasos Polydefkis through down the right side on a counter, but a shot from a tight angle hits the near post and goes out.
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8:45 pm – 45th minute: Nilson Perez taken down outside the area but the ref keeps his whistle in his pocket
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8:43pm – The trainer’s magic spray revives Basso immediately. Two minutes of stoppage time has been added to the half.
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8:42pm – 43rd minute: Stephen Basso down on the field for Real Maryland being attended to by the trainer.
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8:40 pm – 41st minute: Good ball over the top by Muner Hassen almost springs Cerritos on goal, but the linesman’s flag was up.
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8:37pm – 38th minute: Devlin Barnes with a great run down the right and has his low shot saved nicely by New York GK Dilmer Martinez. Martinez looks very steady in goal tonight.
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8:35pm – The postponment of this match to tonight has suddenly made for a busy weekend for Real Maryland, as they still have to travel up to Harrisburg for a USL-2 game tomorrow evening.
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8:33pm – 34th minute: Alas finds space but blasts his shot well over from 30 yards
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8:31 pm – 31st minute: Reeves has returned to the pitch with a bandage around his head
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8:28 pm – 29th minute: Maryland corner is partially cleared before Dennis Alas’s 25 yard effort is deflected over by a New York defender
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8:27 pm – 28th minute: Marc Reeves down with an injury for New York and taken off the pitch with an ice pack on his head
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8:25pm – 27th minute: good through ball by Cristos Zisimatos forces Maryland keeper Emilio Zelaya off his line to clear the ball before Andreou can reach it
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8:20 pm – 22nd minute – GOAL! NEW YORK PANCYPRIAN FREEDOMS
Maryland defender Marcos Chantal makes an error in the area and New York’s Julio Cesar DoSantos is there to provide a blistering strike to put the Pancyprian Freedoms in front against the run of play
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8:19 pm – 21st minute: Maryland’s Muner Hassen is taken down and Dennis Alas tests the keeper with a drive from 35 yards
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8:17 pm – 19th minute: Cerritos with a cross from the byline but it goes over Nilson Perez’s head and is cleared by New York
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8:14 pm – 16th minute: Dennis Alas makes nice run and pass to Devlin Barnes but NY keeper saves the shot easily
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8:13 pm – 15th minute: Ronald Cerritos cuts a ball into the box for Nilson Perez who forces the keeper into a sprawling save, but the referee blew for a handball to kill the play
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8:11pm – 13th minute: Devlin Barnes wins the ball and charges down the right wing into a promising position but his cross is poor and goes out for a harmless goal kick
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8:08 pm – 10th minute: Two players get tangled in Real Md’s area. The referee tells them to play on. Andreou recovers fastest and forces Maryland’s gk zelaya to push his shot over the bar for a corner……the corner is cleared.
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8:06 pm – We would like to give a big thanks to Max Lom of the Monarchs for providing updates on tonight’s match!
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8:04 pm – 6th minute: Great chance for New York as a ball cut back from deep on the right wing is hit just over the bar by Stelios Andreou from 18 yards
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8:02 pm – Staring lineup for NY Pancyprian Freedoms: dilmer martinez (gk), nikolaos katsanos, marc reeves, christos zisimatos, stelios andreou, matia damiani, tasos polydefkis, jeff matteo, sebastian alvarado, panagoitis halkidis, julio cesar DoSantos
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8:00 pm – Starting lineup for Real Maryland: emilio zelaya (gk), phillipe bissohang, stephen basso, mateus dos anjos, angel higueras, devlin barnes, muner hassen, dennis alas, nilson perez, marcos chantel, ronald cerritos
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7:59pm – The match is underway!
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7:45pm – We’re about 15 minutes from kickoff, and the weather does NOT seem to be a problem tonight!
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6:25pm – Hello everyone, Chuck Nolan Jr. here. We’ll be getting updates from the final First Round match to be played, between the Real Maryland Monarchs and the NY Pancyprian Freedoms, and posting them right here!