NY Pancyprian Freedoms

2025 US Open Cup Round 2: Westchester SC uses hot start, strong defense to hold off NY Pancyprian Freedoms

April 3, 2025 by Dave Einhorn

Westchester SC players celebrate after scoring a goal against NY Pancyprian Freedoms in the Second Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Westchester SC

On a cold night in Mount Vernon, NY, fans and families of the New York Pancyprian Freedoms gathered for the Second Round match up in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Pancyprian Freedoms, the three-time US Open Cup champions, had upset on their minds. They were fresh off of a victory in Round 1 against FC Cincinnati II, and sit at the top of the American Premier Soccer League, looked to pull off a major cupset. Meanwhile, fans, players, and staff celebrated Westchester SC’s first home match as a club. Westchester SC moved onto the Third Round of the US Open Cup after a famous 3-2 victory against the Freedoms.

The action started early as Westchester got their first goal in the third minute: former New York Red Bulls player Kenmar Lawrence, Westchester’s first signed player, put an excellent ball over the top of the defense from his own half. It fell right into the path of JC Obregon Jr. Obregon Jr did well riding a challenge from Westchester and slotted home with his left foot. It was a dream start for Westchester, a nightmare for New York.

Things would go from bad to worse for the Pancyprian Freedoms as they conceded an own goal in the 22nd minute. A cross from the left side was deflected poorly off of Jack Sluys, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance for a save as it sailed into the corner of the goal. Suddenly, the Freedoms were down 2-0, but Westchester wasn’t finished yet.

Daniel Bouman would add a third as a Westchester clearance fell to his feet at the top of the box, and he guided it into the top right corner. The score at half time was 3-0.

The Pancyprian Freedoms decided to throw caution to the wind in the second half. They were given a lifeline from Westchester SC in the 53rd minute when Westchester goalkeeper Dane Jacomen caught a corner in the box, but he fell into his own player, and the ball came out. Pablo Herrera was right there to put the ball home for the Freedoms, making it 3-1. There were shouts for handball from the New York bench. Those no-calls didn’t have a huge effect on the match, but New York scored again late into stoppage time.

This time, it was a cross from the left side of the area into James Thristino. He brought the ball down and had a lucky misskick land in an opportune place for a right-footed shot. With one minute left, the Freedoms were only a goal away from the impossible. It wasn’t meant to be, as they ran out of stoppage time. Westchester’s announced crowd of 2,026 erupted at the sound of the final whistle. It was their first-ever home win in the tournament.

After the match, NY Pancyprian Freedoms manager Andreas Chronis praised his team for their outstanding second half.

“Our true self was in the second half … I think the boys did an amazing job,” said Chronis. “There were a couple of moments where I thought we would tie it.”

He also praised the players’ work rate, especially those who had been at their full-time jobs earlier that day.

“Seven of our starters were working before they came to the match. It takes time to get started after you’ve worked a full day, come here, and play against a professional team. That’s why we’re more of a second-half team.”

This victory is important for Westchester SC manager Dave Carton, but the road is very long.

“One game at a time. We want to deliver on our owner’s high expectations, but we might be in Pancyprian’s shoes in our next game,” said Carton. “We just have to be prepared for that. The target is to be in the Fourth Round.”

Carton also showed a lot of class in highlighting the NY Pancyprian Freedoms’ efforts throughout the match, even touting one of their players as the man of the match.

“They found another gear, and good for them. They deserve a lot of credit,” added Carton. “They are a proud club with a proud tradition in the competition. I’d give it to someone from Pancyprian Freedoms. I like Joey Holland. He’s a great player and played a good game.

NY Pancyprian Freedoms will turn their attention to the National Amateur Cup and American Premier Soccer League. Meanwhile, Westchester will await their third-round opponents and prepare for their first home league match on April 27th in the USL Jagermeister Cup.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: NY Pancyprian Freedoms back in USOC, upset FC Cincinnati 2 in PKs

March 21, 2025 by Brandon Gee

Players from FC Cincinnati 2 (left) and NY Pancyprian Freedoms battle for the ball in a First Round match in the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Cortney Lesovoy/FC Cincinnati

The legendary New York Pancyprian Freedoms, three-time US Open Cup champions from the early 1980s, needed to rely on a strong defense and penalty kicks to move on in this years’ edition, securing a victory after a scoreless draw than ended with a 5-4 win on penalties against host FC Cincinnati 2 at NKU Soccer Stadium in northern Kentucky.

The shootout took an early turn in favor of the hosts as Luis Argudo of the Pancyprians skied his penalty chance in the second round. Cincinnati buried its next couple, even culminating in some celebratory dancing.

The shimmy would be short-lived, however, as Brandon Kristel missed his shot in the fifth round to draw the shootout back even. Jordan Bailon scored in the fifth for New York to send it to sudden death.

Cincinnati’s William Kuisel hit the bar on his attempt, leaving it for Pancyprian’s Jens Hoff to bury his shot to knock Cincinnati out of the Open Cup.

The result sends the Freedoms to the Second Round for the first since the last time they participated in the tournament back in 2016 (The Freedoms beat the New York Red Bulls U-23s 2-1 at Belson Stadium in Round 1).

New York, known for its energetic, pressing football, were content to sit back and let Cincinnati attempt to break them down through the course of the first half.

Cincinnati maintained possession and played the majority of the first 45 minutes in Pancyprian’s defensive third, but they were unable to create any truly dangerous opportunities. Meanwhile, New York attempted to spring a few counters but they were quickly snuffed out by either Cincinnati’s defense or a lack of reinforcements assisting on the runs.

The second half started where the first left off, as Cincinnati created the best chance of the game with a simple cross into the box, but the ensuing header was well-defended and gobbled up by Pancyprian’s keeper, Josh Levine.

The rest of the half was more of the same, with one last opportunity in regulation time by New York sliding sneakily just wide of the near post on a beautiful shot attempt. Extra time ensued, and despite a flurry of subs by both sides, Cincinnati continued to create the better chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. Extra time ended 0-0 and the match moved on to penalties.

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Win & You’re In: Flooding aids NY Pancyprian Freedoms’ return to USOC

November 27, 2019 by Michael Battista

Graphic by Harrison Huntley | @hhuntley17

The players from both Brockton FC United and the New York Pancyprian Freedoms not only had to deal with the opposing team, but the increasingly deteriorating weather moving across New England. An early goal by Charlie Ledula was all the visitors needed as heavy rain and flooding forced the game to be called off in the 58th minute with the Freedoms declared the winner.

The Pancyprian Freedoms will be returning to the US Open Cup for the first time since 2016. Since its founding in 1974, the club has qualified or attempted to qualify for every Open Cup since then and won the competition three times (1980, 1982, 1983). The team competes in the historic Cosmopolitan Soccer League and is the third most successful club in league history with eight championships, with the most recent coming earlier this year.

Despite the win, Freedoms technical director Panayiotis Onisiforou expressed disappointed that the weather prevented a more competitive showing from both teams.

“The game was played in terrible conditions, we were against 20 mph winds and heavy rain,” Onisiforou said in an email. “We got a lucky break in the minute, ball dropped to Charlie Ledula and he slotted the ball one touch, bottom right corner. After that there was not much soccer played due to conditions and it’s a shame because both sides had quality.”

A Brockton FC United player strikes the ball in the heavy rain in the club's 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. Photo: Liz McQuilkin - Mass Soccer — A Brockton FC United player strikes the ball in the heavy rain in the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. Photo: Liz McQuilkin – Mass Soccer

Ledula is no stranger to Open Cup goals. The LIU Post alumni and 2017 NCAA Division II All-American previously played for the Long Island Rough Riders in USL League Two (then known as the Premier Development League). With his former team, he scored two extra-time goals against Kingston Stockade (NPSL) in the First Round of the 2018 tournament to secure advancement and was later voted the team’s player of the year.

Following that goal, the game pace became erratic. Both teams exchanged chances inconsistently as the weather worsened the field became wetter. A Brockton free kick from the right side of the field found a player’s head but sailed wide for their best chance of the half, while Ledula nearly scored a second goal in the 20th minute.

The former USL player raced up the middle of the field to try and connect on a cross, but made contact with the keeper as he slid to make the safe and was subsequently shown a yellow card.

Players from the New York Pancyprian Freedoms stand in the pouring rain during their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Brockton FC United. Photo: Liz McQuilkin - Mass Soccer — Players from the New York Pancyprian Freedoms stand in the pouring rain during their 2020 US Open Cup qualifying match against Brockton FC United. Photo: Liz McQuilkin – Mass Soccer

Brockton’s leading scorer, and 2019 MLS SuperDraft pick, Leandro Alves, had scored in both previous games for his team but was left blanked on the day. The former University of Vermont soccer player was a key player during his team’s qualification run, and in UPSL play but both the weather and stubborn Freedoms defense kept him in check for the short amount of time he had.

As the teams entered halftime, United’s Leonardo Teixeira picked up a caution in the 43rd minute, and then the rain began to pick up. The puddles on the field began to be larger and larger and both the players and ball slid across the pitch. By the 58th minute, officials realized both teams would risk injury if play continued and the game was called off.

Heavy rain and flooding forced the 2020 US Open Cup qualifier between the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Brockton FC United to end in the 58th minute. The Freedoms were leading 1-0 and advanced. Photo: Liz McQuilkin - Mass Soccer — Heavy rain and flooding forced the 2020 US Open Cup qualifier between the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Brockton FC United to end in the 58th minute. The Freedoms were leading 1-0 and advanced. Photo: Liz McQuilkin – Mass Soccer

This marks the fourth time a game has ended early since the qualifying tournament began for the 2016 US Open Cup. In 2017, a first round match between Red Force FC and Miami National SC ended in 60th minute after lighting stuck near the field – giving Red Force the win and eventual tournament berth. The same year, Nevada side Anahuac SC got past MF 10 after the latter could not field a team of over seven players due to injuries and red cards. Then in 2018, Red Force once again advanced through a stopped game after its second round opponent, once again the Miami Nationals, walked off the field while trailed 4-0.

Just last year, a third round match between Cal FC and California United FC II, tied at 2-2, was abruptly stopped after field lights went out with minutes left in regulation. That game, however, was replayed in its entirety nearly two months later with Cal FC picking up the win in a PK shootout.

Brockton exit their first US Open Cup qualification tournament with three low scoring, competitive contests under their belts. The game also marks the second time this year that the team was knocked out of national competition by a Cosmopolitan Soccer League side. In May, Lansdowne Yonkers FC defeated the team, 3-0, in the USASA Region I semifinals for the Werner Fricker Amateur Open Cup.

The win for the Freedoms is also the farthest they’ve ever had to travel for an Open Cup qualification game since the new qualification process started in 2016. Despite the 226-mile trip from Jamaica, Queens, the team said the club’s board all came together for it and he’s glad the team was able to replay them with a win.

“As far as the travel, we and the players didn’t get affected by it and it was all down to the president and the board,” Onisiforou explained. “They got us hotels, food – they went above and beyond. Without their support none of this was possible. We are happy to get the win and repay their faith they have put in us.”

#USOC2020 ESSENTIALS

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2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Win & You’re In Weekend Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Goalscoring Leaders

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2019 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 3: West Chester United oust 3-time champion Freedoms

November 24, 2018 by Paul Blackman

West Chester United pose for a team photo before their 2019 US Open Cup qualifying match against New York Pancyprian Freedoms. Photo: West Chester United

The New York Pancyprian Freedoms hosted the West Chester Predators in Round 3 of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. West Chester were victorious 3-0 after a spirited but mismatched affair that resulted in a fitter, faster and more skilled display. All three of the Predators’ goals came from attacking runs that went either through or beside an ever tiring Freedoms backline. A late surge of energy by the Freedoms in the second half was not enough to create the scoring opportunities they desperately needed.

It’s been over 30 years since the Pancyprian Freedoms won the club’s third US Open Cup title, but a few pre-MLS bastions such as these continue to keep the tradition alive and continue to compete in the 106-year-old tournament. For clubs like the Freedoms, it’s a chance to revive the days where soccer was as much a game as it was an expression of expatriate pride. In this case, the Cypriot variety.

West Chester, on the other hand, could not be any different. Based at the outer suburb of West Chester, 25 miles west of Philadelphia, they started as a youth organisation that sprouted an amateur senior team in its more recent history. Just like all like programs across the country, it becomes a somewhat intermediate stop in an aspiring football professional’s career. And in 10 short years, the Predators have become one of the top amateur teams in the country and are trying to qualify for the US Open Cup for the second time (2016).

It was a battle between the old and the relatively new, and it was the Predators who came out on top.

“We knew that they were very good on possession, they go East to West,” said West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo. “We thought if we could get them on some counters with our pace, we thought we had a little more pace than they did, we were a little bit younger and if we could get them on the counter, we actually got three goals off of that. We thought we could really stretch them.”

In the game, West Chester was faster, fitter, more determined.

“We lost to a team that was in better shape, more organised,” said Andreas Chronis of the Freedoms. “They had a great team in the summer and they had a great team today too. We weren’t able to get that one goal that we needed to get us back in the game. We got a little tired, it was a tough loss.”

The Predators’ attacking midfielder Matthew Greer echoed Ronaldo in the way that he would run in, around and through the Freedoms’ backline from beginning to end. He was found in almost every part of the attacking third. Sometimes passing, sometimes receiving, sometimes even fetching balls being contested by other players.

Greer opened the Predators’ account, weaving through two close defenders on the left flank, flicking the ball into the center of the field, 25 yards from goal, and delivering a one touch blow into the back of the net in the 36th minute.

Not to be outdone, Chad Poarch also executed a one-man attack on goal twice. First, netting a goal for himself just before the half time whistle and in the second half finding Andreas Bartosinski to his right to make it a 3-0 game in the 74th minute.

The Freedoms were outpaced and outrun by the time the second half rolled around and could not dominate the center of the field. They found themselves playing long balls down the wings and then into the center, most of which found an opposing center back who would trouble the Freedoms by starting a string of promising attacks directly up the line.

The Predators’ defense was just as determined, staving off multiple 50/50 balls in the closing minutes of the game to preserve the shutout.

With the win, West Chester United advances to the Fourth Round of the qualifying tournament but it is unclear, as of now, whether a Fourth Round, which is tentatively scheduled for March of 2019, will take place. Every professional team in the United States is automatically entered into the US Open Cup, and with the addition of an entirely new professional league with USL League One (Div. 3), and a number of expansion teams in the USL Championship (Div. 2), the format of next year’s tournament has yet to be finalized. Without a finalized format, it’s unclear how many Open Division teams (National Premier Soccer League, USL League Two — formerly Premier Development League — , and all of the Open Division Local teams) will be granted entry into the competition. It’s possible that the WCP will have to play a Fourth Round qualifying match, but they won’t find out until January.

will advance to the final qualifying week and the Freedoms will return to the New York Cosmopolitan League after the Thanksgiving holiday. Undefeated and three points behind the competition leaders with two games in hand their prospects for local success and another opportunity at Open Cup glory should not be too far off.

Scoring Summary
WCU: Matthew Greer – 36th min.
WCU: Chad Poarch – 42nd min.
WCU: Andreas Bartosinski (Chad Poarch) – 74th min.

Booking Summary
NYP: Andreas Chronis – 70th min.
NYP: Benjamin Maurey – 79th min.

Referee: Ernie Constantine
Assistants: Anthony Espino, Sean Lyons
Fourth Official: Joshua Pagan

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: NY Pancyprian Freedoms edge Jackson Lions in PKs

October 24, 2018 by Michael Battista

NY Pancyprian Freedoms The New York Pancyprian Freedoms traveled down to New Jersey and pushed the Jackson Lions FC to its limits during regulation, but with a 0-0 scoreline after 120 minutes the visitors needed a penalty shootout to advance. The Freedoms won the shootout, 3-1, to eliminate the sole Garden State team left in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament for Open Division local teams.

The three-time US Open Cup Champions maintained a majority of ball possession and shot attempts throughout the contest against the Lions. The visitors were able to find a lane up the left side of the field early, leading to multiple scoring opportunities with crosses or strikes against Jackson goalkeeper Charlie Cunliffe.

On the other end of the field, the Lions offense never went away despite getting less time with the ball. The home team put better quality chances up between the two sides against Freedoms goalkeeper Héctor Guerrero, including a header by defender Matthew Jeffery off a corner that sailed just over the crossbar in the 12th minute.

Guerrero explained after the game that the low temperature is its own unique challenge when his team maintained majority possession, making every Jackson attempt even more challenging.

“It’s always hard to play when its really cold out and you don’t have too much action because any second you can get tested and you have to perform,” Guerrero said. “The good thing about our team is that they play a lot back so that always keeps me moving side to side.”

The Freedoms’ best chance at taking the lead in regulation came in the 74th minute when midfielder and leading scorer Adam Himeno’s header hit the left post before the ensuing rebound was ripped wide right of the net past a diving Cunliffe.

Both teams got excruciatingly close to taking the lead during extra time as neither defense could find a consistent rhythm late in the game. Lions midfielder Nick Costelloe’s shot in 98th minute brought the fans in the Jackson Justice Complex to their feet as the ball went wide of the net passed a diving Guerrero. The few but vocal Freedom faithful were also teased with a scoring chance in the 115th minute when defender George Spanos’ shot just missed going into the top right corner of the net.

Throughout the game both teams physicality was also put on display. Despite two separate Lions players earning yellow cards during the match, it would be the Freedoms’ Andrea Andreou who would force the red card out of the officials back pocket in the 119th minute. A late offensive challenge inside the Jackson box would mean Andreou, who led the team in yellow cards last year in Cosmopolitan Soccer League play, would leave the field before his team’s fate could be decided.

In the penalty kick shootout, Guerrero helped seal the game for the New York side by saving two of the four shots he faced while only allowing one to get past him. Jackson’s hopes of a first ever cup appearance were shattered as defender Simon Tchoukriel sunk his shot passed Cunliffe to advance his team to the third round of qualifying.

With one win separating the team from its first Open Cup berth since 2016, Guerrero knows improvements need to be made before their next game.

“I believe that our touch wasn’t there,” Guerrero said. “We were working pretty good and getting in their half but we couldn’t put one in … So I think just working more on finishing or quick passes instead of taking the ball too much and try to start scoring from the beginning.”

1983 US Open Cup Final: The first time Houston hosted US Soccer’s championship game

September 26, 2018 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Delmar Stadium in Houston was the site of the 1983 US Open Cup Final.

Tonight the Houston Dynamo will make their first appearance in the US Open Cup Final when they host the Philadelphia Union at BBVA Compass Stadium. While it’s the Dynamo’s first time hosting the Final, you may be surprised to learn that this won’t be the first time that the city of Houston has hosted the championship game of United States soccer.

The first time Houston hosted the US Open Cup Final was in 1983. The previous year, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) had made the decision to hold the Semifinals and the Final of it’s four cup competitions (Open Cup, Men’s Amateur Cup, Women’s Amateur Cup, Women’s Over-30 Cup) at one location over a weekend in Chicago. Previously, individual games would be hosted by either of the participating clubs. Often if the participants in the finals were from opposite sides of the country, the Open Cup Final would wind up losing money after travel and other costs were accounted for.

At the time, New York’s Pancyprian Freedoms were a very young club, having only been founded in 1975. The team immediately found success, winning the Long Island Soccer League twice before moving to the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in 1977, where they won three league titles by 1982.

Kutis Soccer Club had a much more storied history. Having been founded in 1947 as the St. Louis Raiders, the team won the National Amateur Cup in 1952. The next year, Kutis Funeral Home took over sponsorship of the team, and a dynasty was soon formed. From 1956-61 Kutis won six consecutive Amateur Cup titles, as well as capturing the Open Cup in 1957. The club fell into a lull during much of the 1960s and 1970s before regaining national prominence in the 1980s when the club made Open Cup finals appearances in 1983 and 1985 and won a second Open cup championship in 1986.

Kutis’ squad, like most teams from St. Louis, was made up of American talent. Dating back to the beginning of the Open cup in 1913, St. Louis clubs were famous for featuring rosters made up entirely of American players, while their cup rivals from the American Soccer League (ASL) were built primarily with English & Scottish talent. Many players on the 1983 Kutis squad played for local colleges such as SIU-Edwardsville and University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Freedoms roster was made up primarily of young players from Cyprus who were attending college in the New York area. Sprinkled among the youngsters were a few veteran players from Greece and Cyrpus. Managing the club was Mimis Papaioannou, a legend in Greek soccer who made 480 appearances for AEK Athens as well as earning 61 caps for the Greek National team. Papaioannou had contributed to the Freedoms Open Cup titles in 1980 and 1982 as a player/manager and focused primarily on managing the club in 1983.

The Freedoms entered the weekend with a self-inflicted disadvantage when Papaioannou left two key players, Yiotis Papademetriou and Kyriacos Moraris, out of the starting lineup due to disciplinary reasons. Papademetriou would see action in the Final as a substitute.

In the Semifinals on July 2, Kutis had defeated Greek American SC of New Orleans by a comfortable 3-0 score, but the Pancyprians had a bit more work to do. The Freedoms scored four straight goals to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat Eagles No.1 of Seattle, 4-2.

For the Eagles it was their second game in two days, as they defeated San Francisco AC 1-0 the night before in a court ordered replay of the Region IV final. The Eagles won the original game 1-0 on May 29 but were disqualified afterwards because former Seattle Sounder Pepe Fernandez was incorrectly listed on their roster as an amateur player. The Eagles took the matter to court and both teams agreed to a replay in Houston on July 1.

Playing on a warm and humid July 3 evening in front of 800 fans, referee Paul Mikol blew his whistle to start the game and both teams were off to the races. In the very first minute of play Kutis’ Steve Gauvain caught hold of a cross from the left side and flicked the ball past Freedoms goalkeeper Demetris Miltiadous for the opening score. The lead only lasted about a minute when Christos Christou stepped up to covert a penalty kick after Jerry DeRouse tripped Freedoms forward Evagoras Christophi. After just two minutes the score was 1-1.

Sixteen minutes later, the Pancyprians took the lead when Christophi slashed through the penalty area and beat Kutis goalkeeper Paul Dueker. By the 24th minute, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League club stretched the advantage to 3-1 when Christophi headed in a corner kick from Akis Nicholas. The Freedoms controlled the game for the remainder of the first half, and nearly added two more goals. However, a lapse by the Freedoms defenders in the 34th minute led to a misplayed ball which Craig Guempel took advantage of and cut the Kutis deficit to 3-2.

A similar defensive mistake almost cost Kutis early in the second half, when a defender missed kicking the ball, but Dueker was able to keep the Freedoms from capitalizing. In the 61st minute, another penalty was called against Kutis, this time when Dueker fouled Christoiphi. Christos Christou once again stepped up and drove home the spot kick for a 4-2 advantage. Just five minutes later Kutis once again cut the lead to one when Joe Eppy scored from close range. Kutis had a few good scoring chances as the game wore down, but the Freedoms defense and counterattacks kept the 4-3 lead intact until the final whistle.

The win was the third Open Cup championship in four years for the Freedoms, having defeated LA’s Maccabee AC 3-2 in 1980, and in 1982 by a score of 4-3 after extra time. Evagoras Christophi scored trice in the 1982 final, with both goals coming in extra time.

After the game, Kutis manager Jim Henson did not seem too convinced that the two Freedoms penalties were deserved.

“I can’t say if they were penalties or not.” Henson told Soccer America. “The referee was in a position to see it. He made the calls. What can I say?”

Freedoms manager Mimis Papaioannou was understandably happy about his teams’ triumph.

“Every time I win, I like it. The way the soccer was played today, it was beautiful.” Papaioannou told Soccer America. “Both of the teams wanted to win and were in a position to win. By scoring so many goals, they showed the

The win also qualified the Freedoms for the 1984 CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they reached the semifinals. A disagreement with Mexico’s CD Guadalajara over the dates of the two legs caused CONCACAF to disqualify both teams, giving the title to Haiti’s Violette AC by forfeit.

All told, close to 5,600 fans saw the 12 games played at the Delmar Stadium complex during the weekend. The turnout was respectable considering Houston only had a NASL team from 1978-80. USSF Senior Division Chairman Milton Aimi seemed pleased with the weekend’s results, telling Soccer America ”It shows that as far as the USSF is concerned, a national tournament can be organized properly and enjoy continued success.”

fans how good soccer can be.”

Throughout the 1980s and the early 1990s, the USSF would continue the practice of holding its cup finals in a central location, with the St. Louis Soccer Park and Indianapolis’ Kuntz Stadium hosting most of the events from 1984-1993.

New York Pancyprian Freedoms (Queens, NY) 4:3 Kutis SC (St. Louis, MO)
July 3, 1983 | Delmar Stadium – Houston, Texas

Scoring Summary
Kutis: Steve Gauvain – 1st min.
NYPF: Christos Christou (PK) – 2nd min.
NYPF: Evagoras Christophi – 18th min.
NYPF: Evagoras Christophi (Nicholas) – 24th min.
Kutis: Craig Guempel – 34th min.
NYPF: Christos Christou (PK) – 61st min.
Kutis: Joe Eppy – 66th min.

Lineups

Freedoms: Demetris Miltiadous, Frixou, Solonos, Peter Christoforideis, Lambros Lambrou, Costas Petsas, Akis Nicholas, George Touros, Evagoras Christophi, Christos Christou, Mark Koutsantanou

Subs: Yennaris, Yiotis Papademetriou

Manager: Mimis Papaioannou

Kutis: Paul Dueker, Dennis Bozesky, Craig Guempel, Dominic Barczewski, Jeffrey DeRouse, Joe Eppy, Steve Gauvain, Tim Tettambel, Lux, Dan Meagher, Steve Schell

Subs: Becher, Flecke

Manager: Jim Henson

Attendance: 800
Referee: Paul Mikol

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2: Amateur Cup titleholders Lansdowne Bhoys edge Pancyprian Freedoms in PKs

October 25, 2017 by Brendan Doherty

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

Two of the titans of the famed Cosmopolitan Soccer League in New York City battled for 120 minutes and neither could find a goal. The match had to be decided in penalty kicks with the reigning Amatuer Cup champion Lansdowne Bhoys edging three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms, 4-3.

The Bhoys and the Freedoms have both qualified for the US Open Cup in recent years.

The Bhoys from the New York metropolitan area qualified for the 2016 edition of the tournament after defeating Newtown Pride FC and Worcester FC during qualification. That year Lansdowne Bhoys defeated PDL side Long Island Rough Riders 2-1 before traveling to Pennsylvania to stun the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 2-0. The cup-run ended with a 2-0 loss in Rochester at the hands of the Rhinos in the Third Round.

The team fell to FC Motown during qualification for 2017 tournament but returned to try to earn a spot for 2018. Lansdowne Bhoys FC defeated Jackson Lions FC of New Jersey’s Garden State Soccer League in the opening round on September 24.

The Pancyprian Freedoms defeated Newtown Pride of Connecticut 2-1 in the first round of qualifying last month.

The club has a storied history that includes both the amateur side in the Cosmopolitan Soccer League dating back to 1979 and the professional team founded in 1999 as the New York Freedom. The Freedoms pushed eventual champion Rochester Raging Rhinos to the brink in extra time during the second round of the 1999 Open Cup.

More recently, the amateur side qualified for the 2016 Open Cup and showed well. The Freedoms defeated PDL-side New York Red Bulls U-23s 2-1 in the first round and narrowly lost to another PDL team, Jersey Express 1-0.

These two sides know each other well both from league play in the CSL and in amateur cup competitions, including 2017 Open Cup qualifying last autumn. In that contest, Lansdowne Bhoys prevailed 3-2 over New York Pancyprian Freedoms after extra time in Yonkers on September 10, 2016.

The teams also met just two weeks prior to Sunday’s cup showdown, a CSL match on Oct. 10 that ended 1-1 in Yonkers. Within CSL, NY leads the league in scoring with 2.4 goals per game average and Lansdowne has the stingiest defense in the division allowing just 0.75 goals per contest.

Both the familiarity between the teams and the prize at stake added venom to Sunday night’s match. The first half was chippy, with five bookings, but produced saves from both goalkeepers. New York’s forward Andreas Chronis forced a clearance off the line in the 27th minute and struck the woodwork in the 65th.

Lansdowne Bhoys defenders had their backs against the wall late in regulation when Craig Purcell got his body in front of a header from Luis Esteves in the 90th minute.

In extra time, Lansdowne goalkeeper Abdoukarim Danso, who played during the team’s previous cup run and won TheCup.us Player of the Round, came off his line to close down New York’s Adam Himeno. The best chance of the second period of extra time came off the foot of Lansdowne Bhoys’ Joseph Lopez but his long-distance effort missed the target.

After 120 scoreless minutes of soccer could not separate the Bhoys and Freedoms, the teams lined up for a shootout. Sunday night’s opponents proved evenly matched even from the spot as the Bhoys finally prevailed.

Perhaps energized from his extra time heroics, Danso stole the show with three saves from the line as his side now advances to the third qualifying round to be played in November against the Junior Lone Star Under-23s from Philadelphia.

Lansdowne Bhoys head coach Austin Friel is now one game away from taking his team back to the Open Cup while the Pancyprian Freedoms cast attention back to their undefeated start to the league

2017 US Open Cup qualifying: Lansdowne Bhoys use dramatic comeback to beat rival Freedoms in OT

September 11, 2016 by Jeziel Jimenez

A humid night in Yonkers saw a pair Cosmopolitan League champions square off in the first round of qualifying for the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It took 120 minutes, and a controversial penalty kick, but Lansdowne Bhoys took home the 3-2 come-from-behind win over the New York Pancyprian Freedoms to advance to the next qualifying round.

The game started out with Bhoys pushing the tempo early. Craig Purcell, who wore number seven, ended a run in the 5th minute with a right-footed shot saved by Freedoms keeper Nicholas Takany Jr.

The three-time defending Cosmopolitan league champion Lansdowne Bhoys looked as if they expected to win the game in the early minutes, making multiple runs into the box. However, the momentum shifted in the other direction as a 9th minute shot by the Freedoms’ Stefan Dimitrov started a run of play that looked hard for Bhoys to stop.

For the next 25 minutes, it was all Freedoms. The Bhoys were able to get a few more shots off including one from a 21st minute corner, but to no avail.

The Freedoms took advantage of Bhoys’ frustrations and kept knocking at their opponents goal. A 29th minute header by veteran Chris Megaloudis that just missed, would be a sign of what was to come. Just 10 minutes later, Megaloudis would open up scoring for the night with a goal assisted by teammate Adam Himeno.

Only a few minutes later, in the 44th minute, would the zealous Freedoms see their second player, Jeff Matteo, earn a yellow card. The first was in the 23rd for John Koutsounadis for foul right in front of the fourth official on the sideline.

The freedoms took a 1-0 lead into the second half, but the Bhoys were set to change the tempo as they used all three subs before the 70 minute mark. Sylvester Sikele came in for Glen Reid in the 52nd minute, Daryl Kavanaugh replaced Ansger Otto three minutes later and Conor Hunter came in for Jhon Estama in the 67th.

A minute later, the Freedoms’ Tzoi Tsarkani would chip a shot that deflected off the goalpost and out. But the Freedoms would keep the tempo high and it would pay off with Michael Palacio giving the visitors a 2-0 lead.

With less than 20 minutes left, the Bhoys would not give in. A Daryl Kavanaugh pass resulted in a 77th minute goal by Jason Gaylord, cutting the lead in half.

In all of the late excitement, Purcell received a yellow card in the 81st minute. Athough, the team would refocus quickly in the waning minutes of the game.

In the 88th minute, after quite a few shots, the Lansdowne Bhoys were awarded a corner kick. Kavanaugh took the corner and linked with Gaylord as the two connected for a goal for the second time.

With both teams desperate for a win, Freedoms player Adam Himeno received his first yellow of the night (his team’s third) but regulation time would expire with the game tied at 2-2.

The fourth official informed both benches that the game would have two 15 minute overtime periods with a short water break in between.

Aside from a substitution by Freedoms where Panagiotis Halkiais came in for Tzoi Tsarkani, the first half of overtime was pretty uneventful. Both teams hunkered down, trying hard not to make any early mistakes.

The second half of overtime saw a change for the Bhoys, as they controlled possession for most of the half leading to a flurry of shots toward the end of the overtime period. After several saved shots, the Freedoms goalkeeper deflected a ball high and out for a corner.

The corner from Kavanaugh would not have the same magic as his previous cross in regulation, but it still managed to produce a goal. With three minutes left, a foul was called on the Freedoms in the box but the referee allowed for advantage to be played and a shot was taken. The ref then awarded a penalty to the Bhoys despite the advantage was played, which upset the Freedoms bench.

In a game that looked like it would go to penalty kicks to decide a winner, Lansdowne Bhoys were given a chance to win it with less than three minutes left in the match.

Christiano Francios lined up to take the kick. The Pancyprian keeper guessed correctly as Francois shot to his right, but he could only grasp at air as Francois netted what would be the late winner. The game would end 3-2 as Lansdowne Bhoys were able to overcome an early deficit and take home the win.

Bhoy Christiano Francois scoring the winner in extra time. Fantastic debut Bhoy @TommySmythESPN @CosmoLeague pic.twitter.com/PUVZWIl4kU

— Lansdowne Bhoys FC (@Lansdownebhoys) September 11, 2016

The three-time Cosmopolitan League champions advanced to the next round of qualifying where they will head down to New Jersey to take on FC Motown in mid-October.

2016 Meet the Underdogs: Three-time champ Pancyprian Freedoms seek to add to club’s rich US Open Cup history

May 10, 2016 by Jack Cumming

New York Pancyprian Freedoms 2015 Team Photo

With a rich history in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms go into the 103rd edition of the tournament hoping to add to it, starting out tomorrow by hosting the USL PDL’s New York Red Bulls U23s (7:30 p.m., Belson Stadium, Jamaica, NY).

Representing the Cosmopolitan Soccer League in this year’s competition, the Astoria-based neighborhood club has won the crown three times, in 1979, 1980, and 1982. They have also had recent success winning the USASA equivalent of the competition in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Given their experience in the tournament, look out for this Helenic underdog as a potential upset.

Though the Red Bulls bring a big name to the tournament, the Freedoms will look for their strong following and supporters to keep provide a difficult environment for their opponents.

In addition to packing their home ground at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University, the Pancyprian-Freedoms will look to strong team play in order to advance to the next round.

“We rely on team play rather than on individuals,” said Freedoms’ team manager George Halkadis. “We have vast experienced players, the majority of which have played NCAA Division I soccer, many of which have gone on to play overseas, in the MLS, and the NASL.”

USASA teams have had recent success in the U.S. Open Cup. Chula Vista FC advanced to the third round before being bested by USL’s Sacramento City FC, and PSA Elite advanced to the fourth round of the tournament before losing to the LA Galaxy.

The Pancyprian-Freedoms will look to their favorable draw with the hopes of being the amateur team to advance furthest in the tournament. They play the winner of NPSL’s Clarkstown SC Eagles and PDL’s Jersey Express, dodging a USL opponent in the second round.

“I see the bracket draw as favorable,” Halkadis said. “We have a very good chance of getting to the third round. Being the last amateur club in the competition is . We’ll be more than satisfied if we get to that point.”

2016 US Open Cup: Motor City rematch headlines most intriguing First Round games

April 12, 2016 by Adam Uthe

The Michigan Bucks cruised to a 3-0 win over Detroit City FC in their first meeting in 2015. Photo: Michigan Bucks

It’s (almost) back!

The United States Soccer Federation announced the first and second round matchups for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Round 1 will kick off on Wednesday, May 11 and features 18 Premier Development League (PDL) teams, 14 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) sides, and 14 Open Division qualifiers representing the best teams competing in regional leagues throughout the country.

There will be a total of 23 first round games, but here are the five most intriguing matchups (in no particular order):

Detroit City FC (NPSL) at Michigan Bucks (PDL)
Oakland University Soccer Field; Rochester, MI
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

While this list is not in any particular order, most neutral fans would agree that the rematch between two Metro Detroit rivals is the headliner of Round 1.

Detroit City FC has been one of the NPSL’s biggest success stories off the field as their fan base’s growth and revered supporters culture continues to grab national headlines across the soccer world. Founded back in 2012, the club and its rabid fan base have developed a following that many lower division pro teams would love to have. They averaged 3,528 fans per game last year, which is more than FC Edmonton of the NASL drew in 2015. If Detroit City competed in the 24-team USL, their attendance would rank 10th (granted, with fewer home games).

Just a small sample of Detroit City FC's fans. — Just a small sample of Detroit City FC’s fans.

The fans recently put their money where their collective mouth is as the team announced plans to move to and renovate 80-year-old Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck. Keyworth is so old that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended the stadium’s opening. The team is working with the local community to fix up the historic stadium and recently wrapped up a record-breaking fundraising campaign that saw the club pull in a jaw-dropping $741,250. With support like that, many have speculated that’s it’s only a matter of time before the club outgrows its current amateur status.

Saying their opponent has a strong resume in this competition is a bit of an understatement. The Michigan Bucks hold a number of Modern Era (1995-present) records but two of them have helped the club make a name for themselves nationally. No amateur team has more pro team upsets than the Bucks’ nine and only two clubs have more than three (Des Moines Menace with six, Ocean City Nor’easters with five). In fact, if you exclude the Carolina RailHawks, the Bucks have more wins over pro teams than all of the active NASL teams combined (8).

But their biggest accomplishment is that they are the only amateur team to eliminate two Major League Soccer teams. They stunned the New England Revolution at Foxboro Stadium in 2000, 1-0 on a 90th minute winner by Chad Schomaker. They followed that up in 2012 when they hosted the Chicago Fire at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas (their indoor home) and beat the four-time Open Cup champions 3-2 in extra time.

Despite their on-field success, the Bucks’ fan support is only a fraction of what City draws. The Bucks play their home games in Pontiac, Mich. which is almost the exact same distance from downtown Detroit as FC Dallas’ Toyota Stadium is from downtown Dallas. There is a rivalry between the two teams that have developed off the field as Detroit City’s fans mock the Bucks’ lack of fan support. On the other side, Bucks fans point to their on-field resume with two PDL titles (2006, 2014), the most wins in league history and their Open Cup success. While they have been very good in their first four seasons (32-7-11 in regular season play), DCFC has yet to advance beyond the conference final in the NPSL playoffs.

The two teams finally met on the field for the first time last year in the First Round of the US Open Cup. At the Bucks’ indoor home in Pontiac, the City fans vastly outnumbered the Bucks fans in the stands, but it was the Bucks who outnumbered City on the scoreboard. Michigan got three first half goals by David Goldsmith, Peri Marosevic, and Brad Ruhaak and they won 3-0. Thanks to the way the draw worked out, there will be a rematch this year. Only this time, the game will be played outdoors at the Oakland University Soccer Field in Rochester, Mich.

Boca Raton FC (USASA) at Miami Fusion FC (NPSL)
North Miami Athletic Stadium; North Miami Beach, FL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET

South Florida is the place to be if you’re a fan of the beautiful game at any level. David Beckham is leading the charge for the future, yet-to-be named MLS team while Miami FC, led by head coach and AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta, kicked off its inaugural North American Soccer League (NASL) season last week against fellow South Beach rivals Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Now it’s Miami Fusion FC’s turn to get in on the action. The Fusion will be looking to make a deep run in their first US Open Cup appearance after a successful inaugural NPSL season in 2015 when they took the Sunshine Conference title with seven wins, one loss, and one draw. The club, who are led by former New York Cosmos player Ferdinando De Matthaeis, are not related to the now-defunct MLS team by the same name that finished runner-up in the 2000 US Open Cup.

Their opponent, Boca Raton FC, are coming off a pretty impressive debut season themselves. They cruised to first place in the 2015 American Premier Soccer League (APSL) Fall Tournament with five wins in their seven matches and tournament-best plus-11 goal differential. The APSL is a newly-formed South Florida-based amateur league that are part of a new trend of regional amateur soccer leagues across the country. This will be the third straight Miami-based club that they will have to face, as they narrowly defeated fellow APSL clubs Real Miami CF and Uruguay Kendall (in penalty kicks) to qualify for the Open Cup.

The winner will head north to take on the USL’s Wilmington Hammerheads, who have been knocked out of the tournament by an amateur team in three of the last four seasons.

New York Red Bulls U-23 (PDL) at New York Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.); Jamaica, NY
Kickoff: 7:30p.m. ET

You wouldn’t be out of line calling this an “old school vs. new school” matchup. New York Pancyprian Freedoms dominated the US Open Cup in the early 1980’s winning the title in 1980, 1982, and 1983. They even followed up their 1983 title with a semi-final run in what was known back then as the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Today it’s known as the CONCACAF Champions League. You won’t find too many clubs that can match their history and pedigree as they continue to be among the elite in the fabled Cosmopolitan League. It was not an easy path through the open division tournament as the Freedoms had to defeat their biggest rival, and four-time US Open Cup champion, New York Greek Americans in Round 1 by a score of 4-2. They punched their ticket with a 2-1 win over 2012 Open Cup qualifier Jersey Shore Boca.

Representing the “new school” side of this tie is the U-23 side for one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) premier clubs: the New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls’ youth side is one of two teams representing the Mid Atlantic division of the PDL’s Eastern Conference (Jersey Express). The Red Bulls have enjoyed a lot of success in their first six years as a club. They played their first five seasons in the NPSL, winning three division titles in addition to a league title in 2014. They celebrated their first NPSL championship by leaving the league to join the PDL. They qualified for the tournament in 2013 and 2014, and would have made the cut in 2015 but it was unlikely that the NPSL was going to give up one of their Open Cup spots to a team that just left to join a rival league.

The way the draw works out, the winner of this game will get a rather favorable matchup. Rather than playing a USL team, as most Round 1 winners will, the Red Bulls or the Freedoms will take on the winner of Jersey Express (PDL) and the Clarkston Eagles (NPSL).

LA Wolves FC (USASA) at Ventura County Fusion (PDL)
Ventura College Sportsplex; Ventura, CA
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

LA Wolves (orange) and Del Rey City squared off in the opening round of the 2016 US Open Cup open division qualifying tournament. Photo: Del Rey City SC

“Play Like A Wolf” is the slogan for the United Premier Soccer League’s (UPSL) LA Wolves FC. The senior team sure looked like alpha dogs in 2015, winning 20 of their 21 competitive matches (20-0-1) and ultimately falling short in the league title game, losing to fellow Open Cup qualifier San Nicolas FC. Now they’ll set their sights on a new competition as they enter the Open Cup for the first time in team history. To get there, they had two win two games in the open division tournament, one against fellow UPSL side Del Rey City SC and the other against Cal FC, the team that made a name for themselves in 2012 when they upset the Portland Timbers of MLS. The Wolves are one of three qualifiers from the Los Angeles-based UPSL, a fast-growing amateur league that has expanded to Nevada and Arizona in recent years.

Their opponent, the Ventura County Fusion, have qualified for the seventh straight year, one shy of the amateur record for the Modern Era (Reading United AC – 8). In addition being one of the most consistent PDL teams in the league, the Fusion have also hosted teams from the EPL, Liga MX, and other top divisions from around the globe for friendlies.

They’ve seen it all in their 10-year history with eight playoff appearances, three division titles and a 2009 PDL championship. In Open Cup play, they have won a Modern Era amateur record five straight opening round games, which is a Modern Era record, and have upset a pair of professional teams on the road. They beat the Los Angeles Blues (now Orange County Blues) of the USL in the 2012 Second Round, and knocked off the LA Galaxy II (USL).

A fair warning to those who will be in attendance: be prepared for LOTS of orange. Both sides feature a healthy dose of it in their uniforms.

CD Aguiluchos USA (NPSL) at San Francisco City FC (US Club Soccer)
Beach Chalet #4; San Francisco, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET

San Francisco City FC defeated Cal FC 2-1 in their US Open Cup debut in the 2015 Preliminary Round. Photo: San Francisco City FC

Finally, we turn our attention to the northern half of California. Oakland-based CD Aguiluchos were founded in 2012 in honor of El Salvadoran side CD Augila and, as you might expect, feature a roster full of players drawn from the Bay Area’s Salvadoran population. The club is also managed by former CD Augila coach Hugo Coria. And if you’re still not convinced of their love of all things El Salvador, their away kit is blue and white to honor the national team. This is their second trip to the tournament after qualifying in 2014. They were one-and-done after traveling to Southern California and losing to the Ventura County Fusion, 2-1. The club missed out in 2015 but are back after finishing third in their division with a 7-4-1 record. That third place finish was enough to get into the NPSL playoffs and they made a run all the way to the national semifinals. They lost to the New York Cosmos B, one of the few pro teams in the league that moved on to win the NPSL title and later withdrew from this year’s US Open Cup.

On the other side of the draw is another team with close ties to its community, though in a different way. San Francisco City FC is 51% owned by its club members while the other 49% belongs to their investors/partners. Their Board of Directors, which must vote unanimously to make major changes to the club, is made up of three members: one from the membership group, one from the investor group, and one from the club’s staff. The approach seems to be working as the club is growing. They made the movie from a local amateur league to the PDL, where they will begin play in 2016. There have been reports that the club is being courted to join one of the professional leagues down the road. The roster that will take part in the Open Cup this year will not be the PDL roster that will be on the field this summer, it will be the one that qualified for the competition through the open division qualifying tournament. making its PDL debut this season. This is also their second consecutive Open Cup appearance. Last year, they lost a 2-1 decision to Cal FC at Kezar Stadium.