NPSL

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: San Diego Flash advance after SC Corinthians forfeit

May 7, 2014 by Josh Hakala

The San Diego Flash of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) are anxious to play their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game since 2001, but they will have to wait another week. As the Flash were preparing to host their first round match at Mira Mesa High School, team officials from their opponent, US Club Socer representative SC Corinthians USA contacted them to tell them that they will have to forfeit the match.

“Josias Baptiste of Corinthians called me today to inform me that they had to forfeit the match,” said Flash CEO Clenton Alexander. “My initial reaction was that I felt bad for him and his players. At the same time, I felt really bad for our fans and players here in San Diego.”

“The good news is that we move and play again here in San Diego next Wednesday,” said Alexander. “We still plan on putting on a good show for our fans.”

The Flash, who are managed by Fox Soccer analyst Warren Barton, will now host the winner of tonight’s match between PSA Elite (USASA) and the Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL) on May 14.

Corinthians, who are managed by former Brazilian international Palhinha (Jorge Ferreira da Silva), clinched their first US Open Cup berth by defeating fellow California club Juventus Black 5-0 in the US Club Soccer final on Saturday, April 26. According to Batptiste, the club’s general manager, he was informed that the team needed to acquire international clearances for a number of their players less than a week later.

“US Soccer informed us on Friday that we had to get international clearances for our match today ,” said Baptiste, who says about 80 percent of his roster are made up of international players. After submitting the paperwork, they were informed that there was not enough time to approve their roster before the tournament kicked off on May 7, and the team would have to forfeit.

While forfeits tend to occasionally happen in qualifying tournaments, it’s been a decade since the US Open Cup had a team forfeit during the competition. The last time it occurred was in 2003 when the Chesapeake Dragons of the PDL moved on after the Bridgeport Italians (USASA – Connecticut) were found to have fielded an ineligible player in their opening round match.

Baptiste says his entire organization is disappointed not to compete in their first tournament, and while they are still awaiting answers as to why they weren’t informed earlier about the roster requirements, they are taking a ‘lesson learned’ approach to the news. The club will now shift their focus on their plans to joining the San Diego Flash in the NPSL. Baptiste says the team will join the league as an expansion team in 2015.

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: NPSL’s San Diego Flash back after 13 years; CD Aguiluchos USA to debut in 2014

March 21, 2014 by Evan Ream

fc-hasental-vs-san-diego-flash-2014-qualifying — San Diego Flash and FC Hasental players battle for the ball in their 2014 US Open Cup qualifying final match. Photo: FC Hasental

Two west coast National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) teams have presumably qualified for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with wins Saturday. While the US Soccer Federation has yet to announce the format for the 2014 edition of the tournament, the game between the San Diego Flash and FC Hasental and the match between CD Aguiluchos USA and Spartans Futbol Club were largely predicted as “Win & You’re In.” The Flash and Aguiluchos both won their games 2-1, and are now awaiting the final word from USSF.

For San Diego, if you include the club’s past history, it will mark the sixth time the Flash have qualified for the US Open Cup and the first time since 2001 when they were an A-League team (2nd Division). In fact, the last time the Flash qualified for the Open Cup, their head coach Warren Barton was still playing for Newcastle United in England.

Now, in their fourth season as an NPSL side, they have returned to the tournament by avenging last year’s qualifying tournament final loss to FC Hasental.

“We think is great for our city of San Diego,” Flash CEO Clent Alexander said. “It’s great for our players. We re-started the organization about four years ago. We’ve been knocking on the door. This means that we got through. It’s great for our players and staff. It’s great for our organization overall.”

The match, hosted by Hasental at Oak Park High School Stadium in Oak Park, Calif., started out slow but the home side finally took the lead with a penalty kick by Moises Orozco in first half stoppage time.

However, the scoreline was reversed early in the second half when Flash forward Justin Picou scored a pair of goals in the 58th and 63rd minutes to lead the Flash to victory.

“This loss stings considering we have to wait an entire year for another shot at qualifying,” Hasental head coach Eric Warner said after the match.

The last time the Flash qualified for the Open Cup, they were knocked out thanks to a brace by then-Chicago Fire forward Eric Wynalda at Milwaukee Sports Complex in Franklin, Mil.

Wynalda is now a part-owner of the club. That performance by Wynalda continued the trend of the San Diego club getting knocked out with a brace from a US National team star as they were also knocked out in 1999 thanks to a two-goal effort from Clint Mathis, then with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The farthest they have ever gone in the tournament was in 1999 and 2000 when they reached the third round before losing to the Galaxy both times.

“The last four years has been a magical ride, getting my partner Warren Barton involved,” Alexander said. “Warren Barton is here to put San Diego on the map in outdoor soccer. And ride with Cal FC a few years ago was special. If we can do anything like he did, we’d like to see our local media involved with what we do.”

Meanwhile, CD Aguiluchos USA of Oakland, Calif. continued their dream run towards qualifying for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by defeating Spartans Futbol Club of Vancouver, Wash. Saturday night at Raimondi Park in Oakland.

Aguiluchos, the Golden Gate Conference Open Cup Qualifying tournament champion, faced the Spartans who won the qualifying tournament for the newly-formed Northwest Conference.

“ a big opportunity for all the fans that we have in the whole of the United States,” said Aguiluchos chairman Roger Amaya, who’s club is named as an homage to 15-time Salvadorian champion C.D. Aguila. “We have a lot of fans from Maryland, New Jersey and LA where there is a big concentration of Salvadorian people.”

“They’re watching us,” Amaya added. “We’re showing all the fans that we’re working hard to compete at a good level.”

The home side was the first to score when Jorge Ruiz collected a ball in the midfield, then dribbled the ball to the top of the box and unleashed a right-footed shot that caromed off of the post and into the net.

The Spartans then tied the match when defender Jordan Selland found forward Nino Ayala for the equalizing goal shortly before halftime.

Late in the match, Aguiluchos won a penalty and up stepped former Salvadorian international Rudis Corrales, who scored for El Salvador as recently as 2011.

The veteran converted the penalty to give Aguiluchos the win. CD Aguiluchos are now expected to take part in the US Open Cup for the first time in just their second season under head coach and former CD Aguila player Hugo Coria.

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: Seattle Sporting, Spartans FC advance in inaugural NPSL Northwest opener (video)

March 13, 2014 by Nick Schiffler

Spartans Futbol Club and Seattle Sporting FC are each one step closer to making the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in their debut seasons in the National Premier Soccer League’s brand-new Northwest Conference.

The two clubs will face each other in the NPSL Northwest qualification tournament final after winning their semifinal matches this weekend. Spartans pounded SO Samba FC 6-0, while Seattle Sporting saw off city rivals Inter United FC 1-0 in the first competitive fixture for both teams.

Sporting got a goal in the 13th minute from Avimael Castro, who ran down a long free-kick and chipped it past the Inter keeper. Unfortunately for Seattle, Castro was forced to exit the match 14 minutes later with a leg injury. Sporting was the more aggressive team offensively, and they held onto their one-goal lead through a physical second half.

“With the team we played today, only been training together for two weeks,” head coach Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar said. “So we have some chemistry issues, but with time hopefully they’ll start to gel.”

It was the first victory for the Sporting head coach, who previously has played in the US Open Cup with the USL’s Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders.

“We have had scrimmages where we have given up two, three or four goals, so to get a shutout today, the defense stepped up,” Alcaraz-Cuellar said. “They improved from the scrimmages. A win’s a win, and in the first game for the club, it’s even more huge of a win so I’m really proud for the guys.”

The other Northwest finalist had an easier time advancing. On a pouring night in Portland, Spartans FC scored early and never let up, eventually running away with a 6-0 victory over SO Samba. The Vancouver, Wash.-based Spartans were crowned champions of the Oregon Premier Soccer League in January and appear to be continuing their good form.

Spartans, as the winning semifinalist that scored the most goals in its match, will host Seattle Sporting in the qualifying final at 7:30 p.m. tonight, according to Sporting’s website.

According to Seattle Sporting FC Facebook page, the winner of the Northwest mini-tournament will have one more step to qualify for the 101st edition of the US Open Cup. The winner of tonight’s final will hit the road this weekend to play Golden Gate Conference tournament winner CD Aguiluchos USA in what is expected to be a “Win & You’re In” match. There has been no official announcement about the format of the 2014 US Open Cup, so it is unclear how many NPSL teams will be allowed in this year.

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2014 US Open Cup qualifying (NPSL)

GOLDEN GATE CONFERENCE

First Round
Sacramento Gold 1:2 Sonoma County Sol

Semifinals (March 1)
Real San Jose 0:2 Sonoma County Sol
CD Aguiluchos USA 1:0 San Francisco Stompers

Final (March 8)
CD Aguiluchos USA 1:1 Sonoma County Sol
CDA wins 4-3 in penalty kicks

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

First Round (March 1)
FC Force 5:2 Temecula FC
Santa Clarita Storm 1:0 Del Ray City

Semifinals (March 9)
FC Force 0:3 San Diego Flash
Santa Clarita Storm 1:6 FC Hasental

Final (March 15)
San Diego Flash vs. FC Hasental

NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

First Round
Seattle Sporting 1:0 Inter United
Spartans FC 6:0 SO Samba

Final
Seattle Sporting at Spartans FC
March 13 – 7:30 p.m. PT

NOTE: The 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup format has not been officially announced by the US Soccer Federation yet, so this tournament is operating under the assumption that the number of teams awarded to the NPSL will not change from 2013.

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: CD Aguiluchos edge Sonoma County Sol in PKs to win NPSL Golden Gate title (video)

March 12, 2014 by Evan Ream

Through a goal by Jorge Ruiz and four made penalties, CD Aguiluchos USA edged Sonoma County Sol to win the National Premier Soccer League’s Golden Gate Conference Open Cup qualifying tournament. They won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time Saturday night at Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park, Calif.

With the win, they put themselves in position to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time. At this time, the format for the 101st edition of the tournament has yet to be announced. However, according to the Seattle Sporting FC Facebook page, the winner of the Seattle-Spartans FC Northwest final will visit CDA on Saturday, March 15 in what is expected to be a “Win & You’re In” match.

Sonoma struck first through a goal from forward Ross Middlemiss before Salvadorian forward Jorge Ruiz took advantage of a Sol goalkeeping error to level the game in the first half.

The sides then played through a scoreless second half, and two scoreless extra time periods to set up a penalty kick shootout.

Ruiz, Kevin Sanchez, Francisco Mendoza and Rodis Rebera all scored for the Oakland-based team to take them to where they’ve never been before.

“We’re very excited because we represent the Salvadorian community,” Aguiluchos chairman Roger Amaya said. “This helps our marketing and support and is good for us because more people will come and believe in our team.”

Founded in 2012, CD Aguiluchos USA is named after 15-time Salvadorian champion CD Aguila similar to how Chivas USA is named after Guadelajara of Mexico, though no formal partnership exists between Aguiluchos and their namesake.

The team includes former Aguila and El Salvador striker Rudis Corrales, who played 77 times for his country of birth, scoring 17 goals.

“He made history in our culture,” Amaya said of Corrales. “And now he’s trying to help us.”

The team is made up mostly of Salvadorian and Mexican players, but does include former San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo forward Julian Nash. Prior to being drafted into Major League Soccer, Nash, an Oakland native, was the top scorer of the 2004 US Open Cup when he scored four goals for the Chicago Fire Reserves of the PDL.

Aguiluchos made their debut in the NPSL last year, finishing 4th in the old West-Northern Conference with a 3-6-3 record.
They are coached by former Aguila forward and manager Hugo Coria.

2014 US Open Cup qualifying (NPSL)

GOLDEN GATE CONFERENCE

First Round
Sacramento Gold 1:2 Sonoma County Sol

Semifinals (March 1)
Real San Jose 0:2 Sonoma County Sol
CD Aguiluchos USA 1:0 San Francisco Stompers

Final (March 8)
CD Aguiluchos USA 1:1 Sonoma County Sol
CDA wins 4-3 in penalty kicks

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

First Round (March 1)
FC Force 5:2 Temecula FC
Santa Clarita Storm 1:0 Del Ray City

Semifinals (March 9)
FC Force 0:3 San Diego Flash
Santa Clarita Storm 1:6 FC Hasental

Final (Mar. 15 – Win & You’re In)
San Diego Flash vs. FC Hasental

NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

First Round
Seattle Sporting 1:0 Inter United
Spartans FC 6:0 SO Samba

Final
Seattle Sporting at Spartans FC

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: Sonoma County Sol knock off Sacramento Gold to kick off NPSL qualifying

February 24, 2014 by Evan Ream

Behind goals from Eric Larson and Tyler Hurst, the Sonoma County Sol dispatched the Sacramento Gold 2-1 Saturday night at Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park, Calif. to move one step closer to qualifying for the 101st edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The win puts the Sol into the semifinals of the 2014 Golden Gate Conference US Open Cup Qualifying Tournament.

“It wasn’t our most beautiful game, but it was our first game , so we feel like we’re going to get better with our style of play and get back to the way we want to play the game,” said third-year Sol head coach Vinnie Cortezzo. “That being said, it was a great result for us. Last year, Sacramento knocked us out in the early rounds of Open Cup qualifying so it was nice to get a little revenge.”

Sonoma got off to a fast start in the match when some prolonged possession through Nico Spann on the right wing. Spann crossed it to Hurst who took a heavy touch past a defender then knocked the ball across the mouth of the goal to Eric Larson who smashed the ball into the net from eight yards out in the 14th minute.

Sacramento, who qualified for last year’s Open Cup, quickly responded when a 35-yard set piece was served into no man’s land and headed home by Jose Martinez in the 22nd minute.

Shortly after the break, Hurst scored what would prove to be the game-winner. In the 47th minute, Larson received the ball at the top of the Sacramento box, dribbled in, and found Hurst who hit a slow-roller off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net.

The Sol, who were the 2013 NPSL runners-up, dominated the rest of the game, coming close on a few more occasions, but further goals were not needed.

“I thought we could have scored a couple more,” Cortezzo said. “We had some really great opportunities.”

The Sol will now change their focus to Real San Jose who they will host Saturday at 7 p.m. also at Rancho Cotate High School.

“There tends to be quite a bit of change from year-to-year and I haven’t seen so I don’t know exactly what to expect,” Cortezzo said. “We’re expecting a good game and a tough team and a very physical game. That has always been the case with San Jose.”

The Sol last qualified for the US Open Cup proper in 2010 where they were beaten in the first round of the then USSF Division 2 Professional League Portland Timbers.

Their best runs of the four times that they have qualified were in 2006 when they made it to the second round before losing 1-0 to the USL First Division Charleston Battery in Charleston and in 2009 when they made it to the second round before losing to the Portland Timbers 3-0, who were that year playing in the USL First Division, in Santa Rosa. The Sol and the Brooklyn Italians remain the only clubs from the NPSL who have qualified for the Open Cup four times since the league launched in 2005.

2014 US Open Cup qualifying (NPSL)

GOLDEN GATE CONFERENCE

First Round
Sacramento Gold 1:2 Sonoma County Sol

Semifinals (Mar. 1)
Real San Jose at Sonoma County Sol
Rancho Cotate HS; Rohnert Park, Calif. – 7 p.m. PT
CD Aguiluchos USA at San Francisco Stompers
Lowell High School; San Francisco, Calif. – 3 p.m. PT

Final (Mar. 8 or 9 – Win & You’re In)
Site TBD

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

First Round (Mar. 1)
FC Force at Temecula FC
Great Oak HS; Temecula, Calif. – 8:30 p.m. PT
Santa Clarita Storm at Del Ray City
Malibu HS; Malibu, Calif. – 3 p.m. PT

Semifinals (Mar. 9)
FC Force/Temecula FC at San Diego Flash
Mira Mesa HS; San Diego, Calif. – 6:30 p.m. PT
SC Storm/Del Ray City at FC Hasental
Thousand Oaks HS; Thousand Oaks, Calif. – 7 p.m. PT

Final (Mar. 15 – Win & You’re In)
Site/Time TBD

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Atlanta Silverbacks top Georgia Revolution again in rematch

May 22, 2013 by Matt Stigall

On a gorgeous Tuesday night in Conyers, Georgia, the Georgia Revolution hosted the Atlanta Silverbacks in the Second Round U.S. Open Cup matchup. Dubbed the “Battle for Atlanta,” the Atlanta Silverbacks advanced to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win in a game of many chances and drama.

The contest was a rematch from the Second Round a year ago in which the Silverbacks also prevailed by a single goal, moving on with a 1-0 road victory courtesy of Raphael Cox strike in the 61st minute.

The visiting Silverbacks couldn’t have started Tuesday’s “Battle For Atlanta” any better, going up 1-0 in the fourth minute. After a poor headed clearance by Revolution defender Michael Nwiloh, Silverbacks forward Ruben Luna capitalized with a strong volley into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

The Revolution came back and equalized in the 16th minute with a quick counter attack when forward Kwadwo Poku, who tallied a hat-trick last week, played Iain Smith through on goal. The midfielder converted beautifully, sneaking a shot inside the near post to tie the game at 1-1.

The Silverbacks had a disallowed goal in the 29th minute when a tap-in from Silverbacks midfielder Horace James was called back for offside. Minutes later, the Silverbacks would have another chance to retake the lead when Mike Randolph was pulled down in the penalty area, earning a kick from the spot.

Ruben Luna was chosen to take the penalty and he blasted it into the right corner to make it 2-1 in the 31st minute.

The Revolution came out for the second half with a renewed focus on the attack in an attempt to find the tying goal, but the Silverbacks doubled their advantage. Pablo Cruz connected on a pass from midfielder Milton Blanco from over 20 yards out to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute.

In the 61st drama unfolded when the Silverbacks bench was warned for dissent. A few seconds later, a Silverbacks assistant coach was ejected from the game.

After play continued, the Revolution would immediately strike a surprising goal as midfielder Rene Enang converted on a low shot through traffic. With about 30 minutes left, the Revolution were looking to equalize while the Silverbacks were doing everything to deny scoring chances.

The best chance to equalize came in stoppage time when Revolution substitute midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko saw a ball fall to his feet at the top of the box, but he blasted the wide open shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

The Silverbacks will face a tougher challenge next week as they will travel to play Real Salt Lake, who are sitting near the top of the Major League Soccer table. Last year, the Silverbacks were embarrassed by the Seattle Sounders in the Third Round, 5-1, and will be looking to show some improvement on that result.

SILVERBACKS LINEUP: GK Nasco, D Bloom, D Navarro, D Reiss, D Randolph, M Menjivar, M Blanco, M Barrera, M James (Willis 67’), M Cruz (Uribe 80’), F Luna (Gulley 61’)

REVOLUTION LINEUP: GK Kramer, D Davis (Redding 85’), D Nicholson, D Nwiloh, D Papanikolopoulos, M DeBoer (Landberg 61’), M Enang, M Smith (Sissoko 74’), F Poku, F Sumpter, F Maduka

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Ventura County Fusion rallies twice for historic win over FC Hasental (video)

May 17, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

In a showdown of two Los Angeles area clubs, it was a true back and forth affair with the visiting FC Hasental side taking the lead twice before ultimately falling 3-2 on a late goal from the Ventura County Fusion, sending them on to face the Los Angeles Blues of USL Pro in Round 2.

With the win, the Fusion made history by tasting victory in three straight Open Cup tournaments. The Michigan Bucks (1999-2001) are the only other amateur team to win at least one game in three consecutive tournaments during the Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

The dramatic contest started to heat up near the half-hour mark when Agustin Cazarez nearly put Hasental up in the 27th minute with a shot that rang off the woodwork and was subsequently cleared away from the line by defender Dylan Riley.

Cazarez, however, would find the opener 12 minutes later. A ball over the top sent Alberto Anguiano down the left edge of the box all alone. He turned his gaze inside the box and seeing a nearing defender crossed it into the area where it was brought down at the penalty mark by a Fusion defender, who fell after making the hard twist back to make the play. The ball, consequently, was left wide open for the incoming Cazarez, who ripped it home from 11 yards out.

Two minutes before the break it appeared the hosts would have a perfect chance to pull even when Peter Schmetz was taken down while attempting to cross the ball within the area, but Hagop Chirishian’s spot kick to the lower left was denied by Hasental keeper Trey Mitchell.

The equalizer, however, did come just before the intermission for the Fusion when Ema Boateng, after being fouled, launched a free kick toward the far post where Frankie Lopez got his head on it to make things even.

Hasental again had some quality chances initially in the second half, chief among them being a shot from Ruben Rodriguez in the 63rd that forced a dynamic save from Sam Hayden.

Despite the pressure, it was an unexpected quick play that resulted in the visitors reclaiming the lead four minutes later. A bouncing ball was cleared out by the Hasental center back and headed forward at midfield over the defense, putting Gustavo Villalobos, who scored twice in the opening round a week ago, through in a goal similar to the club’s tallies last week.

The Fusion, though, would get another chance to pull even from the penalty spot after defender Connor Dreschler was fouled in the area by Kleber Ortiz. This time Patrick Otte put away the subsequent penalty in the 77th minute to create a tension-filled final 13 minutes.

Hasental nearly took the lead again five minutes later when Armando Gaitan slipped a 40-yard free kick narrowly over the crossbar, but it was Ventura County who would find the winner.

In the 87th minute Riley drove forward and sent a fantastic cross in to Chase Minter, who finished with a diving header. The Fusion nearly added another in stoppage time for insurance when Chirishian sent a free kick into the upper corner, forcing a brilliant save from Mitchell a minute into the added-on time.

Scoring Summary

HAS: Agustin Cazarez (Alberto Anguiano) 39

VC: Frankie Lopez (Ema Boateng) 45

HAS: Gustavo Villalobos 65

VC: Patrick Otte (pen) 77

VC: Chase Minter (Dylan Riley) 87

Discipline

HAS: Joel Contreras (yellow) 33

VC: Kip Colvey (yellow) 63

Lineups

VC: Sam Hayden; Kip Colvey, Connor Drechsler, Peter Schmetz, Dylan Riley; Patrick Otte, Hagop Chirishian, Manny Guzman (Steve Palacios 55); Ema Boateng (Artur Aghasyan 65), Chase Minter, Frankie Lopez

HAS: Trey Mitchell; Ruben Rodriguez, Sebastian Rivas, Kleber Ortiz (Ericson Penate 88), Joel Contreras; Agustin Cazarez, Alberto Rosas, Armando Gaitan (Milan Radovic 45); Gustavo Villalobos, Alberto Anguiano, Manuel Cazares (Liviu Leu 77)

FC Hasental Highlights

Cazarez Goal

Villalobos Goal

Mitchell PK Save

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Ocean City Nor’easters storm the Red Bulls U23s, 2-0

May 16, 2013 by Ed Rue

The first round of the 2013 U.S. Open Cup kicked off last night in Ocean City, New Jersey with the Ocean City Nor’easters playing host to the Red Bulls New York U23 squad. After a game of many chances, The Nor’easters were victorious with a 2-0 win and will face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds whom defeated RWB Adria on penalty kicks 1-1 (5-4).

Ocean City became tied in second with the Des Moines Menace in terms of wins by a PDL team in the Open Cup. For the Red Bulls U23s, this was their debut in the cup after qualifying with an 11-3-0 record in the NPSL last season.

The RBNY U-23s were first to attempt a shot on goal, but the Nor’easter defense quickly quelled the attack. Ocean City responded immediately, and had the best chance in the 6th minute. Forward Markhau Lacroix muscled himself behind the Red Bulls’ defense and slotted a shot just wide of the far post, for the best chance within the first ten minutes of the match.

Ocean City continued to apply pressure on the Red Bulls and it finally paid off in the 15th minute. A goal kick taken by Nor’easters’ keeper Keasel Broome fell to Markhaus Lacroix who broke free from the Red Bulls’ defense. Lacroix made sure not to miss this attempt and put it right past RBNY keeper Max Brown to put Ocean City up 1-0.

The first half belonged to the Nor’easters, as the RBNY U23s struggled to break into their offensive third. The Ocean City defense had no problem repelling any and all attacks that the U23s could muster. Ocean City however, had no problems getting through the RBNY defense. Lacroix had a field day on the wing, finding himself often alone on the wing, with opportunities to cross it into the RBNY box.

The Red Bulls did manage to threaten the Nor’easters keeper when a shot low shot from RBNY forward Brandon Allen forced Nor’easters to get down low to keep it 1-0 Ocean City at the half.

The second half started as the first ended, with Ocean City pressing hard, hoping to increase their lead. The Red Bulls did their best to absorb the pressure and were handling it relatively well for the most part. Just like the first half, the Red Bulls had difficulties getting into the Ocean City defensive area. The Nor’easters found themselves on the counterattack often, but each attack broke down near the Red Bulls box.

Ocean City finally got the second goal they were looking for around the 60th minute. Nor’easters forward Frank Tweneboa managed to put a low cross into the box where it was met by midfielder Nick Perea who put it past substitute RBNY keeper Joe Ohaus. That made it 2-0 Ocean City with a half hour left to play. The Nor’easter defense tightened up after the second goal, making opportunities for the U23s very rare.

The Nor’easters continued keeping pressure on the RBNY defense, but couldn’t find the third breakthrough. All the while, RBNY absorbed the pressure, occasionally getting the ball out to the midfield where they continued to struggle. Still down 2-0, the U23s pushed on, hoping to pull one back. They had an appeal for a handball, but the ref waved it off and that would be the end of the match.

With the win, Ocean City moves up to seven wins in US Open Cup play and will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey on May 21st, 7:30 kickoff.

The Red Bulls U23 coach Simon Nee was disappointed with the result, after such a good season last year in the NPSL.

“We knew it was going to be a competitive game tonight, you know both teams struggled to find rhythm in the first half of the game. It was a battle, it was scrappy. They got behind us, I thought we defended too high on the first goal and we got caught. It was a good goal, a good finish. The second half, we tried to play our game a little bit more. It was a bobbly field, we knew mistakes would happen, but, we could live with that. As long as we tried to play our philosophy, which is to pass and move and keep the game simple, and in spells we did a much better job at that.”

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Lone goal in lone game gives Des Moines Menace win over Madison 56ers

May 16, 2013 by Jeremy Reinert

Madison_130515_0694 — Jimmy Tulloch of the Des Moines Menace scores the game-winning goal against the Madison 56ers in the First Round of the 2013 US Open Cup in West Des Moines, IA. Photo: Pat Ward | Des Moines Menace

As the lone holdover from the scheduled night of the First Round, the Des Moines Menace and Madison 56ers had all the attention Wednesday evening. Set-up for a battle, the game did not disappoint and became the only first-round match with a 1-0 finish.

Earning the program’s first home-win in the 100-year old tournament since 2006, the Des Moines Menace (1-0-1), will move on to face Minnesota United FC (2-2-1 NASL) of the North American Soccer League in the Second Round next week. Opening its 2013 home-stand with a win, the Menace found the net just once out of its 10 shots on goal. One is all that was needed for first year head coach, Mike Jeffries squad.

“I’m happy and relieved,” commented Jeffries. “No matter what game it is, the first is always tough to get.”

Despite dominating the first half, taking five shots and earning eight corners, the score rested at 0-0. Coming out of the gates hot for the second 45, the Menace put it on the 56ers and didn’t stop until the final whistle was blown.

Just six minutes into the second stanza, Jimmy Tulloch notched his first goal in a Menace uniform; a header from the corner of the six-yard box that was just out of the reach of Madison goalkeeper Ryan Onwukwe’s hands.

“It feels great to score for this club,” said Tulloch. “Great victory. There is a lot of pride here and I’m happy to score.”

While the Menace look forward to competing against professional foes, the 56ers return to the NPSL with a chance to reclaim its title as the Midwest Region Champions. Holding a record of 17-6 in the 2012 season, the club remains a force to reckon with.

Preparing for the Second Round of the tournament, coach Jeffries is excited to get his team out there and compete without the pressure as the favorite.

“We go in to the next game a little bit of an underdog,” said Jeffries. “Most of the guys want to play professionally, this is the chance for them to showcase their abilities.”

Minnesota United FC has the host for the matchup on Tuesday, May 21.

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Georgia Revolution holds off Real Colorado Foxes rally, escapes with 4-3 win

May 15, 2013 by Matt Stigall

It was a game of two halves as the Georgia Revolution held off a thrilling comeback from the Real Colorado Foxes and advanced to the next round of the US Open Cup with a 4-3 win. The Revolution will host the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2nd year in a row in the 100th edition of the tournament.

The Revolution held a 3-0 lead at halftime following a standout performance from Ghanian forward Kwadwo Poku with two goals an an assist.

His first goal came in the 15th minute with a strike in the top right corner and it was assisted by Rene Enang.

In the 40th minute, Poku assisted an Emeka Maduka goal slotted in the bottom right corner.

Minutes later, Poku put the Revs up 3-0 in the 43rd minute on an unassisted goal where he stole the ball from the Foxes back line and slotted through on a breakaway.

In the second half, the Revs were on the scoreboard first and it was yet another unassisted Poku goal. The hat trick was complete as he put the Revs up 4-0 in the 56th minute and they looked set to cruise.

The Foxes would have other plans, and Alex Tarnoczi made the score 4-1 in the 63rd minute on a shot that was deflected in.

One minute later, the game was on with yet another Colorado goal, this time scored by Chris Salvaggione assisted by Aaron Skipworth and that cut the lead to two.

The comeback continued with another Foxes goal, this time Skipworth converted on a headed cross from Luigi Clendening in the 79th minute. Now the score was 4-3 and the Foxes had 11 minutes plus 3 minutes of injury time to equalize.

The neutral fan would have loved some extra time, but the final whistle ended the match with the Revolution edging out the Foxes, 4-3.

The player of the match was undoubtedly Poku, who contributed to all four goals. For the Foxes, the substitute combination of Skipworth and Clendening in the 56th minute changed the match as they combined for a goal and two assists.

Stats:

Revs- Foxes

Shots: 11-8
Corners: 5-0
Saves: 2-3
Fouls: 5-5
Offsides: 3-3