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2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Aegean Hawks, Maryland Bays, Lansdowne Bhoys and AC Blaugrana advance in USASA Region I tourney

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It was a physical battle between the Maryland Bays (left) and West Chester United in the 2014 USASA Region I Open Cup Quarterfinals | Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

UPDATE: AC Blaugrana of Rhode Island has been disqualified due to the use of an ineligible player. Details here.

The United States Adult Soccer Association’s (USASA) Region I took another step toward the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as their qualifying tournament kicked off this weekend.

In the tournament’s lone preliminary round game, Rhode Island’s lone entry AC Blaugrana made their debut with a 2-0 win over Mass Premier Soccer to earn themselves a date with New Jersey champion Icon FC in the quarterfinals on April 13.

Elsewhere, Open Cup regulars Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks from Metro DC/Virginia defeated Pittsburgh’s Oak Avalon 3-1 to punch their ticket to the final four. They will take on the Maryland Bays who traveled north and defeated the three-time defending Eastern Pennsylvania champions West Chester United by the same score.

And finally, a new face joined the semifinals when Eastern New York champion Lansdowne Bhoys cruised past Newtown Pride SC from Connecticut 5-1. The Bhoys will await the winner of the Icon FC-AC Blaugrana match. The semifinals will take place on May 4.

The winner of the Open Cup tournament, along with the Region I Amateur Cup champion will represent the region at the 2015 US Open Cup.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
AC BLAUGRANA (RI) 2:0 MASS PREMIER SOCCER (MA)
by Brian O”Connell | NESoccerToday.com

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – For many wearing the white AC Blaugrana strip, Sunday’s US Open Cup clash against Mass Premier Soccer at Framingham State University was a chance to right past wrongs. To atone for previous failures. And, perhaps most importantly, to avenge recent defeats.

With no fewer than 12 players from the recently-dissolved East Providence Sports on their squad, Blaugrana (R.I.) grabbed 2-0 Region 1 preliminary round win over the same Mass Premier (Mass.) team that had knocked the former LUSA powerhouse out of Open Cup play in three straight tournaments (2010, 2011 and 2012).

A scoreless first half gave way to a decidedly different sequel, which saw the Rhode Island-based side score its first from Kyle Teixeira in the 48th minute. Local goalscorer extraordinaire Alencar Junior scored Blaurgrana’s second in the 64th minute. Goalkeeper Scott Perdomo kept the sheet clean to ensure that he and his fellow E.P. Sports alumni would taste the nectar of sweet revenge against their recent Region 1 nemesis.

With the win, Blaugrana, who played its first Open Cup clash on Sunday, advanced to the Region 1 quarterfinals, where it will host Icon (N.J.) on Apr. 13 at a location to be determined.

Sunday’s match started off with Mass Premier pressing the issue, with Perdomo and his backline tested early. Tyler McNee and Ben Shuleva made runs into their opponent’s end, but Perdomo wasn’t forced to take any drastic actions.

Though they may have been making gains as the game progressed, Mass Premier found its best opportunities from set pieces. In the 20th minute, they were awarded a free kick near the left edge of the box, but Derek Nobrega’s effort was cleared away by center back Rui Fortes.

The Commonwealth XI found another chance from the set piece in the 40th minute, this time with a free kick given deep inside the right flank. Once again, Nobrega’s cross was cleared away, this time by right back Jimmy Hernandez.

Undaunted, Mass Premier nearly pocketed a goal seconds before the interval. MacNee beat his mark, and went alone into the area with only Perdomo standing in his way. But the Blaugrana keeper held his ground, and denied MacNee with a quick flick of his left arm before corralling the rebound.

Mass Premier may have looked like early favorites following an ambitious first half, thanks to their play along the flanks. But the second half would prove to be an entirely different story for the longtime Region 1 powerhouse.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Blaugrana came alive when Hernandez launched a long ball over to Teixeira, who beat the defense and looked to bring down the pass. MPS goalkeeper Jeff Newman quickly closed in on Teixeira, and the pair collided – but not before the Blaugrana winger pushed the ball on frame and gently into the back of the net.

The lead was theirs, but Blaugrana knew they couldn’t rest easily. Not against the same Mass Premier that proved itself the mightier in matches past.

However, Mass Premier would find its chances far and few in between. Unable to find a comfortable rhythm, they struggled to summon their first half form, and laid waste to the few opportunities afforded to them.

They were further frustrated just after the hour when Blaugrana put together the finest display of offense seen all afternoon. Wilder Arboleda sent it ahead to Hernandez on an overlapping run down the right, where the right back went deep into the MPS end before crossing it far post. With the ball about knee high, Junior clinically finished it on the volley to make it a two-goal game with just under half an hour remaining.

Facing deeper deficit, Mass Premier attempted to assemble their attack in search of a way to get back into the match. Set pieces afforded them glimpses of hope, but each opportunity went unanswered. Around the 75th minute, the men in red went to a 3-4-3, attempting to get bodies into the box.

Yet, the polish required to seize a measure of success eluded them throughout the afternoon, as Blaugrana were crowned victors once the final whistle screeched.

Lineups:

Mass Premier Soccer: Jeff Newman, Sam Brill, Alan Ashenfelter, Jake Edwards, Dan Tweed Kent, Ben Shuleva, Harris Smirko, Derek Stenquist, Charlie Romero, Tyler MacNee, Dan McGregor. Substitutes: Derek Nobrega, Nick Figueiredo, Matt Lemire, Jake Johnson, Matt Hoff

AC Blaugrana: Scott Perdomo, Wilder Arboleda, Quim DePinia, Rui Fortes, Mateo Giraldo, Jimmy Hernandez, Andres Perdomo, Anthony Petrarca, Jefferson Rojas, Alonso Villasenor, Alencar “Junior” Ventura. Substitutes: Patrick Gerard, Tristan Lewis, Peter Maciel, Dom Petrarca, Diego Tabares, Kyle Teixeira.

Scoring summary:
ACB: Kyle Teixeira (Jimmy Hernandez) – 48th min.
ACB: Alencar “Junior” Ventura (Jimmy Hernandez) – 64th min.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
DULLES SPORTSPLEX AEGEAN HAWKS (DC/VA) 3:1 OAK AVALON (WEST PA)
By Grant Czubinski | A Moment of Brilliance blog | @Pieyow

GERMANTOWN, Md. – It was business as usual for the reigning Metro DC-Virginia Open Cup Champion Dulles Sportplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) today as the Washington club handily defeated visiting Oak Avalon (PA West) 3-1 in their USASA Region I Open Cup quarterfinal. The win sees the Hawks advance to the semifinal round where they will face the Maryland Bays on May 4.

If not for the heroics of Oak Avalon’s goalkeeper, Dustin Walker, the score line could have easily been much higher in favor of the Aegean Hawks. Walker – a Penn State Erie graduate – proved to the most important player on the field as he singled handedly prevented the game from becoming a rout, a performance that Aegean Hawks player/ assistant coach Watson Vaughn-Prather called “fantastic.” In the end, his efforts were for naught as the more experienced Hawks found ways to put the ball into the net, as David Rosenbaum, Scott Larrabee, and Gui Fonseca were able to notch goals to send the Washington club through to the next round.

After some pregame pleasantries between former Pittsburgh Riverhounds teammates Devlin Barnes (Aegean Hawks), Anthony Calvano, and John Liersemann (both of Oak Avalon), the game got underway just after 3 p.m. at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, Md.

From the first whistle, the Hawks dictated the tempo of the game, which according to Vaughn-Prather, was part of the Washington club’s game plan. It did not take long for the Hawks to find the back of the net as Rosenbaum got on the end of a cross, found himself alone in the left side of the box, and blasted a mouthwatering shot near post beating Oak Avalon’s Walker for the game’s first tally in the 5th minute.

Following the game’s opening goal, the Hawks repeatedly made deep runs into Oak Avalon’s final third during the game’s first quarter hour, as the visiting Pennsylvania club looked overwhelmed and off balance. As the game progressed, Oak Avalon settled in and eventually created chances of their own, though their forays always sputtered while Walker who kept them in the game by continually turning away shots, which left the home team frustrated to only be up by one goal at the half.

Oak Avalon started the second half much more in control than the first, but could not get a shot on target, despite constantly controlling the ball in the Hawks’ half. The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute as Paul Paradise scored to level the game at 1-1.

The stalemate did not last long as Paradise’s goal proved the motivation the Hawks needed to perform at their highest level. Larrabee, finally got a shot past Oak Avalon’s Walker two minutes later to put the home team back on top 2-1.

Play began to get scrappy after the Hawks’ second goal as Oak Avalon realized that Larrabee’s goal decisively pushed the momentum of the game in the Hawks’ favor. Oak Avalon tried in vain to equalize for the next fifteen minutes, but always failed to find an opening in the host’s competent back four. The entrance of substitute Alex Herrera in the 80th minute proved to be the death knell for the tiring Pennsylvania club, as the speedy winger repeatedly took advantage of Oak Avalon’s often absent left back to control the ball deep in Avalon’s half giving the Pennsylvania club zero opportunity to mount an attack.

With momentum on their side, and a slew of substitutes in the game – including DC United academy product Parnell Hegngi – the Aegean Hawks took advantage of the fact that Avalon traveled with just 12 players, wearing them out as the game went on and dominating the final 20 minutes.

Fonseca decisively put the game away in stoppage time after he broke through several defenders to earn a one-on-one opportunity with the Avalon goalkeeper. Fonseca, a Santos academy product, danced around a fast encroaching Walker inside the box and calmly slotted home a left footed shot in the six yard box to give the Aegean Hawks a 3-1 lead in stoppage time to secure the win.

The win sends the Aegean Hawks into the semifinal round of Region I qualifying, one that Vaughn-Prather feels his team is more than ready to play. When asked how the competition in the Washington Premier League prepared the Hawks for this game, Vaughn-Prather responded, “It’s a competitive league that keeps us fit and allows us to compete in Open Cup qualifiers.”

Scoring Summary:
AEG: David Rosenbaum – 5th min.
OAK: Paul Paradise – 63rd min.
AEG: Scott Larrabee – 65th min.
AEG: Gui Fonseca – 90th min.+

Cautions:
OAK: Andres Lopez (Yellow) – 45th min.
AEG: Watson Vaughn-Prather (Yellow) – 79th min.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
MARYLAND BAYS (MD) 3:1 WEST CHESTER UNITED (EAST PA)
By Michael Berton | @MichaelBerton

In a battle between two teams that had never won a USASA Region I Open Cup game, the Maryland Bays overcame an early deficit to defeat Pennsylvania hosts West Chester United by a 3-1 score.

The Maryland Bays celebrate Chris Weaver's goal in the 74th minute that gave the Bays a 3-1 win over Wets Chester United. | Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

West Chester won the Eastern Pennsylvania championship for a third year running, but had been knocked out in the quarterfinal round of the Region I tournament in each of its previous two attempts. Maryland won its third state championship in its last four attempts, but similarly had yet to win a regional game.

United got off to a quick start on its home turf. An 8th  minute corner kick was cleared out of the Bays penalty box, but only as far as United winger Justin McCall. With time and space, McCall shot from 25 yards out, curling the ball into the right side-netting.

That lead was short-lived however, as Maryland’s Elton Joe sped past the West Chester defense in the 11th minute and easily slotted the ball past the United keeper. Joe’s speed would prove to be an issue for the home side throughout the contest.

Maryland Bays won a physical battle with West Chester United to advance to the Region I Open Cup semifinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Each side had several more close chances in the first half, but the game remained tied 1-1 at the break. The second half was a different story though. According to West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo, a mixture of tired legs and missing players gave his squad some problems, which showed in a second half dominated by the Maryland champions.

Maryland got the eventual game-winner just six minutes into the second stanza. Once again, a Bays player ran through the middle of the West Chester defense for an easy goal. This time, it was former Loyola University Maryland player Glenn Leitch with the goal.

The game gradually got more physical, culminating in a red card for United’s Aaron Thomas, who got involved in an altercation in the middle of the field in the 67th minute. Maryland made the home team pay seven minutes later, when Joe’s blazing speed got him past the defense. His cross found Chris Weaver, who pushed the ball in from six yards out.

Maryland was able to calmly see out the remainder of the game, and in the process won a Region I game for the first time. The Bays will take on DC/VA champions Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in the semifinals on May 4.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
LANSDOWNE BHOYS (EAST NY) 5:1 NEWTOWN PRIDE FC (CT)
By David Harris | Soccer Long Island Magazine | @DavidHarris0422

Bronx, N.Y. – In a performance worthy of those usually seen in Ballsbridge or Parkhead, Lansdowne Bhoys defeated Newtown Pride FC by a score of 5-1. Representing Eastern New York in the USASA Region I quarterfinal, Lansdowne added to a season of dominant displays with their win over Newtown, who were representing the Connecticut State Soccer Association.

The scoring started early in the first half as Lansdowne earned a penalty, which was coolly converted by midfielder and captain Stephen Roche. Lansdowne midfielder Cian McBrien added to the tally with a goal off a pass from forward Dwayne Reid. McBrien added another goal just before halftime, to make the score 3-0 to Lansdowne.

Lansdowne Bhoys captain Stephen Roche in action against Newtown Pride in their USASA Region I Open Cup quarterfinal match. Photo: David Harris

The second half started slow, with both teams struggling to create good scoring chances. Lansdowne maintained possession and Newtown looked to counter, which they eventually did through a goal by Colin Jackson.

With the score now 3-1, Lansdowne knew they had to finish what they started and they did. Lansdowne pushed the pace once again and came up with a fourth goal by Reid. Midfielder Sikele Sylvester added another for Lansdowne just before the end to make the score 5-1 and seal the win for the Eastern New York champions.

Lansdowne president and ESPN commentator Tommy Smyth was among the supporters who were there to cheer on their club. It’s been a dominant season thus far for the Bronx-based Irish-American club, with many terrific performances in the various Eastern New York and USASA competitions.

Currently top of the East group in Division 1 of the Cosmopolitan League with 36 points from 12 wins and only 1 loss, Lansdowne have been the story of the season thus far throughout amateur soccer in the region.

Austin Friel, the player/manager for Lansdowne said after the game, “it was another terrific performance by the lads. Newtown have a very good team, but the lads showed once again the quality that we possess. It’s a special group and it’s been a special season thus far, but we need to keep going with so many important matches coming up. We also want to thank our supporters and sponsors, who’ve been behind us all the way.”

Stephen Roche, the Lansdowne captain said, “I’m very proud of the effort the lads put in today. We pressed them from the word go and looked like we could score every time we had the ball. We will respect our next opponent, but are full of confidence.”

USASA Region 1 national cup commissioner Gus Xikis said, “Lansdowne looked really good today and are a great representative of Eastern New York. I can’t wait to see how they progress throughout the competition. Whether it’s Lansdowne or another club, Region 1 will be well represented at this year’s National Finals in Salt Lake City.”

Lansdowne Bhoys will play the winner of AC Blaugrana (R.I.) vs Icon FC (N.J.) on Sunday, May 4 in the USASA Region I semifinal.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying
(Home teams on right)

Preliminary Round (April 6)
AC Blaugrana (RI) L:W Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
ACB won original match 2-0, but were DQ’d for use of ineligble player

Quarterfinals (April 6)
Newtown Pride FC (CT) 1:5 Lansdowne Bhoys FC (East NY)
Maryland Bays (MD) 3:1 West Chester United (East PA)
Oak Avalon (West PA) 1:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
Icon FC (NJ) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA) – April 13, 2 p.m. at Framingham State College

Semifinals (May 4)
Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY) at Icon FC / Mass Premier winner
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (CT) at Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15)
Teams TBD – Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Mass Premier Soccer beats Newtown Pride to complete 2013 US Open Cup field

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For the first time in five years, a Massachusetts club has qualified for one of the eight amateur slots in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It was Mass Premier Soccer (Bay State Soccer League) doing the honors as they defeated Newtown Pride FC (Connecticut Soccer League) 6-0 on a beautiful spring day at Framingham State University’s Maple Street Field.

It was a “Win & You’re In” match up in the USASA Region I Open Cup semifinals and after an unsettled first five minutes there was only one team that was going to find their way into the 100th edition of the storied tournament.

In the 9th minute, MPS player-manager Nick Christman whipped in a dangerous cross from the left that put Newtown’s defense on their heels, eventually playing the ball into their own net for an own goal.

The match continued to be played in Newtown’s defensive end as MPS’ organized high pressure allowed them to dictate play. In the 25th minute, it was through this pressure that Christman was again able to provide MPS with good service through a corner kick and John O’Reilly put the second goal in the net on a well-taken volley.

In the 40th minute, MPS struck again, and this time it was a vibrant team passing move that unlocked the Newtown back-line. A well-worked bit of central midfield passing freed up the ever-dangerous Tyler MacNee on the right wing who used a brilliant touch to beat his man before sliding a pass into the on-rushing Charlie Romero who put the ball into the back of the net.

Now in total control, MPS could have settled for the 3-0 scoreline and used their firm grasp on possession to see their way through the second 45 minutes but instead they continued to apply pressure and create chance after chance.

“We played really well today,” said MPS’ Dan MacGregor. “We were able to press really hard because of our unbelievably solid back four. I don’t think there are a lot of amateur teams that are ready to deal with our pressure right from the get go.”

Newtown proved one of those amateur teams unable to cope. Throughout the match Newtown was often guilty of taking one touch too many. Such was the case in the 56th minute, off a Newtown midfield turnover, that MPS’ fourth goal was started. After quickly advancing on the Newtown back-line it was former Middlebury College man MacNee who blasted a shot that created a welcoming rebound for Romero to slot home his second goal of the match.

It was only five minutes later, in the 61st minute, when Roy Sanderman added to the goal haul as he rose above the Newtown Pride defense and deftly headed a whipped set piece home to make the score 5-0.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions
Mass Premier Soccer last entered the USASA Region I tournament in 2011 when they won the Massachusetts Open Cup championship. They fell one game short of the US Open Cup, losing to the Pancyprian Freedoms in the semifinals.

It was two years ago when MPS lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms (Cosmopolitan Soccer League) on the very same field, at the very same point of the tournament, but on this day history was not going to repeat itself. There was no stopping the Massachusetts representatives as they were on their way to earning their first Open Cup berth in club history.

The sort of day MPS was enjoying was entirely evident on the sixth and final goal. In the 65th minute, MPS’ Kevin Unger stripped a Newtown defender of possession, took a positive first touch to cross the halfway line and unleashed a drive from 40 yards out to beat the out-of-position Newtown Pride keeper in impressive fashion.

After an impressive run in US Open Cup Qualifying that saw the first time entrants knock off the aforementioned New York Pancyprian Freedoms and do their part in lifting a community still recovering from indescribable tragedy, Newtown Pride FC will return to their regular Connecticut Soccer League fixtures.

MPS will await the draw of the US Open Cup and are also looking forward to their upcoming US Amateur Open Cup Region I Qualifying Final against New Jersey side Icon FC. The winner of that match will book a trip to San Antonio for the National Finals.

Mass Premier becomes the first Massachusetts-based USASA club to qualify for the Open Cup since Emigrantes Das Ilhas in 2009. The only other club from the state to qualify in the Modern Professional Era was Boston Olympiakos in 2008.

“Playing in games like this bring out the best in our squad,” said MacGregor. “We’re deep, guy 1 through 20 is capable of playing really great soccer. I think we have a great shot against any PDL team, or any team really in next round. We’re basically a PDL team but a little older and I think we have every chance to go on in this tournament.”

You can follow Christopher Camille on Twitter @Chris_Camille and find his work on NESoccerToday.com

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Newtown SC wins USASA Region I replay vs. Pancyprian Freedoms in PKs

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For the second time this month, the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Newtown Pride SC met in Newtown, Conn. in the quarterfinals of the USASA Region I Open Cup tournament. After the Freedoms’ original 1-0 victory back on April 7, they were disqualified for using an ineligible player, only to have that decision overturned because New York’s roster was erroneously approved by their league. A full replay was ordered, and this time, Newtown came out on top, winning a penalty kick shootout 7-6 after a 120 minutes of scoreless soccer.

With the win, Newtown will travel to Massachusetts to take on Mass Premier Soccer on April 28 with the winner qualifying for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Both teams are aiming for their first Open Cup berth, while a Connecticut-based club hasn’t made the cut since 2007 (Danbury United) and Massachusetts hasn’t had a USASA representative since 2009.

The replay was moved to Newtown High School where a harder artificial surface made for a game where ball control would be more difficult. The wind blowing behind New York in the first half and behind Newtown in the second half seemed to favor the team playing into the wind as it held the ball up for attacks which rolled over the end line playing in the opposite direction.

In the original match between the two sides, Pancyprian Freedoms kept greater control of the ball while Newtown played a strong defensive game attacking on the counter. In this replay, both sides started tentatively, looking like they did not want to concede an early goal. Two early chances for Newtown were called to a halt by the offside flag before New York had their first chance with a shot by Matia Damiani going wide of the post at the 10 minute mark.

The teams each created an additional scoring chance through the first 15 minutes when Newtown was awarded a free kick inside the New York half, which was cleared. Newtown retained possession and Jeffrey Swan put a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

New York took the ensuing goal kick down the field where a strong run resulted in a throw 10 yards from the Newtown goal line. Newtown cleared the incoming throw and the game settled back into a midfield battle.

Tempers began to flare in the 18th minute as contact to the face took down New York’s Julio Cesar dos Santos. Players and fans alike would spend the afternoon giving the officials a difficult day as both sides were unwilling to concede any ball without a challenge.

In the 27th minute, Mike Semedo almost broke the tie for Newtown, ringing the crossbar with a strong shot. The game then resumed its physical nature with a hard foul from New York leading to a midfield showing match highlighting the tension between the sides at the half hour mark. The battle for possession continued for the next 10 minutes with a New York corner being picked out of the air by Newtown keeper Bradley Jeeves being the only offensive threat.

In the 40th minute, New York’s Panayiotis Despotopolous came on as a substitute and turned the advantage to the Freedoms. A few minutes later, a Newtown turnover had to be cleared for a New York throw-in. New York retained possession and when a slow cross rolled across the face of the goal within a yard of the end line, a number of players for both sides missed the chance to either clear it or put it into the net before the halftime whistle.

Newtown took the first chance of the 2nd half with Mike Semedo putting a shot wide to the left of the New York keeper. New York then spent the next 5 minutes on the attack. Panayiotis Despotopolous took a dangerous free kick that was punched away from goal by Jeeves. Christian Iordanu and Pangiotis Iordanou connected on a nice play inside the Newtown box, but the shot was wide of the net.

Newtown countered with a number of attacking opportunities. A dangerous corner in the 55th minute was cleared, then a low free kick from 25 yards out to the left of the New York keeper dangerously crossed the box diagonally. No one was able to make contact with the ball and it rolled out for a goal kick.

New York then mounted sustained pressure on the Newtown goal and it looked like the Newtown defense might break. Jeeves was forced into a save in the 62nd minute. The play of the game came in the 70th minute as Jeeves was caught off his line by a chip over his head. Diego Orlandini kicked the ball right off the goal line keeping the score tied at zero.

The next 10 minutes were a tight battle as players on both sides began to wear down. In the 81st minute, Jeeves was forced into diving to his left for a brilliant one-handed save. The ensuing corner resulted in a foul to the right of the Newtown goal. The free kick missed on the short side for a goal kick. The remainder of regulation was contested tightly in the midfield.

Newtown had the best chances of the first extra period. Two free kicks followed by a corner were cleared by the strong Pancyprian defense. At the 100-minute mark, Diego Bohrer hit the crossbar for Newtown.

In the second extra period the players were clearly tiring. Multiple players cramped up while both sides fought for an advantage. A New York free kick was the highlight of the second overtime narrowly clearing the crossbar.

After 120 minutes, the match had to be decided at the penalty spot.

Christian Iordan (NY) and Tiago Ribeiro (NEW) scored to open the shootout, but Jeeves dove to his left to save the second New York attempt. Mike Semedo put Newtown ahead 2-1 after Round 2. After Jeff Matteo (NY) and Diego Orlandini (NEW) exchanged goals in Round 3, Freedoms goalkeeper Stelios Andreou leveled the tiebreaker by scoring on his attempt, and watching Newtown’s attempt sail over the crossbar.

After three rounds of successful kicks, it came down to Round 8, and Jeeves came up big for the home team. His dove to his left to make the save, then dusted himself off and took a PK of his own and buried it to send Newtown to the semifinals, 7-6.

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I, II, IV and US Club Soccer in action this weekend (with updates)

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It’s a busy weekend of qualifying for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, as we head down the home stretch. By Monday morning, the USASA will know five of the six teams that will join Red Force (Florida) and North Texas Rayados in the 2013 US Open Cup. Also, US Club Soccer’s “lights out” semifinal match will be replayed on Sunday to determine who will play the Fresno Fuego Future in a “Win & You’re In” match the following weekend.

Here is a breakdown of this weekend’s games, and as always you can check Twitter (@USOpenCup) for updates, and remember if you’re at any of these games or have any Open Cup-related news/info/comments to make, be sure to use this year’s hashtag #USOC100.

(All Times Eastern)

FRIDAY

USASA Region IV Tournament
DAY 1: Friday, April 19
Ontario Soccer Park – Ontario, CA

PSA Elite 3:0 Doxa Italia
DV8 Defenders 8:2 The Internationalists
Cal FC 12:3 San Francisco City FC

It was a high-scoring opening day of the USASA Region IV tournament, as the trend of barn-burners and blowouts continue. With many teams having been burned by goal difference tiebreakers in the past, a recent tradition of running up the score has been established and ehas continued into 2013. Cal FC dropped a dozen goals on newcomers San Francisco City in their quest to qualify for the second straight year, and attempt to provide an encore to one of last year’s biggest Cinderella stories. 2011 qualifiers DV8 Defenders missed the cut last year and started their campaign to represent the Bay Area once again with a convincing 8-2 win over The Internationalists. While the most competitive match of the day was still a 3-0 shutout with PSA Elite taking out Doxa Italia. Although, with head-to-head likely the first tiebreaker in the group, and PSA Elite competing in the other group, Doxa Italia still has hope of qualifying just like they did in 2011 as long as they win both of their games on Saturday. Clearly, that will be no easy task as they must play Cal FC and DV8 Defenders.

SATURDAY

USASA Region II Semifinals (Win & You’re In)
Saturday, April 20 – 3 p.m.
Kroc Center – Chicago, IL

FC Indiana 1:2 (AET) RWB Adria

RWB Adria, a semifinalist in 1978 and 1991, qualifies for the US Open Cup for the first time since 2008.  

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USASA Region IV Tournament
DAY 2: Saturday, April 20
Ontario Soccer Park – Ontario, CA

Doxa Italia 7:0 San Francisco City FC
Cal FC 4:1 DV8 Defenders
PSA Elite 10:1 The Internationalists

Doxa Italia 2:1 Cal FC
PSA Elite 9:2 DV8 Defenders
San Francisco City FC 4:1 The Internationalists

When the dust settled out west on Saturday evening, two teams punched their ticket to the 2013 US Open Cup. PSA Elite cruised to three straight wins, outscoring its opponents 22-3, en route to a Group B win and their second straight trip to the Open Cup. Fellow Southern California club, Doxa Italia, overcame a 3-0 loss to PSA Elite in the opening game and clinched their second Open Cup berth in three years. Doxa emerged from Group A despite their loss to Group B champion PSA by defeating the two clubs in their group, newcomers San Francisco City (7-0), followed by a winner-take-all game against last year’s Cinderella story Cal FC. Doxa defeated Cal FC 2-1 in the final game as the two clubs finished tied atop the group standings, with Doxa Italia moving on to the championship game by way of the head-to-head tiebreaker. PSA Elite and Doxa Italia have both clinched their spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, they will meet again in the Region IV title game on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. local time) to determine who will represent the region at the USASA National Finals.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region IV Finals (April 19-21)
Ontario Soccer Park – Ontario, CA –
All Times Eastern

Group A PTS W L D GD
Doxa Italia (CA – South) 6 2 1 0 +5
Cal FC (CA – South) 6 2 0 0 +12
San Fran. City (CA – North) 3 1 1 0 -13

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Group B PTS W L D GD
PSA Elite (CA – South) 9 3 0 0 +19
DV8 Defenders (CA – North) 3 1 2 0 -4
Internationalists (CA – South) 0 0 3 0 -18


SUNDAY

USASA Region II Semifinals (Win & You’re In)
 Sunday, April 21 – 1 p.m.
Olathe North – Olathe, KS

Dearborn Stars SC (MI) 0:1 KC Athletics (KS)

KC Athletics player/manager Kyle Perkins scored the lone goal in the 90th minute to send the Kansas-based club to their second straight Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This will be their third Open Cup berth in the last four years.

USASA Region I Quarterfinals
Sunday, April 21 – 3 p.m.
Newtown High School – Newtown, CT

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) 0:0 Newtown Pride SC (CT)
Newtown Pride advance 7-6 in PK shootout – will play at Mass Premier Soccer on April 28 (Win & You’re In)

The two teams battled to a scoreless draw after 120 minutes, but it was Newtown Pride SC who advanced after winning the penalty kick shootout 7-6. The Connecticut representative are now one win away from a US Open Cup berth and they will travel to the Boston area to play Mass Premier Soccer (MA) on April 28. More details to come. USASA Region I logo

USASA Region I Semifinals (Win & You’re In)
Sunday, April 21 – 6 p.m.
Montville Community Park (130 Changebridge Rd.) – Montville, NJ

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (MDCVA) 1:1 Icon FC (NJ)
Icon FC wins PK shootout, 7-6, to qualify for the 2013 US Open Cup

Icon FC became just the second New Jersey-based USASA team to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Pro Era (1995-present) when they won a penalty kick shootout with the Aegean Hawks. 7-6. The match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes and for the second time that Sunday afternoon, a Region I match had to be decided at the penalty kick spot. More details to come.

US Club Soccer Semifinals
Sunday, April 21 – 8 p.m.
Valley Christian High School – San Jose, CA

San Ramon FC 0:2 (AET) Los Gatos Storm
Los Gatos Storm will play Fresno Fuego Future in the USCS Final

There are now two teams remaining in the US Club Soccer qualifying tournament after Los Gatos Storm needed extra time to defeat San Ramon FC 2-0 on Sunday night. The original game was cut short in the middle of the second overtime period due to a power outage, but the replay lasted the full 120 minutes as the Storm put themselves one win away from a berth in the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. They will play the Fresno Fuego Future, a club that features the PDL franchise of the same name, at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, CA to decide US Club Soccer’s representative in the 2013 US Open Cup. The winner of that game will begin play in the Play-In Round on May 7 against an NPSL opponent still to be determined. More details to come.

#USOC100

Decision to disqualify Pancyprian Freedoms overturned; Newtown SC will host USASA Region I replay Sunday

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The Pancyprian Freedoms scored the only goal of the game against Newtown SC from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute. Photo: Michael Anderer | SoccerLImagazine.com

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms have gone from being one win away from qualifying for the 100th edition of the US Open Cup, to being on the outside looking in. And now, as a result of an appeal to the United States Adult Soccer Association’s National Cups Committee, they are back in the hunt for the tournament again.

The three-time US Open Cup champions were disqualified from the USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying tournament after it was discovered that they used an ineligible player in their 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Newtown SC on April 7.

According to the Cosmopolitan Soccer League’s official website, New York player Andreas Chronis was sent off in a league game on Dec. 9 against Hoboken FC 1912 for “rough play … insulting a referee with racist remark, also trying to assault a referee with headbutt.” Chronis was suspended until August 31, 2013 as a result of his actions.

According to George Halkidis, general manager of the Freedoms, the CSL website’s description is wrong and Chronis attempted to headbutt an opposing player, and not the referee. Regardless, the overall offenses, most of all the verbal abuse he inflicted upon the match official during and after the game, were seen as a serious offense, and thus making him ineligible for league and cup play.

Serious offenses, such as assaulting match officials, is a ban that stretches federation-wide, therefore, since the incident occurred during league play, it would carry over into cup competitions, such as the Open Cup. The bottom line is that Chronis was not eligible to participate in the April 7 game against Newtown SC.

Had the newly-renamed Newtown Pride SC not discovered the suspension listed on the CSL website, no one would have noticed the error. The Freedoms GM, like all teams do, submitted his roster to his league prior to the match and it was cleared, which is the main reason why Halkidis’ team has been given a lifeline.

According to a letter obtained by TheCup.us, “The Committee has further considered the circumstances surrounding the fact that the NY Pancyprian Freedoms were advised by their League that the Player Andreas Chronis, was eligible to play in the National Cups. We believe that the League made a serious error in issuing this advice, and the NY Pancyprian Freedoms acted on that wrong advice.”

With that ruling, the decision to disqualify the Freedoms was overturned and a replay of the original game was ordered. The game will take place on Sunday, April 21 at Newtown High School in Newtown, Conn at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. And at the risk of being obvious, Chronis is not allowed to take part in the contest.

“I feel good that we were cleared of any inappropriate discretion,” said Halkidis. “We are a historic club that take the National Cup competition very seriously. We have proudly represented our club and community on our way to a record six US Open Cup titles , always competing under the FairPlay spirit.”


The winner of the match will face Massachusetts champion Mass Premier Soccer with a spot in the 2013 US Open Cup on the line. The date of that match is still yet to be determined as well.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Four USASA Region I teams emerge from quarterfinals

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USASA Region I logoThe 2013 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying tournament kicked off with three of the four quarterfinal matches decided by a single goal. The traditionally competitive Northeast region also saw three of the four matches won by the visiting team as Region I moves on to the “Win & You’re In” semifinal round.

The three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms needed a late penalty kick to a claim a narrow 1-0 win over first-time entry Newtown SC. The Freedoms will take on Mass Premier Soccer for the right to qualify for the Open Cup as MPS edged another first time entry, the Rhode Island Reds by the same scoreline.The results of the South bracket assured that there will be a first-time entry in the 2013 US Open Cup. The Screaming Eagles from Maryland scored a first half goal and held on the rest of the way to eliminate two-time defending Metro DC/Virginia champion, Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks. The Eagles will take on New Jersey representative Icon FC, who traveled up to Eastern Pennsylvania to eliminate West Chester United 4-2.

The winners of the April 21 semifinal matches (time/locations still to be determined) will automatically qualify for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and will begin play in Round 1 (May 14).

New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) 1:0 Newtown SC (CT)
Treadwell Park (Newtown, CT) – 4 p.m. ET

By Matthew Walsh (@TylerGuinness)

Check out a complete photo gallery of this game from Michael Anderer of SoccerLIMagazine.com

Nikos Katsanos of the Pancyprian Freedoms scores a penalty kick against Newtown SC's Brad Jeeves in the 83rd minute. Photo: Michael Anderer | SoccerLImagazine.com

An 83rd minute penalty was the only goal in a hard fought match between New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Connecticut’s first-time entry Newtown SC.

The match had played out evenly up to that point. Throughout the game, the Pancyprian Freedoms had greater possession and spent more time in their offensive half.  However, Newtown SC was very well organized defensively and kept the scoring chances to a minimum while creating their own chances on the counter attack.

New York started the action with a shot just high over the bar in the 5th minute. The teams then traded possession for the next 10 minutes with New York having the edge in play. Newtown’s keeper was forced into his first save in the 21st minute, which was followed by two successive corners for the visitors. Newtown countered with a header on the other end that went over the crossbar.

In the 35th minute, Brad Jeeves, the Newtown keeper, made a brilliant one handed save to keep New York off the scoreboard. Newtown dealt with the subsequent corner efficiently as they did for most of the afternoon. New York had the best chance in the fading moments of the first half when Panagiotis Halkidis broke free from the Newtown defense on the right side, but was unable to cleanly strike the bouncing ball and pushed his shot to the right.

Photo: Michael Anderer | SoccerLImagazine.com

Physical play highlighted second half of the match with three yellow cards being issued in the match. However, for much of the match the ref kept his whistle in his pocket and let the players decide the outcome. The Newtown keeper went down under a slide tackle as he covered the ball in the 47th minute.  Three yellow cards were issued between the 60th and 70th minutes. Players from both sides were slow to get up on either end of the field after hard challenges within seconds of each other in the 80th minute.

Both sides created scoring chances throughout the second half.  Newtown used a free kick and subsequent throw in to pressure the New York keeper. On the other side it took a brave slide tackle inside the box by Luke Whelan to take away a dangerous opportunity from the Freedom.

New York continued to carry the bulk of the possession. However, on the other end of the field, Julio Garcia’s pace created a number of dangerous situations for Newtown on the counter.

It looked like the game would need more than 90 minutes to decide, when a tackle inside the Newtown box was called for a penalty kick in the 83rd minute. Andreas Chronis stepped up for the Freedoms and despite Brad Jeeves diving correctly to his left, the low shot went past his fingertips and into the net just inside the post. Newtown pressed the attack for the remainder of regulation and three minutes of extra time, but were unable to seriously threaten the New York goal.

The Pancyprian Freedoms will take on Mass Premier Soccer on April 21 at a time/location still to be determined. A win by the Freedoms would give them their third Open Cup berth in the last four years, and the fourth straight year that an Eastern New York team has represented in the tournament.

Icon FC (NJ) 4:2 West Chester United (EPA)
Delacy Soccer Complex No. 4 (West Chester, PA) – 2 p.m. ET

By Michael Berton (@MichaelBerton)

Icon FC (blue) won their first-ever USASA Region I Open Cup game, 4-2 over West Chester United. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Icon FC may have been the road team in its USASA Region I Quarterfinal on Sunday afternoon, but the players came out playing as if they were at home, scoring two goals in the first six minutes against hosts West Chester United. New Jersey champions Icon FC added two goals in the second half to hold off a pesky West Chester team 4-2 and put themselves one win away from the Garden State’s second straight tournament berth.

“We have a confident bunch of players,” Icon FC coach Greg Bajek said. “We have a lot of players that have aspirations to do bigger things in their personal careers, and this is a good chance for them.”

The game got off to a quick start at the Delacy Soccer Fields in West Chester, Pa. Icon was immediately on the front foot, crowding the West Chester penalty box. A cross from the right side of the box found the head of an Argjent Duka, who was able to put it in the net. Barely a minute later, United had to grab the ball out of the back of the net again. This time, Jonathan Lopuski used his foot from the top of the box to beat the keeper. After six minutes, Icon was already up 2-0.

West Chester finally started to get into the game, leading to quality chances. In the 23rd minute, a ball over the top was played into Michael Lodge. The Icon keeper had come off his line, allowing Lodge to head the ball over the goalie and into the net to cut the lead in half.

Icon FC celebrates one of their four goals in a 4-2 win over West Chester United in the 2013 USASA Region I quarterfinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

The home team was motivated by the goal, and enjoyed the bulk of the chances for the rest of the half. West Chester hit the crossbar, sent several shots just high and wide, and forced the Icon keeper into key saves. Icon held on to take a 2-1 lead into the half.

Vince D’Ambrosio, West Chester manager said, “We came out flat. We didn’t come out as strong as we wanted to. got us early. We started playing strong, but it was unfortunate we came out weak the first ten minutes.”

With United chasing the game in the second half, Icon took advantage of the space in its offensive end, creating multiple chances. Continued pressure and quick switches eventually led to two similar goals in a span of five minutes.

In the 53rd minute, the road team moved the ball side to side, eventually leading to a cross from the left side of the penalty area that found a wide-open Samuel Gehman, who calmly slotted it past the keeper. It was the same story five minutes later—a cross from the left found an open Gehman on the right, leading to an easy goal.

At that point, the game was all but over, yet West Chester kept on fighting. After a few missed shots, United had a goal disallowed in the 80th minute due to a handball. Ironically though, it would be an Icon handball that led to United’s second goal. In the 85th minute, after Icon handled the ball in the area, Lodge stepped up and buried his second goal of the game.

West Chester clipped the cross bar in the 89th minute, but could not find two more goals to tie it up. Icon FC won 4-2, advancing to the semifinals whee they will host the Screaming Eagles of Maryland in its first-ever US Open Cup qualifying attempt. West Chester has now fallen at this stage two years in a row.

Mass Premier Soccer (MA) 1:0 Rhode Island Reds FC (RI)
Cranston Stadium (Cranston, RI) – 2 p.m. ET

By Brian O’Connell (NESoccerToday.com | @NESoccerToday)

CRANSTON, R.I. – In a match that pitted youth versus experience, a veteran Mass Premier Soccer side edged the fledgling Rhode Island Reds 1-0 in a windy US Open Cup Region I USASA quarterfinal on Sunday.

Rhode Island Reds midfielder Jason Garcia lines up a free kick against Mass Premier Soccer. Photo: Brian O’Connell | NESoccerToday.com

Matt Horth scored in the 19th minute, while goalkeeper Jeff Newman kept the Reds out of his net. Reds goalkeeper Chris Moura collected a series of dramatic saves to keep his club within striking distance.

Mass Premier’s victory booked them a meeting with the Pancyprian Freedoms, who claimed a 1-0 victory over Newtown SC on Sunday. The match is set for Apr. 21 in New York at a time and location to be determined. MPS will aim to end a small drought as the state of Massachusetts hasn’t had a team emerge from the Region I tournament since Emigrantes Das Ilhas qualified for the Open Cup in 2009.

With the wind howling and gusts reaching 30 mph, the Reds kicked off into the wind, and hoped to set the tone with an attack predicated upon short passing.

They did so throughout, but to little effect. Central midfielder Jason Garcia provided a strong link between the defense and attack, however, the hosts couldn’t breach Mass Premier’s back four.

Meanwhile, the guests found no such issues as they barreled into the Rhode Island end with the win at their backs. In the 14th minute, Dan MaGregor headed a Nick Cristman corner kick into the turf inside the six before it strayed over the bar.

A minute later, Matt Lemire found an opportunity when he snuck into the area and directed his shot toward the far post, but Moura leaned to his right to push it away.

The third try proved to be a charm in the 19th minute, when Mass Premier collected the remnants of a stalled Rhode Island attack and pushed forward. Charlie Romero sent it ahead to Hoff, who beat his mark then chipped it over Moura to put the guests in the driver’s seat.

Rhode Island searched for a reply, and nearly did just that in the 35th minute when Wilfred Ghanyea played it wide to Ivan Boaventura, who easily beat Newman. But the assistant referee’s flag was raised as the ball skipped through, much to the chagrin of the home crowd.

Mass Premier came within inches of doubling their lead when Hoff nearly converted another Christman corner. But David Ricci cleared it right off the line to keep the Reds within one going into halftime.

Hoff’s 40th minute chance was the closest either side would get to the net for the remainder of the match. Dilson Xon played it ahead to Emmanuel Asiedu on a clean break, but Newman came off his line to deny him in the 57th minute.

Moura made a trio of strong saves in the final 25 minutes, and averted danger in the 71st minute when Christman skied an open look inside the 18. Yet, the Reds couldn’t capitalize before time expired.

Screaming Eagles (MD) 1:0 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
Cedar Lane Regional Park (Bel Air, MD) – 1:30 p.m. ET

By Matt Johnston (@MattClimbs)

The Screaming Eagles, Maryland’s representative to the USASA Region I tournament have continued their unlikely run through the qualifying for the 100th US Open Cup with a 1-0 win over the two-time defending DC/VA champions Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks at Cedar Lane Park in Bel Air, MD on Sunday.  The win puts the first time entrants one win away from the Open Cup proper.

The Aegean Hawks had only twelve players in uniform through a combination of injuries and work commitments for the amateur side, depleting its ranks.  The Screaming Eagles boasted a full squad of twenty with only two absences.  Earlier in the week, the Eagles were facing a serious paperwork issue as 14 of its 22 man roster had not received their international clearances from USSF.  Hawks manager Jonathan Knight stated that he was unsure if the paperwork was completed but indicated that the Hawks were not planning to lodge an official protest, preferring to let the game decide matters.  The USASA could conceivably take official action, but it is unclear if such action will take place.

When kickoff finally occurred, the two teams knocked the ball around in midfield a great deal.  The Hawks started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to solidify the middle.  But in doing so, the Eagles traditional 4-4-2 enabled them to control the wings.  The Eagles striker duo of Jonathan Orlando and Olakunle Banjo were active and able to find seams and pockets of space among the Hawks’ back line, particularly between the Hawks’ right back Devlin Barnes and centerback Tim Finklea. Whether sensing the confusion between the defenders and the midfielders Michael Goldman, Michael Montross and Erwin Diaz, or just deciding to attack down the left flank, the Eagles poured on the pressure early on in the match on their left wing.

The pressure paid off in the 18th minute as Orlando collected a ball on the left, muscled past Barnes and broke toward the penalty area.  Finklea, the other centerback James Kpainay, and left back Mateus Dos Anjos all over committed on their coverage and left Emmanuel Yamson unmarked in the right channel at the top of the penalty area.  Orlando threaded a pass through and Yamson calmly slid a side-footed shot past the largely helpless Hawks keeper Chris Fenner.

The next 15 minutes saw a fair amount of back and forth play in the midfield with neither team able to solidly assert possession.  The Hawks attack centered on lone striker Scott Larrabee making strong runs, usually along the Hawks left wing and then cutting in toward the penalty area.  Attacking center midfielder Gui Fonseca was similarly active and the Hawks were able to manage a few shots, but most were either off target or weak enough for Eagles keeper Theodore Edwin to handle.

By the 35th minute, the Hawks began to assert control of the game and the passing became sharper and quicker.  In the 40th minute the Hawks assembled their best chance of the half.  The attack began down the left channel with a series of short, one-touch passes among Fonseca, Larrabee, Goldman and Sam Scales which left the Eagles in disarray and chasing the ball, but the final touch eluded Fonseca who was not able to connect with a strong shot.

But aside from that flash of brilliance, Knight said after the match “the first half we played about as bad as I have ever seen.”

On the other hand, discipline became an issue for the Eagles in the latter seven minutes of the half.  In the 39th minute, Eagles Malone Komora picked up a silly yellow card for delaying the restart.  Komora picked up the ball after a foul had been called against the Eagles and ran for approximately 10 yards before dropping the ball.  The referee had little option but to issue the yellow card.  Just five minutes later, Eagles centerback Godwin Amuzie picked up a yellow card for a hard challenge from behind on Goldman.  Heading in to half time, the Eagles had two defenders on yellow cards.

Following the intermission, Knight, noting that the 4-2-3-1 was not helping his side, made a tactical change for the Hawks, pushing a center midfielder higher into the attack and shifting to a more 4-4-2 formation.  The change in formation and small tactical changes allowed the Hawks to begin managing the ball in all areas, including out on the flanks where the Eagles had dominated in the first half.

Believing the Hawks had moved to a 4-5-1, Eagles manager Adam Camara pulled his wingers back a little giving the Hawks own flank players and full backs room to begin bombing down the flanks.  With the extra space, Mateus Dos Anjos in particular was making a meal on the space on the left, but the Hawks were unable to regularly feed him the ball.

Knight made his only substitution, pulling Diaz and inserting David Rosenbaum, who immediately made an impact with fresh legs and speed up top alongside Larrabee.  The Hawks clearly had the Eagles on the back foot with several attacks from all angles, including a cheeky attempt by Fonseca to chip the keeper from 40 yards out that was caught a bit by the wind and floated just over the bar.

As the Hawks applied pressure, the Eagles discipline began to slip.  In the 73rd minute, Yusuf Sindel ewarned a yellow card for a hard challenge on Montross.  Play continued to be physical in the midfield and just four minutes later, Amuzie received a second yellow and his marching orders for a studs up challenge on Goldman.  Now a man down, but a goal up, the Eagles went to a purely defensive 4-4-1 and were putting all ten men behind the ball at times.

The Hawks’ best chance of the game came just three minutes after Amuzie was sent off.  A corner kick led to a strong aerial challenge from Finklea who put a header on frame.  Eagles keeper Edwin palmed it away but into the path of Scott Larrabee who blasted a shot of the right post.

After a full seven minutes of stoppage time (accumulated due to players having to chase the ball out of bounds) and after a few more quality and half-chances by the Hawks, the referee blew the final whistle and the Eagles had held onto their slim margin of victory with ten men.

Following the match, Knight commented on the offensive performance, “We had five quality chances and didn’t convert.  You’re not giving yourself much of a chance with a 0 for 5 conversion rate.  It really was a story of not giving ourselves a chance.”

As for the Eagles, Camara said of his team, “Nobody expected us to be here.  Nobody expected us to beat this team.  We are excited, the guys have come a long way, this is their first experience in this level of competition.”  As for discipline and card trouble, “we will be missing one of our key players, but we will see going forward.”

2013 USASA Region I Finals (US Open Cup qualifying)

Quarterfinals (April 7)
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) 1:0 Newtown SC (CT)
Mass Premier Soccer (MA) 1:0 Rhode Island Reds FC (RI)
Icon FC (NJ) 4:2 West Chester United (EPA)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA) 0:1 Screaming Eagles (MD)

Semifinals (April 21 – Time/Location TBA)
Mass Premier Soccer (MA) at New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
Screaming Eagles (MD) at Icon FC (NJ)
Semifinal winners both qualify for 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Recent USASA Region I Open Cup entries
2012: Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), Jersey Shore Boca (NJ), Greek American Atlas (ENY)
2011: NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY), Phoenix SC (EPA)
2010: Brooklyn Italians (NPSL), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
2009: Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA)
2008: Boston Olympiakos (MA), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
2007: Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), Danbury United (CT)
2006: Allied SC (MD), Milford International (CT)
2005: Baltimore Colts FC (MD), NY Greek American Atlas (ENY)
2004: Allied SC (MD), NY Greek American Atlas (ENY)
2003: Bridgeport Italians (CT)
2002: Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EPA)
2001: Olympia Stamford (CT)
2000: Jerry D’s (MD)
1999: United German Hungarians (EPA)
1998: NY Greek American Atlas (ENY)
1997: Bridgeport Italians (CT)
1996: Mo’s Sport Shop (DC/VA)
1995: Spartan SC (DC/VA)

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I field announced with eight Northeast teams (UPDATED)

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USASA Region I logoUPDATE (3/24/13): Icon FC defeated Polonia Wallington 4-0 in the New Jersey Open Cup final to complete the eight-team field for the Region I tournament. || Full story

The draw for the 2013 USASA Region I tournament has been announced with eight teams from the Northeast set to battle for two berths in the 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. According to the recently announced 2013 US Open Cup format, the two finalists in the tournament will qualify for the competition. The winner will also represent the region at the USASA National Cup Finals in San Antonio July 19-21.

The tournament will be divided into a North and South bracket with the quarterfinals beginning April 7 and the semifinals will take place on April 21. The two semifinal winners will qualify for the US Open Cup.

In the North, Eastern New York champion the Pancyprian Freedoms will travel to Connecticut to play Newtown SC, while the Rhode Island Reds will take on Massachusetts champion Mass Premier Soccer.

The newcomers from the Connecticut Soccer League (CSL), Newtown SC, will have their hands full with the three-time Open Cup champion Freedoms who defeated their rival Greek American Atlas SC 4-0 to win their sixth Eastern New York title in the last eight years. The Freedoms have also qualified for the Open Cup three times in the last five years (2008, 2010, 2011). Newtown finished in second place (5-1-3) in the fall season of the very competitive CSL and after a decade, the club is making their first attempt at qualifying for the Open Cup.

Mass Premier Soccer are back in the tournament for the second time in three years after winning a penalty kick shootout with East Providence Sports, a Rhode Island-based club, in the Massachusetts final. (East Providence competes in a Mass.-based league) MPS will travel to Rhode Island to face the Reds of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The Rhode Island Reds finished tied for fourth place last year in the NPSL Atlantic Division with a 2-4-3 record, but they are part of the USASA regional tournament because they have a reserve team that will compete in the Southern New England Super Cup this summer.

In the South bracket, the two-time defending Eastern Pennsylvania champion West Chester United will host first time New Jersey title holders Icon FC. West Chester defeated United German Hungarians 3-1 in the Eastern PA final and are back in the Region I tournament hoping to improve on their brief appearance in the competition last year where they lost to the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks 3-1 in their opening game. Icon FC, who are making their first Open Cup qualifying appearance, cruised to a state championship with a 4-0 win over Polonia Wallington on March 24 to complete the regional field.

The other South bracket match-up will feature the Screaming Eagles, the first-time Maryland champions hosting tournament regulars Aegean Hawks FC, the Metro DC/Virginia champion. The Eagles denied the Maryland Bays their third straight Maryland Open Cup title in chaotic fashion, winning 4-2. The Hawks defeated Hammers FC 1-0 to win their second straight DC/VA title. The Hawks have qualified for the Open Cup three times since 2006, and have won their state tournament six of the last seven entries.

2013 USASA Region I Finals (US Open Cup qualifying)

Quarterfinals (April 7)
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) at Newtown SC (CT)
Treadwell Park (Newtown, CT) – 4 p.m. ET
Mass Premier Soccer (MA) at Rhode Island Reds FC (RI)
Cranston Stadium (Cranston, RI) – 2 p.m. ET
Icon FC (NJ) at West Chester United (EPA)
Delacy Soccer Complex No. 4 (West Chester, PA) – 2 p.m. ET
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA) at Screaming Eagles (MD)
Cedar Lane Regional Park (Bel Air, MD) – 1:30 p.m. ET –

Semifinals (April 21)
Time/Location TBA
Semifinal winners both qualify for 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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