Pipeline SC

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Washington Elite win OT barnburner, Baltimore Kickers return in Maryland Open Cup openers

January 24, 2014 by Richard Kirtland

Editor’s note: The USASA’s qualifying deadline for 2014 was moved up to Dec. 31, 2013 and since there was no way for Region I to fit state and regional tournaments in before the end of the year, so the 2014 Region I entries were already decided based on 2013’s results. The 2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC (New Jersey) and Amateur Cup winners, Greek American Atlas, punched their tickets to this year’s Open Cup already. Therefore, this year’s Maryland tournament winner will advance to regionals, and the regional winner will qualify for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The opening round of the state of Maryland’s Open Cup qualifying tournament — known locally as the Rowland Cup — packed some excitement into the first two games of the competition. With the winner of the tournament taking a big step toward qualifying for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, each team brought intensity and passion to the pitch. There was no lack of drama in either match with Washington Elite SC winning a 10-goal extra time thriller, and the new-look Baltimore Kickers Bayern earning a 3-1 win.

Both teams move on to the state quarterfinals which was originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 26, but winter weather has postponed the games and a make-up date has yet to be announced.

MORE: Maryland Open Cup qualifying schedule

Washington Elite FC 6:4 (AET) Pipeline SC

No one could have predicted the classic that the Washington Elite-Pipeline SC game would become in the first round of the Rowland Cup. Pipeline was no stranger to dramatic opening games, as they rallied from a 4-1 second half deficit to beat Spartan SC 5-4 last year. This year, the tables were turned as Washington came back to tie the game after trailing at halftime, and won the game after a wild four-goal extra time period.

The fireworks started early in this tilt as Washington scored in the 10th minute after Luis Rivera capitalized on a through ball from Josselin Passion and cleanly slotted it past Pipeline keeper Rob Hollasch. The scoreline would not remain that way for long, as Pipeline soon answered six minutes later when Malcs Manswell fed the ball to Taylor Brummitt, who dribbled around the Elite keeper in the area and put it away to draw even.

The game continued to go back and forth until the 40th minute, when Tommy Quaranta of Pipeline won the ball at midfield and hit a through pass to Joe O’Rourke who put the ball in the back of the net. Pipeline headed into the half with momentum and a 2-1 lead.

Coming out of the halftime break, Washington showed real defensive discipline, limiting the number of shots and slowing the attacking momentum from Pipeline. In the 60th minute, the Elite capitalized on a counterattack, racing down the right flank after a Pipeline set piece was cleared. Nahome Menzengia then proceeded to draw the scoreline level once again.

Elite would grasp the lead again in the 75th minute when Josselin Passion broke away down the left side of the field and was able to slot the ball past Hollasch for a 3-2 lead. The game seemed destined for a Washington victory when, in the 85th minute, Stafford Affori of Pipeline headed in an O’Rourke free kick to send the game into extra time knotted at 3-3.

In the first period of overtime, there was only one goal, but it provided quite a bit of controversy. In the 100th minute, there was a loose ball in the Pipeline penalty area, and a Washington player played the ball to a teammate while lying on his back. Pipeline stopped play, expecting a dangerous play call, but no such call was given. Menzengia collected the loose ball and fired it into the back of the net to give Washington a 4-3 lead heading into the second period of extra time.

In the second period of extra time, Washington began to pull away with two quick goals in the 110th and 113th minute, scored by Kevin Gnatiko and Harold Tchameni, respectively. Taylor Brummitt of Pipeline headed one into the net in the 117th minute, but it wasn’t enough for them, as Elite hung on to win, 6-4.

After the game, Bill George, the Pipeline SC coach, said “All credit to Washington Elite. They were the better team today and had us under a lot of pressure. We lacked depth today and it showed. I am proud of how hard our boys battled. Despite missing numerous key players, we battled hard and put ourselves in position to win. Without the depth, we ran out of gas in overtime and Washington was able punish us. Good luck to Carlos and his squad.”

Washington will move on to face two-time Rowland Cup champion Christos FC in the quarterfinals.

Lineups
Pipeline SC: Rob Hollasch (GK), JD Kershaw, Gus Teren, Phil Greatwhich, Eric Mullins, Nick Bermudez, Joe O’Rourke, Tommy Quaranta, Stafford Afori, Taylor Brummitt, Malcs Manswell (Brian Hernandez – 70′)

Washington Elite: Erick Batres (GK), Dannish Nelson, Joel Denose, Darrell Gonzalez, Juele Lawrence, Josselin Passion, Samuel Edoung-Biyo, Nahome Menzengia, Tim Wilson, Luis Rivera, Idrissa Seisay

Scoring Summary
WAS: Luis Rivera (Josselin Passion) – 10th min.
PSC: Taylor Brummitt (Malcs Manswell) – 16th min.
PSC: Joe O’Rourke (Tommy Quaranta) – 40th min.
WAS: Nahome Menzengia (Tim Wilson) – 60th min.
WAS: Josselin Passion (Luis Rivera) – 75th min.
PSC: Stafford Afori (Joe O’Rourke) – 85th min.
WAS: Kevin Gnatiko (Unassisted) – 110th min.
WAS: Harold Tchameni (Unassisted) – 113th min.
PSC: Taylor Brummitt (Nico Bermudez) – 117th min.

Baltimore Kickers Bayern 3:1 Malawi FC

The other Rowland Cup first round match of the day featured two teams that both have featured on the Maryland soccer scene for years. Baltimore Kickers Bayern used to be known as Mundo FC and made a strong run to the state semifinals last year, while Malawi was making their first appearance in several years.

The game was back and forth, with both teams enjoying long sustained bouts of possession and attacking movement. The Kickers registered the only goal of the first half, when Kunle Akinfeleye broke past the Malawi defense off of an assist by Vahid Zeinoddini.

Malawi equalized in the second half, but shortly after were called for a penalty kick after a defender chopped down Baltimore’s Suman Rai in the box. Johnny Melcher slotted it home from the spot to give the Kickers a 2-1 lead. In the 70th minute, Baltimore scored what proved to be an insurance goal when Frank Bakong cut through the Malawi backline on a Melcher assist, and made the scoreline 3-1.

After the game, Baltimore coach Leonard Van de Graaff heaped praise on his man of the match.

“Our central midfielder Johnny Melcher is the person I’d like to point to as having had an excellent game,” said Van de Graaff. “He recently joined the squad (after having played for the Air Force team) and has brought organization and discipline to our team. In this game, he assisted on one goal and scored a penalty kick for us. We’ve moved forward quickly since Johnny joined us and we look forward to more success, not only in the Rowland and Stewart Cup competitions, but also in the years to come. “

Local fans may remember the Kickers name as they have been around since 1953 and are one of the oldest amateur clubs in the state. The Kickers needed help keeping the team on the field, so Van de Graaff stepped with his Mundo club, took on the Kickers name to keep the tradition alive. The addition of ‘Bayern’ to the name was made to distinguish between the club’s first and second teams.

Baltimore will move on to play the Screaming Eagles, a rematch of last year’s semifinal match which the Eagles won 4-1.

Scoring Summary
BAL: Kunle Akinfeleye (Vahid Zeinoddini) – First half
MAL: Unknown goalscorer – Second half
BAL: Johnny Melcher (PK) – Second half
BAL: Frank Bakong (Johnny Melcher) – 70th min.

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Maryland final set after Bays, Screaming Eagles cruise in semifinal wins

February 25, 2013 by Josh Hakala

In what is typically a very competitive state qualifying tournament for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Maryland’s Rowland Cup semifinals were a pair of one-sided affairs. The two-time defending champion Maryland Bays will have a chance at a rare three-peat after cruising past Santino Quaranta and Pipeline SC, 4-1. The Screaming Eagles will join them in next Sunday’s final by defeating Mundo FC by the same scoreline.

The championship game will take place on Sunday, March 10 at Howard High School in Ellicott City, Md. The winner will advance to the USASA Region I Finals where they will face DC/VA champions Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in the quarterfinals.

Maryland Bays counterattack their way to a third straight final
By Matt Johnston

Coming into the Rowland Cup semifinals, the Maryland Bays had to be considered the favorite as the two-time defending champion and facing Pipeline SC, a new club that has only been in existence for less than two years. The Bays came away with the victory with a 4-1 scoreline that completely belied the run of play.

Pipeline SC had long spells of dominant possession, particularly early in each half, but were unable to translate that possession into goals, although they did have their chances. But despite all the possession, it was the Bays counterattack that produced their four goals.

The Bays had what general manager Andrew Dicea characterized as a typical slow start, and Pipeline established an early dominance, with much of the first 30 minutes of the game played in the Bays’ defensive half. Driving much of the play for Pipeline was holding midfielder Gus Terran, a former College of Charleston starter and relatively new addition to the Pipeline squad. Former DC United star, US international, and current Pipeline SC vice president Santino Quaranta nearly latched onto a fourth minute through ball down the right channel, but Quaranta put the ball just wide of the left post after nudging the ball around the sprawling Bays keeper. Quaranta would only play the first half before leaving the game at halftime

Just a few minutes later, Bays counterattacked down the left flank. A strong strike for Elton Joe was parried away by the Pipeline keeper, but the ball fell to the feet of Andrew Gillis, who slotted home the game’s first goal. Pipeline remained in control of the possession though, but were unable to convert a couple half-chances as the first half wound down.

The game appeared to be heading to a stalemate or a draw for the first fifteen minutes of the second half. But in the 61st minute, the Bays were on yet another counterattack, playing two attackers against three defenders. The Bays showed a tremendous amount of off the ball movement and the ball ended up playing across the backline to Mike Gill on the left side of the penalty area calmly slotted home the game’s second goal. But that was not without a great deal of controversy as at least twice it appeared that a Bays player was in an offside position in the build-up play and Gill himself might have been offside. However, the flag stayed down and the Pipeline defenders were more than a little vocal and upset. Pipeline coach Bill George rightfully called the goal “a game changer.”

Two weeks ago, Pipeline recovered from a three goal deficit to rally to victory and it appeared that Pipeline could do it again as the Bays continued to put men behind the ball and allow Pipeline to maintain the bulk of possession. Despite the large amount of movement among the Pipeline offense, but the front line appeared to not be on the same page, with passes ending up long, wide of the target, or behind the moving strikers.

In the 70th minute, despite the experience of the Pipeline back line, a deep centerback kept Elton Joe onside on a clean breakaway. Collecting the ball near the center circle, Joe sprinted nearly 40 yards to slide home an easy goal that may have been the icing on the cake.

Yet credit to Pipeline for not giving up. In the 85th minute, after much heavy pressure from Pipeline, former Real Maryland, Crystal Palace Baltimore player Sean Rush fired a 28-yard daisy cutter through traffic and past a sprawling keeper to nab Pipeline’s only goal. Yet, no heroic comeback was in the cards. In the final minute, on yet another rapid counterattack, Andrew Gillis netted his second goal of the day, but at that point the match was finished and shortly after the restart the referee blew the final whistle.

Asked about the prospects for the Bays in the final against the Screaming Eagles, Dicea admitted he didn’t know much about the Eagles other than their pace. “If they are moving well off the ball, it could be a great match up for us.”

Pipeline’s manager Bill George had praise for the Bays, “They are a quality side who will represent Maryland well in the US Open Cup. We wish them well.”

But the Bays have one more match before hoisting the Maryland championship for a third straight time, something that hasn’t been achieved in at least two decades. (TheCup.us’ Maryland Open Cup tournament records are incomplete)

Screaming Eagles book passage into final after rout of Mundo FC
by Richard Kirtland

It was a true showing of attacking prowess at Montgomery Blair High School as the Screaming Eagles managed to secure a berth in the 2013 Rowland Cup final after a 4-1 win over Mundo FC. The Eagles, a first-time entry into the tournament, are now one win away from a berth in the Region I Finals.

The scoring started early in the day as Rashid Deen managed to put a goal in the back of the net fairly early in the first half. Mundo FC then buckled down defensively, keeping the Eagles off the scoresheet until a few minutes before halftime when Godwin Amuzie tallied another one for Eagles.

After the halftime break, Mundo came out on fire, creating a number of chances and eventually scoring a goal of their own to force a 2-1 scoreline. The game then turned into a tense back-and-forth affair until Eagles player Alimamy Jabbie put in a third goal for the Maryland International Soccer League (MISL) side. Mundo then made several good attempts on goal, with most being parried away by goalkeeper Edwin Theodore. The Eagles then netted a fourth goal on the day off a brace by Deen. Content with a 4-1 scoreline, Eagles manager Adam Camara made a number of defensive-minded subs and Eagles held on to move into the Rowland Cup Final.

After the game Camara chose to praise his opponents. “Their team was a very complete team. They came out in a 5-3-2 and played very well.” Camara added that his team is completely focused on the Rowland Cup final on March 10 and that they are ready for the challenge.

2013 Maryland Open Cup Qualifying
Rowland Cup Semifinals

Maryland Bays 4:1 Pipeline SC

Scoring Summary:
Bays: Andrew Gillis (Unassisted) – 10th min.
Bays: Mike Gill – 61st min.
Bays: Elton Joe – 70th min.
Pipeline: Sean Rush – 85th min.
Bays: Andrew Gillis – 90th min.

Lineups
Maryland Bays: N/A
Pipeline SC: N/A

Screaming Eagles 4:1 Mundo FC

Scoring Summary
Eagles: Rashid Deen – 1st half
Eagles: Godwin Amuzie – 1st half
Mundo: Rigoberto Gutierrez – 2nd half
Eagles: Alimamy Jabbie – 2nd half
Eagles: Rashid Deen – 2nd half

Lineups
Screaming Eagles: Edwin Theodore, Isiaka Kamara, Malone Koroma, Ruben Asare, Rodriguez Gurllermo, Abdul Rashid, Rashid Deen, Mannie Yamson, Usif Sindel, Jonathan Orlando, Godwin Amuzie | Subs: Larry Sawyer, Bash Bangura, Francis Issa, Issa Mohamed, Alimamy Jabbie

Mundo FC:Ashkan Bahrani, Mehran Mirjafari, Rich Burrowes, Rigoberto Gutierrez, Brian Greuter, Chris Brown, Erick Requeno, Mike Somtia, Frank Bakong, Jake Kern, Ben Wagner | Subs: Vahid Zeinoddini, Eric Narcis, Arnaud Ngueguim, Len Van de Graaff

2013 Maryland Open Cup qualifying results
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Feb. 10)
ASA Charm City FC 5:0 Looney’s Pub North

Quarterfinals (Feb. 10/17)
Pipeline SC 5:4 Spartan SC (Feb. 10)
Screaming Eagles 2:0 Christos FC (Feb. 10)
Charm City FC 0:2 Maryland Bays (Feb. 17)
Mundo SC 2:1 Washington Elite FC (Feb. 17)

Semifinals (Feb. 24)
Maryland Bays 4:1 Pipeline SC
Screaming Eagles 4:1 Mundo FC

Final (Mar. 10)
Maryland Bays vs. Screaming Eagles
Howard High School

Past Maryland Open Cup champions
2012: Maryland Bays 2011: Maryland Bays 2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC*
2005: Baltimore Colts FC*
2004: Allied SC*
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s*
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps

*qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Bays, Mundo FC move into this weekend’s Maryland semifinals

February 22, 2013 by Gerald Barnhart

Defending two-time state champion Maryland Bays used a goal in each half to down their two-time runners-up Charm City FC for the third year in the row, this time in the quarterfinals by a 2-0 scoreline. Meanwhile Mundo FC rallied from an early deficit on a Mike Somtia brace to defeat Washington Elites, 2-1, to reach the final four.

The contests Sunday were the conclusion of the quarterfinals, which began the previous week with the other two matches. The semifinals will be this Sunday, Feb. 24 with Maryland Bays hosting Pipeline SC at Howard HS and Screaming Eagles visiting Mundo FC at Montgomery Blair HS. Both games are set for 11 a.m. ET. The final is set for March 10 at Howard HS.

Mundo FC bags a brace to move into the semifinals
By Richard Kirtland

It was a tense atmosphere in Cooksville, Maryland as Mundo FC and Washington Elites faced off in the quarterfinal match of the 2013 Rowland Cup. What started out as a nice sunny day turned into heavy winds and snow towards the second half of the contest. The sudden change in weather did not seem to shake Mundo FC, however, as they went on to secure a 2-1 win over Washington Elites and passage into the semifinal round.

From the first whistle the game was a very back-and-forth affair with Elite getting many quick breaks toward the Mundo goal. Danish Nelson made good one of these chances and put the ball in the back of the net in the 21st minute to put Elite up 1-0.

Mundo would get an equalizer two minutes before the end of the first half with a good finish by Mike Somtia on a ball from Ben Wagner to make it 1-1.

Around halftime, the weather turned nasty, getting very windy and snowy. According to Mundo coach Leonard Van de Graaff, this caused many balls to “hang in the air” and made ground play more essential.

Despite the wind blowing in their faces, Mundo snatched a goal in the 70th minute, set up by the same pair of Somtia and Wagner. This goal would prove to be enough, as brilliant keeper play by Brian Greuder would keep the score 2-1 until the final whistle.

Van de Graaff, after the game, would say that Greuder “made some big stops to keep it 2-1.” He would also go on to say that “Jake Kern, the Mundo sweeper, played a great game all around.”

Asked what the key to his team’s victory was after the game, Van de Graaff stated, “Elite has very good players… We defended well, and got a lot of passes in front of goal, which was key for our two goals… it was a very back-and-forth game.”

Mundo FC competes in the fall season of the Maryland Majors Soccer League and are based in Baltimore. They are two-time winners of the Bernie Reif Cup (2010 and 2012) and play in the premier division of the MMSL. They also won the Division I title of the Howard County Parks and Rec league in the spring of 2007 and 2008 and the Division I title of the Ann Arundel Spring league in 2011. Their current roster includes players born in America, Germany, Cameroon, Nigeria, Iran, El Salvador, Egypt, Trinidad, and Jamaica. At various moments in their history they’ve also had players from Romania, Mexico, Mali, France, Spain, Brazil, Kenya, and Zambia.

Third time not a charm for Charm City FC
By Matt Johnston

On Sunday, the two-time defending champions Maryland Bays and the two-time defending runners up Charm City FC met yet again in the Maryland US Open Cup Qualifying tournament, but this time in the quarterfinal round as opposed to the final. Yet, the end result was the same as the Bays topped Charm City with a 2-0 scoreline.

The two teams met early in the tournament as the result of the blind draw for all teams but the repeat champions. As a result of the draw, Charm City was placed into a play-in game held the previous Sunday. The result is that this developing rivalry happened early in the tournament rather than in the later stages.

Both teams expected a quality game. Charm City manager Patrick Crawford said, “As always, we know when we play the Bays it is going to be a hard fought game.”

Bays Manager Andrew Dicea agreed, “It’s always a great game against our largest in-state rival.”

Both managers felt as though their teams controlled portions of the match. Dicea singled out his central midfield pairing of Chris Ports and Brian Barry for their control of the midfield. But the hero on the day for the Bays was John Ports, who capitalized on a defensive miscommunication by Charm City to take a through ball from Andrew Gillis in the 17th minute.

Crawford commented on the chances Charm City had in the match. “I feel we controlled the game for the most part and had some chances but could not put the ball away. We just didn’t execute in the final third.”

The Bays second goal came late in the match as Charm City pushed forward for the equalizer. In the 87th minute Kevin Gnitcko slotted home a pass from Ports inside the penalty area for the second goal and the effective end of the match.

Both managers noted the quality of the match. Said Dicea, “We expected exactly what we got; a hard nosed effort from a very good Charm City side.”

Crawford concurred, “The quality of play was there from both sides, as we expected; as I am sure they did.”

The Bays have an expectation of a three-peat and believe they have the depth to make it to the Open Cup proper. “We do expect to win our state and region and make it as far as we can with the talent that our side has,” said Dicea.

2013 Maryland Open Cup Qualifying (Rowland Cup)

Mundo FC 2:1 Washington Elites

Scoring Summary:
Washington: Danish Nelson 21
Mundo: Mike Somtia (Ben Wagner) 43
Mundo: Mike Somtia (Ben Wagner) 70

Lineups
Mundo FC: Jake Kern, Mehran Mirjafari, Rich Burrowes, Rigoberto Gutierrez, Brian Greuter, Brian Weeks, Erick Requeno, Frank Bakong, Vahid Zeinoddini, Mike Somtia, Chris Brown | Subs: Arnaud Ngueguim, Ben Wagner, Ashkan Bahrani, Len Van de Graaff

Washington Elites: Not available

Maryland Bays 2:0 Charm City FC

Scoring Summary
MD: John Ports 17
MD: Kevin Gnitko 87

2013 Maryland Open Cup qualifying results
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Feb. 10)
ASA Charm City FC 5:0 Looney’s Pub North

Quarterfinals (Feb. 10/17)
Pipeline SC 5:4 Spartan SC (Feb. 10)
Screaming Eagles 2:0 Christos FC (Feb. 10)
Charm City FC 0:2 Maryland Bays (Feb. 17)
Mundo SC 2:1 Washington Elite FC (Feb. 17)

Semifinals (Feb. 24)
Maryland Bays vs Pipeline SC – Howard HS, 11:00 ET
Mundo FC vs Screaming Eagles – Montgomery Blair HS, 11:00 ET

Final (Mar. 3)
Howard High School
Past Maryland Open Cup champions
2012: Maryland Bays 2011: Maryland Bays 2010: Charm City FC
2009: Christos FC
2008: Baltimore Colts FC
2007: AC United (Note: Christos FC & Allied SC merged)
2006: Allied SC*
2005: Baltimore Colts FC*
2004: Allied SC*
2003: Brilla Baltimore
2002: Christos FC
2001: DiPasquale Baltimore Colts FC
2000: Jerry D’s*
1999: Jerry D’s
1998: High Topps

*qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Pipeline SC’s 4-goal comeback kicks off Maryland tournament

February 11, 2013 by Josh Hakala

After Mother Nature delayed the start of Maryland’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament, the Rowland Cup, the competition got under way with three teams moving one step closer to the USASA Region I Finals.

ASA Charm City FC and the Screaming Eagles both moved on with shutout victories, but the highlight, without question, was the comeback victory by Pipeline SC. In the 55th minute of their match against Spartan FC, they fell behind 4-1, but managed to battle back with four goals in the final 35 minutes to punch their ticket to the semifinals, 5-4.

After playing the Maryland Bays in the state championship game the last two years, Charm City will get a third crack at the two-time defending champs in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Feb. 17. That same day Mundo FC will face the Washington Elite to wrap up the round of eight.

PIPELINE SC 5:4 SPARTAN FC
by Richard Kirtland

It was a match for the ages at Heurich Park as Pipeline SC completed a thrilling 5-4 comeback win over fellow first-time entry Spartan SC in the quarterfinal match of the 2013 Rowland Cup.

It was a hard-fought game from the opening whistle, with Pipeline player GR Cannon opening the scoring in the eighth minute off of a long ball out of the back from Donald Gibson. However, it was Spartan FC who would respond next, equalizing on a narrow-angle shot from the side of the box just seven minutes later. In the 22nd minute, Spartan would score on a far-post header to take the lead, and they would add to their advantage just before halftime after pouncing on an uncleared corner kick to go into the halftime break up 3-1.

Pipeline came out after the half and controlled momentum, but Spartan still managed to add a fourth in the 55th minute. After that goal, Zack Bowman took over the match for Pipeline, tallying a hat-trick over the next twenty minutes to level the score at 4-4 in the 75th. Bowman almost had a fourth goal on the day in the 84th minute, but was tangled up with the Spartan center back in the 18 yard box. A penalty was called in favor of Pipeline, and GR Cannon stepped up to blast it home from the spot. Six minutes later, the referee blew his whistle, and Pipeline were proclaimed the day’s victors.

“It was one of the greatest comebacks I’ve ever been a part of as a player or coach,” said Pipeline manager Bill George. “It shows a lot of the character of our team.”

This is the first year for this team to compete under the banner of the Pipeline Soccer Club. The current team was formed in July 2012 as a merger between the Baltimore Juniors and Pipeline Soccer Club. While the team may be relatively young in age, they are laden with experience, boasting a bevy of players who have competed at the collegiate or professional level. Among those are Sean Rush, the club president/forward who played professionally for Crystal Palace Baltimore, Real Maryland, and Ribeirao in the Portuguese Second Division. Midfielder GR Cannon played for Baltimore Bohemians and had a brief stint with DC United back in 2004. This club also boasts club vice-president former US international and Major League Soccer player Santino Quaranta, who played most notably at DC United and garnered 15 caps for the US National Team. Despite his retirement, he may be suiting up in a Pipeline jersey before the end of the qualifying campaign.

ASA CHARM CITY FC 5:0 LOONEY’S PUB NORTH
by Matt Johnston

After two weeks of weather delays, the opening game of the Rowland Cup was played under clear sunny skies and seasonable temperatures. Charm City FC, the tournament’s runner-up the last two years, faced newcomer Looney’s Pub North FC for a spot in the quarterfinal round.

Charm City boasts a large core group of players who played for Christos FC’s Over -30 team that won the USASA National Over-30 Cup last year, and the cohesiveness and experience with each other was evident early on in the game. Looney’s on the other hand, is an amalgamation of players that includes the old Baltimore Kickers team. Indeed, some players were being introduced to each other just prior to the game.

At kickoff, the teams struggled to shake off the winter cobwebs. Charm City took control of the game early, moving the ball well from side to side, but often leaving players who were able to break through the Looney’s back line stranded without assistance. Such abandonment of play often led to poor shots or blunted attacks, as Looney’s recovered to often put ten men behind the ball. The Charm City midfield duo of Dan Lader, a former Crystal Palace Baltimore player, and Noah Merl, a former Seattle Sounders player from the club’s A-League days, easily controlled the middle of the pitch. Looney’s midfield, missing a few key starters, was unable to protect the back line, and early on, it was clear that a rout was in the offering.

After a number of poorly organized attacks, Lader opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a 25-yard screamer from the right channel. Barely had the dust settled when Tony Tamanini bagged Charm City’s second goal just two minutes later with a shot that appeared to take a late deflection and wrong footed the Looney’s keeper.

The teams platooned on a series of substitutes taking advantage of the college-style substitution rule of permitting an unlimited number of subs in a single half, but the substituted players permitted to return in the second half. Charm City came with a deep bench, able to put five substitutes into the game and Looney’s putting three into the match. However, it was the Charm City substitutes that made the most immediate impact.

Barely five minutes after entering the match, Wijy Jones latched on to a sly through ball from Merl and ran 20 yards unopposed to slot Charm City’s third goal inside the left post. At that point, the rout was clearly on. The final goal of the first half came when Kenny Suter powered home a shot from the top of the penalty area.

Following halftime, Charm City FC remained firmly in control of the match, but were obviously working on tactical thinking, moving the ball from side to side to get the fullbacks and wingers more involved in the play. Though much of Charm City’s first half played moved through the right side, the second half saw the left wing and left fullback getting much more involved in the game. During this period, Merl’s passing ability truly shown through, dictating the flow of the game from left to right and keeping the ball spread wide. Looney’s however, was not completely giving up, but balls played long out of the back left the Looney’s two or sometimes three strikers all alone with no support behind them. Shots were either well over the bar, far wide of the post or simply not taken as the Charm City defenders recovered and smothered attacks.

Moving the ball, largely from the right flank and into attack, Charm City was successful putting the ball into dangerous areas, but the final finishing touch was often lacking. Missed shots were the order of the day through the 75th minute.

After platooning substitutes again by both teams, Charm City continued to apply mild pressure, content to play the ball from the left flank into the center and back again. After several more crosses lead to naught, in the 76th minute, Charm City was able to play the ball quickly using a series of short 10-15 yard passes from the left wing, across the top of the box and toward the right side, where Kenny Suter one-timed a 12 yard shot for the game’s final goal.

The final 10 minutes were largely a display of the frustration of some of the Looney’s players, leading to a silly yellow card challenge by a Looney’s player and with right winger Ernest Jackson actually leaving the pitch in disgust and his team with only ten players for the final eight minutes.

Charm City’s 5-0 win sets up a quarterfinal match against the Maryland Bays, the two-time defending state champion, and a team that Charm City has lost to in each of those two years.

When asked about his team’s chances next week, Charm City’s Pat Crawford said, “You never know, there is a certain amount of luck to this. We lost the league championship last year to a team that we had beaten easily during the season.”

With a roster of 24 players, including, as Crawford pointed out, “many players over 30 and even a couple over 40,” Charm City’s depth may be their strength through the qualifying tournament.

SCREAMING EAGLES 2:0 CHRISTOS FC

The Screaming Eagles, making their first appearance in US Open Cup qualifying, made sure they kept the flag of the Maryland International Soccer League (MISL) flying as they defeated Christos FC 2-0 on Sunday.

The Eagles, who are the lone MISL team remaining after Spartan FC were eliminated, got all of their offense from Jonathan Orlando who scored both goals. Orlando was a star player at the University of the District of Columbia almost a decade ago.

The turning point in the match came in the 34th minute when Ben Kujawa of Christos tackled a Screaming Eagles player from behind in the penalty area and was shown a straight red card. Christos would have to play the rest of the game shorthanded and the Eagles took a 1-0 lead on Orlando’s penalty kick that followed.

The Eagles will join Pipeline FC in the semifinals with the draw for the final four to take place at a later date.

2013 Maryland Open Cup qualifying
(Rowland Cup)

Charm City FC 5:0 Looney’s Pub North
Western Regional Park – Cooksville, Md.

Scoring Summary
Charm City: Dan Lader – 24th min.
Charm City: Tony Tamanini – 26th min.
Charm City: Wijy Jones – 31st min.
Charm City: Kenny Suter – 42nd min.
Charm City: Kenny Suter – 76th min.

Discipline Summary
Charm City: Wijy Jones (Yellow – 36th min.)
Looney’s Pub: Unidentified Player (Yellow – 81st min.)

Pipeline SC 5:4 Spartan FC
Heurich Park – Hyattsville, Md.

Scoring Summary
Pipeline: GR Cannon (Darren Gibson) – 8th min.
Spartan: Unknown – 15th min.
Spartan: Unknown – 22nd min.
Spartan: Unknown – Before halftime
Spartan: Unknown – 55th min.
Pipeline: Zack Bowman (Sean Rush) – Time?
Pipeline: Zack Bowman (Aaron Velky) – Time?
Pipeline: Zack Bowman (GR Cannon) – 75th min.
Pipeline: GR Cannon (PK) – 84th min.

Lineups
Pipeline: Rob Hollasch (GK), Donald Gibson (Ade Parks – 32′), Phil Greatwich, Geoff Bowman, Eric Mullins, Joe Clancy (CJ Okoko – 28′ & Donald Gibson – 87′), GR Cannon, Gus Teren, Aaron Velky (Andrew Shoenfeld – 28′), Zack Bowman, Sean Rush
Spartan: N/A

2013 Maryland Open Cup qualifying
(Rowland Cup)

First Round (Feb. 10)
ASA Charm City FC 5:0 Looney’s Pub North

Quarterfinals (Feb. 10/17)
Pipeline SC 5:4 Spartan SC (Feb. 10)
Screaming Eagles 2:0 Christos FC (Feb. 10)
Charm City FC vs. Maryland Bays – Feb. 17 – 11 a.m. (Western Regional No. 5)
Mundo SC vs. Washington Elite FC – Feb. 17 – 1 p.m. (Western Regional No. 5)

Semifinals (Feb. 24)
Site TBD

Final (Mar. 3)
Howard High School