PSA Elite

2015 US Open Cup: Michael Salazar of PSA Elite narrowly voted TheCup.us Lower Division Player of Tournament

October 21, 2015 by Dennis Pope

Michael Salazar of PSA Elite celebrates his goal against the LA Galaxy during the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: PSA Elite

Michael Salazar practiced little but perfected a lot in earning TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament honors after helping lead the Irvine (Calif.) amateur club PSA Elite (USASA) to its second consecutive appearance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup fourth round.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select of panel of members from the North American Soccer Reporters.

Salazar had three goals in four games, and finished tied for the tournament lead with four assists despite spending little time with the team aside the 90 minutes in between the lines.

“I thought PSA gave me a great opportunity to showcase my talent, and Jon (Spencer), Alex (Lujan) and all the guys that have been a part of it, they believe in me,” said Salazar, who narrowly edged Chula Vista FC’s Alberto Diaz for the award by two first-place votes. Also receiving strong consideration was Leo Fernandes of the New York Cosmos (NASL) and Alex Martinez of the Charlotte Independence (USL).

Salazar, already a full national team player for Belize after appearing in four games at the 2013 Gold Cup, is currently playing his senior season at UC Riverside and intends to enter the Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

“He already had the experience of playing big matches in front of big crowds (but) we’ve been able to see him bloom into a top-level talent,” PSA Elite president Alex Lujan said. “I actually expected him to be our leading scorer but he also led us in assists, so to have a player who is so fast, strong, creative and quick was phenomenal to have.”

Michael Salazar of PSA Elite celebrates one of the team's seven goals in a 7-1 win over the Golden State Misioneros in the First Round of the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: PSA Elite — Michael Salazar of PSA Elite celebrates one of the team’s seven goals in a 7-1 win over the Golden State Misioneros in the First Round of the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: PSA Elite

The 5-foot-11, 165-pound forward/winger had a goal and two assists as PSA Elite defeated Golden State Misioneros (PDL), 7-1, the first round. He then added another goal and an assist in a 2-1 upset win over the USL’s Orange County Blues in Round 2. He assisted on the game-winner in a 2-1 win over Ventura County Fusion (PDL) in the third round, which earned the club a date with defending MLS champion LA Galaxy.

“Mike brings energy to the field. He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s aggressive (and) he has a really good soccer mentality,” said Jon Spencer, PSA Elite’s head coach and technical director. “He simply comes to play his best every game. He’s been very reliable in that regard.”

Salazar saved his best goal for last, scoring the opening goal against the Galaxy but PSA Elite went on to lose that game, 6-1.

Despite the loss, the performance earned him a trial with Galaxy.

“They wanted me to be successful and put me in the best position. I felt like in every game I contributed and I did the best I could,” Salazar said. “(The Galaxy game) was a huge moment for me. Growing up as a kid I always admired the Galaxy and to score against them was a dream for me, and I hope it’s the start of something special.”

Past TheCup.us Lower Division Player of the Tournament winners

2015: Michael Salazar, PSA Elite (USASA)
2014: Scott Goodwin, Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
2013: Ty Shipalane, Carolina RailHawks (NASL)
2012: Danny Barrera, Cal FC (USASA)

2015 US Open Cup Round 4: Robbie Keane’s hat trick helps LA Galaxy end PSA Elite’s Cinderella run, 6-1 (video)

June 17, 2015 by Sean Steffen

Robbie Keane became just the second LA Galaxy player to score a hat trick in the US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy

UPDATE: The Round of 16 draw was conducted by the US Soccer Federation and it was determined that the San Jose Earthquakes will host the Los Angeles Galaxy in the next round.

Everyone enjoys a good Cinderella team, and no doubt part of the charm of the U.S. Open Cup is the alluring nature of the multiple David vs. Goliath matchups it has to offer. PSA Elite is an Orange County-based team who plays in an amateur league that falls under the 5th level of the USA soccer pyramid — the United Premier Soccer League.

The LA Galaxy have won three of the last four MLS Cups and are lead by the reigning league MVP, Robbie Keane, who also happens to have the most international goals of any active soccer players.

David vs. Goliath.

But the thing about David vs. Goliath matchups is, as fun as it is to see the underdogs pull out an unlikely victory, far more often you’ll see the Goliaths live up to their name and crush the Davids. This was the case when Bruce Arena, head coach of the Galaxy, shocked everyone by not only sending out his near A-team, but sending out what is arguably the most attack oriented lineup the Galaxy have fielded all season in a 6-1 Fourth Round victory.

From the very first minute the Galaxy had their foot on the gas pedal and attacked the armature side with near reckless abandon. PSA Elite made them pay early for their zeal by capitalizing on the space behind the Galaxy high line with a deft ball played in behind which PSA forward Michael Salazar put away nicely in the 12th minute, but the Galaxy would level the score just three minutes later off of a set piece. Sebastian Lletget’s shot off the corner hit the underside of the bar and the assistant referee determined the ball crossed the line, although replays have shown this call was somewhat dubious.

The Galaxy took the goal and ran with it and the game was over from that point on. Keane, Ignacio Maganto, Raul Mendiola and Lletget were all extremely active in the Galaxy attack, shifting around and creating chance after chance for one another, and when PSA managed to get the ball, they’d more often than not turned the ball over in their own third.

In the 19th minute Keane drifted to the outside of the box and served up a goal on a platter for Gyasi Zardes. Ten minutes later, Kenney Walker, spurred by a deft proactive run from Ingnacio Maganto, chipped a ball from the midfield into PSA box and in behind their backline. Maganto nodded it down perfectly to Keane who took the shot in stride.

The Galaxy would go on to steamroll the Cinderella squad with Keane scoring a hat trick. With those goals Keane becomes just the second Galaxy player to score a triple, joining Carlos Ruiz from the 2003 season.

Despite the result, it was a great run from PSA which was the last remaining amateur side in the tournament and it matched last year’s feat, reaching the Fourth Round.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: PSA ELITE AT LA GALAXY

2015 US Open Cup Round 3: PSA Elite’s 2-1 win over Ventura County earn them $15,000, another shot at MLS

May 28, 2015 by Joe Curley

The $15,000 match was decided by dueling substitutes Wednesday night at the Ventura College Sportsplex.

Abdullah Adam scored three minutes into his Ventura County Fusion debut to equalize with 18 minutes to play.

But Justin Dhillon answered with an 80th-minute winner seconds after coming on as a substitute to lift the United States Adult Soccer Association club PSA Elite to a 2-1 win in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Irvine, Calif.-based club advances to a Fourth Round showcase against Major League Soccer champion Los Angeles Galaxy on June 17 at the Stubhub Center.

It also earned US Soccer’s prize money as the top amateur side in the competition.

“From back to front, they’re a quality team,” Ventura County captain Javan Torre said of PSA Elite. “They have plenty of (youth) national team experience, plenty of ex-professionals. They did well together and they hung onto that win.”

Three of the five amateur clubs left in the tournament entering Wednesday were based in Southern California. After the Jersey Express and Chattanooga FC were eliminated earlier in the day and Chula Vista FC fell behind early, US Soccer’s $15,000 may as well have been pushed into the center circle.

Both clubs were all in.

The field was littered with some of Southern California’s finest NCAA Division I talent. PSA Elite goalkeeper Wade Hamilton and Ventura County midfielder Matt LaGrassa, as well as Dhillon, play for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, now for former US men’s national team coach Steve Sampson.

The matchup pitted collegiate teammates against each other. Ventura County’s Torre, Abu Danladi and Jordan Vale rode north to the match from UCLA with PSA Elite’s Chase Gasper and Nathan Smith.

“That just goes to show you the higher level it is,” Ventura County midfielder Matt LaGrassa said. “I think both teams did a good job limiting chances. We turn off for one second and they find the game winner on us.”

The Fusion enjoyed most of the possession, but PSA Elite carved out the better chances during a balanced first half. Will Lopez split the Fusion defense, but left his cleaver chip wide of the Fusion goal in the 12th minute. Seven minutes later, Michael Salazar nearly caught Ventura County’s Justin Vom Steeg off his line, but the future UC Santa Barbara goalkeeper made an excellent diving save.

Ventura County’s best save of the first half followed in the 29th minute. Set up by a pretty feed from UC Santa Barbara star Ismalia Jome, striker Javier Castro spun a 18-yard bid just wide.

Jinho Kim, Ventura County’s impressive South Korean import, then pulled a highlight-reel save out of PSA Elite goalkeeper Wade Hamilton from 30 yards.

The breakthrough came in the 39th minute, when PSA Elite midfielder Mats Bjurman converted from the penalty spot after Ventura County defender Michael Mercado handled in the penalty area.

Chasing the game at the break, the Fusion turned to Danladi, whose second half stoppage time goal had upset LA Galaxy II in the second round.

The 2014 Gatorade National Player of the Year nearly equalized inside four minutes, but his rebound chance from yet another Hamilton save came from too tight an angle and it fluttered agonizingly wide.

The Fusion finally drew level three minutes after Adam was introduced as a substitute in the 69th minute.

Kim’s free kick found the head of defender Sola Abolaji. After Hamilton dove to swat Abolaji’s header away from the goal line, Adam raced forward to slam the rebound into the net.

PSA Elite responded eight minutes later, off a seemingly harmless free kick on its own side of the field.

Dhillon came on the field and immediately converted the winner after Salazar took down a long ball forward that eluded the sleepy Fusion defense.

“I think we were trying to push for a win ourselves,” Torre said. “We left ourselves a little exposed.”

The Fusion had one real chance for another equalizer, but LaGrassa’s header crashed against the crossbar after Kim sliced open the PSA Elite defense with a through ball to Julian Zamora.

“Just one of those days,” LaGrassa said. “I hit the crossbar. We miss an open net. We had a penalty appeal (turned down) in the second half.

It’s frustrating, but they’re a good side.

“Credit to (PSA Elite). I think they’ll do well in the next round.”

2015 US Open Cup Round 2: PSA Elite upset USL side for 2nd straight year, beating Orange County Blues

May 23, 2015 by Dennis Pope

Michael Salazar scored and had an assist, and Orange County-based amateur club PSA Elite of USASA withstood a late barrage to hang on for a 2-1 victory over the USL’s Orange County Blues FC at University High School.

It’s the second consecutive multi-point performance for Salazar, who had one goal and two assists in PSA Elite’s 7-1 First Round victory.

“We got the goals like we should have,” PSA Elite coach John Spencer said. “Two goals in the Open Cup when you’re playing a pro team isn’t easy.”

PSA Elite secured its second consecutive trip the US Open Cup Third Round with the victory.
“I don’t think we’re going to be a secret to anybody now,” Spencer said.

O.C. Blues had the best early chances but could not find a finishing touch. Amani Walker twice had shot attempts in the first five minutes, and Christofer Ramirez sent a 25-yard free kick just over the bar seven minutes later.

PSA Elite went on the counterattack in the 19th minute. Michael Sperber collected the ball near midfield and sprayed it to Will Lopez making a right-sided run. Lopez crossed the ball back across the face of the goal to Salazar, whose header hit the inside of the near post on its way in.

PSA Elite went into halftime with a 1-0 lead, and after again absorbing pressure early in the second half, went up 2-0 on Mats Bjurman’s second goal of the tournament.

“ slipped it past the defender and I was clear through,” said Bjurman, who plays collegiate soccer at UC Irvine. “This is the level we know we can play at.”

PSA Elite made some changes to its defense before the game, with Jamal Wallace and Mitchell Bell starting at right and left back, respectively, in place of injured wings Robert Amick and Chance Gasper. Wallace forced the team to play down a man after he was sent off in the 82nd minute for a poorly-timed tackle.

“The red card is unfortunately but if you had told us we’d be up 2-0 I think anybody in the world would tell us we’re in great position,” Spencer said.

O.C. Blues forward Tyler Feeley was brought on late in the game and produced a 90th-minute goal off a long throw from Jimmy Turner to make it 2-1, but PSA Elite goalkeeper Wade Hamilton kept his team out of any other danger.

“That was a of a throw,” Hamilton said. “He threw it from the far side all the way to the other side of the . We weren’t expecting that.”

Four minutes of additional time expired without another shot on goal.

O.C. Blues head coach Oliver Wyss declined to comment after the game.

“They’re pros they should beat us every week,” Spencer said. “For tonight, we’re the best team in Irvine. That’s good. We can be proud of that.”

2015 US Open Cup Round 1: PSA Elite crushes Golden State Misioneros to cruise into Round 2

May 17, 2015 by Dennis Pope

PSA Elite celebrate one of their seven goals in a 7-1 win over the Golden State Misioneros in the First Round of the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: PSA Elite

Norberto Orejel made the most of his Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debut, scoring two goals in the first half as PSA Elite defeated Golden State Misioneros FC, 7-1, in a first round game at Weingart Stadium on the campus of East Los Angeles College.

Orejel scored twice in an 11-minute span to help PSA Elite build an unassailable 4-1 lead at the break.

“I haven’t played with (PSA Elite) a lot but I felt like I knew them. I was really comfortable,” Orejel said.

PSA Elite, which lost to Seattle Sounders the U.S. Open Cup third round game last year, will now play host to OC Blues in a second round game on Wednesday, May 20.

“It’ll be a good experience and a different experience as well,” Orejel said.

Mats Bjurman’s right-footed blast to the far post opened the scoring in the third minute as PSA Elite was rewarded for its early pressure.

Misioneros did not record a shot until the 17th minute when Paolo Cardozo’s dangerous free kick from the right side found to the head of teammate Brian Behrad but it was nodded just wide.

PSA Elite produced repeated scoring opportunities in the 23rd, 24th and 25th minutes before Orejel broke through with his first goal in the 26th minute, tucking in a through ball from Michael Salazar.

Misioneros found some offensive life in the 35th minute when Jeromy Gurule won an airborne 50-50 challenge vs. PSA Elite keeper Julio Trejo, sending Trejo to the turf and the ball into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, a flying header from Orejel off a cross from Will Lopez gave PSA Elite and 3-1 lead, and Aaron Simmons scored just before halftime for a 4-1 advantage.

PSA Elite pose for a team photo before their match against Golden Staet Misioneros. Photo: PSA Elite

“Our plan was to be organized and consistent throughout the match,” PSA Elite head coach Jon Spencer said. “We put a really good tone to it and as the game went on I think we showed a lot of patience.”

Andrew Hoxie (65’), Salazar (70’) and Kyle O’Brien (80’) each added goals in the second half for PSA Elite, who held Misioneros without a shot on goal in the second half.

“It’s a good way to start,” Salazar said. “(Misioneros) is a good side but I just feel like we had a game plan and we executed it well.”

Cardozo, a former Los Angeles Galaxy player, totaled just one shot on goal after his swerving free kick late in the first half was punched away.

Meet the Underdogs: PSA Elite returns strong core of players for 4th straight US Open Cup run

May 13, 2015 by Jose M. Romero

Kenny Cooper of the Seattle Sounders scored his 8th and 9th career US Open Cup goals in the Sounders' 5-0 win over PSA Elite. Photo: Seattle Sounders — PSA Elite (in highlighter yellow) became just the third USASA club to reach the Fourth Round last year, where they fell 5-0 to Kenny Cooper and the eventual champion Seattle Sounders of MLS. Photo: Seattle Sounders

Every year, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup includes a new batch of amateur clubs hoping to be the tournament’s latest Cinderella story. And every year, TheCup.us introduces soccer fans across the country to these teams that have been the heart and soul of this competition for more than a century. This year, we are expanding our annual “Meet the USASA” series to include the USSSA and US Club Soccer. We bring you “Meet the Underdogs.”

A photo of PSA Elite’s starting XI from in its Lamar Hunt US Open Cup fourth-round match of 2014 against Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders begs at least two key questions.

First, who looks better and brighter in neon green, PSA Elite or the Sounders? PSA Elite wore highlighter green/yellow kits that day in Tukwila, Wash., at Starfire Sports Complex. Answer: Debatable, but give the visitors credit for the ploy.

Earl Edwards Jr. of PSA Elite blocks a shot by the Los Angeles Galaxy II in their Third Round match. Photo: Aaron Jaffe | LA Galaxy

Second, which team is one of only three USASA sides ever to get to the US Open Cup’s fourth round in 101 years of the tournament? Answer: PSA Elite.

The Orange County-based club makes its fourth consecutive Open Cup appearance this year, opening on May 13 against Golden State Misioneros FC at East L.A. College’s Weingart Stadium.

Five of the 11 players PSA Elite started last year in that match against Seattle are back and healthy this season. Former US youth internationals Aaron Simmons, Nathan Smith and Michael Amick, will join Belize international Michael Salazar and UC Irvine standout Mats Bjurman on the new-look roster.

One key player that is missing is Earl Edwards Jr., the UCLA product who received a lot of attention after his performance in last year’s Open Cup. He earned TheCup.us Player of the Round honors in the Third Round for his 14-save, 120-minute shut out of USL PRO’s LA Galaxy II, which ended with him stopping two penalty kicks in the shootout to help his club advance to Round 4. Edwards is now playing in Major League Soccer for Orlando City SC and recently made his debut for the expansion team.

PSA Elite qualified for the tournament as a wild card entry by the USASA. The fact that they advanced to the Fourth Round of the tournament last year, made it difficult for them to field a full squad in the 2014 USASA Region IV tournament, so they sent a B-squad to the tournament in Orem, Utah and finished 1-3-0 as a result. However, since the reason for their shorthandedness was because of their success in the Open Cup, the USASA awarded the club its fourth straight entry. PSA Elite looks to make another run this year, perhaps going even deeper in the American championship tournament.

Club president Alex Lujan prefers to play it close to the vest as to who his 18 active players will be against Misioneros FC, a PDL side. He said he’ll choose from a pool of 30 players on the roster.

PSA Elite-Misioneros is a rematch of the USOC first round last year, which PSA Elite won in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw at the StubHub Center Training Field in Carson, Calif.

PSA Elite, a team of college players mixed with veteran professionals mainly based in Southern California, has one win over another PDL side in the tournament. It was a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers U23s in Portland, Ore., in 2012.

Jose Romero is a freelance sports journalist from Phoenix who is always looking for a game of any kind to watch. He’s a former Seattle Sounders beat writer who has written about soccer regularly since late 2008. You can follow him on Twitter@RomeroJoseM

2014 US Open Cup Round 4: Seattle Sounders flex muscle, crushing last amateur club PSA Elite, 5-0 (video)

June 19, 2014 by Nick Schiffler

It had been two years since Seattle Sounders FC had played a US Open Cup match at their home fortress of Starfire Sports Complex. They made sure not to waste the opportunity.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the Sounders swept aside amateur club PSA Elite 5-0 to reach the fifth round of the tournament. Kenny Cooper scored a pair of goals, Brad Evans and Cam Weaver added first-half tallies and Sean Okoli chipped in with a fifth late in the match.

“We weren’t happy with how we started the Open Cup last year, so we wanted to make sure we got off to a better start,” said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.

The Sounders certainly did that in a match that was never in doubt. They controlled play from the opening whistle, owning the vast majority of possession, and while PSA Elite defended in an organized, composed fashion for the first twenty minutes, it all came undone when they conceded a needless penalty.

Seattle’s Aaron Kovar worked his way into the box on a tricky run, then had his legs cut out from underneath him by a reckless tackle. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot, leaving Brad Evans to step up and send keeper Earl Edwards, Jr. the wrong way, coolly converting the penalty for the first goal of the match.

#USOC2014 LINKS

Support TheCup.us: Buy #USOC2014 gear

Notable upsets/facts about Round 4

2014 Round 5 draw scenarios

2014 Player of the Round winners

2014 US Open Cup results

2014 US Open Cup bracket

2014 US Open Cup goalscoring leaders

2015 US Open Cup qualifying news

The First Cup series (1913/14)

Twitter | Facebook | Flickr | Reddit

The goal clearly settled the Sounders’ nerves, and it seemed inevitable they would score again. In the 40th minute, they did. This time it was defender Zach Scott getting on the end of a Kovar cross and heading it in at the far post.

Seattle kept bombing in crosses, and the amateur side had no match for the two big forwards they were facing. A cross from David Estrada led to Cooper’s first goal, a point-blank header that Cooper smashed into the net for a 3-0 lead just before the halftime whistle.

“We wanted to have a little bit of a bigger team to take advantage of set pieces, because we knew they weren’t an overly big team and it’s a small field,” Schmid said.

One of those set pieces led to Cooper’s second goal in the 56th minute. After the Sounders won a corner kick and Kovar played it into the box, Zach Scott kept the ball alive and poked it free towards Cooper. The 6’3” forward then executed a successful bicycle kick from about six yards out to make the score 4-0, and left the PSA defense throwing up their hands in frustration.

The Irvine, Calif.-based amateur team never gave up on trying to sneak a goal against the Sounders – they began in a 4-5-1 formation before substituting on an extra forward at halftime – but it took until the 50th minute for them to register their first shot of the match, a fairly tame effort by Michael Salazar. It was also their last shot of the match. Seattle out-shot PSA Elite 21-1 throughout the game.

With five minutes left in regulation and the match no longer in doubt, Okoli tapped in a cross from substitute Chad Barrett to make it 5-0. It was his first goal for the Sounders. Okoli, who played for the Sounders FC Academy and U-23 teams, grew up in Federal Way, just 13 miles south of Starfire.

The Sounders avoided being knocked out in their first match of the US Open Cup for the second straight year. They fell on the road to NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 in 2013, putting an end to their all-time US Open Cup record 22-game unbeaten streak.

PSA Elite were trying to win their second straight match against a professional club, after knocking out LA Galaxy II in penalties in the Third Round. However, they were still the only club from the USASA ranks to reach the fourth round of the tournament.
Seattle will now host the San Jose Earthquakes (2-1 winners over Sacramento Republic) in the Fifth Round of the US Open Cup, at Starfire Sports Complex on June 24 at 7:30 p.m. local time.

REPLAY: PSA ELITE AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

2014 US Open Cup Third Round: PSA Elite’s Earl Edwards Jr. conquers LA Galaxy II, earns TheCup.us Player of the Round

June 6, 2014 by Grant Czubinski

Earl Edwards Jr. made 14 saves, including a PK save, and a pair of stops in the shootout for PSA Elite (USASA) in their Third Round upset of LA Galaxy II (USL PRO).

In the Lamar Hunt Open Cup tournament, goal scorers usually garner the lion’s share of the fans adoration, but every now and then, the man between the posts takes center stage and deserves recognition. Earl Edwards Jr.’s Third Round performance in PSA Elite’s (USASA) victory over LA Galaxy II (USL PRO) is one such instance, as his play captured the fans and media’s attention earning the goalkeeper TheCup.us Player of the Round award in the process.

The award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters. Edwards Jr. becomes just the fourth goalkeeper since 2011 to win the award, and the first since Bill Hamid and Joe Willis of DC United won the award back-to-back for the 2013 Final and Semifinal, respectively.

Unlike the voting for the Second Round’s award, the voting was much less wide open. It was basically two-horse race between Edwards Jr. and Blake Smith of Indy Eleven who accounted for all five of his team’s goals with a hat trick and two assists in a 5-2 home win over the Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO). No other player received more than 3 total votes as almost all of the first and second place votes went to either Edwards Jr. or Smith. In the end, Edwards Jr. finished 18 first-place votes and Smith finished with 14.

The UCLA captain and US Under-20 international helped PSA Elite become the last USASA club standing in this year’s tournament by stopping everything that came his way. Edwards Jr. racked up 14 saves throughout the game including a save in the 81st minute on a penalty kick taken by Galaxy forward Travis Bowen that would have broken the scoreless tie. After a pair of scoreless halves in extra time, Edwards Jr. proved resolute in the ensuing series of penalty kicks saving two of the Galaxy’s attempts helping to send PSA Elite through to the fourth round.

“Going into the game we knew we were the underdogs, so we knew that as a team we were going to have to make some plays,” said Edwards Jr. “Fortunately, I was able to make some plays alongside my team who were strong defensively.”

Earl Edwards Jr. of PSA Elite comes off his line to defend a shot in a Third Round match against LA Galaxy II. Photo: Aaron Jaffe | LA Galaxy

“Being underdogs we all had something to prove,” added Edwards. “As a group of college players, we all want to play at the next level. Getting the opportunity to compete against a professional organization gave us extra motivation, and thankfully we’re moving on to play another one.”

The win earned PSA Elite a trip to Seattle to face three-time US Open Cup champions the Seattle Sounders. This is the farthest the Irvine, California club has progressed in the three consecutive years that the USASA side has competed in the tournament. PSA Elite are one of three amateur clubs still competing in this year’s tournament. They are just the third USASA club to ever reach the Fourth Round after Cal FC (2012) and Dallas Roma FC (2006) who both upset Major League Soccer teams to reach Round 4.

Edwards Jr. performance in the Third Round is indicative of ability on the field. He has captained UCLA for the past two years and earned a bevy of awards throughout his collegiate career, including First-Team All-Pac 12 honors in 2013. Edwards Jr.’s coaching staff at UCLA – particularly assistant coach Nick Carlin-Voigt – urged the standout goalkeeper to get as many games under his belt as possible, and PSA Elite offered Edwards Jr. the opportunity to compete at a high level during the college offseason.

“PSA Elite has a history of fielding UCLA players, and I knew they were a quality side continually playing in the Open Cup,” said Edwards Jr. “Nick reached out to them and they were happy to have me, and I was excited to play for them.”

“The fact that they are in the Open Cup and able to compete at that level was appealing to me,” added Edwards Jr. “Once I attended a few training sessions and played with the team, I knew that we could make a run in the tournament. In the end it was an easy decision to join PSA Elite.”

Edwards Jr. and PSA Elite will be looking to continue their fine run of success in this year’s tournament and take down another professional opponent when they take on the Seattle Sounders June 18 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, WA. It will be a challenge for the amateur side as not only will they face a quality MLS side, but they will do it in front of a packed stadium as the match has already sold out.

2014 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 1: Vlad Baciu (RWB Adria – USASA)
Round 2: Luke Winter (Chattanooga FC – NPSL)
Round 3: Earl Edwards Jr. (PSA Elite – USASA)

2014 US Open Cup Round 3: PSA Elite last remaining USASA club after PK upset of LA Galaxy II

May 29, 2014 by Will Robinson

In the late Southern California evening, PSA Elite defender Aaron Simmons lined up for what was surely the biggest penalty in club history. Against the reserve squad of one of Major League Soccer’s premier sides, a berth in a battle against the Seattle Sounders was on the line after 120 minutes elapsed without a goal from either team.

Simmons, lined up, charged toward L.A. Galaxy II keeper Cody Laurendi. He coolly scored, advancing the Irvine, Calif.-based side, the final USASA side remaining in the tournament, to the next round.

“I can’t even describe the feeling,” forward Michael Salazar said postgame. “It was a good game and we came in as underdogs, and, you know, we just try to pack it in. Somehow, they couldn’t find the back of the net.”

It certainly helped to have a stellar performance by keeper Earl Edwards, Jr., who saved 14 shots, including two penalties in the deciding shootout. All night, he and his backline were tested.

The crowd was evenly split between Galaxy supporters, including senior manager Bruce Arena, and friends and family of PSA, cheering on their loved ones in the face of a professional side.

There were certainly signs of home field advantage in the first half as L.A. dominated the first 20 minutes, accruing chances while PSA Elite had to stay disciplined.

“In the beginning they had fresh legs, they were coming at us, and we just wanted to keep our game plan coming in, and I think it worked out fine for us,” forward Michael Salazar said.

A handful of dangerous free kicks were won and taken by Rafael Garcia, testing PSA. But PSA held up in the first 45 minutes despite recording more fouls and the first half’s only booking, a 21st minute yellow shown to Salazar, who played calmly up top with strike partner Lester Hayes in the upset.

The second half featured a more open match, allowing both teams to create chances up and down the pitch. It also opened up the referee’s book, handing out three yellow cards in the second half and two in extra time.

In the 80th minute, a window opened up for Galaxy II and forward Travis Bowen. PSA defender Michael Sahagian brought down the active striker in the box, forcing referee Michael Zapata to give a penalty. Bowen elected to take it but weakly took it, sending a slow shot that deflected off Edwards’ feet. It was the closest both teams got to scoring; a chance that would have sealed Galaxy II’s advancement.

Various chances occurred in extra time, but nothing substantial took shape until the shootout. L.A. Galaxy II won the coin toss and elected to shoot first. Substitute Laurent Courtois scored first followed by a cute chance from Jose Preciado – a chip down the middle, easily saved.

But then PSA’s fortunes shifted. The following three penalties for Galaxy II were mishit, either poorly taken and saved such as Jack McBean or Bradford Jameison IV’s attempts. Andre Auras put his attempt over the bar. Conversely, PSA finished their following three PKs, cementing the victory.

Next up, PSA face the juggernaut that is Seattle. U.S. skipper Clint Dempsey will not be in the fold due to the World Cup. But it’s still an intimidating task for Salazar, a 21-year-old University of California, Riverside student who took an exam early Thursday.

“That’s a whole different level now,” he said of Sigi Schmid’s team, “and I feel like we’re gonna go back, take in this win today and see what we can work on in the next two weeks.”

No matter, what comes next can’t detract from the realized dream of reaching the cup’s Fourth Round. PSA Elite, a side with just over 500 Facebook likes and under 100 Twitter followers edged a group of men paid to play soccer. And they just played for one thing: the love of the game.

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: San Diego Flash forfeit match vs. PSA Elite after home field becomes unavailable (UPDATED)

May 14, 2014 by Josh Hakala

Last week, the San Diego Flash received a free pass into the second round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after SC Corninthians USA forfeited due to player registration issues. Now, the Flash have confirmed they will be forfeiting their Round 2 match against USASA’s PSA Elite due to stadium availability.

On Monday, May 12, two days before their scheduled match against PSA Elite at Mira Mesa High School in San Diego, the Flash posted the following to their Facebook page:

“It is with sad hearts that we need to report to you that our US Open Cup Match on Wednesday CANNOT take place at our Home Field in Mira Mesa.

In all fairness to them, the Group who has the field reserved ahead of The Flash did allow us to have the field last week. They just are not on board to work with us this week.

We will still play on Wednesday. We will get back to you with updates as we figure out where the match can be played.”

In the last 48 hours, the team was unable to find a field to play on short notice. Flash CEO Clenton Alexander made this statement:

“It is with much regret that I have to announce that San Diego Flash will have to forfeit our US Open Cup match on Wednesday, May 14, 2014. The reason is because we could not find a field to play the game. Our home field in Mira Mesa has been reserved by another group on Wednesdays for weeks and the group was unwilling to allow us to use the field.

We searched all around San Diego for other venues for the past week, but there weren’t any available. For those who don’t know, typically rentals of facilities must be done at least 4 weeks in advance.

The moment I knew we were not going to have access to our field, I called the offices of US Soccer to find out our options. A call was made to the opposing team to give them the option of hosting, but they could not. I specifically asked “What is our worst case scenario?”. I was told that the game could be moved to the Stub Hub Center in Los Angeles and that we would merely have to cover our own travel costs.

Yesterday, we were informed that playing in Los Angeles was no longer an option and that a forfeit would be issued. This situation hurts a lot considering what everyone in our organization has put into building a winning team for San Diego over the past 5 years. I especially feel bad for our players and our true fans. We are still undefeated in 2014 and look forward to finishing our season strong.”

This marks the first time in at least 20 years that the US Open Cup has seen multiple forfeits in a single tournament. Prior to this year, the last Open Cup forfeit occurred in 2003 when the Bridgeport Italians (Conn.) fielded an ineligible player against the Chesapeake Dragons (PDL) in the opening round.

When asked if the late release of the 2014 US Open Cup schedule contributed to his team’s venue problems, and possibly even last round’s SC Corinthians USA forfeit. Alexander replied, “I don’t think it’s a good time to play the blame game. We’re obviously very disappointed in how this played out.”

While happy to advance to Round 3, PSA Elite were sympathetic to the Flash’s challenges.

“This is a very difficult situation for the Flash,” said PSA Elite general manager Gary Berry. “They have worked hard to get back into the US Open Cup, and to have this happen is very unfortunate. For PSA Elite, we would really like to have played them today. We had a chance to play them a few years ago and both teams have come along way since then. PSA Elite now has two weeks to prepare for the next round. We need to focus on that.”