Portland Timbers U23s

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: After early scare, Reno 1868 scores six second half goals to beat Portland Timbers U-23s

May 22, 2018 by Inaki Gonzalo

Reno’s Greater Nevada Field saw two kinds of torrential downpours on May 16. The day started with one of the natural variety as clouds opened up and dumped a large amount of rain. After the match started, Reno 1868 FC rained down soccer balls on the Portland Under-23s net in a 7-3 victory in the Second Round of this year’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Weather delayed the start of the match for 15 minutes. Once the match got started, both teams looked slow in the beginning, neither team able to dictate their will on the other. Things changed in the 30th minute when a Rey Ortiz free kick was deflected by Reno goalkeeper Kyle Ihn before Ryo Shimazaki finished it to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Ortiz continued his set piece mastery 10 minutes later when his corner kick found the head of Wouter Verstraaten, who doubled the Portland lead to 2-0.

MATCH DAY: @Reno1868FC returns to USL play following an impressive win at home on Wednesday in the US Open Cup! #AllForOurCity pic.twitter.com/NNyfFhqf2l

— Julian Del Gaudio (@JulianKRNV) May 19, 2018

First half stoppage time saw a key moment of the match. Reno’s Sam Gleadle put a cross into the box where Jerry Van Ewijk place a shot into a low corner to pull back a goal and cut the halftime deficit to 2-1.

Van Ewijk equalized with his second of the night just after the break to make the score 2-2. Portland would retake the lead briefly via an own goal from Dembakwi Yomba in the 58th minute. After that, however, it would be all Reno.

The home side kept finding space and exploited the Portland backline in the second half, allowing Reno to score seemingly at will. Danny Musovski picked up a brace, scoring in the 68th and 72nd minutes, while Van Ewijk completed his hat trick in the 81st. Lindo Mfeka (85’) and Christian Thierjung (90’) added late scores to complete the rout.

With the victory, Reno joins Las Vegas Lights FC (who won later on that evening) to become the first two Nevada-based clubs in the Modern Era (1995-present) to win a US Open Cup match. Reno, along with amateur side Anahuac FC, advanced last year via penalty kicks, but those are officially listed as draws.

Reno move on to the Third Round where they will host their rival, Sacramento Republic FC on May 23.

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: Timbers U-23s shut out Kitsap with a little help from the Pumas

May 9, 2018 by Jeremiah Braeback

Former division rivals, the Portland Timbers U-23s and the Kitsap Pumas squared off in the 2018 US Open Cup for the first time since Kitsap left for the NPSL. Photo: Allison Andrews | SoccerCityUSA.com

The Portland Timbers Under-23s of the Premier Development League (PDL) punched their ticket to the Second Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, defeating the visiting Kitsap Pumas (National Premier Soccer League) 5-0 in front of 470 fans at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Oregon.

The 5-0 victory was the largest margin of defeat between PDL and NPSL sides in US Open Cup history, and the first meeting between the former PDL Northwest Division rivals, who met for the first time since Kitsap made the move to the NPSL following the 2016 season.

The Timbers U-23s quickly found themselves up a goal in the 12th minute, after Kitsap defender Kevin Francis was shown a straight red card by referee Ekaterina Koroleva, following a hard tackle just outside the box. With the Pumas scrambling to find their footing following the sending off, U-23s midfielder Rey Ortiz-Flores curled the ball into the back of the net, beating goalkeeper Cody Lang off the free kick to give the Timbers a 1-0 lead.

The match opened up following the goal, with both sides trading chances over the next 20 minutes, but the Timbers would once again find the back of the net, as Benji Michel’s shot off a cross from Ortiz-Flores was deflected into the back of his own net by Pumas defender Aria Shahmirzadi, giving the U-23s a 2-0 lead.

Portland would continue to press Kitsap through the remainder of the first half, with several chances to add to their lead as the first half ended. At the break, the Timbers U-23s outshot the Pumas 5-0, and had a 4-2 lead in corner kicks.

Rey Ortiz-Francis of Portland Timbers U-23s scores the opening goal off a free kick against the Kitsap Pumas in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Allison Andrews | SoccerCityUSA.com

Coming out of the break, the Timbers U-23s continued to put on the pressure, and it quickly paid off. Kitsap’s halftime substitute Jack Sluys slid to clear a cross, only to see the ball go in to the back of his net in the 50th minute, giving the Timbers a three-goal lead. The goal was an unfortunate piece of history as the goal marked the first time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a team has scored two own goals in the same match.

Following the goal, Kitsap had their best opportunity of the night, as U-23s goalkeeper Mario Sequeira made a leaping save to stop a Juan Carrillo shot heading into the upper 90 in the 52nd minute.

The Timbers continued to press Kitsap back in their own half, and they quickly found the back of the net again, as Alex Segovia sent in a pinpoint cross to Don Tchilao, who easily headed it home for the fourth goal of the match.

Facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit, Kitsap conceded possession for the remainder of the match, as the U-23s continued to find space and scoring opportunities, with Joel Walker capping off the scoring in the 84th minute to give his side a 5-0 victory, while Sequeira earned his first shutout of the young season.

With the victory, the Timbers U-23s will face off against Reno 1868 FC of the United Soccer League on May 16 at Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nevada, in the Second Round.

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: Well-traveled first-timers La Maquina eliminate Timbers U23s, 2-0

May 14, 2016 by Kristen Gehrke

Portland Timbers U23s La Maquina — Photo: Kristen Gehrke

La Maquina, a team that qualified for Open Cup play last fall before being suspended by its league following an altercation at the end of a playoff match, bested the Portland Timbers U23s 2-0 Wednesday night at Providence Park.

Travelling with just fifteen players, the Southern California United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) side was aggressive from the get-go, dominating possession and bossing the home team.

The visitors opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Alejandro Velazquez tipped the ball past the near post. An already confident team only grew more dominant.

The game was chippy at times, perhaps showing the inexperience of the home team and the passion of the visiting side. U23s’ Ben White was shown a yellow in the 45th minute for a fairly harsh challenge on goal-scorer Velazquez. La Maquina’s Eduardo Almaraz picked up a yellow in the 70th and the Timbers Chavez earned his own yellow for a tackle on former Chivas de Guadalajara forward Edwin Barboa.

Barboa was down on the field for an extended period, but recovered and, catching the U23s keeper off his line, tapped the ball over the goal line in added time to seal the win for the UPSL side.

La Maquina will host NPSL’s Sacramento Gold May 18 at Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif.

Scoring Summary
MAQ: Velazquez, 6
MAQ: Borboa, 90+

Lineups
POR: Nelson, De Vera, Chavez, White, Coffee, Murphy (Martinez, 56), Johnson, Dee (Macchione, 72), Jones (Small, 53), Prescott, Mueller.
TOTAL SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; SAVES: 2

MAQ: Sosa, Vasquez, Orozco (Palomares, 79), Borboa, Velazquez (Godinez, 88), Godinez Jr. (Almaraz, 57), R. Perez, J. Perez, Paniagua, Ramirez, Martinez.
TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; SAVES: 4

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: Arizona United’s 3 late goals, game-winner on final kick stuns Portland Timbers U23s, 3-2 (video)

May 14, 2014 by William Conwell

Arizona United put heavy pressure on the Timbers' goal in the second half, producing three goals in the final 10 minutes. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers — Arizona United put heavy pressure on the Timbers’ goal in the second half, producing three goals in the final 10 minutes. Photo: Craig Mitchelldyer | Portland Timbers

Arizona United opened their 2014 US Open Cup campaign with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers U23s. After going into the break with a 2-0 deficit, United stormed back in the second half, grabbing three goals in the final ten minutes of the match, including a stoppage time winner seconds before the final whistle.

After pulling back two goals to even up the score in the 84th and 88th minutes, United continued piling the pressure on the Timbers, keeping them off balance and unable to put a foot to the ball.

With the match’s five minutes of added time ticking away, Bradlee Baladez corralled the ball at the top of the Timbers’ box and fired off a low shot that had Timbers’ keeper Justin Luthy diving the across the goal, only to see his defender, Devon Fisher, stick out a leg and deflect the ball the opposite direction and safely wide of the goal, giving Arizona their fifth corner kick of the game. The corner kick came in and a header was headed on frame and deflected up in the air by Luthy and Arizona’s Jon Okafor rose up to head the ball back into the mix and he found Daniel Antunez, who vollied it home for the game winner in the final seconds of the match.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Arizona United narrowly avoided repeating the disappointment of their Open Cup debut last year when they were upset by a PDL team, FC Tucson, 2-1. With the win, they advance to Round 3 where they will play the winner of Tulsa Athletics (NPSL) and fellow USL Pro side Oklahoma City Energy.

#USOC2014 LINKS

2014 US Open Cup results
2014 US Open Cup bracket
2014 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders
The First Cup series (1913/14)
Round 3 draw scenarios

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While the second half was all Arizona, the first half was an even exchange between the two teams, with each generating a handful of half chances. The difference came on the set pieces, with the Timbers striking twice off of bent in free kicks. The first came in the 11th minute, when Jesse Garcia-Aguilar bent in a long dead-ball from the Timbers’ left wing, finding the head of Kyle Fisher. Fisher flicked the ball on goal and around Arizona keeper Evan Newton to open the scoring.

The Timbers U23s gave up three goals in the final 10 minutes. Photo: Diego G Diaz | ProstAmerika

Then, with the first half winding down in the 45th, the Timbers struck again from a free kick. Garcia and David Rose stood over the ball wide on the Timbers right, but this time it was Rose who sent in the free kick. His in-swinging delivery bounced in the box and was nearly blocked away by his teammate, Foster Langsdorf. The Timbers’ forward nimbly dodged out of the ball’s path, instead letting it bounce past a screened Newton and into the back of the net.

After halftime, Arizona came out ready to take the game to their opponents and the lack of playing time together for the Timbers U-23s began to show. With only a few days of practice under their belts, and 18 of the 22 players on the roster new to the club, the Timbers U23s scrambled to keep up with Arizona, but the size and stamina advantage enjoyed by United allowed them to break the TImbers down time and time again.

Finally, in the 84th minute, Arizona pulled back their first goal of the game and Kadeem Darces broke into the Timbers box. Darces tried playing the ball through a mass of packed in Timbers’ defender, only to have the ball bounce back to him. The second time there was a slight opening and Darces picked it out perfectly, slotting the ball into the far corner of the net for Arizona’s first goal of the game.

Only four minutes later in the 88th, Arizona struck again and it was a similarly scrappy goal. After a number of headers and bounces in the box, with the Timbers trying unsuccessfully to clear the ball, London Woodberry found himself in the right place at the right time. With defenders all around and Justin Luthy rushing off his line, the ball was crossed to Woodberry, who brought it down, had the ball blocked by a sliding defender, and then tapped it home between Luthy’s legs for the game tying goal.

Follow William Conwell on Twitter @williamconwell

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Savage puts Charleston Battery past Timbers U23s 1-0

May 22, 2013 by Michael Orr

The Charleston Battery needed an hour to find a goal against the Portland Timbers U23s, but Austin Savage’s header on Tuesday night at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland was enough to send the USL Pro side on to the Third Round. On a night when four other PDL teams upset higher-seeded opponents, the Timbers U23s simply could not find the form that saw them into the Second Round last week against Sacramento Gold.

To say Savage’s goal was against the run of play would not be fair to Charleston, but the Timbers certainly had the better of the play and chances to start the second half. Mark Sherrod, Reinaldo Brenes and Gabriel Conelian applied the pressure on the Battery goal for several opportunities in the first part of the second half.

Yet a quick counter and a looping cross from Jose Cuevas in the 60^th minute found Savage’s head in the six. The former Battery academy player positioned himself perfectly as Cuevas’ ball drifted just over Bryan Gallego’s head and allowed Savage to surprise Timbers goalkeeper David Meves with a strong header to the far post.

Meves looked like the hero for Portland when his 38^th minute save kept the Timbers U23s in the game after Charleston’s Dane Kelly got on the end of a long ball in the box. Meves came off his line and denied Kelly just outside the six-yard box when it looked certain that the Battery would take a deserved lead. The save buoyed the Timbers through halftime and up to the hour mark when Savage finally scored.

Cuevas was the most dangerous player on the field throughout the game as Portland’s attackers could not do much with their limited chances. Cuevas, the 2012 USL Pro Rookie of the Year and Championship MVP, nearly opened scoring in the 17^th minute but smashed his shot off the crossbar. Meves got a slight touch, denying the 23-year old and forcing the visiting Battery to wait until the hour for the lead.

The Battery move on to the Third Round where they are scheduled to host the San Jose Earthquakes at Blackbaud Stadium on Tuesday, May 28. They’ll host Rochester Rhinos on Saturday May 25 in league play as a prelude to the next round.

Scoring:

CHB: Austin Savage (Jose Cuevas), 60

Misconduct:

CHB: Zach Prince (caution), 11

CHB: Jarad van Schaik (caution), 20

POR: Mitch Lurie (caution), 55

CHB: Nicki Paterson (caution), 90

Line-ups:

POR: POR: GK David Meves, D Saad Abdul-Salam, D Mitch Lurie (Nick Palodichuk, 75), D Bryan Gallego, D Will Semore, M Eric Miller, M Zach Barnes, M Gabriel Conelian, F Zack Foxhoven (Jose Ribas, 62), F Reinaldo Brenes (Jaime Velasco, 73), F Mark Sherrod

Subs not used: GK Blake Hylen, D Travis Brent, D J.J. Greer, D Anthony Hobbs

CHB: GK Kevin Klasila, D Shawn Ferguson, D Colin Falvey, D Cody Ellison, D John Wilson, M Jarad van Schaik, M Zach Prince (Emmanuel Adjetey, 70), M Nicki Paterson, F Austin Savage (Taylor Mueller, 66), F Jose Cuevas, F Dane Kelly

Subs not used: GK Odisnel Cooper, D Mark Wiltse, F Heviel Cordoves

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Timbers U23s survive scare at home, rally to beat Sacramento Gold 3-2

May 15, 2013 by Michael Orr

Timbers.U23.Sacramento.DB-4 — Photo: David Blair | Portland Timbers

“Mark scored a lot of goals for us last year and we expect a lot of goals from him this year. But I don’t think he scored any as pretty as that,” said a satisfied Timbers U23 manager Jim Rilatt minutes after his team’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Sacramento Gold at Jeld-Wen Field. Sherrod, chipped Sacramento goalkeeper Dominic Jakubek in the 78^th minute to complete the home side’s comeback after the Timbers trailed 2-0 in the first half.

Max Alvarez was the catalyst for the Gold, pressuring the Timbers from the start and lashing a 20-yard shot past David Meves in the game’s fifth minute. Though Portland controlled most of the possession and had several chances to level the score, it was Alvarez who was the most dangerous player on the field over the first half-hour.

On 25 minutes, the diminutive forward scored his second following a determined effort on the wing by Eliot Chambers. The Gold’s midfielder did all the hard work before placing a square pass into the six-yard box for Alvarez to smash home for a stunning 2-0 lead.

Portland finally regrouped and sought better finishing late in the half, having dictated the pace of the game but failed on the final pass too often in the early going. In the 37^th minute, Zach Foxhoven nicked a shot off the inside of the near post and into the net to pull the Timbers back into the game. “It just took one of them to put one in and then we would get stronger,” Rilatt said.

Just four minutes later, Gabriel Conelian forced an errant Sacramento clearance with upfield pressure. While the chance might have been wasted earlier in the game, Conelian patiently controlled the loose ball and fired to the far post. The shot deflected off a Gold defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and drawing the score even in the 41^st minute.

Jakubek made two big saves at the end of the first half to keep Sacramento even going into half, though Alvarez nearly gave the visitors another lead when his shot in injury time caromed off the crossbar.

Timbers.U23.Sacramento.DB-9 — Photo: David Blair | Portland Timbers

The second half was less spectacular than the first as both teams settled in and tried to avoid losing the Cup tie. The balance was with the Timbers though, as they continued to pour forward whenever they turned Sacramento over. Mid-way through the half, Portland ratcheted up the pressure, mimicking Caleb Porter’s first team style and forcing repeated turnovers. Sacramento struggled to get the ball out of its own half at times, yet Chambers and Alvarez popped up on counter attacks when the Gold did clear midfield.

Sherrod, who had been a force in the air all night, finally got a long ball he could play from his feet in the 78^th minute. Left back Mitch Laurie’s ball dropped to Sherrod, who had beaten Sacramento’s offside trap. Jakubek came out to challenge but the second-year Timbers forward chipped the goalkeeper, celebrating in front of the gathered Timbers Army.

Portland wasted several chances in the final quarter hour to truly put the game away but misses by Michael Escobar and Anthony Hobbs kept Sacramento in the game until the final whistle. Alvarez almost got his hat-trick in the 84^th minute but his free kick skipped just wide to the right.

The Timbers advance to Tuesday’s second round and will host the USL Pro Charleston Battery at Jeld-Wen Field. They host Seattle Sounders U23s on Thursday morning in Portland before traveling to Edmonds, Washington to face North Sound SeaWolves on Saturday, making for quite the first week together.

Scoring Summary

SAC: Max Alvarez, 5

SAC: Max Alvarez (Eliot Chambers), 25

POR: Zack Foxhoven (Eric Miller), 38

POR: Gabriel Conelian, 41

POR: Mark Sherrod (Mitch Lurie), 78

Misconduct Summary

POR: Will Seymore (Caution), 33

SAC: Eliot Chambers (Caution), 47

SAC: Clemente Fonseca (Caution), 61

SAC: Rene Piña (Caution), 71

POR: Eric Miller (Caution), 84

POR: Mitch Lurie (Caution), 87

POR: Zach Barnes (Caution), 90

Lineups

POR: GK David Meves, D Anthony Hobbs, D Mitchell Lurie, D Travis Brent, D Will Seymore, M Eric Miller, M Zach Barnes, M Gabriel Conelian (Clark Phillips, 83), F Mark Sherrod, F Zack Foxhoven (Will Vitalis, 86), F Jose Ribas (Michael Escobar, 72)

Subs not used: D Bryan Gallego, F Jaime Velasco

SAC: GK Dominic Jakubeck, D Fernando De Alba (Rene Piña, 70), D Diego Marroquin, D Utodi Madu, D Robert Zevallos, M Eliot Chambers, M Adam Smarte, M Jimmy Frazelle (Oscar Sandoval, 46), M Clemente Fonseca, F John Jones (Manolo Piña, 64), F Max Alvarez

Subs not used: GK Christopher Shultz, M Abraham Prado

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

March 5, 2013 by Josh Hakala

Michigan Bucks vs. Chicago Fire - 2012 Third Round — The Michigan Bucks upset their second Major League Soccer team last year, knocking off the Chicago Fire 3-2 in extra time. Will we see another PDL team claim an MLS victim this year? Photo: Dave McCauley | Michigan Bucks

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

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

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

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

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

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

Central Conference

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Conference

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2012 US Open Cup First Round: PSA Elite nab 3-1 win in Portland against Timbers U23s

May 16, 2012 by Michael Orr

TimbersU23svsPSAElite.051512.LP_001-4-LeahParr — Photo: Leah Parr / Portland Timbers

PSA Elite made the trip north to Portland and emerged with a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers Under 23s in the First Round of the US Open Cup on Tuesday night. Two goals from Davis Paul sandwiched Christian Ramirez’s tally to separate the two sides on the final score line in an evenly played match.

The visitors escaped two terrific first half chances from the home standing U23s as goalkeeper Trevor Whiddon brilliantly saved a Steven Evans shot in the second minute and the crossbar kept out a Mark Sherrod header in the 27th.

While the Timbers were active and enthusiastic offensively, their chances were just slightly off. Evans’ shot wide of the right post in the 44th minute was emblematic of the night for the home side. Roberto Farfan flicked a ball in the box back to Evans, whose shot had Whiddon well beaten, but so too the post.

The visitors nearly opened scoring in the 13th minute when Brent Whitfield poked in a rebound after Spencer Richey could not hold Paul’s shot. But Whitfield was ruled offside and PSA had to wait until the 24th minute for the game’s first goal. A long throw-in from Joseph Sophia reached the six-yard box where Paul headed past Richey for a 1-0 lead. In the 39th minute, Ramirez lifted the ball off the turf, from Jonathan Prieto’s pass, and fired in PSA Elite’s second goal, easily beating Richey to the top left corner.

Portland pulled a goal back in the 56th minute when Eric Miller claimed a deflection and scooted into the box, firing at the near post past Whiddon. That goal delighted the home crowd and changed the pace of the game. PSA sat in defensively, only emerging on counter attacks through Whitfield and later substitute Andrew Riemer. Said PSA manager Gary Berry, “When you’re forced to play a young team, you certainly want to take the opportunities when they come and not force the ball.” Indeed, the visitors were patient as they weathered a late onslaught from the Timbers.

The Timbers’ best chance at an equalizer came in the 75th minute when Whiddon was called upon again, this time denying Mark Sherrod at the near post. A minute later, shots from Cameron Vickers and Evans were denied by deflections as Portland filled the box with just a quarter hour to play.

Yet Paul’s influence on the game for PSA was complete when he fired in the game’s final goal. The bending, one-time shot to the top left corner came from just inside the box and put the game finally out of reach for the visitors.

Said manager Gary Berry afterward, “The Timbers were super excited to be in the Open Cup and the Portland fans were right behind them. It was tough to come here and play on their turf, and they really had us on our toes.”

Michael Orr is a freelance soccer writer in Portland. Follow him on Twitter @maofootball.

Scoring Summary:
PE: Paul (Sophia), 24
PE: Ramirez (Prieto), 39
POR: Miller, 56
PE: Paul (Ramirez), 89

Misconduct Summary:
POR: Miller (Caution), 60

Lineups:
POR: GK Spencer Richey, D Reed Matte (John McFarlin, 78), D Marc Tonkel, D Chris Harms, D Anthony Hobbs, M Eric Miller, M Andrew Ribeiro, M Steven Evans, F Mark Sherrod, F Roberto Farfan (Clark Phillips, 53), F Emery Welshman (Cam Vickers, 34)

Subs not used: GK Justin Baarts, M Ricardo Carrillo, M Joey De Mare

PE: GK Trevor Whiddon, D Joseph Sophia, D John Lee (Luc Harrington, 85), D Joel Smith (Adrian Avila, 83), D Edwin Miranda, M Miguel Lopez, M Jonathan Prieto, M William Lopez, F Brent Whitfield (Andrew Reimer, 64), F Christian Ramirez

Subs not used: GK Michael Oseguera, M Martin Ontiveros, D Cameron Dunn

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

January 14, 2012 by Josh Hakala

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eastern Conference

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

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