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Breakdown for 2011 USL PDL US Open Cup Qualifying: Central Conference

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PDL logoUS Open Cup qualifying process for the Premier Development League begins April 30 when the Central Florida Kraze play host to Fort Lauderdale Schulz. The match marks the beginning of what is arguably the most exciting portion of the event for the league as the task of qualifying can be more daunting than the professional opponents awaiting them in the tournament proper.

In the upcoming edition of the tournament, the PDL will be represented by a record nine clubs after seven consecutive years with eight representatives. With nine berths available, the league will send one from each division based on four league contests that will double as qualification matches – a format long established by the parent United Soccer Leagues.

Here is the Central Conference portion of the four-part series of breakdowns:

Central Conference Qualifying Breakdown

US Open Cup qualifying for the PDL Central Conference, the last conference to begin qualification play, opens with three games on May 14 and a fourth the following evening.

Great Lakes Division
Akron Summit Assault, Chicago Fire, Cincinnati Kings, Indiana Invaders, Michigan Bucks, River City Rovers

The two expansion sides Akron Summit Assault and River City Rovers make up a third of the six-team group in 2011, and Akron has quite the challenge ahead of it. The new club in Ohio will play host to the Chicago Fire (PDL) in the opening game of the group May 14 and is also in the division’s next two cup qualifiers as well, traveling to Cincinnati May 17 and River City May 19 for the Rovers’ debut.

The Open Cup has not been kind to the Cincinnati Kings. As a professional third division side, they entered the tournament three times (2005-07), but lost to amateur sides in each of those three years. Current division rivals, the Michigan Bucks, eliminated them 2-1 in the second round in 2007. But as a member of the PDL, the Kings have failed to qualify the last three years. The Indiana Invaders, from South Bend, have yet to qualify in their 13-year team history, despite holding one of the best overall records in the PDL over the last decade. That is because, historically, this grouping belongs to the Bucks and the Chicago Fire, who have a combined 11 trips to the tournament over the years.

The Fire and the Bucks, who rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in overall PDL records since 2003, will wrap up qualifying play with one of the two matches on the final night for the division Monday, May 30.

Last year, the Dayton Dutch Lions finished in the top spot, finishing one point ahead of Michigan and two in front of Chicago and Indiana. Dayton, however, will not be part of the picture as it has moved on to USL Pro and is returning to the tournament as an automatic entrant.

Over the last four years, the Bucks have boasted the best mark with only two losses in 16 matches at 12-2-2, qualifying twice. Chicago, meanwhile, was 9-3-4 and reached the tournament in 2009. Indiana is 5-6-5 in that time and Cincinnati has a record of 4-8-0 in its three PDL qualifying stints.

Looking at the upcoming schedule, it appears as though River City and Cincinnati drew the short straws as the duo is slated to play both Michigan and Chicago in their attempt to qualify. Indiana’s path may be its most opportune in years with both expansion sides and Cincinnati on the schedule along with a match against the Bucks.

Cincinnati and Michigan will both face all three of their veteran rivals in the division during qualifying, something the Kings are familiar with having played the trio of Michigan, Chicago and Indiana the past two years as well. The Kings won in Chicago last year and picked up a win at home against Indiana in 2009.

GREAT LAKES DIVISION GP W L T PTS GF GA GF GD
Akron Summit Assault 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Chicago Fire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Cincinnati Kings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Indiana Invaders 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Michigan Bucks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
River City Rovers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 14 Chicago Fire at Akron Summit Assault 7:30
May 17 Akron Summit Assault at Cincinnati Kings 7:30
May 19 Akron Summit Assault at River City Rovers 7:30
May 21 Cincinnati Kings at Chicago Fire 7:30
May 21 Michigan Bucks at River City Rovers 7:30
May 22 Indiana Invaders at Akron Summit Assault 7:00
May 23 Michigan Bucks at Cincinnati Kings 7:30
May 25 Cincinnati Kings at Indiana Invaders 7:30
May 28 Indiana Invaders at Michigan Bucks 12:00
May 28 River City Rovers at Chicago Fire 7:30
May 30 River City Rovers at Indiana Invaders 7:30
May 30 Chicago Fire at Michigan Bucks 7:30


Heartland Division
Des Moines Menace, Kansas City Brass, Real Colorado Foxes, Springfield Demize, St Louis Lions

While the Great Lakes arguably closes with the showcase match of its qualifying phase, the Heartland Division opens with one of its as the Des Moines Menace play host to the St Louis Lions Saturday, May 14. The Menace ended a three-year absence by earning their fifth trip to the tournament a year ago, ending a two-year run by the Lions. The Menace directly contributed to the turn of events with a 2-1 victory over St Louis, who finished three points back of Des Moines and only one back of second.

Also on the first night of qualifying, the Kansas City Brass visit the Real Colorado Foxes in the first of back-to-back matches. The Foxes finished tied for second in the group last year while Kansas City finished with just one victory for the third consecutive year after earning the 2007 berth with the last 4-0-0 record to come out of the division.

St Louis holds the edge over Des Moines as the best team of the bunch with a 10-4-2 combined qualifying record in the past four years while the Menace are 9-5-2. Kansas City is an even 7-7-2 while Real Colorado has a winning mark of 4-3-1 in its two campaigns. The Springfield Demize bring up the rear with a 2-13-1 record over the last four years, last tasting victory with two wins in 2007.

The Demize are the lone team of the five that will be facing all four of their qualifying rivals, kicking off at home against Des Moines May 18 and playing on the road in the finale of the division’s slate May 28 in St Louis. Springfield was also the only team to have played all four of the other clubs in qualifying last year as well as in 2009.

HEARTLAND DIVISION GP W L T PTS GF GA GF GD
Des Moines Menace 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Kansas City Brass 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Real Colorado Foxes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
St. Louis Lions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0
Springfield Demize 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0

Top team qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup

Clinched Open Cup berth – Eliminated from contention

Note: Columns on the far right are for tiebreaker purposes

USL Premier Development League tiebreakers

(1) Head-to-head record based on total points in Open Cup qualifiers

(2) Total wins in Open Cup qualifying games

(3) Goal difference (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(4) Goals scored (+/- 3 goals maximum for each USOC qualifier)

(5) Lottery conducted by the USL

All times Eastern

May 14 St. Louis Lions at Des Moines Menace 8:30
May 14 Kansas City Brass at Real Colorado Foxes 9:00
May 15 Kansas City Brass at Real Colorado Foxes 3:00
May 18 Des Moines Menace at Springfield Demize 8:30
May 21 St. Louis Lions at Des Moines Menace 8:30
May 21 Real Colorado Foxes at Springfield Demize 8:30
May 22 Real Colorado Foxes at St. Louis Lions 6:00
May 22 Springfield Demize at Kansas City Brass 8:30
May 25 Des Moines Menace at Kansas City Brass 8:30
May 28 Springfield Demize at St. Louis Lions 6:00


Eastern Conference (Inside Look +)

Mid Atlantic Division: Brooklyn Knights, Central Jersey Spartans, Jersey Express, Long Island Rough Riders, New Jersey Rangers, Ocean City Nor’easters, Reading United AC, Westchester Flames
Northeast Division: MPS Portland Phoenix, Seacoast United Phantoms, Vermont Voltage, Western Mass Pioneers
South Atlantic Division: Carolina Dynamo, Fredericksburg Hotspur, Northern Virginia Royals, Real Maryland Monarchs, Virginia Beach Piranhas, West Virginia Chaos

Southern Conference (Inside Look +)

Mid South Division: Baton Rouge Capitals, Chivas El Paso Patriots, Laredo Heat, New Orleans Jesters, RGV Grandes FC, West Texas United Sockers
Southeast Division: Central Florida Kraze, FC Jaxy Destroyers, Fort Lauderdale Schulz Academy, IMG Bradenton Academics, Mississippi Brilla, Nashville Metros

Western Conference (Coming Soon)

Northwest Division: Kitsap Pumas, North Sound SeaWolves, Portland Timbers U23, Tacoma Tide, Washington Crossfire
Southwest Division: BYU Cougars, Fresno Fuego, LA Blues 23, Los Angeles Legends, Ogden Outlaws, Orange County Blue Star, Southern California Seahorses, Ventura County Fusion

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Detroit United repeat as Michigan champs, oust Soony Saad, Bucks ‘Reserves’ in OT (Video)

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For the second year in a row, Detroit United has captured the Michigan Open Cup title and has punched their ticket to the USASA Region II tournament. They defeated a Michigan Bucks “reserve” squad registered under the name “MBSC Rush,” 2-1, in extra time with Tommy Eller scoring both goals for United, overcoming a goal by Soony Saad early in the second half.

Eller, who was a key player on last year’s team that qualified for the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, scored the equalizing goal on a penalty kick in the 87th minute. He followed that up with the game-winner in extra time in the 100th minute (SEE VIDEO BELOW). Eller scored the game-winning goal in last year’s Michigan Open Cup final, beating Ann Arbor Elite FC, 1-0.

Saad, the former University of Michigan star and US Under-20 player, who recently left school after his freshman year to pursue a pro career, was last seen playing for NSC Minnesota of the NASL. He was a surprise addition to the MBSC Rush roster which was full of former great Bucks players. The roster for the newest member of the Michigan United Soccer League read like a all-star reunion team, including former Bucks like Nate Craft, Simon Omekanda, Spencer Thompson and the PDL’s co-all-time leading goalscorer, Kenny Uzoigwe (76 career goals). The Bucks formed the team after a merger with the local club, the Michigan Rush.

Tommy Eller’s game-winning goal for Detroit United in 100th minute (MLive.com/soccer)

As of the day of this game, only four other teams have been confirmed as participants in the 2011 Region II finals. Detroit will join Bavarian SC (Wisconsin), Des Moines Menace Reserves (Iowa), AAC Eagles (Illinois) and last year’s Open Cup entrant, KC Athletics (Kansas). The registration deadline has passed and an announcement is expected to be made soon.

Detroit United pose for a picture in 2010

Both teams entered the match looking to find some cohesion. Neither club had played together much more than a single practice session entering the final, so it was hard to predict at the outset how the match was going to play out. On paper, the MBSC Rush had the bigger names, and the stronger resumes, but it was Detroit United who had most of their roster from last year coming back for 2011.

In the early going, it was the Rush who had the advantage, but Detroit still managed a couple chances. Seventeen minutes into the match, Adam Brent thwarted an attack by clearing a cross off the back post. A few minutes later, Saad earned a corner kick and the ball was played into a dangerous spot, forcing United goalkeeper Ryan Mathe to paw the ball away.

Jake Munchiando fed Taiwo Olorunnimbe from the right wing in the 25th minute, but Jeff Weiss dove to make the low diving save. Three minutes later, Saad was taken down just outside the penalty area on the right wing, and took the free kick himself. He blasted the ball toward the near post, but United defender Thomas Stark deflected it out for a corner kick. That ensuing corner by former Penn State star Simon Omekanda, was sent into the box where it was cleared high into the air (avoiding the rafters of the indoor stadium). When the ball came down the Rush headed the ball toward goal and someone the ball got behind the goalkeeper, but the Detroit defense cleared it off the line.

Detroit United at Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Detroit United warms up before the 2011 Michigan Open Cup final at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas main field. The “USA” is one of two indoor venues to ever host an US Open Cup event. Photo: Josh Hakala

The best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when the ball fell to Chris Edwards in the penalty area. The former Bucks player fired a shot which forced a highlight reel save from Mathe.

“They were the better team in the first half,” said Detroit United captain Thomas Stark. “But in typical Detroit United fashion, we fought and clawed and found a way.”

In the second half, both teams came out firing. In the 53rd minute, Eller launched a half-volley from the right side of the penalty area that just went over the bar. A couple minutes later, Spencer Thompson (Michigan State grad, who was drafted by Toronto FC in the MLS Supplemental Draft) had a shot of his own just float over the bar.

It was Saad who had the game’s first breakthrough in the 58th minute. After dribbling down the left wing, the former Wolverine cut inside and took a low shot to the far post which beat the keeper. Even with the 1-0 lead, MBSC continued to pressure with scoring chances for Jake Stacy, Saad and an open shot from Edwards at the top of the penalty arc.

Ultimate Soccer Arenas
The main entrance of the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the home of the PDL’s Michigan Bucks. Photo: Josh Hakala

It appeared as though the Rush were going to hold on until MBSC defender Wade Allen took down Detroit’s Renato Susnja in the penalty area, forcing the referee to point to the spot.

Tommy Eller converted the penalty kick in the 87th minute to tie the game at 1-1. The Bucks would mount one more attack before Stacy’s shot from the left side of the penalty area would find side-netting in the 90th minute.

In the extra time session, both teams played attacking soccer, but the number of quality chances were minimized by some solid defense.

The tie would be broken in the 100th minute when Detroit won the ball in midfield and Kenny Simon found the ball at his feet, crossing midfield and dribbling down the middle of the park. With his options on the wing cut out by Rush defenders, Simon played a perfectly placed ball down the middle as Eller was making a diagonal run. He got in behind the defender Allen and Eller shot the ball across goal, and underneath the goalkeeper for what would prove to be the winning goal.

“It’s the Michigan Bucks, they’re one of the best teams in the country,” said Stark. “So you know that when they put out a team, it’s going to be good, and to have a player like Soony Saad out there, one of the best college players in the country, it was definitely a challenge. But in the end, we deserved to win today.”

Detroit United, led by manager George Juncaj, will now move on to the Region II finals where they will attempt to become the first USASA team from Michigan to qualify for the US Open Cup two years in a row in the Modern Era (1995-present).

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2011 US Open Cup qualifying
Michigan Open Cup final – April 9, 2011
Detroit United 2:1 MBSC Rush (After Extra Time)
United Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, Mich.

Scoring Summary
MBSC: Soony Saad (Unassisted) – 58th minute
DETU: Tommy Eller (PK) – 87th minute
DETU: Tommy Eller (Kenny Simon) – 100th minute

MBSC Rush lineup: Jeff Weiss (GK), Nate Craft, Ryan Rzepka, Stewart Givens, Adam Brent, Chris Edwards, Piotr Nowak, Spencer Thompson, Simon Omekanda, Kenny Uzoigwe, Soony Saad | Subs: Wade Allen, Brent McIntosh, Nicholas Dreshaj, Jake Stacy

Detroit United lineup: Ryan Mathe (GK), David Nesbitt, Thomas Stark, Zachary Wilker, Jacob Munchaindo, Renato Susnja, Kenny Simon, Nik Djokic, Ryan Montegue, Tommy Eller, Taiwo Olorunnimbe | Subs: Mark Berisha, Benni Tetaj

Notable upsets in the Second Round of the US Open Cup

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UPDATED 5/18/17

2000 – Mid-Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 New England Revolution (MLS)

The Mid-Michigan Bucks have always been one of the lower division troublemakers of the US Open Cup, and this match against the New England Revolution at Foxboro Stadium helped build that reputation. Goalkeeper Eric Pogue was the early hero for the Bucks, saving a Shaker Asad penalty kick in the 7th minute to keep the game scoreless. The Bucks stayed with the Revolution for 90 minutes using a high-tempo style of play and eventually sent the sparse crowd of 1,857 Revolution fans home disappointed.

Three minutes into stoppage time, midfielder Chad Schomaker scored the winner on an assist from Boniventure Maruti. The win was the first time an amateur side defeated a Major League Soccer team. The Bucks, however, remain the only amateur club to upset an MLS team without the help of extra time or penalty kicks. Their Cup run would come to an end in the next round, when the Miami Fusion of MLS came to Saginaw, Mich., they needed a penalty kick shootout to eliminate the giant killers after a 3-3 draw in regulation.

2000 – Chicago Sockers (PDL) 0:0 Kansas City Wizards (MLS) (Chicago advances, 7-6 on PKs)

The Mid-Michigan Bucks weren’t the only team slaying MLS giants in the Second Round of the 2000 Open Cup. The Kansas City Wizards were leading Major League Soccer in points at the time of the match, but that didn’t matter to the PDL’s Chicago Sockers, who were the defending champions of the fourth division league. Adam Throop of the Sockers put in a spectacular performance, keeping a clean sheet for 105 minutes despite 23 shots from the Wizards. Both teams slugged though extra time scoreless as well, and the 3,140 on hand at Forest View Park in Chicago eagerly awaited the penalty kick session to decide the game. Throop came though again, saving Uche Okafor’s penalty to give Chicago the win.

The Sockers, like the Bucks, went on to put a scare into their next MLS opponents. In the Third Round, the Sockers took on the Chicago Fire and only a Josh Wolff goal in the 22nd minute seperated the two clubs in a rare Open Cup derby match.

2006- Dallas Roma FC (USASA – Region III) 1:0 Miami FC (USL-1)

Dallas Roma FC pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup (1995-present), defeating the USL First Division’s Miami FC 1-0 in front of their home fans in Dallas. Roma scored the lone goal of the match early in the game, when Miami midfielder Zinho was called for a handball in the penalty area. John Waters stepped to the spot and converted the penalty for the 1-0 lead.

The Roma defense, led by goalkeeper Jessie Llamas, held World Cup winners Romario and Zinho in check all night, only allowing Miami to attack from the side, instead of up the middle. Roma head coach Michael Schell did not start three of his regulars for disciplinary reasons, making the 1-0 lead that much more remarkable. When he eventually brought in the likes of Patrick Shamu and Mark Rowland, Schell said the Miami players began to get frustrated.

“They (Miami) realized these guys were better then the ones they replaced”, Schell said. It was during this time that both Michael Erush and Fabian Sandoval were sent off, leaving Miami with just nine men to finish the game. Schell was also quick to point out that the visitors did not take his team lightly, as they constantly put pressure on Roma’s defense throughout the night.

The win marked the first time a USASA club had beaten a team from the USL First Division. Roma are also only the second USASA team since 1995 to advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup. “I don’t think I’m going to go to sleep tonight!” said an ecstatic Schell after a post-match dinner with his team.

Other Second Round upsets

1997 – San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) 1:0 Seattle Sounders (A-League)
1998 – Orlando Nighthawks (D3 Pro) 2:1 Milwaukee Rampage (A-League)
1998 – Chicago Stingers (D3 Pro) 3:2 Hershey Wildcats (A-League)
1999 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:1 Minnesota Thunder (A-League)
1999 – Carolina Dynamo (D3 Pro) 2:0 Orange County Zodiac (A-League)
2000 – Richmond Kickers (A-League) 3:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2001 – Connecticut Wolves (MLS) 3:2 Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS)
2001 – Charleston Battery (A-League) 4:1 Metrostars (MLS)
2001 – Seattle Sounders Select (PDL) 3:2 Dallas Burn (MLS)
2001 – Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A-League) 3:0 Colorado Rapids (MLS)
2003 – Bavarian SC (USASA) 1:0 Reading Rage (PSL)
2006 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:1 Cincinnati Kings (USL-2)
2006 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1:0 Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
2006 – Carolina Dynamo (PDL) 1:0 Richmond Kickers (USL-2)
2008 – Cleveland City Stars (USL-2) 2:0 Minnesota Thunder (USL-1)
2009 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 1:0 (AET) Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2)
2012 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
2012 – Cal FC (USASA) 4:0 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
2012 – Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 3:1 (AET) Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro)
2013 – Reading United (PDL) 1:0 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro)
2013 – Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) 1:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro)
2013 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 1:0 Minnesota United FC (NASL)
2013 – FC Tucson (PDL) 2:2 (4:3 PKs) San Antonio Scorpions (NASL)
2014 – Fresno Fuego (PDL) 2:0 Orange County Blues (USL Pro)
2014 – Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 3:1 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro)
2017 – Reading United AC (PDL) 3:2 New York Cosmos (NASL)
2017 – Christos FC (USASA) 1:0 Richmond Kickers (USL)
2017 – Charlotte Eagles (PDL) 3:2 Charlotte Independence (USL)
2017 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 1:0 Indy Eleven (NASL)
2017 – Chicago FC United (PDL) 3:1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL)

Notable upsets in the First Round of the US Open Cup

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Hollywood United coach Ian Carrington celebrates his club’s upset win over the Portland Timbers. Photo: Allison Andrews
Hollywood United coach Ian Carrington celebrates his club’s upset win over the Portland Timbers. Photo: Allison Andrews

2008 – Hollywood United (USASA) 3, Portland Timbers (USL-1) 2
The Professional Era’s greatest First Round upset came in 2008 when Hollywood United, the USASA Region IV qualifier from California, traveled to PGE Park in Portland Ore. and knocked out the Portland Timbers 3-2. Hollywood United trailed twice during the match, but each time they trailed, Matt Taylor would convert a penalty kick to tie the game back up. With the score level at 2-2, Earl Alexander scored a 90th minute goal to send United to the Second Round and left Portland fans stunned. It was only the second time in the Professional Era that a USASA team has defeated a USL First Division team, and the first time that a USASA team had upset a USL-1 team on the road.

1997 – Bridgeport Italians (USASA) 3, Rhode Island Stingrays (D3 Pro) 2
With the USASA clubs reeling from losing “their” cup to the USISL and MLS, the amateur clubs of the USASA looked forward to proving to the higher level clubs that they still belonged. On this summer day in East Providence, Rhode Island, the Bridgeport Italians proved they did belong. Their opponents, the Rhode Island Stingrays, would eventually make the playoffs of the Third Division USL Pro League, but wound up seeing an early exit for themselves from the Cup. Marek Jurkonski, Pierre Venditti and Allen Zuniga scored for Bridgeport to give them a 3-2 win over the Stingrays. The Italians went on to lose a close 1-0 game to the Long Island Rough Riders in the next round, but they fulfilled the dream of every USASA club, they beat one of the “big boys”.

Other notable First Round upsets
1996 – San Jose Oaks (USASA) 3:2 California Jaguars (USISL Select)
1997 – Bridgeport Italians (USASA) 3:2 Rhode Island Stingrays (D3 Pro)
1997 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 3:2 Wilmington Hammerheads (D3 Pro)
1997 – Central Coast Roadrunners (PDL) 4:2 Albuquerque Geckos (D3 Pro)
1999 – United German Hungarians (USASA) 2:1 New Jersey Stallions (D3 Pro)
1999 – New York Freedoms (PDL) 3:1 Cape Cod Crusaders (D3 Pro)
1999 – Mid Michigan Bucks (PDL) 3:2 Austin Lone Stars (D3 Pro)
1999 – Spokane Shadow (PDL) 3:2 (aet) Chico Rooks (D3 Pro)
2002 – Raleigh CASL Elite (PDL) 5:2 Carolina Dynamo (PSL)
2002 – Des Moines Menace (PDL) 3:1 New Jersey Stallions (PSL)
2006 – Michigan Bucks (PDL) 2:0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-2)
2007 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 1:0 Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)
2007 – Bavarian SC (USASA) 1:0 Cincinnati Kings (USL-2)
2007 – El Paso Patriots (PDL) 2:2 Miami FC (USL-1) (El Paso advance 4-3 on PKs)
2009 – Ocean City Barons (PDL) 3:0 Crystal Palace Baltimore (USL-2)

Michigan Bucks owner talks US Open Cup, pro team aspirations for Detroit

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Dan Duggan, owner of the USL Premier Development League’s Michigan Bucks, spoke with Kartik Krishnaiyer of Major League Soccer Talk and covered many topics with regards to his team, including future prospects for a professional team in the Detroit area. The first topic they covered is the US Open Cup and how important it is to the Bucks organization. Duggan discussed the Bucks and the results that have helped them become the most successful PDL team in Cup history, including a 2000 victory over the New England Revolution at Foxboro Stadium.

You can listen to the podcast on the Major League Soccer Talk website.

2008 First Round recap: Hollywood United historic upset headlines the opening round

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2008 US Open Cup First Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 10
Yakima Reds 1:5 Harrisburg City Islanders
Boston Olympiakos 0:2 Western Mass Pioneers
Fredericksburg Gunners 0:3 Richmond Kickers
Crystal Palace Baltimore 2:1 LA Legends
RWB Adria 1:2 (aet) Rochester Rhinos
Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4:0 AAC Eagles
St. Louis Lions 1:4 Minnesota Thunder
Cleveland City Stars 2:1 Michigan Bucks
Bradenton Academics 2:4 Miami FC
Atlanta Silverbacks 2:2 (5:4 PKs) Austin Aztex U23s
Clearwater Galactics 2:5 Charlotte Eagles
Seattle Sounders 1:0 (aet) Arizona Sahuaros
Hollywood United 3:2 Portland Timbers
Brooklyn Knights 0:1 Carolina RailHawks
ASC New Stars 0:3 Charleston Battery
June 13
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:3 (aet) Real Maryland
Player of the Round: Pat Healey (CP Baltimore)
Notable upsets in the First Round
Things you should know about the First Round

In the lone upset in this year’s opening round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Hollywood United became only the second USASA club to defeat a USL First Division team in the tournament, knocking off the Portland Timbers with a dramatic, stoppage-time goal from Earl Alexander.

A pair of penalty kicks by Matt Taylor kept Hollywood level with their professional hosts. The Timbers tallied with goals fron Chris Brown (32nd minute), and Arsene Oka (51st minute). A crucial turning point in the match came in the 53rd minute, when Hollywood goalkeeper Javier Barragan saved a penalty kick from the Timbers’ Takayuki Suzuki, keeping the score 2-1 in favor of Portland.

Four other amateur teams nearly joined Hollywood in the Second Round.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the defending USL First Division Champion Seattle Sounders needed 118 minutes to find the winning goal against the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros. Kenji Treschuk scored the winning goal with just a couple minutes remaining in extra time, before the match would go to penalty kicks.

In Austin, Texas, the Atlanta Silverbacks got a penalty kick goal from David Hayes late in overtime to tie the game back up at 2-2 and sent the game into a tiebreaking shootout against the PDL’s Austin Aztex U23s. However, Atlanta would prevail, with Hayes sending the USL-1 side to the next round with the winning kick.

In Rochester, the Rhinos also needed extra time to knock off Chicago USASA club RWB Adria 2-1. Awadallah Morad tied the game for Adria with just four minutes remaining in regulation, and Hamed Diallo scored the eventual winning goal for Rochester just seven minutes into the extra period.

One match on Tuesday’s schedule was washed out by inclement weather, but the day after New York Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA Region I) took the Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2) to overtime. The Monarchs needed an 85th minute equalizer and a late extra time goal to end the Freedoms’ upset bid.

2008 First Round: City Stars overcome early blunder, knock out Michigan Bucks

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The Cleveland City Stars overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat the Michigan Bucks 2-1, and move on to the Second Round. The game was played in the Bucks’ new indoor soccer stadium in Pontiac, Mich. but Cleveland eliminated the home team in the opening round for only the second time in eight tournament appearances.

In the 4th minute of play, a defensive mishap led to a Bucks goal. On a back pass to goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, the ball took a funny bounce over Gilstrap’s foot, allowing Ty Shiplane to swoop in for the easy score.

Midway through the first half, Cleveland was able to equalize, as Floyd Franks scored off a pass from Neil Hlavaty. A few minutes later, the pair switched roles, as it was Hlavaty benefiting from a Franks cross to head home what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

One might assume that this would mark the first time that a US Open Cup match was ever played indoors. Actually, this was the second indoor match in the tournament’s history. In the Fourth Round of the 2004 Open Cup, the Minnesota Thunder hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Metrodome in front of 5,505 fans. Minnesota won that match 1-0.

With the win, Cleveland has advanced to the Second Round in each of their first two seasons in franchise history. The Minnesota Thunder of the USL First Division await them in the next round.

SCORING SUMMARY
4th Minute #7 Shipalane (Unassisted) / Michigan
23rd Minute #23 Floyd Franks (Neil Hlavaty) / Cleveland
34th Minute #5 Neil Hlavaty (Floyd Franks) / Cleveland

                    Shots:     Saves:     Fouls:     Offsides:     Corners:
Cleveland          6            1           13             5                        4
Michigan           8            2           17             3                        5
 
CLEVELAND CITY STARS
#1   Hunter Gilstrap
#4   Jeremy Tolleson
#5   Neil Hlavaty
#8   Godfrey Tenoff
#10  Derek Potteiger
#11  Sallieu Bundu
#13  Mark Schulte
#14  Anthony Stovall
#18 Luke Williams (#25 Ryan Miller – 76th Minute)
#21 Adam Ruud (#7 Ian Leibbrandt – 72nd Minute)
#23  Floyd Franks

Subs not used:  #00 Eric Reed, #9 Adriano Sella, #15 Josh Westermann, #16 Dana McGregor, #24 Randolph Jerome
 
MICHIGAN BUCKS
#25  Steve Clark
#3    Mike Holody
#22   Ian Daniel
#5    Fabien Lewis
#15  Dave Hertel (#9 Mauro Fuzetti – 82nd Minute)
#17  Piotr Nowak (#6 Stefan St. Louis – 86th Minute)
#14  Alex Morisset (#18 Doug DeMartin – 54th Minute)
#13  Zac Scaffidi
#7   Ty Shipalane
#11  Bes Bega (#8 Nate Jafta – 54th Minute)
#10  Kenny Uzoigwe

2007 First Round: Richmond hands Michigan Bucks first-ever opening round loss

by

For the first time in club history, including six previous appearances in the US Open Cup, the Michigan Bucks were eliminated in the First Round of the tournament. It was a battle between the Bucks, the defending PDL champion, and the Richmond Kickers, the defending USL Second Division champion, and it was the Kickers who came out on top, 4-2. The loss by the Bucks also ruined their perfect 5-0 all-time record against professional teams from the Second Division.

The Kickers took the lead in the first half on a pair of set pieces, scored by Robert Ssejjmba and Trevor McEachron. As the game moved to halftime, a severe thunderstorm moved into the area, and the start of the second half was delayed until almost 10:30 p.m. Once the game resumed, the Bucks created several scoring opportunities, but it was the Kickers who scored the next goal, in the 70th minute from Sascha Gorres. Michigan made a valiant comeback however, with goals in the 73rd and 76th minute from Nic Djokic to make the score 3-2. Richmond finally put the game away for good with four minutes to play when Matthew Watson scored for the 4-2 final.

The Kickers will now host the Cleveland City Stars in the Second Round on June 26. Both teams are undefeated this season in USL Second Division league play.

Scoring
(RICH) Robert Ssejjemba 7’
(RICH) Trevor McEachron 36’
(RICH) Sascha Gorres 70’
(MICH) Nik Djokic 73’
(MICH) Nik Djokic 76’
(RICH) Matt Watson 86’

Richmond Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, Trevor McEachron, Kelvin Jones, Steven Wolfe, Evan Harding, Sascha Gorres, Mike Burke, Matt Watson, Ihor Dotsenko, David Bulow, Robert Ssejjemba (Nowaf Jaman 77’)

Michigan Bucks: GK Steve Clark, Mike Holody, Kyle Russell (Eric Bronner 45’), Joe Donoho (Doug Demarkia 86’), Ian Daniel (Nik Djokic 45’), Pietr Nowak, Alex Morisset, Ty Shiplane (Xavier Balc 66’), Nate Jafta, Mkhokheli Dube, Kenny Uzoiqwe

Shots: RIC 13, MIC 6
Saves: RIC 3, MIC 7
Corners: RIC 3, MIC 5
Fouls:  RIC 10, MIC 17
Cautions: BAN Lockhart 19’, SEA Scott 34’, BAN Id-Deen 88’

Cautions:
62nd minute: Kenny Uzoigwe (Michigan)
80th minute: Mike Holody (Michigan)
85th minute: Ihor Dotsenko (Richmond)

Referee: Shaun Papperman
Assistant Referees: Robert Velbis, Bill Dittmar
Fourth Official:  Kyle Falce
Attendance: 522
Weather: Warm, stormy, 84º

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