Orlando City U-23s/Central Florida Kraze

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Portland Timbers exorcise past demons, shut out Orlando City U23s 3-0 (video)

June 18, 2014 by Kristen Gehrke

Gaston Fernandez scored a pair of goals for the Portland Timbers in a 3-0 win over the Orlando City U23s. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers

The Orlando City U23s of the Premier Development League (PDL) met the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in Portland, Ore., Tuesday in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Normally a quality amateur team coming to visit a professional team wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows, but the Timbers have suffered two home losses to amateur clubs in recent history so no one was taking anything for granted.

The 2014 edition of the Timbers weren’t bothered at all by the ghosts of Hollywood United (2008) and Cal FC (2012) as the home team cruised to a 3-0 win over Orlando.

Midfielder Gaston Fernandez led the team with a pair of goals while rookie defender Taylor Peay showed a sign of what may be on the horizon with a goal of his own.

Orlando came out fighting, earning a couple of early chances but it wasn’t able to convert. Forward Romario Williams managed two of Orlando’s five shots, but neither was on frame.

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Portland went up early in the first half on a rocket from Fernandez in the 11th minute. He would score again on a penalty in the 36th minute after Orlando keeper Tomas Gomez came off his line and took down Portland forward Maxi Urruti.

“I thought the second half actually was better than the first half,” Portland coach Caleb Porter said. “The first half for me, wasn’t convincing enough. I thought the first half was a little sloppy. We gave some balls away that we shouldn’t. Not a convincing 2-0 at halftime so I tightened the screws a bit.”

Portland’s third goal came in the 68th minute from Peay, making his debut for the Timbers.

“It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” he said about scoring in his first match. “It’s a good feeling. Caleb stressed the importance of this game and every game from now on. Our goal is to raise a trophy at the end so that’s what we’re going to do.”

HIGHLIGHTS: ORLANDO CITY U23s AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS

POST-GAME INTERVIEW: CALEB PORTER

FULL MATCH REPLAY: ORLANDO CITY U23s AT PORTLAND TIMBERS

Scoring Summary
POR: Fernández (Urruti), 11
POR: Fernández (penalty kick), 36
POR: Peay (Urruti), 68

Misconduct Summary
n/a

Lineups & Stats
POR: GK Weber, D Powell (Peay, 56), D O’Rourke, D McKenzie, D Harrington, M Jewsbury ©, M Fernández (Fochive, 71), M Nanchoff, F Alhassan, F Urruti, F Wallace (Tshuma, 80)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Gleeson, D Villafaña, M Long

TOTAL SHOTS: 21 (Urruti, 5);

SHOTS ON GOAL: 10 (Urruti, 3);

FOULS: 14 (Alhassan, 4);

OFFSIDES: 2;

CORNER KICKS: 14;

SAVES: 1

ORL: GK Gomez, D Brinkman (Johnson, 76), D Svantesson, D Okwuonu, D Russell (Rittmeyer, 69), M Clowes ©, M Souto (Blackwood, 46), M Franke, M Brody, M Sexius, F Williams
Substitutes Not Used: GK Uzcategui, M Popo

TOTAL SHOTS: 5 (Williams, 5);

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Souto, 1);

FOULS: 9 (Russell, 3);

OFFSIDES: 2;

CORNER KICKS: 1;

SAVES: 7
Referee: Juan Guzman

Assistant Referees: Carlos Tercero, Lucas Brooks

4th Official: Andrew Brooks

Attendance: 10,619

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: Orlando City U-23s upset Charleston Battery in record-breaking PK shootout (video)

May 29, 2014 by Dan Conover

Orlando City U23s goalkeeper Tomas Gomez repeatedly held the Battery at bay, snuffing out chances in his box and recording fives saves en route to the shootout. Not only did Gomez convert his own shot from the mark, he also saved Charleston's one chance at sudden-death victory. Photo: Janet Edens Conover | CHSsoccer.net — Orlando City U23s goalkeeper Tomas Gomez repeatedly held the Battery at bay, snuffing out chances in his box and recording fives saves en route to the shootout. Not only did Gomez convert his own shot from the mark, he also saved Charleston’s one chance at sudden-death victory. Photo: Janet Edens Conover | CHSsoccer.net

Orlando City U-23s became the first amateur team in Open Cup history to defeat the Charleston Battery at home, advancing Wednesday night via a Modern Professional Era record 14-round shootout after 120 minutes of play ended in a 2-2 draw.

Orlando City opened the scoring in the 26th minute when a short clearance off a free kick fell to Jamaican forward Romario Williams near the penalty spot.

They made it 2-0 in the final seconds of the half off midfielder Andrew Brody’s wonder-goal. Brody capped a sudden Orlando counter by chipping over Charleston’s back line and goalkeeper Eric Shannon from long range.

Charleston pulled level in the second half and spent much of the night on the brink of cracking Orlando City’s defense, outshooting the visiting PDL squad 24-10. Forward Dane Kelly ended the frustration in the 63rd minute, finally putting away the rebound of his previous shot that had caromed off the crossbar. Five minutes later he buried a penalty kick to equalize.

Despite their advantages, Charleston was unable to find a game-winner in the final 27 minutes and went to extra time. When the 30 minutes ended with the 2-2 score unchanged, the match proceeded to a shootout.

The Battery instantly earned the upper hand when Shannon, the Battery’s backup goalkeeper, saved the first Orlando shot from the mark. But the pro side’s third shooter in the first group of five — Vancouver Whitecaps loanee Aminu Abdallah — sent his try off the crossbar to give Orlando City new life.

In the third round of sudden death, Shannon came through again, stopping Orlando substitute defender Javier Clavijo. Charleston forward Heviel Cordoves stepped up to take the game-winner, but Orlando goalkeeper Tomas Gomez, a rising senior at Georgetown University, guessed right and earned the junior lions another opportunity.

It would take six more agonizing rounds and a miss by Charleston’s Kelly to separate the two sides. Dejected Battery players looked on in stunned silence as the PDL squad mobbed Gomez — who had not only revived them in the shootout, but whose five saves and fearless defending had helped them weather the Battery assault.

“Besides the national championship (Georgetown’s 0-1 loss to Indiana), I haven’t had that much pressure on me,” Gomez said. “(But) I knew when we went to penalties we were in a good spot. Our team converts. But that was the longest round of penalties I’ve ever been a part of.”

Orlando City will now travel to Portland to take on the Timbers of MLS on May 28.

“You give the guys credit,” said Battery Coach Mike Anhaeuser. “We made a lot of PKs, they made a lot of PKs. We had a chance twice to win it, but we weren’t able to get it done. You gotta commend their keeper for making the big save there.

“It’s a difficult situation. You hate to lose that way. We didn’t want to go to penalties, but they got it done.”

FULL MATCH REPLAY

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: Orlando City U23s earn first tournament win, 2-1 over Jacksonville United

May 17, 2014 by Mike Gramajo

For the first time in franchise history, Orlando City U23s celebrated a victory in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. They got their tournament run off to a strong start with a 2-1 win over the NPSL’s Jacksonville United at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla.

Orlando first qualified for the Open Cup in 2000 under the name Central Florida Kraze, and entering Wednesday night, had entered the competition a total of six times without producing a win (0-5-1, 0-1 in PKs). The winless streak, which included a 2-1 loss to Jacksonville in 2012, was the longest active Open Cup losing streak in American soccer.

In the first game of an Open Cup doubleheader with the Orlando City USL Pro team, Tyler Blackwood would score the lone Orlando City goal in the 30th minute after a shot from Romario Williams found the forward to rebound the shot toward the net. However, Jacksonville equalized the match at the halftime mark when Krizanovic converted on penalty kick.

With the match leveled, the U23s were given an opportunity to control the match when Jacksonville went down a man when Jay Bolt received a red card after a harsh tackle. Orlando City earned the second goal after their corner kick failed to clear the Jacksonville box, leading to an own-goal from the visiting side.

The match would end 2-1 in favor of the Young Lions, and set up another Open Cup rematch. On May 28, just like they did back in 2007, Orlando will travel to Blackbaud Stadium to take on the Charleston Battery of USL Pro.

2013 US Open Cup First Round: VSI Tampa Bay hangs on to win in PKs over Orlando City U-23

May 15, 2013 by Jim Robertson

VSI Tampa Bay (White) and Orlando City SC Under 23s played to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. Tampa Bay won the PK shootout, 5-3. Photo: Dave Williams | Orlando City SC

VSI Tampa Bay (USL PRO) won over the Orlando City U-23 (USL PDL) in penalty kicks Tuesday night 1-1 (5-3) at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla. The first round match of the 100th U.S. Open Cup paired Tampa Bay in its first appearance in the US Open Cup against Orlando City U-23 in its sixth appearance. VSI Tampa Bay advances into the second round and will play the 2012 NASL Champions Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The match was hard fought and looked to be a win for Tampa, but Orlando was able to equalize in the 90th minute to send the match to two overtime periods. Orlando has never advanced beyond the first round, and was again unable to do so tonight. Orlando was one of four amateur teams to face a professional team opponent in the first round.

VSI Tampa Bay’s game experience as a team was apparent in the opening minutes. Tampa has already played seven matches to a record of 4-3 and sit in sixth place on the table. The ball control was crisp and they put immediate pressure on the Orlando City U-23 Lions. With the final seven players announced only four days ago, the Lions had less time to prepare for the match and it showed as they misconnected on key passes and in general looked like they were playing their first competitive match as a team.

Tampa took advantage when Andriy Budnyy scored seven minutes into the contest to give Tampa the 1-0 lead. Budnyy headed the ball in from the top of the goal box out of the reach of the Lion’s goalkeeper, Tomas Gomez. Alex Freitas was left alone on the left to serve the excellent cross and got the assist.

After that goal, the Lions settled down and played a much better match. Although Tampa was in the Lion’s half for most of the first 20 minutes, Orlando City players seemed to gel and find their stride.

“We haven’t been together long so I can’t fault their effort and work rate but I think overall we did well in our first competitive match,” said U23 coach Paul Shaw.

In the 25th minute, Orlando’s perseverance was almost rewarded as Tyler Blackwood got behind VSI’s defense and put a beautiful cross into the goal box but Tampa was able to clear. The remainder of the first half continued with exciting play from both teams as each pressed forward and created changes. Tampa’s Tony Dontelli had an opportunity near the 40th minute but his shot went right to the hands of Gomez.

The play in the second half was similar to the end of the 1st half with the Lions and VSI controlling the ball equally well with neither team clearly superior in time of possession or completing their chances. Both made substitutions to keep fresh legs in the game as Tampa brought in Chad Burt (61′) and Sebastien Thureire (77′) while Orlando brought in Tom Skelly (57′) and Daniel Barboto (67′).

Orlando’s last substitution, Ian Svantesson (77′) would turn out to be key, as he broke free of several defenders in the box and shot what looked to be the game winner in the 90th minute. However, Tampa’s goalkeeper Dave Martin came up with a fantastic save. The rebound came near Orlando Captain Nic Russo who was crashing the goal area and he headed the ball home to equalize the match and forcing overtime.

The extra time brought plenty of exciting plays as both teams moved the ball quickly through the midfield and pressed the fowards into the final third. Both goalkeepers were kept busy but additional goals eluded both teams. In the second overtime period, tired legs began to take their toll from the fast paced match and the teams remained tied.

The first three rounds of shots from the mark were even as each team’s representative seemed to score easily. In the 4th round, J.T Noone of Tampa shot the ball past Gomez, but the shot by Orlando’s Nick Sowers was saved by Martin, giving Tampa the 4-3 penalty kick advantage. The final round came to a close as Tampa’s Mauricio Salles sent his shot past Gomez to give VSI the victory.

Scoring Summary
VSI: Budnyy (Freitas) 7th minute
ORL: Russo (Svantesson) 90th minute

Penalty Kick Summary
X – VSI – Donotelli (1-0)
X – ORL – Clowes (1-1)
X – VSI – Hoffer (2-1)
X – ORL – Blackwood (2-2)
X – VSI – Burt (3-2)
X – ORL – Russo (3-3)
X – VSI – Noone (4-3)
_ – ORL – Sowers (4-3)
X – VSI – Rife (5-3)

Lineups
VSI Tampa Bay FC Dave Martin, Richard Dixon, Kyle Hoffer, Josh Rife, Alex Freitas, Joseph Noone, Darren Toby, Shawn Chin (Mauricio Solles 90th), Tony Donotelli, Douglas Dos Santos (Sebastien Thureire 77th), Andriy Budnyy (Chad Burt 61st)

Orlando City U23s Tomas Gomez, Evan Greenbaum (Ian Svantesson 77th), Kyle Fisher, Cole Seiler, Stewart Abrahart (Tom Skelly 57th), Itode Fubara, Troy Peterson (Daniel Barboto 67th), Paul Clowes, Tyler Blackwood, Nick Sowers, Nicolas Russo

Discipline
ORL – Nick Sowers (95′) Yellow
TPA – Sebastian Thuriere (97′) Yellow
ORL – Itode Fubara (107′) Yellow

Attendance: 535

Meet the 16 Premier Development League teams entering the 2013 US Open Cup

March 5, 2013 by Josh Hakala

Shortly after the United States Soccer Federation announced the format for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the United Soccer Leagues confirmed which Premier Development League teams would enter the competition. As reported by TheCup.us in January, the PDL will have 16 entries into the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second consecutive year.

Last year the US Soccer Federation expanded the Open Cup field to include all US-based Major League Soccer teams and increased the number of amateur teams to a Modern Pro Era-record 32. The upcoming tournament, the 100th consecutive running of the Open Cup, follows a similar format, and will include two addition amateur clubs, bringing the total to 34.

With the date of the 2013 tournament moved earlier in the month of May for the second year in a row, the PDL has decided to base their entries on the previous season’s results once again. The Central, Southern and Western conferences will each submit the top two American-based clubs from each division, while the Eastern Conference, which is made up of three divisions, will be represented by four teams. The Ocean City Nor’easters, who finished with the conference’s best record (13-3-0), the team with the second best record in Ocean City’s division, Reading United, the South-Atlantic Division champion Carolina Dynamo, and the GPS Portland Phoenix who finished one point behind the Canadian-based Ottawa fury in the Northeast Division.

A dozen clubs are making a return appearance in the event, including 10 that were in the tournament this past year. Four sides will be making their US Open Cup debuts in 2013. The foursome is comprised of the River City Rovers, Ocala Stampede, FC Tucson and Seattle Sounders U-23s.

All of the PDL teams will begin play in Round 1 on May 14, and the amateur team (PDL, NPSL, USASA, USCS, USSSA) that advances the furthest this year will receive $15,000 (up from $10,000 last year).

Here are the teams that will be taking part in the 2013 US Open Cup (read about the changes to the 2013 tournament here):

Central Conference

Michigan Bucks
1st place in Great Lakes Division (13-1-2)
Record 10th appearance, 2nd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 12-8-1 (0-1 in PKs)
Last appearance: 2012

The Bucks will make their record 10th appearance in the US Open Cup and are the league’s most successful team in the tournament. With a record 12 Open Cup wins, 9 of them against professional opponents, they bring the strongest resume of any amateur team in the country. Last year, they bolstered their reputation as giant killers with their second win in franchise history over a Major League Soccer team, defeating the Chicago Fire 3-2 in extra time. Combined with their 1-0 road win over the New England Revolution in 2000, they are the only amateur team to defeat multiple MLS teams.

Bucks vs. NE Revs - 2000 — As you can see, not very many people were on hand to see the Michigan Bucks upset the New England Revolution in Foxboro back in 2000. Photo: Tony Biscaia | RevsNet

Last year, they crushed Jersey Shore Boca (USASA) 6-0, before upsetting the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) 1-0 on the road in Round 2. In the Third Round they defeated the Chicago Fire at home in just the fourth Open Cup game in history to be played indoors. In Round 4, their Cinderella story came to an end in front of their home fans (this time outdoors at Oakland University) by another unlikely team, the USL Pro’s Dayton Dutch Lions who converted a penalty kick in extra time to win the game 2-1.

River City Rovers
3rd place in the Great Lakes Division (7-7-2)
1st appearance in the US Open Cup

The Louisville, Kentucky-based River City Rovers have qualified for the tournament for the first time, benefiting from the fact that Forest City London, the team who finished in second place in the division, are Canadian and are not eligible for the Open Cup. Forest City finished with a 7-5-4 record, two points ahead of River City, and made an improbably run through the PDL playoffs to win the championship. River City had a chance to overtake Forest City for the last playoff spot, but they lost their season finale to the Michigan Bucks 4-0.

River City becomes the first Kentucky-based club since 1993 to qualify for the Open Cup. That year, the Louisville Alliance reached the Regional Semifinals before falling to Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC, 2-0.

Real Colorado Foxes
2nd place in the Heartland Division (8-4-4)
3rd appearance in the US Open Cup, 3rd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 1-2-0
Last appearance: 2012

The Real Colorado Foxes (no relationship with the Colorado Foxes who took part in the 1995 US Open Cup), have qualified for the third year in a row as the second place team in the Heartland Division (Division champion Thunder Bay Chill are from Canada). The Foxes won their first-ever tournament game in 2011 when they defeated USASA’s DV8 Defenders from San Jose, Calif. 5-0. Then after being eliminated by fellow PDL side Kitsap Pumas the next round, they suffered another defeat at the hands of an amateur team, losing 3-1 to the KC Athletics (USASA) at home.

Des Moines Menace
3rd place in the Heartland Division (8-5-3)
7th appearance in the US Open Cup , 2nd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 7-6-1 (1-0 in PKs)
Last appearance: 2012

The Des Moines Menace are back in the competition for the second year in a row, making their seventh all-time appearance. Only the Michigan Bucks (10) have qualified for the Open Cup more times among PDL teams. They enter the tournament as a 3rd place team because the Heartland Division champion, Thunder Bay Chill, are based in Canada.

Aside from their consistent success in the league, the Menace are best known for their back-to-back cup runs in 2005 and 2006 when they four professional teams in two years, only to fall to the Kansas City Wizards (Sporting Kansas City) both years on the road. Last year, they picked up their first Open Cup victory since 2006 with a 3-1 extra time road win over the NPSL’s Milwaukee Bavarians, only to fall to the NASL’s (2nd Division) Minnesota Stars 2-0 in Round 2. The Menace are tied with the Ocean City Nor’easters for second place among PDL teams with 4 professional team upsets (Michigan Bucks have 9). According to TheCup.us records, the Menace are the only Iowa-based team (aside from the Iowa Menace who qualified out of the USASA in 2011) to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Professional Era, and even before that, there are no records of any Iowa team qualifying (records incomplete).

Eastern Conference

Ocean City Nor’easters
1st place in the Mid-Atlantic Division (13-3-0)
6th appearance in the US Open Cup (5th as PDL)
All-time Open Cup record: 7-5-0 (6-4-0 as PDL)
Last appearance: 2009

kevin-curran-vs-boyzz-kuhmalo-dcu-barons — The Ocean City Nor'easters (shown here as the Ocean City Barons in 2009 against DC United) have upset four professional teams in their club history. Only the Michigan Bucks have more with nine. | Photo: Bill Pellegrino, Ocean City FC

Ocean City ranks right near the top along with the Menace and the Bucks as one of the best teams in the PDL, and are back in the Open Cup thanks to last season’s division title, their first since 2004. Despite only winning two division titles since they joined the league back in 2003, they are 87-40-37, which is the sixth best record during that span. The Nor’easters qualified as the team in the Eastern Conference with the best record (13-3-0).

Reading United AC
2nd place in the Mid-Atlantic Division (11-2-3)
7th appearance in the US Open Cup (5th as PDL), record 5th straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 1-6-0 (1-4-0 as PDL)
Last appearance: 2012

web-Reading-NYGAA-GlennRiegel — Reading United are back in the US Open Cup for a fifth straight year, a Modern Pro Era record for an amateur team. Photo: Glenn Riegel / Reading United AC

For the first time in the Modern Professional Era, an amateur team will be making their fifth straight appearance in the US Open Cup. Reading United will attempt to put the past behind them, as the tournament has not been kind to United. Last year’s 2-1 home win over four-time Open Cup champion New York Greek American Atlas, was their first tournament win in franchise history. They would lose in the next round, 2-1 to the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium. Reading has their friendly rivals, Ocean City, to thank for keeping their streak alive. The Nor’easters, by virtue of finishing with the Eastern Conference’s best record, earned a berth, leaving the second place team, Reading, as the Mid-Atlantic’s representative.

GPS Portland Phoenix
2nd place in Northeast Division (10-4-2)
2nd appearance in the US Open Cup, 2nd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 0-1-0
Last appearance: 2012

In just their fourth season in the PDL, GPS Portland Phoenix will make their second straight appearance in the US Open Cup, finishing behind the Canadian-based Ottawa Fury in the Northeast Division. The Phoenix had a chance to win the division, but they finished scoreless against Seacoast United when they needed a win to overtake the Fury. Last year, Portland lost their first-ever Open Cup game 3-2 to the Brooklyn Italians of the USASA. They found themselves behind 3-0 until Blaike Woodruff scored a pair of late goals but it wasn’t enough as the they fell to the two-time tournament champions.

Carolina Dynamo
1st place in the South Atlantic Division (11-1-4)
10th appearance in the US Open Cup (5th as PDL), 3rd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 10-9-0 (5-4-0 as PDL)
Last appearance: 2012

The Carolina Dynamo with their rich history dating back to 1993, will make their 10th appearance in the tournament this year, and their 5th as a PDL side. This is the third year in a row for the Dynamo as they will attempt to avoid their third straight one-and-done. Last year, they were eliminated by the Aegean Hawks from the DC-area 3-1. It was an impressive year for the Dynamo in the league as they only lost one game (11-1-4), and made a playoff run that took them all the way to the championship game, where they lost 2-1 to Forest City London. They will try to re-live their glory days this year, with their greatest moment coming in 2006 when they upset the Richmond Kickers (Div. 3) and the Seattle Sounders (Div. 2) to become the third PDL team (now there have been four) to advance beyond the Third Round. They would eventually fall in the ‘Battle of the Dynamo’, losing 4-2 to Houston of MLS in Round 4.

Laredo Heat
1st place in the Mid South Division (10-3-3)
3rd appearance in the US Open Cup, 2nd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 1-1-1 (0-1 in PKs)
Last appearance: 2012

web-SA-LAR2-RobinJerstad — The Laredo Heat advanced to the Second Round of the 2012 US Open Cup, but lost to the San Antonio Scorpions, 2-0. Photo: Robin Jerstad | San Antonio Scorpions

The Laredo Heat are back in the Open Cup for a second straight year, and just the third time in franchise history. Three trips to the tournament in a decade is a surprising number for one of the best teams in the PDL. The 2007 league champion, and a three-time runner-up, the Heat qualified for the Open Cup for the first time back in 2006 when they nearly eliminated Dallas Roma FC in the first round before Roma began their historic run to the Fourth Round. Last year, the Heat returned, winning their first-ever Open Cup game, 4-2 over fellow Texas amateur club ASC New Stars (USASA) in extra time. They hit the road in Round 2 and lost 2-0 to the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions. This is a PDL team that has qualified for the league playoffs nine years in a row, and have only failed to qualify once, during their inaugural season in 2004. Single-elimination tournaments are nothing new to them, so this tournament could suit them well.

Austin Aztex
2nd place in the Mid South Division (9-5-2)
2nd appearance in the US Open Cup
All-time Open Cup record: 0-0-1 (0-1 in PKs)
Last appearance: 2008

After starting as a PDL franchise in 2008 (and qualifying for the US Open Cup), the Austin Aztex launched a professional team the following year and made two more Open Cup appearances. The franchise was moved to Orlando to form Orlando City SC, but in 2012, the Aztex franchise was revived in Austin as a PDL franchise. Their first season back was a successful one, finishing in second place behind the Laredo Heat. The only Open Cup game the Aztex PDL team played was in 2008 when they took the Atlanta Silverbacks (Div. 2) to penalty kicks, but lost the shootout 5-4.

Ocala Stampede
1st place in the Southeast Division (11-3-2)
1st appearance in the US Open Cup
All-time Open Cup record: N/A
Last appearance: N/A

The Stampede are one of four clubs who are taking part in their first Open Cup as they were an overwhelming success in their inaugural season in the PDL. Ocala, which is located in Central Florida, just northwest of Orlando, won the Southeast Division title with an 11-3-2 record, which was the best record in the conference. They will join the nearby Orlando City U-23s in the tournament.

Orlando City U-23s
2nd place in the Southeast Division (8-3-5)
6th appearance in the US Open Cup, 4th straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 0-5-0
Last appearance: 2012

Orlando City U-23s are back for their fourth straight Open Cup appearance and their sixth overall berth. In 2013, they will attempt to do something the previous five teams editions of the club have failed to do: win a game. Last year was the first year under the current team name. Prior to that, they were known as the Central Florida Kraze and made four trips to the competition before the team was bought by Orlando City after the 2011 season. Last year, they fell to Jacksonville United 2-1 after letting a 1-0 lead in the second half slip away. Jacksonville was awarded an 82nd minute penalty kick and then scored the game-winner in the 89th minute to seal Orlando’s doom.

Seattle Sounders U-23s
1st place in the Northwest Division (11-2-3)
1st appearance in the US Open Cup
All-time Open Cup record: N/A
Last appearance: N/A

No matter what they are called, the Seattle Sounders U-23s are making their first Open Cup appearance in franchise history. The club was originally known as Tacoma FC, but never qualified from 2006-2011. Last year, the team re-branded as the Seattle Sounders U-23s and enjoyed immediate success. They won the Northwest Division championship and reached the final four in the PDL playoffs.

Portland Timbers U-23s
2nd place in the Northwest Division (10-4-2)
2nd appearance in the US Open Cup, 2nd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 0-1-0
Last appearance: 2012

After enjoying success in their first three years as a PDL franchise, including the 2010 league championship, the Portland Timbers U-23s qualified for the US Open Cup for the first time last year. They lost their first game to a USASA side, PSA Elite, 3-1 in front of their home fans, but they will have a chance to redeem themselves with their second straight berth in 2013.

Ventura County Fusion
1st place in the Southwest Division (12-2-2)
4th appearance in the US Open Cup (4th straight)
All-time Open Cup record: 3-2-1 (0-1 in PKs)
Last appearance: 2012

The Ventura County Fusion qualified for the Open Cup for the first time back in 2010 and were one-and-done to the USASA’s Arizona Sahuaros. Each year after that, they have improved on the previous year’s performance. In 2011, they won a single game before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro). Last year, they won two games, including a revenge win over the Blues in Round 2. They nearly knocked off an MLS team, but were unable to overcome an early goal by Chivas USA, and lost 1-0. If the pattern continues, will the Fusion reach Round 4 this year?

FC Tucson
2nd place in the Southwest Division (9-3-4)
1st appearance in the US Open Cup
All-time Open Cup record: N/A
Last appearance: N/A

FC Tucson became another first-year team to punch their ticket to the Open Cup after a successful inaugural season. They edged out the Fresno Fuego for second place and will be the first Arizona-based club to reach the tournament since the Arizona Sahuaros took part in 2010.

2012 US Open Cup First Round: Jacksonville United last minute heroics snag a victory from Orlando City U-23

May 16, 2012 by Jim Robertson

After a significant rain delay, the game between the newly-rebranded Orlando City U-23s (formerly Central Florida Kraze) and Jacksonville United got started at 8:30 pm. Orlando came out strong with some crosses and throw-ins into the box, but the Jacksonville defense held strong.

City had a great chance in the 17th minute, but Nick Sowers’ goal was called back with the assistant referee indicating offsides. A fantastic steal in the 29th minute led to a Nick Sowers cross that Jonathan Mendoza shot just wide of the far corner. Jacksonville immediately responded with a dangerous cross, but Charles Sanders grabbed it out of the air. In the final 5 minutes of the 1st half, Jacksonville had several chances but failed to convert.

The second half started quickly with a shot by Nicolas Russo deflected by Stuart McCrory in the 46th minute. In the 50th minute, a cross by Sowers was headed by Russo and then Drew Helm gathered the deflected header, turned and found the back of the net.

Jacksonville made two substitutions in the 56th and 59th minutes, bringing in Ramak Safi and Wale Leyimu for Nedim Hrustic and Jonathan Glenn. Some long balls and excellent counter attacks brought both Orlando and Jacksonville some good chances, but both teams’ defenses held firm. A Jacksonville corner in the 71st minute was placed perfectly but the header fell just left of the net.

A hand ball called on Orlando on the top of the box resulted in a penalty kick for Jacksonville which was converted by Tomislav Krizanovic in the 82nd minute. Jacksonville kept the pressure on Orlando after the goal with crosses and direct kicks into the box but failed to convert. A free kick by Jacksonville resulted in a scramble in the box and Safi found the back of the net to put Jacksonville in the lead with 1 minute left before stoppage time.

Coach Pat Cannon of Jacksonville said, “We started out a little shaky… but when we made our subs it really changed the game. They just opened the game up for us.”

When asked about the controversy at the end of the game, Nick Sowers (on loan from the USL Pro team) said, “We had many opportunites but failed to convert them into points when we should have.”

“Jacksonville’s players knew how to win tonight,” said Orlando City U-23s Head Coach Joe Avallone. “We have to learn from this. That’s what the US Open Cup is all about.”

Jacksonville United FC will face the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup next Tuesday, May 22nd, in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville United FC 2:1 Orlando City U-23
Seminole Soccer Complex – Sanford, Fla.

ORL: Drew Helm 50
JAX: Tomislav Kruzanovic (PK) 82
JAX: Ramak Safi 89

Discipline:
JAX: Sean Steed – caution 64
ORL: David Graydon – caution 76
ORL: Oumar Diahkite – caution 87
ORL: Joseph Toby – caution 90′

Lineups:
Orlando City U-23: Charles Sanders, Joseph Toby, Ryan Griffen, Sean Reynolds, Oumar Diakhite, Nick Sowers, Nicco Russo (David Graydon 70), Luis Ocejo, Ricardo, Campbell, Jonathan Mendoza, Drew Helm (Moses Aduny 78)
Subs not used: Johan Bergfeld, Brendon Moore, Ezequiel Pedraza, Stephen Williams, Edwin Worley

Jacksonville United FC: Stuart McCrory, Jacobi Goodfellow, Mats, Elmsater, Enrique Haussler, Hollis Donaldson, Nedim Hrustic (Ramak Safi 56), Sean Steed (Stephen Durr 68), Jonathan Glenn (Akinwale Leyimu 60), Tomislav Krizanovic, Adam Allee, Tyler Williams
Subs not used: Josiah Holtz, Riley Butler, Ryan Billins, Nick Salafrio

Source: 2013 US Open Cup to feature 16 Premier Development League teams

January 14, 2012 by Josh Hakala

This was confirmed this yAccording to sources at the United Soccer Leagues’ annual general meeting in Tampa, Fla., the Premier Development League will have 16 entries into the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second consecutive year.

Last year the US Soccer Federation expanded the Open Cup field to include all US-based Major League Soccer teams and increased the number of amateur teams to a Modern Pro Era-record 32. The upcoming tournament, the 100th consecutive running of the Open Cup, appears to be following a similar format, but the official announcement is yet to be made.

With the date of the 2013 tournament expected to be earlier for the second year in a row, the PDL has decided to base their entries on the previous season’s results once again. The official announcement came nearly a year ago exactly with two berths, with one exception, going to each division.

According to sources, here are the teams that will be taking part in the 2013 US Open Cup (we will be updating with brief summaries of each team’s tournament history):

Bucks-Fire 2012 3rd Round — Last year, the Michigan Bucks upset Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire 3-2 in extra time indoors at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich.

Des Moines Menace
3rd place in the Heartland Division (8-5-3)
7th appearance in the US Open Cup , 2nd straight appearance
All-time Open Cup record: 7-6-1 (1-0 in PKs)
Last appearance: 2012The Des Moines Menace are back in the competition for the second year in a row, making their seventh all-time appearance. Only the Michigan Bucks (10) have qualified for the Open Cup more times among PDL teams. They enter the tournament as a 3rd place team because the Heartland Division champion, Thunder Bay Chill, are based in Canada.

Eastern Conference

Ocean City Nor’easters
1st place in the Mid-Atlantic Division (13-3-0)
6th appearance in the US Open Cup (5th as PDL)
All-time Open Cup record: 7-5-0 (6-4-0 as PDL)
Last appearance: 2009

The Nor’easters are back in the tournament as another PDL team with a giant killer reputation. This is their first appearance since 2009, when they defeated two Division 3 professional teams to reach the Third Round where they lost a close 2-0 decision to Major League Soccer’s DC United on the road. Only the Michigan Bucks (12) and the Des Moines Menace (7) have more Open Cup wins as a PDL team than the Nor’easters (6), who were known as the Barons the last time they entered the competition. The Bucks are also the only team with more professional team upsets in the tournament (9) than the Nor’easters (4). Ocean City ranks right near the top along with the Menace and the Bucks as one of the best teams in the PDL, and are back in the Open Cup thanks to last season’s division title, their first since 2004. Despite only winning two division titles since they joined the league back in 2003, they are 87-40-37, which is the sixth best record during that span. The Nor’easters qualified as the team in the Eastern Conference with the best record (13-3-0).