LA Galaxy II

MLS-owned USL teams not allowed in 2016 US Open Cup, per USSF policy change

November 4, 2015 by Josh Hakala

The Seattle Sounders 2 and the Portland Timbers 2, shown here in a 2015 US Open Cup Round 3 match will not be competing in the 2016 tournament. Photo: Charis Wilson | Seattle Sounders FC

UPDATE: TheCup.us has confirmed that 2016 USL expansion team Rio Grande Valley FC will be allowed to compete in the US Open Cup since they will be sharing staff with MLS’ Houston Dynamo, but they do not share ownership.

There was no announcement made, but according to a document posted on the United States Soccer Federation website, a policy change has been made that will have a significant effect on the field for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Posted on the federation’s Bylaws and Policies page, the 2015 Policy Amendments document states that on Sept. 8, 2015, the Board of Directors passed an amendment that will ban all Major League Soccer-owned USL teams from next year’s tournament.

The amendment says:

“Any Outdoor Professional League Team that is majority owned by a higher-level Outdoor Professional League Team shall be ineligible to participate in the Open Cup. The Open Cup Committee shall review and determine team eligibility annually pursuant to this provision and report its decisions to the National Board of Directors.”

This would keep the following teams from competing in next year’s tournament: Seattle Sounders 2, Portland Timbers 2, LA Galaxy 2, New York Red Bulls 2, Real Monarchs (RSL) and 2016 expansion teams Orlando City B, Bethlehem Steel and Swope Park Rangers (Sporting KC).

The New York Red Bulls 2 fielded seven academy players in their 2015 Round 2 loss to the Jersey Express (PDL). Photo: Bob Larson

Questions have arisen about the status of 2016 USL expansion side Rio Grande Valley FC (RGVFC), who will be affiliated with MLS’ Houston Dynamo. TheCup.us has confirmed that RGVFC will be allowed to compete in the tournament because while the two clubs will be sharing staff and coaches, they do not share an ownership group. RGVFC are owned by Lone Star FC. According to the Dynamo website, “Lone Star, as they do with the Houston Rockets, will manage and operate the club, including a new stadium, while Houston’s technical staff will select the players and coaching staff.”

Concerns arose last year that reserve teams under MLS control were fielding weakened rosters due, in large part, to the fact that the senior teams didn’t want to cup tie players with a USL team, thus making them unavailable for their own tournament run. One could speculate that was one of the motivating factors that led to this change.

A prime example of this comes from this past tournament’s second round match between the New York Red Bulls 2 and the PDL’s Jersey Express. All of the players on loan from the Red Bulls senior club did not dress for the match and seven players from the team’s Under-18 and Under-16 development academy squads were on the gameday roster. Two of those academy players found their way into the starting lineup. The Express won the match 1-0.

Now, with this news, the number of professional teams has been reduced by eight teams, which will change the number of teams that will enter the 2016 competition. The deadline for professional teams to register for the tournament is Dec. 31, 2015 and in the weeks that follow, the matchups for Round 3 of the open division qualifying tournament will be released. At that point, the federation will announce the finalized number of teams for the 103rd edition of the Open Cup.

More details to follow …

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: PSA Elite last remaining USASA club after PK upset of LA Galaxy II

May 29, 2014 by Will Robinson

In the late Southern California evening, PSA Elite defender Aaron Simmons lined up for what was surely the biggest penalty in club history. Against the reserve squad of one of Major League Soccer’s premier sides, a berth in a battle against the Seattle Sounders was on the line after 120 minutes elapsed without a goal from either team.

Simmons, lined up, charged toward L.A. Galaxy II keeper Cody Laurendi. He coolly scored, advancing the Irvine, Calif.-based side, the final USASA side remaining in the tournament, to the next round.

“I can’t even describe the feeling,” forward Michael Salazar said postgame. “It was a good game and we came in as underdogs, and, you know, we just try to pack it in. Somehow, they couldn’t find the back of the net.”

It certainly helped to have a stellar performance by keeper Earl Edwards, Jr., who saved 14 shots, including two penalties in the deciding shootout. All night, he and his backline were tested.

The crowd was evenly split between Galaxy supporters, including senior manager Bruce Arena, and friends and family of PSA, cheering on their loved ones in the face of a professional side.

There were certainly signs of home field advantage in the first half as L.A. dominated the first 20 minutes, accruing chances while PSA Elite had to stay disciplined.

“In the beginning they had fresh legs, they were coming at us, and we just wanted to keep our game plan coming in, and I think it worked out fine for us,” forward Michael Salazar said.

A handful of dangerous free kicks were won and taken by Rafael Garcia, testing PSA. But PSA held up in the first 45 minutes despite recording more fouls and the first half’s only booking, a 21st minute yellow shown to Salazar, who played calmly up top with strike partner Lester Hayes in the upset.

The second half featured a more open match, allowing both teams to create chances up and down the pitch. It also opened up the referee’s book, handing out three yellow cards in the second half and two in extra time.

In the 80th minute, a window opened up for Galaxy II and forward Travis Bowen. PSA defender Michael Sahagian brought down the active striker in the box, forcing referee Michael Zapata to give a penalty. Bowen elected to take it but weakly took it, sending a slow shot that deflected off Edwards’ feet. It was the closest both teams got to scoring; a chance that would have sealed Galaxy II’s advancement.

Various chances occurred in extra time, but nothing substantial took shape until the shootout. L.A. Galaxy II won the coin toss and elected to shoot first. Substitute Laurent Courtois scored first followed by a cute chance from Jose Preciado – a chip down the middle, easily saved.

But then PSA’s fortunes shifted. The following three penalties for Galaxy II were mishit, either poorly taken and saved such as Jack McBean or Bradford Jameison IV’s attempts. Andre Auras put his attempt over the bar. Conversely, PSA finished their following three PKs, cementing the victory.

Next up, PSA face the juggernaut that is Seattle. U.S. skipper Clint Dempsey will not be in the fold due to the World Cup. But it’s still an intimidating task for Salazar, a 21-year-old University of California, Riverside student who took an exam early Thursday.

“That’s a whole different level now,” he said of Sigi Schmid’s team, “and I feel like we’re gonna go back, take in this win today and see what we can work on in the next two weeks.”

No matter, what comes next can’t detract from the realized dream of reaching the cup’s Fourth Round. PSA Elite, a side with just over 500 Facebook likes and under 100 Twitter followers edged a group of men paid to play soccer. And they just played for one thing: the love of the game.

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: LA Galaxy II crush tournament darlings Cal FC, 6-1

May 17, 2014 by Joe Curley

“Los Dos” had the antidote for Cal FC’s big heart and bigger dreams.

A early goal and domination on set pieces lifted Los Angeles Galaxy II to a relatively simple 6-1 win over the USASA team from Thousand Oaks, Calif. Wednesday night in the Second Round of the US Open Cup at the Stubhub Center’s track stadium.

Alejandro Covarrubias drove in the opening goal from a sixth-minute free kick and Travis Bowen scored twice as the Galaxy’s first-year USL Pro team built a 5-0 lead by the break.

“That’s what it’s about, being a professional,” Bowen said. “You have to come out and put in a performance, no matter who you are playing, no matter how many people are in the stands.”

Covarrubias drove a low, powerful free kick inside the base of the left post for an early Galaxy lead and “Los Dos” piled on from there to progress to a Third-Round matchup with another southern California USASA side, PSA Elite.

The last time Cal FC was in the US Open Cup, they a pretty big splash on the field, and on social media. — The last time Cal FC was in the US Open Cup in 2012, they a pretty big splash on the field, and on social media.

Defender Bradley Diallo headed in a corner kick to double the lead in the 24th minute. Bowen scored twice in three minutes to make it 4-0.

First beating two defenders to tap in Bradley Jamieson’s shot, then roofing a chance from 10 yards after Jamieson was close in the 33rd minute.

“They’re super well-organized and they came out really quickly,” said Cal FC coach Nick Webster. “It was disappointing that four of the goals were set pieces. That was something that we wanted to be on top of.”

Cal FC, who pulled off upsets of USL Pro and Major League Soccer opposition in its run to the Fourth Round in 2012, found reality in its return to the 101-year-old national competition.

Several players the Tri-County Soccer League team hoped to add for the competition didn’t receive international clearance in time to bolster the squad. It also arrived to find an opponent of a different caliber.

“That was the most structured team that we’ve played all three years,” said Cal FC defender Kai Werring. “That was a big difference. Previous have been scraps. You could tell a couple of those guys are going to go places.”

Cal FC scored its goal five minutes after the break. Midfielder Kramer Runager put Reymundo Reza through on goal with a defense-splitting pass and the halftime substitute slotted home the finish.

“I was really proud of the second half,” Webster said. “The team showed a lot of character and heart. They refused to lay down. That could have gotten really out of hand.”