NPSL FC Buffalo

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Brooklyn Italians top FC Buffalo in first NPSL Northeast qualifier (Video)

May 9, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

In the first of two qualification matches for the National Premier Soccer League’s berth into the US Open Cup from the league’s Northeast Conference, the two-time US Open Cup champion Brooklyn Italians (1979, 91) narrowly defeated visiting FC Buffalo 1-0 Saturday. Brooklyn advances to face FC Sonic Lehigh Valley in the final May 27 in Bethlehem, PA for a spot in the tournament.

Strengthened by some recent collegiate additions, but with little preparation, FC Buffalo took it to the hosts in the early going with Stephen Baker and Mike Reidy challenging up the flanks. The second portion of the first half saw the two clubs go back and forth with Brooklyn attempting to find striker Jorge Joseph over the top.

The plan of attack would pay off for the Italians when they countered with a quick ball up the right side that found Joseph all alone behind the defense in the 25th minute. He drove in toward goal and slipped the ball from 14 yards past goalkeeper Pat Regna as he came sliding out to challenge the breakaway, finding the far back corner (2:19 on video).

As Buffalo searched for the equalizer, the visitors hopes were dashed by a controversial call and saw their keeper leave the game after a bloody clash.

On one of Buffalo’s best chances of the game a ball from Reidy found Stedman, who beat his defender into the box and was all alone with the keeper. The keeper dove at Stedman to break up the opportunity, taking out his feet in the process, eliciting calls from the sidelines for a penalty which was not given.

Regna turned away numerous Brooklyn opportunities to double the advantage in the second half before being knocked out of the game with injury. On a counter from Mustafa Haridi, the pair collided awkwardly with force. Haridi left the match and needed dental surgery after suffering a bloody mouth injury while Regna was forced out with a significant cut beneath the knee.

Craig Yanni did well in Regna’s place, making several saves to keep the visitors in the match for the final 10 minutes, but the club was unable to find the equalizer.

NPSL US Open Cup qualifying slate set for Northeast Division

April 19, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

The qualification process has been set for the second of the four National Premier Soccer League’s automatic berths into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Northeast Division’s spot will feature a three-team tournament May 7 and 27.

The opening game will feature 2010 US Open Cup qualifier Brooklyn Italians playing host to FC Buffalo May 7 at James Dewey High School. The winner of the contest advances to play 2010 NPSL Finalist FC Sonic Lehigh Valley May 27 at Lehigh University’s Ulrich Sports Complex in Bethlehem, PA. Sonic received the bye as the defending NPSL Regional Champion. Buffalo and Brooklyn were the only other clubs in the 14-team division who chose to enter.

Previously, NPSL clubs needed to qualify through the USASA Regional tournaments. Only two clubs from the league entered for Region I a year ago. The Erie Admirals (PA) withdrew prior to the first match while the Brooklyn Italians went on to qualify from the region courtesy of a reprieve. After falling in the opening round to Imigrantes Das Ilhas, administrators overturned the result due to an ineligible player. With their second life, Brooklyn went on to defeat Go Soccer FC and Fenerbahce USA to earn one of the region’s two berths in the US Open Cup.

The Italians acquitted themselves well in the First Round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, taking the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division (pro third division) to overtime before falling 4-2. They took the lead once in each half only to see their hosts equalize both times.

About the Teams

Brooklyn Italians: New members of the NPSL in 2010, the club’s history is lengthy and dynamic. The club played in the second edition of the American Soccer League from 1956-64 before playing as an amateur club since. All along, the club has played under numerous names. While its recent history is as an amateur club, it was one of the premier teams to play in the US Open Cup over the course of 12 years during the tournament’s amateur era. The side won the tournament in 1979 and was runner-up two years later. They returned to prominence in 1990 as runners-up, following it up with a second US Open Cup title the next year that led to appearances in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup in 1991. Head coach Joey Barone is no stranger to qualifying, but was unable to lead the West Michigan Edge into the US Open Cup in two attempts (2005-06) in the PDL. Last year, Brooklyn finished second in the Northeast Division’s Atlantic Conference, losing out on the playoff berth via a tiebreaker. The club was level with New York Red Bull NPSL (10-1-1, 31 points) in the conference table as well as having the same totals as the division champion FC Sonic Lehigh Valley.

FC Buffalo: Entering their second season in the league, FC Buffalo is in its first campaign to qualify for the US Open Cup after finishing third in the Keystone Conference of the Northeast Division a year ago. The club is led by new coach Daniel Krzyzanowicz, who has served as the head coach of local Medaille College the past nine years.

FC Sonic Lehigh Valley: New to the NPSL a year ago, the club performed well in its debut, finishing first in the division’s Keystone Conference and winning the divisional playoff game to advance to the league semifinals. After falling to eventual champion Sacramento Gold, they rebounded to finish third. This is the team’s first attempt to qualify for the US Open Cup. They are led by head coach Dave Weitzman, a local high school and former collegiate men’s assistant coach.