Phoenix SC

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Christos FC beats Phoenix SC to qualify, plans to “go farther” than last year

November 21, 2017 by Craig Tower

Christos FC wore down their open division-qualifying visitors Phoenix SC on a sunny but windy day in Arnold, MD, taking the game 5-1 in front of approximately 50 fans. The hosts move on to the full Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row, while Phoenix SC will try again next year to qualify, having last qualified in 2011.

Christos keeper Phil Saunders didn’t have much work during on the field, but in a pre-game interview he laid out his team’s challenges and strategies to a T. “Teams know our name and want to beat us, so we have to be extra good.” Still, he added, “our depth is unbelievable.”

It turns out that Christos were extra good on the day, and it was their depth that made the difference in defeating the storied Pennsylvania club.

Possession was relatively balanced at the start of the game, with both sides trading chances. Christos had the edge in chances created, but Phoenix left wing Dan Murtagh shaped a beautiful shot towards Saunders’s back post in the fifth minute, only to see it glance off the upper right corner of the goal.

Tyler Rudy put Christos on the board first with a beautiful 25-yard freekick that cleared the Phoenix wall before settling into the lower corner of Pratico’s goal in the 32nd minute. Christos kept the pressure on and found the goal again in the 38th minute when a cross by Cody Albrecht from the right found Daniel Baxter about 10 yards in front of goal. Baxter calmly settled the ball before shooting under Practico for the second goal.

Phoenix SC came out with renewed determination in the second half, but they weren’t able to conjure the kind of solid chances they’d seen at the beginning of the first half.

As Saunders predicted, the depth of the Christos side made the difference when Elton Joe subbed on for Caringi in the 69th minute, soon to be joined by Levi Houapeu and Christopher Panian. The pace of Joe and Houapeu caused Phoenix particular problems, but it was Joe’s blistering shot that drew blood in the 74th minute as he turned just inside the 18-yard box and rifled the ball into the upper right corner of the Phoenix goal. “Panian played it one time to me, and I just hit far post as hard as I could. It went there, exactly where I wanted it to,” Joe said after the game. Daniel Baxter pounced on a deflection off his own shot in the 78th minute to extend the Christos lead to four.

At that point, Phoenix SC started to lose control, registering yellow cards in the 78th (Joseph Brocker), 79th (Shane Kronick), and 80th minutes (Jamen Rowen) as they tried to halt the Christos attack.

Elton Joe was having none of it as he found himself behind the defense on a break in the 86th minute and settled the ball in the left corner after Pratico had saved a similar break by Joe in the 84th.

Ben Castor of the Phoenix registered a consolation goal in the 88th minute to ruin the Christos shutout.

After the game, Joe echoed Saunders on the strategy of bringing Joe off the bench: “The message from the coach coming off the bench was to come on the pitch and take over – or at least to close the game out.” Joe was confident about the prospects for Christos in 2018, having marched to the 4th round in the 2017 tourney before dropping a heartbreaking decision to DC United by a deceiving 4-1 scoreline. “We’re trying to come this year very strong. We’re definitely going to go farther than we went last year. That’s the plan.”

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Late winner moves Phoenix SC closer to return trip to US Open Cup

October 23, 2017 by Matt Ralph

Phoenix SC goalkeeper Tony Pratico saved a penalty kick and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over West Chester United in 2018 US Open Cup qualifying. Photo: Matt Ralph

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

Ben Castor cleaned up a rebound after a defensive miscue and put Phoenix Sport Club through to the third round of local qualifying for the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a second half stoppage time winner to beat rival West Chester United 1-0 on Saturday night.

“The whole time you’re thinking extra time, getting ready for that extra 30 minutes but the way we were playing, we played really well, organized defensively we knew all we needed was two or three chances,” Castor said. “We put ourselves in a good situation and we thought stay organized defensively we could give ourselves a really good opportunity in the second half and you know things just kind of fell the right way.”

Playing on their home turf in front of a small but lively crowd, West Chester United controlled possession from the opening whistle and had a number of set piece opportunities to take the lead before Troy Amspacher drew a penalty in the box in the 41st minute.

Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Pratico saved Amspacher’s penalty and was also able to get enough of the rebound attempt in a scurry in front of the net to send the ball out for a corner. The former Temple goalkeeper made another fine save on a one-v-one play against Kai Kasiguran in the second half and a number of other saves and interventions to shut down wave after wave of attacks from West Chester, which also saw a shot hit off the post in the second half.

“They did have a lot of opportunities but besides the PK and maybe one other they didn’t have too many quality opportunities,” Pratico said. “Our defenders kept everyone in front of them and the offensive players didn’t really take too mistakes. We obviously only scored one goal but you take what you can get.”

Phoenix had their best opportunity to open the scoring in the 33rd minute when Jarryd Goldberg got into the box on a counter attack but it resulted in a penalty shout the referee wasn’t interested in calling. Instead, it was West Chester United that got the benefit of the referee’s whistle on the other end eight minutes later.

“They won the game at halftime, keeping it zero, zero,” West Chester United head coach Blaise Santangelo said. “We didn’t put balls away, they saved a PK. Those guys have had a lot of success together, they won a national title together (the 2016 Gerhard Menghel Over-30 Cup). They know how to compete in big games.”

The game-winning goal came against the run of play when midfielder Jack Pocorobba put pressure on the back line when he found Castor and the clearance attempt ended up deflecting to goalkeeper Clarke Fox who was only able to parry it away to Castor for the tap in.

“That’s what the game gives you you know, sometimes you get the opportunities you don’t convert, sometimes it takes a little mistake, a little miscommunication and you come out on top,” Phoenix SC manager Mike Pio said.

For one of the country’s oldest active clubs (est. 1926), Saturday’s victory puts Phoenix SC one win away from qualifying for the US Open Cup proper for the first time since 2011, where they lost to the Rochester Rhinos 2-1 in the first round.

“That’s why a bunch of us kept playing to get back there and maybe win a first round game this time,” Pratico said.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Eastern Pennsylvania quarterfinal field complete (video)

November 16, 2012 by Josh Hakala

Thanks to Michael Berton, Jeff Livezey and William Murphy for contributing to this report.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup qualifying tournament is under way after five first round games are in the books. Cavalla FC, Quakertown, Junior Lone Star, Nether United and the Predators all advanced to the Quarterfinals which will take place Dec. 2. Those teams will join the West Chester Majors, Salone, and United German Hungarians, a two-time runner-up in the tournament (1977, 1993) who all received byes.

The state association has only had three teams qualify for the Open Cup in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present), and two of those teams were eliminated in Round 1.

Nether United 1:1 Phoenix SC
(Nether United advance 7-6 on PKs)

Nether United took on Phoenix SC on a picturesque fall afternoon in Wallingford, Pa. The teams took full advantage of the weather, playing 120 minutes and penalty kicks. United came out the victors, winning 7-6 in penalties after playing to a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

“Both teams played very hard on a pitch that was still very slippery from Hurricane Sandy,” Nether United player/coach Scott Spangler said after the game.

United did not have to try very hard to score their first goal, with Matt Poole chipping the Phoenix keeper after just a minute of play. They had to try a lot harder after that, though, as Phoenix bossed much of the rest of the first half, which led to a tying goal from Jared Goldberg in the 18th minute.

In the second half, Nether United keeper Dan Spangler put in a man of the match performance to keep his team in the game. He stopped several shots and relied on his post to stop one more before things started to go poorly for Phoenix.

Phoenix, who qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 2011, had just one substitute available, which it used in the 43th minute. So, when a player had to leave due to injury in the 78th, Phoenix had to play down a man. Things got even worse in the 82nd when a Phoenix player picked up a straight red card for dissent, meaning they had to play 9-on-11.

“The referee changed the whole game,” Phoenix coach Blair Thomson said. “I don’t know how he gave him a straight red.”

Phoenix was able to hold on though, which sent the game into overtime. Both squads had chances, but could not convert. In the 120th minute, a Nether United player picked up his second yellow, which meant only 19 out of the original 22 players would be available to take part in penalty kicks.

In penalty kicks, both teams remained perfect through the first six rounds. Dan Spangler made a save in the seventh round for United, which opened the door for the game-winning kick to win the game.

“We’re very excited for the next round,” Spangler said. “We’re just men living the dream, and we’ll take this as far as we can.”

Junior Lone Star 6:0 Mayfair Celtic

Junior Lone Star, a team comprised of mostly West African refugees who fled brutal civil wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Guinea didn’t waste much time in their opening round match against Mayfair Celtic. They scored their first goal in the 7th minute after Ebere Goodluck set up a breakaway goal by Moses Jackson. Goodluck added a second in the 30th minute with a nice shot in the bottom left hand corner with Jackson returning the favor.

In the 35th minute, Mike Lindemann had a cracker of a shot on goal for Celtic that was denied by a diving save from Lone Star goalkeeper Prince Monyan. Mayfair Celtic had other chances in the opening half off of set pieces but the Lone Star defense stood tall to keep the score 2-0 at halftime.

The floodgates opened just after the break when Jackson added his second of the game thanks to another assist by Goodluck. Joe Joe Jappah scored a pair of goals in the 52nd and 65th minute to make it 5-0. Goodluck would add his third assist of the game, setting up Mitchell Torh who made scored on a skillful shot in the 85th minute.

Highlights: Junior Lone Star vs. Mayfair Celtic

Quakertown 3:2 Colonial Ultra

The Quakertown men’s soccer team advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over Inter-County League rival Colonial Ultra at the Quakertown Sports Complex.

Souderton High School standout and former Indiana University player Ian Clair netted the game-winner on a penalty kick late in the second overtime period to help Quakertown win a match they trailed 2-0 in the first half.

Pennridge High school grad and former Marywood University player Kyle Hill fed forward and team captain Neil Stoddart, who was fouled just inside the box, earning Quakertown and Clair the chance to put the game away just minutes before the final whistle.

Stoddart, a former Sunderland Youth Academy player and multiple-year all PSAC selection at Bloomsburg University, had a strong game in the center of the park for Quakertown; tying the match in the second half with his volley off a cross from Hill.

Former West Chester University player Frank Demas provided Quakertown’s first goal of the game, a right-footed curler from just outside the 18-yard box that rattled the post before going in.

It was a slow start and the resulting defensive lapses that plagued Quakertown during a first half when they fell behind by two goals. Quakertown’s back four of Brendan Ackley (Boyertown High School/Reading Rage developmental program), Dave Keller (Pennridge High School /Slippery Rock University), Andy Trauger (Pennridge High School), and Lou Williams (Bloomsburg University) tightened the screws during the second half and overtime; allowing only one legitimate scoring opportunity during that time, a breakaway shot that glanced off the post.

Also making appearances for Quakertown were goalkeeper Nick Lipinski (Quakertown High School), midfielder Darin Rittle (Quakertown High School), midfielder Kevin Petzold (Pennridge High School) and forward/midfielder Chris Wellington (Delaware Valley College).

These two teams know each other well and both reside in the top three spots of the Inter-County League’s top division. Quakertown also came away the winner of the two team’s last meeting, a 2-1 decision on Oct. 14.

The Quakertown team, which was founded by Hill in 2008 and won the Inter-County League’s Premier division in 2009, has been slowly acquiring talented players and climbing the Inter-County League tables since inception. They currently sit tied for first in the league’s top division after six games played.

Quakertown also advanced to the second round of the Amateur Cup tournament with a 3-2 win over the Ukrainian Nationals of the United Soccer League on Nov. 4.

Predators 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge

The Predators, a club that is, according to team officials, “not affiliated with West Chester United,” edged Vereinigung Erzgebirge 1-0 to reach the round of eight. Pat Stanco scored the lone goal in the 75th minute on an assist by Tomasz Fryzel. VE hasn’t qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup since 2002, but they won the state title in 2007 and 2009. The Predators are on the opposite end of the bracket as West Chester United, will take on Nether United in the quarterfinals.

Cavalla FC 1:0 Ukrainian Nationals (Oct. 28)

Two weeks before, another past state champion was upset in Round 1 as Cavalla FC knocked off the Ukrainian Nationals 1-0 back on Oct. 28. The Nationals, who were Eastern PA champions in 2003, 2005 and 2006, were eliminated by Cavalla, who are making their first Open Cup qualifying appearance. Cavalla will take up last year’s state runner-up, Salone FC, in the next round.

2013 Eastern PA Open Cup Tournament
(home team listed second)

First Round (Nov. 11)
Cavalla FC 1:0 Ukrainian Nationals (Oct. 28)
Quakertown 3:2 Colonial Ultras
Junior Lone Star 6:0 Mayfair Celtic
Nether United 1:1 Phoenix SC (Nether United advances, 7-6 in PKs)
Predators 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge

Quarterfinals (Dec. 2)
Quakertown at West Chester United
Cavalla FC at Salone
Junior Lone Star at United German Hungarians
Nether United vs. Predators

Semifinals (Dec. 9)
TBD

Final (Dec. 16)
TBD

Past Eastern PA Open Cup champions:
1998: United German Hungarians
1999: United German Hungarians*
2000: United German Hungarians
2001: DiPasquale’s
2002: Vereinigung Erzgebirge*
2003: Ukrainian Nationals
2004: Lighthouse SC
2005: Ukrainian Nationals
2006: Ukrainian Nationals
2007: Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Runner-up Ukrainian Nationals also qualified for Region I Finals)
2008: United German Hungarians
2009: Vereinigung Erzgebirge
2010: Phoenix SC
2011: Phoenix SC*
2012: West Chester United Predators

* Qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2011 US Open Cup Chicago Fire bracket preview: Rochester Rhinos at Harrisburg City Islanders

June 20, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

SECOND ROUND

Rochester Rhinos at Harrisburg City Islanders
Skyline Sports Complex – Harrisburg, Pa. – 7 p.m.
Broadcast: USLlive.com

THIRD ROUND

Chicago Fire at Rochester Rhinos
June 28, 7:35 p.m. ET Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, N.Y.
OR
Harrisburg City Islanders at Chicago Fire
June 28, 8:30 p.m. ET Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.

Harrisburg City Islanders

The club has been a member of USL’s professional third division league since its founding in 2004 and has only missed the postseason on two occasions. The club won the league title in 2007.

Path to the Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Harrisburg City Islanders 2:1 Reading United
Harrisburg found themselves trailing by a goal in the First Round to fellow Philadelphia Union affiliate, the PDL’s Reading United AC, at halftime and looked to be heading toward an early exit when JT Noone scored in the 86th minute. Four minutes later Sainey Touray provided the 2-1 game-winner in a late stunner. Recap [+]

League Form: The City Islanders returned to league action Friday with a 1-0 win in Richmond on a goal from Jason Hotchkin just before the break. They are current in second place in the National Division with a record of 5-4-2 (4-1-1 at home).

Open Cup History: After failing to qualify in its first three seasons (2004-2006), the club has reached the quarterfinals three times over its appearances in the last four years. Harrisburg is the only third division club in the Pro Era to reach the quarterfinals three times, and the only one to do it two years in a row (2009-10).

In 2007 the club upset visiting DC United 1-0 in the Third Round before falling 2-1 on the road to the New England Revolution. The following year, however, the team was knocked out in the second round by league rival Baltimore via penalties. After defeating Reading 4-1 and sneaking past league foe Western Mass via penalties in 2009, the club returned the favor against New England, beating the MLS club in overtime 2-1 in Connecticut before falling 2-1 to DC United in the Quarterfinals. The club upset a third MLS club in four years last year. After needing overtime to defeat the Brooklyn Italians 4-2 and edging Long Island Rough Riders 1-0, the City Islanders knocked off the New York Red Bulls in overtime, 1-0, on a goal from Dominic Oppong. DC would knock them out once again in the quarters, this time 2-0.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 10-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) overall | 3-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) vs. pro teams | 0-0-2 (1-1 in PKs) vs. 3rd Division

Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Raging Rhinos: 1999 US Open Cup champions

Founded in 1996, the Rhinos are arguably the most successful professional club outside of Major League Soccer, winning three professional second division titles in six league finals appearances. The club, which has also reached the Open Cup Final twice and won it in 1999, has never failed to qualify for the tournament.

Path to the Open Cup: Automatic entrant from USL Pro.

First Round: Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 2:1 Phoenix SC (USASA)
The Rhinos took the initial lead through JC Banks in the 27th minute of the First Round Tuesday and Anthony Hamilton doubled the advantage from the spot in the 55th. Visiting Phoenix SC made it a tense finish with a strike midway through the second half to make it 2-1, but Rochester’s defense held on. Recap [+]

League Form: Rochester traveled to Pittsburgh for league action Friday, blanking the Riverhounds 3-0 on first half goals from Rich Costanzo, Andrew Hoxie and Drew Cost. The Rhinos are in first place in the National Division with a 6-4-3 record.

Open Cup History: The club is most famous for its 1999 US Open Cup championship run with four victories over MLS clubs (Chicago, Dallas, Columbus, Colorado) after needing overtime to defeat PDL side New York Freedoms 2-1. The Rhinos also reached the final in their debut season in 1996, beating Tampa Bay and Colorado before falling to DC United in the final at RFK Stadium. Rochester also advanced versus MLS opposition in 2004, edging New England in penalties after a 1-1 draw, and 2005, topping New York 3-1. Both games were in the Fourth Round. The Rhinos reached the Semifinals for a third time in 2009, eliminating Columbus via penalties in a Third Round 1-1 draw and downing third division Wilmington 2-1 in the Quarterfinals before being eliminated 2-1 by DC.

Last year Rochester blanked the PDL Dayton Dutch Lions 2-0 and third division Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3-0 before falling 2-1 to the Crew in the Third Round. The Rhinos also have the distinction as the lower division club that has eliminated the most MLS teams with nine (7-10-4 overall, 2-2 in PKs)
PRO ERA RECORD: 26-12-5 (3-2 in PKs) overall | 17-3-5 vs. pro teams (all as 2nd Division franchise)

Chicago Fire

Toyota Park — Photo by Brian Kersey/Wireimage.com

How They Qualified: Seeded fourth overall, the Fire opened the play-in tournament in the second round of the western bracket of MLS qualifying. They defeated the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids March 30 with a 2-1 victory. Gaston Puerari, who was recently sold to Atlas (Mexico), scored the opening goal moments before the break with Andre Akpan answering back in third minute of the second stanza. In the haze remaining from flares set off at the hour mark defender Jalil Anibaba let loose a shocking 45-yard strike that surprised the keeper and proved to be the winner. Trailing San Jose by two goals in the finale for the bracket, Chicago’s Orr Barouch pulled a goal back in the 61st and Yamith Cuesta leveled terms in the 76th, sending the match, ultimately, to penalties where two Earthquakes rang shots off the crossbar in a 5-4 decision to send the Fire to the Open Cup.

This Month in MLS: The Fire played its fourth league match of the month this Saturday when they traveled to Foxboro to take on the New England Revolution, earning a 1-1 draw with Dominic Oduro scoring the opening goal. They also have two more contests before the Third Round with matches at home versus Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls June 22 and 26, respectively. They opened the month with a scoreless draw at home against the Seattle Sounders June 4 and repeated the outcome June 9 against fellow play-in qualifier Sporting Kansas City in the MLS debut of LiveStrong Sporting Park. Sean Johnson recorded both shutouts. The club extended an unbeaten streak to five games with a 1-0 home victory June 12 against the Columbus Crew with a stoppage time winning goal from Cristian Nazarit and Johnson registering a third consecutive clean sheet.
Last Five: D-W-D-D-D | Season Record: 2-4-9 (1-1-4 Home, 1-3-5 Away), Tied for sixth in Eastern Conference, 14th overall.

Open Cup History: The Fire are one of the most successful Pro Era teams, winning the Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006) and finishing runner-up in 2004. The team has qualified for the Open Cup every year since their founding in 1998. However, since the 2006 Cup title, the team has only won one game in the tournament since, going 1-3-1 (0-1 in PKs). Two of those four losses came against third division teams (Wilmington in 2009, Charleston in PKs in 2010), as did their sole win (Cleveland in 2008), with their other losses against MLS’s DC United (2008) and second division Carolina RailHawks (2007).

Last year, the team played a scoreless draw against the Charleston Battery in the third round, then couldn’t find the net in a penalty shoot, losing 3-0.
PRO ERA RECORD: 25-8-3 (2-1 in PKs)

FIRST ROUND

Reading United AC (PDL) 1:2 Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO)
Skyline Sports Complex – Harrisburg, Pa. – 7 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

Phoenix SC (USASA-East PA) 1:2 Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
Sahlen’s Stadium – Rochester, N.Y. – 7:35 p.m.
Full Recap [+]

ELIMINATED TEAMS

Reading United AC

Founded in 1996, the club has been a member of USL playing in the professional third division through 2003 and in the PDL since. Previously known as the Rage, the club recently applied the significant image change with its new affiliation agreement with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union in December of 2009. In recent years the club has been a dominant force, finishing first in the division three straight years and reaching the PDL Final Four twice.

Path to the Open Cup: Reading controlled the Mid Atlantic group essentially from the second game with two wins and a +5 goal differential. With all four games wrapping up midway through the division’s fixture schedule, the team’s perfect record and nearly perfect +11 GD set the bar too high for Long Island to catch up as the Rough Riders failed to earn the maximum differential, leaving them out of reach on tiebreakers come their final game. A Matt Sanner hat-trick doomed Brooklyn in the opener, 3-1, and a three-assist night from Hasani Sinclair in the second game led Reading to a 4-0 win against the Rangers. Will Bates provided a double in the 4-1 win at Westchester for the third win and repeated the feat two nights later in another 4-1 win, this time at home against Ocean City.

June News Updates: Fell 2-0 at home June 10 versus Long Island Rough Riders… Matthew Baker and Matthew Hedges scored in a 2-1 win June 5 at New Jersey Rangers… Four second-half goals after a 1-1 first half led to 5-1 victory (5 different scorers) on June 3 against visiting Central Jersey, who played a man down after 56th (three goals scored after).

Open Cup History: With its three Open Cup appearances the past three years as a PDL team, the club matched the number of times it played in the tournament as a professional third division side. Reading is yet to earn a win in the tournament, falling to higher division opponents on three occasions and once to a USASA club in a 1-0 decision against Bavarian SC (Milwaukee) in 2003. Last year, the team was knocked out in overtime, 2-1, by Real Maryland of the USL Second Division. Two years ago the team was knocked out 4-1 at Harrisburg (USL-2). This year Reading and the Kitsap Pumas made history by joining the Michigan Bucks (1999-2001, 2006-08) as the only three teams in PDL history to qualify for the Open Cup three years in a row.
PRO ERA RECORD: 0-4-0 overall | 0-2-0 vs. 3rd Division | 0-1-0 vs. Harrisburg (2009 First Round)

Local History: The German American Soccer Club represented Reading, Pa. in the Open Cup from 1940-1942, though the club saw little success in the tournament and often failed to move beyond the early stages of the regional qualifying rounds.

Phoenix SC

Officially known as First German Sport Club Phoenix for much of its existence, the Philadelphia club was founded in 1926 and is located in Feasterville, where it is home to numerous sporting activities. Although it is one of the oldest clubs in the 2011 field, it is believed to be making its tournament debut. The club plays in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania where it recently clinched the Men’s Majors Division title.

Path to Open Cup: The club opened the Region I tournament with a dramatic affair with goals from Scott Rowling and Danny Murtagh to take a two-goal lead against the Maryland Bays only to see the lead disappear at home in the second half, forcing overtime. A Bobby Francis penalty seven minutes into extra time gave Phoenix the 3-2 Quarterfinal win. The Semifinal match proved much easier with Murtagh giving the side a 1-0 lead in the 41st and Francis a two-goal lead from the spot in the 51st. An own goal from Go Soccer FC sealed the opponent’s fate in the 70th, sending Phoenix to the US Open Cup with a 3-0 win.

June News Updates: The team has been idle since winning the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania with a 12-1-1 record (2 games remain unplayed).

Open Cup History: Their first known match in the Open Cup was on October 18, 1936, when Phoenix defeated the German Hungarian SC 4-1. From that point forward you can find their name among the results of both the Open and Amateur Cups year after year. 2011 marks their first entry in the tournament during the Professional Era (1995-present).

2011 US Open Cup First Round: Rochester survives Phoenix rally to win 2-1

June 15, 2011 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Rochester Rhinos jumped out to a 2-0 lead just after halftime, and held off a furious comeback attempt by USASA side Phoenix SC to hold on for a 2-1 victory at Sahlen’s Stadium in the First Round of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.

The Rhinos came close to scoring early in the contest when Phoenix SC defender Jack Pocorobba cleared a Tyler Bellamy header off the line. Midway through the first half Rochester did take the lead on a goal from JC Banks in the 27th minute. Max Ferdinand fed a pass to Banks, who proceeded to beat Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Praticio for the goal.

Just after halftime the Rhinos were awarded a penalty kick after Ferdinand was fouled in the area by Praticio. Anthony Hamilton stepped up to convert the spot kick and give the Rhinos a 2-0 lead. Michael Tanke nearly made it 3-0 a few minutes later, but his shot went just wide of the post.

In the 71st minute Phoenix pulled themselves back into the game when Scott Rowling fired a low shot past the diving Rhinos GK Ryan Kenny.Phoenix kept up the pressure and nearly tied the game minutes later, but Kenny came off line to clear the ball out of the penalty area and thwart the threat.

Hamilton nearly added an insurance goal late in the game, but his shot was stopped by Praticio, and the rebound bounced off the crossbar.

The Rhinos will take on the Harrisburg City Islanders in the second round on June 21, at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg.

Postgame interview with Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley

RECAP: Rochester | Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester)

Scoring:
Rochester: JC Banks 27’
Rochester: Anthony Hamilton (PK) 54’
Phoenix SC: Scott Rowling 71′

Meet the USASA: Class of 2011

June 14, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Eight teams from the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) have qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and will attempt to become the 2011 tournament’s Cinderella story.

Will we see another Dallas Roma FC run from 2006? No one knows, but once again, TheCup.us has taken the time to introduce soccer fans to these largely unknown clubs. Click below to read about each club:

NY Pancyprian Freedoms (Region I – East NY)

Phoenix SC (Region I – East PA – Feasterville, PA)

AAC Eagles (Region II – IL – Chicago)

Iowa Menace (Region II – IA – Des Moines)

Regals FC (Region III – TX-South – Houston)

ASC New Stars (Region III – TX-South – Houston)

DV8 Defenders (Region IV – CA-North – Redwood City)

Doxa Italia (Region IV – CA-South – Orange County)

2011 Meet the USASA: Phoenix SC from Feasterville, Pa.

June 14, 2011 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Welcome to our continuing series of Meet the USASA features where we annually profile the clubs representing the United States Adult Soccer Association in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Advancing from the four regional tournaments, these often unknown clubs have great stories to tell and each year, our goal is to allow fans to get to know them as they attempt to become this year’s Cinderella story. Click here for more Meet the USASA stories.

Playing its inaugural season in 2010, the Philadelphia Union is one of Major League Soccer’s newest franchises. But just about 40 miles northeast of the Union’s PPL Park Chester-based home exists the overlooked Phoenix SC, one of the nation’s oldest soccer clubs. It is a sports club that has survived hardship over and over throughout much of the past century to find its way into the national spotlight.

The full name of the club as it was founded is First German Sport Club Phoenix, and while the team commonly referred to as simply Phoenix SC may be making its first appearance in the US Open Cup in the Pro Era, the club has a rich history that dates back 85 years. Playing as the oldest among the field in 2011, the USASA Region I finalists have become the third oldest club to participate in the U.S. Open Cup in the Pro Era. The only clubs that are older are fellow Philadelphia-area club United German Hungarians (founded in 1910) and the Croatian Eagles of Milwaukee (1922).

The club’s roots date back to the early 1920s, when a group of German immigrants formed the German American Soccer Club. After a disagreement within the club caused some officers and members to leave, the group decided to form their own club. On April 9, 1926, the First German Sport Club Phoenix was formed.

Despite being born out of strife, the team found success almost immediately, winning the German-Pennsylvania Cup League in 1931, 1933 and 1934. When housing expansion began in Philadelphia in 1938, the club lost all of its regular playing fields. But instead of throwing in the towel, the management of the club made another great decision. The club purchased 38 acres of land 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia in Feasterville, a location the club has remained at ever since.

Soon after wining the Philadelphia Soccer League title in 1941, the club fell on hard times. A combination of members serving in World War II in addition to an embargo on German immigration during the war left Phoenix struggling to field teams. Following the return of club members from the war German immigration bans were eventually lifted and the club began to rise from tumult yet again for a third time.

Their first known match in the US Open Cup was on October 18, 1936, defeating the German Hungarian SC 4-1. While Phoenix were not always the most successful team in Open Cup play, year after year you can find their name among the results of both the Open and Amateur Cups in the archives.

Fast forward about 60-70 years and you will find the modern version of Phoenix SC has compiled an impressive list of achievements in the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association. Since 2008 they have won Philadelphia’s United Soccer League three times (2008, 2010 & 2011) and finished just four points out of the top spot in 2009. Phoenix has also represented the EPSA in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup tournament the last three years as well as in 2007 and 2003.

The Sunday after their Open Cup game against the Rochester Rhinos, Phoenix SC will be playing in the Region I final of the USASA Open Cup against the New York Pancyprian Freedoms for the chance to be one of four regional champions that will play for the USASA Open Cup championship in July in Bowling Green, KY.

The Freedoms are one of the other few clubs among the Open Cup field in 2011 and recent years that are twice the age of MLS having been founded in 1974. In their first round match they play the second-oldest team in the tournament this year, the Brooklyn Italians of a 1949 birth. Unlike their older counterpart Phoenix SC, the two New York sides have both won the tournament in the past, a total of three each to be more precise.

Phoenix, though, has its own marquee first round contest at hand facing a Rhinos franchise that is the only lower division club to win the US Open Cup since the birth of MLS in 1996, downing four from the top flight in a row to win the 1999 championship. Although Rochester is the lower division’s best at giant-killing by eliminating MLS teams on nine occasions, the USASA side does have some hope as the Rhinos have a habit of letting their guard down against lower level teams in the early rounds of the tournament, including the fact they needed overtime to oust the then PDL Freedoms in the first round in 1999.

And if Phoenix performs a miracle in western New York, they’ll be guaranteed a return to the Keystone State for a second round match against fellow Pennsylvania sides Reading United AC (PDL) or Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro), both of whom are, ironically, affiliates of the Union.

Fre Kamara, Dan Murtagh and Virgis Anusaukas were the teams leading scorers during the league 12-1-1 campaign in league play while Bobby Francis and Ryan Soroka were among the leaders setting up the goals.

In the Region I Tournament, it was Murtagh and Francis that were regularly on the scoresheet, guiding Phoenix SC to the berth and a spot in regional final.

The club opened the Region I tournament with a dramatic affair with goals from Scott Rowling and Danny Murtagh to take a two-goal lead against the Maryland Bays only to see the lead disappear at home in the second half, forcing overtime. A Bobby Francis penalty seven minutes into extra time gave Phoenix the 3-2 Quarterfinal win. The Semifinal match proved much easier with Murtagh giving the side a 1-0 lead in the 41st and Francis a two-goal lead from the spot in the 51st. An own goal from Go Soccer FC sealed the opponent’s fate in the 70th, sending Phoenix to the US Open Cup with a 3-0 win.

Phoenix SC are the third team from Eastern Pennsylvania to advance to the tournament from Region I, following in the footsteps of Vereinigung Erzgebirge (1999) and United German Hungarians (2002) after a nine-year absence. Prior to the Pro Era, clubs from Eastern PA were quite successful, winning nine US Open Cup championships in 16 appearances. The Bethlehem Steel, in fact, have more championships than any other club having won five (1915, 16, 18, 19, 26) in addition to finishing runners-up in 1917. The Ukrainian Nationals won four championships in the 1960s (1960, 61, 62, 66, runners-up 64), part of a quartet tied for second-most that includes Greek American Atlas (NY), Fall River Marksmen (MA) and the Chicago Fire, who are among the field this year. Finishing as runners-up previously in the tournament were United German Hungarians (1977, 93), Philadelphia Nationals (1949, 52) and German American SC (1936).

Oldest teams to qualify in US Open Cup
Professional Era (1995-present)*

1910 – United German Hungarians (Oakford, PA)
1922 – Croatian Eagles (Milwaukee, WI)
1926 – Phoenix SC (Feasterville, PA)
1927 – SAC Wisla (Chicago, IL)
1929 – Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI)
1931 – Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Warminster, PA)
1940 – AAC Eagles (Chicago, IL)
1941 – Greek American Atlas (Queens, NY)
1959 – RWB Adria (Chicago, IL)
*Year club was founded, not their first USOC appearance

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Cup veterans NY Pancyprian Freedoms qualify along with first timers Phoenix SC (Video)

May 22, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

Phoenix SC opening goal – Murtagh free kickIn two very contrasting USASA Region I semifinal matches, the three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fifth time in the Pro Era with a dramatic 4-2 victory against Mass Premier Soccer while Phoenix SC of Philadelphia shutout Go Soccer FC 3-0 to advance to the tournament for the first time. Both clubs won on the road.

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

It was a tale of two halves. Sometimes cliches are over-used, but there is no better way to describe the USASA Region I Semifinal match between Mass Premier Soccer and the visiting New York Pancyprian Freedoms Sunday afternoon as the New Yorkers rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 4-2 and claim a berth to the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Meeting for the first time, the sides felt each other out for the first 20 minutes before strategies started too take shape. MPS would absorb a Pancyprian attack and look to pick off the small passes and quickly counter with speed.

The strategy worked as planned when the MPS defense stole a through ball and quickly advanced it through midfield in the 24^th minute. One touch outside and Nick Tornaritis whipped in a deadly cross which found rumbling forward Dan Rudolph. Rudolph got his head to it, and the ball struck the post. However, his persistence paid off as he collected his own rebound and slotted it home for opening tally of the game.

New York tried to respond but they were settling for long range blasts that goalkeeper Nick Armington was handling well. MPS kept the ball in New York’s half for the majority of the play and the pressure paid off.

2011 New York Pancyprian Freedoms: Standing (Left to Right): Nick Katsanos, Chris Iordanou, Tasso Polydefkis, Mahamadu Simpara, Pete Halkidis, Matia Damiani, John Koutsounadis, Stefan Dimitrov, Peter Pavlakos, Jon Simos | Seating (Left to Right): Nick Christopher, Chris Zisimatos, Chad Calderone, Stelios Andreou, Jeff Matteo, Tommy Vlahos, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, Billy Antoniou

Nearing halftime, Matt Nolan made a cheeky run down the right flank and, after juggling the ball over a New York defender, he was brought down hard outside the box. The foul warranted a New York yellow card, but moments later the foul would prove more costly. From about 30 yards out, Matt Hoff let loose a rocket of a free kick that careened off a Freedoms defender and deflected into the net two minutes before the break, doubling the advantage.

Each club made two changes at the half, and from the get-go you could see it was going to be a different game. New York came out fired up clearly did not want to make a five-hour drive home without earning a berth in the US Open Cup. The Freedoms began to attack the flanks instead of trying go though the heart of the MPS defense, and it started to stretch MPS.

Their new game plan paid off quickly as they halved the MPS lead in the 48th minute. Attacking down the right flank the Freedoms had MPS on their heels and defenders out of position. A great cross from Anastasios Polydefkis found the foot of an onrushing Stefan Dimitrov who calmly finished off a great goal.

After the strike, you could almost feel the momentum shift and New York knew they were back in the game.

Less than five minutes later the Freedoms would strike again on a goal by Julio Cesar Dos Santos. The two-time USL Pro scoring champion and MVP received a through ball from Dimitrov, and after taking a great touch towards goal, he was able to beat the MPS keeper and even the game at the 53^rd minute mark.

With the game back to par, MPS tried to regain its composure but the tide had shifted. With New York dominating possession and the MPS defenders constantly on their heels, it was only a matter of time.

Dimitrov scored New York’s go-ahead goal in the 71st minute. There was some debate as to whether Dimitrov was offside, but the assistant referee had a good view and kept the flag down. With MPS defenders caught off guard, Dimitrov collected a long range ball from Panagiotis Halkidis and was able to sneak through the flat MPS defensive line. One-on-one with the goalie, Dimitrov was composed and gave New York the 3-2 lead.

MPS had several chances to even it up, including a few chances on the opposition’s goal by Nick Christman and Dan MacGregor. But the New York defenders recovered well to cut down angles and break up the counter-attacks.

The last blow of the bout came in the 84th minute, and was again the result of flank play by the Freedoms led by John Koutsounadis and Dimitrov. Driving down the right side New York exposed the MPS backline and Dos Santos was able to get a slight touch on the Dimitrov cross, directing the ball inside the left post.

The strike sealed the club’s fifth trip to the US Open Cup in the professional era (1999, 02, 08, 10, 11) after having won the tournament three times in four years during the early eighties (1980, 82, 83).

“We are very excited,” said NYPF Manager Mike Iordanou. “We’re going to celebrate on the way back, but we have to get ready for the Cosmopolitan League playoffs next Wednesday, so we will be very busy leading into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.”

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

In the second match of the day, a free kick from Dan Murtagh four minutes before the break put things in motion for the visiting Phoenix SC from Philadelphia as the club used a penalty and own goal in the second half to secure a place in the US Open Cup. The free kick from 25 yards out was curled around the wall and into the upper corner.

Six minutes into the second half captain Bob Francis doubled the lead from the spot. The penalty was the result of Phoenix breaking down the right flank through Ryan Soroka for a cross in to Murtagh, whose effort was blocked by a handball.

Phoenix put the game well out of reach courtesy of Soroka again in the 70^th. The club quickly moved up the left side through Greg Mangels to Soroka, who crossed the ball into the area. A defender, tracking back to deny another Murtagh chance made a play to intercept the cross, but sent it instead into the back of his own net.

“I think it’s great, great for the kids because they’ve worked so hard,” said head coach Blair Thomson after the match. “The players are very excited about being in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“It has taken us a long while to get here,” added Thomson, noting that the club’s journey began last June with the club playing in events and league play before moving onto the state tournament and the current regional stages of the USASA national open cup. They will meet in the Region I Final the same Freedoms team that eliminated them in the First Round a year ago, 3-2, on an unanswered three-goal comeback led by Julio Cesar Dos Santos with two goals and an assist.

“We have only had two losses since last August. We are hoping that we can take the next step. It’s quite exciting,” he said about where the team is and what it means for the players, including standout striker Frebole Kamara as well as a couple of younger players that came on late in the game.

“He’s as good a player as I’ve seen,” Thomson said of his Liberian forward that put in an hour of work on the day. “He went down to DC on a trial and didn’t get past the first day, and I couldn’t believe it. Now, I hope we play well in the tournament so that he has another opportunity to be seen and get another chance.”

Match Capsules

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph (Nick Tornaritis) 24
MPS: Matt Hoff 43
NY: Stefan Dimitrov (Anastasios Polydefkis) 48
NY: Julio Cesar Dos Santos (Stefan Dimitrov) 53
NY: Stefan Dimitrov (Panagiotis Halkidis) 71
NY: Julio Cesar Dos Santos (Stefan Dimitrov) 84

MPS Lineup: Dan Rudolph, Nick Tornaritis, Tommy Day, Matt Nolan, Matt Hoff, Derek Stenquist, Nick Armington, Matt Cross, John O’Reilly, Nick Chistman, Desmond Mitchell – Subs: Kevin Unger (17th minute), Dan MacGregor (Half Time) Chris Doran (Halftime)

New York Lineup: Chad Calderone, Stelios Andreou, Stefan Dimitrov, Nick Christopher, Matia Damiani, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, Jeff Matteo, Mahamadou Simpara, Peter Pavlakos, Anastasios Polydefkis, Chris Zisimatos – Subs: Billy Antoniou, Panagiotis Halkidis, John Koutsounadis, Athanasios Vlahos

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

Scoring Summary
PHO: Dan Murtagh 41
PHO: Bob Francis penalty 51
PHO: GSFC own goal 70

Phoenix SC Lineup: Anthony Pratico; Bob Francis, Jack Pocorobba, Nick Pittaoulis, Greg Mangels; Dan Murtagh, Stephen Mellor (Kyle Soroka 70), Ben Castor, Ryan Soroka (Justin Dotzman 80); Scott Rowling, Frebole Kamara (Virgis Anusauskas 62)

Go Soccer Lineup: not available

2011 US Open Cup qualifying: Home clubs sweep quarterfinals of USASA Region I tournament (Video)

May 2, 2011 by Josh Hakala

New York Pancyprian Freedoms vs. Danbury United — The New York Pancyprian Freedoms (blue) defeated Connecticut's Danbury United 4-0 at St. John's University. Photo: Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

Home field proved to be a deciding factor on the day as each of the four hosts were victorious in the Quarterfinals of USASA Region I qualifying for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Sunday afternoon. Moving onto the Semifinals were Go Soccer FC (NJ), Mass Premier Soccer (MA), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) and Phoenix SC (East PA).

Dan Rudolph and Julio Cesar DoSantos were stars on the day, scoring twice each to lead their clubs to victories that will now bring them head-to-head. Rudolph’s brace gave MPS a 4-1 win over East Providence Sports (RI) while DoSantos’ double added another chapter to his fantastic career while guiding the Freedoms to a 4-0 shutout against Danbury United (CT). Phoenix Sports Club needed overtime to edge the Maryland Bays 3-2 and Go Soccer rallied with two second half goals to down Club Atletico Virginia in a 2-1 decision (Video highlights below).

With the win, Mass Premier will face the N.Y. Pancyprian Freedoms on May 22 in Lancaster for the Region I USASA semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament. In the another “Win & You’re In” match, Go Soccer FC will play host to Phoenix SC.

Mass Premier Soccer downs East Providence Sports 4-1
Report by Brian O’Connell | New England Soccer Today

LANCASTER, Mass. – Dan Rudolph’s two strikes against East Providence Sports helped advance Mass Premier Soccer to the USASA Region I Semifinals of the US Open Cup qualifying tournament with a convincing 4-1 victory at Citizens Bank Fields at Prongin Park Sunday afternoon.

Rudolph, who gave MPS the first goal of the game in the 32nd minute, added another in first half stoppage time while Andrew Hench and Derek Stenquist each picked up a goal in the 35th minute and second half stoppage time, respectively. A 44th minute strike from Armando Gomes gave East Providence its only measure of success on the afternoon.

Despite the scoreline, it was East Providence that appeared ready and able to find the board first. In the opening minutes, the guests had made a number of runs into their host’s half and earned a trio of corner kicks before the 10th minute. But, it was all for naught as each chance went begging.

By the half hour mark, MPS began to probe the East Providence end, testing keeper James Underhill with a couple of dangerous shots. Underhill withstood the attacks until the 32nd minute, when Rudolph nodded a cross through for the opening goal.

Minutes after Rudolph’s header, MPS stormed into the attacking third, where Hench helped himself to the second goal of the game inside the area at the 35th minute.

East Providence, who’s attacking spirit had left them empty-handed going into halftime, were stunned. Down two goals with the interval approaching, Gomes took possession in the middle of the park, beat a pair of defenders, and with only the goalkeeper ahead, slid it through to cut the lead in half at the 44th minute.

Any hopes of heading into the break down a single goal evaporated moments later when Rudolph emerged from a scramble in front of the East Providence net to bury his second goal of the game in stoppage time.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions

Entering the second frame staring at a 3-1 deficit, East Providence went from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation, hoping to find better success in the attacking third.

But, after coming up empty-handed following a series of chances, frustration began to mount. At the 57th minute, a hard challenge near the center circle fueled a midfield scuffle. East Providence’s Rui Fortes and MPS’s Tony Tornaritis were each given straight red cards for their roles, leaving each team with 10 men.

In the 76th minute, East Providence nearly cut the deficit again when Kyle Texeira sent a spectacular free kick that screamed over the paw of keeper Nick Christman before it continued over the bar.

Sending numbers forward in the remaining minutes, East Providence desperately sought any chances they could find. But, as a result, their defense was painfully exposed when MPS counter-attacked in stoppage time as Stenquist broke free and coolly finished it to find goal number four.

Freedoms blank Danbury United 4-0 in New York
Report by Nick Laveglia | The Borough Boys

QUEENS, NY — The New York Pancyprian Freedoms moved onto the next round of the US Open Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win over Danbury United today in Queens, New York fueled by a man advantage and a pair of goals from longtime club star Julio Cesar DoSantos.

The first half saw some chances, including a Freedoms header just wide of goal in the 32nd minute, but the game really did not pick up in action until the 35th minute when Danbury United’s Michael Mingione was sent off for a challenge on a New York defender.

The ejection opened the door for the Freedoms to take over the game, and they did.

In the 40th minute, former two-time USL Second Division (pro third division) Most Valuable Player and Scoring Champion DoSantos opened up the scoring with a header to put the Freedoms up 1-0, which they would take into the intermission.

New York came out of the dressing room looking to put Danbury away and nearly did 10 minutes in only to see the shot fly off the post.

Despite the best efforts of Danbury to get the equalizer, the flood gates opened in the 65th as the Freedoms were awarded a penalty. Stefan Dimitrov stepped to the spot and converted.

Ahead 2-0, New York did not let up on its opposition as just two minutes later John Koutsounadis put in the third goal.

Another New York attempt was volleyed off the post in the 75th minute before the easy victory was capped off in the 84th minute as man of the match DoSantos netted his second.

The Freedoms advance to the next round to play at Mass Premier on May 22 in a “Win & You’re In” match. New York, who has won the tournament three times (1980, 1982, 1983), is looking to return to the competition for the second year in a row and the fifth time in the Professional Era (1995-present).

Go Soccer FC rallies to top Club Atletico Virginia 2-1

BRIDGEWATER, NY – The only home club to trail on the day in Region I Quarterfinal action, Go Soccer FC tallied twice in the second half to beat the Metro DC/VA champion Club Atletico Virginia 2-1 to secure a spot in the Semifinals.

After a cautious opening few minutes, Go Soccer created the first chance with a long ball over the defense from Bryan Oelkers to Dom Paolella forcing a point blank kick save from the CAV keeper and again 10 minutes later after making a first save the CAV keeper denied Paolella again on the rebounded effort with a low diving save. Shortly after, the keeper came up big again when Brian Davis’ header off a corner kick was saved.

The hosts found themselves behind 14 minutes into the contest when a shot from John Carson from 45 yards out surprised and floated over goalkeeper Joe Roth’s reach to give Club Atletico Virginia the initial advantage.

The visitors looked to take advantage of the surprise, forcing Roth to make a diving save just another five minutes later.

The hosts engaged in their first series of pressure on the Virginian side with five minutes remaining in the half. A Go Soccer free kick from the top of the box that was initially cleared out was sent over the goal on a follow-up shot in the 40th minute and two minutes later a corner kick led to a shot that Fabio Andrade pushed over the crossbar.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 1st half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

It took very little time for the hosts to continue the offensive in the second half. Seeking an equalizer Chase Barbieri sent a shot wide left two minutes into the second stanza and in the 51st minute got his foot on a corner that was saved at the near post.

Around the 60th minute, Bryan Oelkers won a tackle on the left sideline and passed it off to Barbieri who drilled a low shot from about 25 yards to the far post, just under the keeper’s reach to level the score at 1-1 (2:53 of the video highlights)

The pace of the game changed after that goal and the Reds created several opportunities, but could not finish them off. A cross from Matt Heitmann was almost headed home by Paolella from the penalty spot, but the CAV keeper came off his line to get a hand to it, and gobbled up the loose ball right after.

CAV had a golden opportunity on back-to-back free kicks from just outside the box, but Roth came up big once again to keep the score tied.

Finally, the game-winner would come in the 87th minute (5:15 mark of the video highlights) when a Go Soccer free kick was headed out by a CAV defender. The ball wasn’t cleared out far enough as Dennis Maldonado took the ball out of the air on the right side of the box and volleyed a shot that went off the far post. After the ball smacked off the post, Heitman tracked it down and found enough space on the near side to fire a shot that beat the keeper to the near post to send the New Jersey champions to the Semifinals.

Go Soccer FC vs. Club Atletico Virginia – 2nd half highlights (Video by Go Soccer FC)

Phoenix SC holds off Maryland Bays in overtime to earn first-ever Open Cup regional win
(Still awaiting details from Maryland Bays)

FEASTERVILLE, PA – The visiting Maryland Bays made a valiant comeback from a two-goal halftime deficit to force extra time in Pennsylvania only to see the home side Phoenix Sports Club come away the victors, 3-2.

The Eastern Pennsylvania champions got off on the right foot with a goal in the 15th minute. Phoenix was pressuring Maryland’s end of the field when the ball was played into the penalty area. It came back out to the top of the 18 where Scott Rowling was waiting for it. Rowling fired a low-driving shot into the back of the net to strike first blood.

Later in the half, it was a case of teamwork and persistence as Danny Murtagh was sent in behind the defense after a nice 1-2 sequence in midfield. Murtagh found himself one on one with the Maryland keeper and took the shot. The goalkeeper stood tall, stopping the shot, but the ball deflected right back to Murtagh, went off his knee and past the goalkeeper for the second goal.

In the second half, the Bays leveled the match. After a cross came in on the left side, Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Pratico came off his line and attempted to swat the ball out of danger. However, the ball found it’s way through to the right wing where Bryan Moffa was making a well-timed run, and he put it into the back of the net.

Later in the half, Phoenix took a throw-in deep in their own territory. The throw was stolen by Maryland’s Chris Ports who dribbled through two defenders into the left side of the penalty area and beat the keeper with an impressive shot with his left foot into the far upper right hand corner.

Both teams created chances down the stretch, but the match would have to be decided in extra time. In the seventh minute of the extra session, Phoenix made a run down the right side and crossed the ball in but it deflected off a Maryland defender’s hand and earning a penalty kick for the hosts. Team captain Bobby Francis stepped up and buried the PK to put Phoenix up 3-2.

Maryland did everything they could to equalize and nearly did in the final minutes. With everyone back defending, the Bays forced Pratico to make an acrobatic save. He was unable to control the rebound and the ball deflected off a Maryland player, and rolled just wide of the post.

The win marks the first US Open Cup qualifying win for Phoenix SC at the regional level. Last year, they won their first-ever Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup title, but lost to the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the opening round. This year, they defended their Eastern PA title, beat CAV, and are now one win away from their first trip to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. To accomplish that they will have to play at Go Soccer FC (NJ) on May 22.

——————————————————————————-

Maryland Bays (MD) 2:3 (AET) Phoenix SC (East PA)
Phoenix Sports Club (Feasterville, Pa.) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
PHO: Scott Rowling (Unassisted) – 15th minute
PHO: Danny Murtagh (Unassisted) – 40th minute
MAR: Bryan Moffa – 65th minute
MAR: Chris Ports – 75th minute
PHO: Bobby Francis (PK) – 97th minute

Lineups
Maryland Bays: Ryan Hock (GK), Nino Mangione (Evan Scheffey), Matt Shell, Matt Beckman, Josh Taylor, BJ Quigley (Lucas Emil), Tim Lane, Chris Ports (Matt Beale), Bryan Moffa, Marco Mangione, Jon Ports

Phoenix SC: Tony Pratico (GK), Pat Dillon, Jack Pocorobba, Ryan Kelly, Danny Murtagh, Nick Pittaoulis, Frebole Kamara, Scott Rowling, Bobby Francis, Greg Mangels, Ben Castor | Subs: Ryan Soroka, Tom McNeil, Virginijus Anusauskas

East Providence Sports (RI) 1:4 Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Citizen Bank Fields at Progin Park – Field #6 (Lancaster, Mass.) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 32nd minute
MPS: Andrew Hench – 35th minute
EPS: Armando Gomes – 44th minute
MPS: Dan Rudolph – 45th minute+
MPS: Derek Stenquist – 90th minute+

Lineups unavailable

Danbury United (CT) 0:4 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Belson Stadium (St. John’s University) – 2 p.m.

Scoring Summary
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 40
NY: Stefan Dimitrov pen. 65
NY: John Koutsounadis 67
NY: Julio Cesar DoSantos 84

Discipline
DAN: Michael Mingione (red) 35

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 1:2 Go Soccer FC (NJ)
Torpey Athletic Complex (Bridgewater, NJ) – 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary
CAV: John Carson (Javier Castro) – 14th minute
GOS: Chase Barbieri – 60th minute
GOS: Matthew Heitmann – 89th minute

Lineups
CA Virginia: Fabio Andrade, Nikolay Aleksandrov, Javier Castro, Jordan Cullinane, Matt Davis, Dave Leon, Bryant Meckley, Matt Miller, Ryan Rich, Andrew Stadler, Kevin Tangney

Go Soccer FC: Dan Roth, Matt Heitmann, Chad Barbieri, Bryan Davis, Edgardo Alfaro, Bryan Oelkers, Dennis Maldonado, Justin Kamine, Steve Mellen, Chase Barbieri, Dominic Paolella

Semifinals (May 22)*
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) at Go Soccer FC (NJ)

* Winners of each game qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2010 US Open Cup qualifying: First round of Region I tournament in the books (Video)

April 13, 2010 by Josh Hakala

The USASA Region I tournament that got underway this weekend, is the beginning of what will eventually send two clubs to the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The opening round which kicked off this weekend will be followed by the quarterfinals on May 2 and the semifinals on May 23. The two teams that emerge victorious in the semifinals will both be awarded a spot in the US Open Cup, and if the format remains true to recent form, they will be matched up with either a second division or a third division side. Major League Soccer teams will not enter the competition until the third round.

There will be a lot of familiar faces when the quarterfinal round of the USASA Region I tournament begins on May 2. Out of the six opening round matches, five of the winners have qualified for the US Open Cup before with Go Soccer FC from New Jersey representing as the lone newcomer.

Two games were not played due to forfeits. Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York got a bye because the NPSL’s Erie Admirals couldn’t field a full team due to player availabilities and injuries. Maryland’s Charm City FC, a former NPSL club, got a free pass when Athletic Club (Western PA) lost their main sponsor.

Here are the results from the weekend:

Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go Soccer FC (NJ) | Sat. April 10 at Torpey Athletic Complexl

Go Soccer FC from New Jersey defeated Olympia Stamford of Connecticut 1-0 on Saturday to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. Alex Russo scored the lone goal in the 35th minute as the Go Soccer defense held Olympia in check for most of the evening. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT.

Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) | Denison Nursery – Ft. Washington, MD

The Aegean Hawks, the runner-up from the Metro D.C. / Virginia tournament, dispatched Jilly’s Bar & Grill from Maryland, 3-0. Watson Prather converted a penalty kick for the Hawks in the 37th minute and it wasn’t until the 76th when Ricky Schramm added a second and John Stephens put the game away in the 82nd to make it 3-0. The Hawks move on to the quarters to face the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT FROM AEGEANHAWKS.com

Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT) | Portuguese Cultural Center – Danbury, CT

Danbury United avenged their 2007 Region I tournament loss with a 2-1 win over Boston Olympiakos. Back in 2007, the two teams squared off in the Region I semifinals, with a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line. Danbury scored midway through the first half on a penalty kick that was scored by Gerson Canhao. On the other side of halftime, Valdo Miguel tied the game up at 1-1 around the 65th minute. The game-winner would arrive near the 80th minute when veteran Toni Fernandes sent a blast into the back of the net from outside the box.

“It was two different styles of play,” said Danbury United manager Victor Sousa. “Olympiakos played a very direct and physical brand of soccer with long balls being sent directly from the defense, so their chances were limited in the first half. We played more short passes, bringing the ball up the field, creating chances to score. In my opinion, the result showed justice.”

With the win over Boston, Danbury snap a two-game losing streak to Massachusetts-based clubs in the Region I competition. United will face Fenerbahce USA of Eastern New York in the quarterfinals.

Danbury United lineup: Andres Sanchez, Robert Miller, Justin Dell, Walter Salinas, Daniel Tomas, John Meyer, Michael Mingione, Toni Fernandes, Lamar Chancey, Gerson Canhao, Mauro Dos Santos | Dennys Farias, Joseph Dos Santos, Arthur Hilario, Ryan Chmielewski, Mauro Costa, Kenneth Cook, Ajani Maillard

Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY) | John Dewey High School – Brooklyn, NY

Almir “Zoro” Barbosa scored a pair of first half goals to help put Emigrantes Das Ilhas on their way to a 3-2 win over the NPSL’s newest team, the Brooklyn Italians. Brooklyn, who has a rich history and is a two-time Open Cup champion (1979, 1991), mounted a comeback with a goal by Marco Ruiz in the second half but Jose Veiga of Emigrantes extended the lead back to two with a goal in the 70th. 18-year old Kevin Beaton scored a second for Brooklyn, but it was too late as Emigrantes win to move on to face Go Soccer FC in the next round.

Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY) | Belson Stadium (St. John’s Univ.) – Queens, NY

Julio Cesar Dos Santos carried the New York Pancyprian Freedoms past Phoenix SC 3-2. Phoenix scored twice in the first 30 minutes, then the Freedoms, specifically, Dos Santos (featured by the USL as one of the best players in USL players in the last decade) stormed back. Dos Santos scored two and also had an assist in leading his team to the next round, where they will play Aegean Hawks FC on May 2. CLICK HERE FOR A FULL REPORT FROM THE NY POST

Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (1:4 PKs) United German Hungarians (East PA) | UGH Field (Oakford, PA)

One of the tighest matches of the opening round, the United German Hungarians eliminate Club Atletico Virginia in a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw. UGH, hosting the match at their home field in Oakford, PA, just outside of Philadelphia, trailed 1-0 at the break after CAV’s Billy Whittington scored on a header in the 20th minute after a cross from the right side from Andrew Richardson. UGH came out in the second half and leveled the match a few minutes after the break, after a shot on goal was saved but spilled by CAV goalkeeper Matt Scheer. UGH forward Jeremy Ortiz jumped on the loose ball to tie the game up 1-1. UGH added a second in the 70th minute off a corner kick that found Ben Marucci in the box, but CAV equalized ten minutes later. Virginia’s John Carson sent a long throw into the box and multiple defenders failed to clear, leaving the ball to Billy Whittington who missed on a volley attempt. After the ball snuck through all that penalty area traffic, it fell to Victor Krasij, who put it away. After going scoreless through extra time, United won the penalty kick shootout 4-1 to move on to the next round to play Charm City FC.

CAV lineup: Matt Scheer (GK) Tremaine Chinapoo & Phil Purdy (center backs), Jordan Cullinane (right back), Dave Leon (left back), Matt Davis and Victor Krasij (defensive center mids), John Carson (offensive center mid), Andrew Richardson (right mid), Fabio Andrade (left mid), Billy Whittington (forward)

UGH lineup: GK – Eric Talbot, (13) Tony Rod, (6) Will Thornton, (7) Blair Carson, (20) Ken Tomczuk, (9) Brian Blesi (Capt), (19) Matt Hemberger, (12) Ben Marucci, (10) Tim O’Neill, (15) Ryan Moseley, (8) Jeremy Ortiz
Subs: (5) Ryan Tadley for Moseley (46’), (18) Kevin Sherry for O’Neill (46’), (11) Brian Bowers for Blesi (87’), (4) Lou Daniele for Tadley (117’)

2010 USASA Region I tournament – first round results:

Olympia Stamford (CT) 0:1 Go-Soccer FC (NJ) – Sat. April 10
Boston Olympiakos (MA) 1:2 Danbury United (CT)
Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA) 3:2 Brooklyn Italians (East NY)
Jilly’s Bar & Grill (MD) 0:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA)
Phoenix SC (East PA) 2:3 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (East NY)
Club Atletico Virginia (DC/VA) 2:2 (UGH advances on PKs 4-1) United German Hungarians (East PA)
Athletic Club (West PA) at Charm City FC (MD) – Athletic Club forfeits (Loss of sponsor)
Erie Admirals (NPSL) at Fenerbahce USA (East NY) – Erie forfeits (Injuries/Not enough players avail.)

Quarterfinal schedule (May 2)

Fenerbahce USA at Danbury United – 2 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center (Danbury, CT)
Aegean Hawks FC at NY Pancyprian Freedoms – 2 p.m., Belson Stadium (St. John’s University)
Charm City FC at United German Hungarians – 2 p.m., UGH Field (Oakford, PA)
Go-Soccer FC vs. Emigrantes Das Ilhas *Emigrantes Das Ilhas disqualified*
Go Soccer FC at Brooklyn Italians – 4p.m., John Dewey High School (Brooklyn, NY)