Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

San Diego Flash

Things you should know about the Third Round of the US Open Cup

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Cal FC celebrate their goal in the first period of extra time. Photo: L.M. Parr | Portland Timbers
Cal FC celebrate their goal in the first period of extra time against the Portland Timbers of MLS. Photo: L.M. Parr | Portland Timbers

MORE: Notable upsets in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Since the expanded format in 1997, a USL League Two (formerly Premier Development League) team has failed to reach the Third Round just six times (1998, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2019). The recent struggles can be attributed to the fact that in 2007, the format was changed so that all non-MLS teams began the tournament in the First Round, unlike previous tournaments where USL League Two teams were matched up with other Open Division clubs. In more recent years, that format has been altered slightly where the First Round is exclusively Open Division clubs, with lower division pro teams entering in Round 2 and Round 3.

The biggest rout in the Third Round during the Modern Era came in 2014 when the Sacramento Republic (USL PRO) defeated the Fresno Fuego (PDL) 6-0.

In their 1998 Third Round match, Major League Soccer’s Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Worcester Wildfire of the A-League combined for nine cautions, and saw four players sent off. Tampa Bay won the match on penalties, after finishing extra time drawn 2-2.

The attendance record for the Third Round during the Modern Era is technically 20,376, which was set in 1999 by the Colorado Rapids when they hosted the Seattle Sounders (USL) at Mile High Stadium. The number of fans who actually watched the game is unknown because that game was part of a doubleheader with the U.S. Men’s National Team who were playing against English club Derby County. Since that game, the highest attendance in a Third Round game has been 17,212. This was set on May 29, 2012 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah when Real Salt Lake of MLS hosted the Minnesota Stars FC of the NASL. Unfortunately for the home team, they lost 3-1.

The highest scoring Modern Era Open Cup game occurred in the Third Round on July 19, 2005 when the Richmond Kickers (USL-1) defeated the Ocean City Barons (now the Ocean City Nor’easters of USL League Two) 8-4. The game was played at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va., a week after the original match was re-scheduled due to bad weather. The Barons scored first in the 4th minute, but Richmond stormed back with four goals in less than 20 minutes. With the score 4-1, Ocean City scored a pair of goals on either side of halftime to cut the lead to one. At that point, Neil Holloway, the Barons player/manager made some offensive-minded substitutions and pushed for the equalizer, but at that point, the flood gates opened and Richmond scored four more in the second half. The game would finish 8-4. The previous total goals record was shared by a pair of games. In 1995, the Seattle Sounders (A-League, now USL-1) defeated the Everett BigFoot (USISL Pro, now USL-2) 9-2 and in 1999 the San Diego Flash (A-League) cruised past the Arizona Sahuaros (D3 Pro, 3rd Division) by the same score.

In 2007, a record five MLS teams were upset in the Third Round, with only three clubs advancing to the next round. It was the fewest MLS teams to enter the Quarterfinals in the Modern Era (1995-present).

On five occasions, a pair of 3rd Division clubs have won Third Round games in the same tournament. In 2007, the Richmond Kickers (1-0 win vs. Los Angeles Galaxy) and the Harrisburg City Islanders (1-0 win vs. DC United) were victorious. Two years later, in 2009, the Wilmington Hammerheads won another Third Round match (their fourth) and with the Harrisburg City Islanders, they were the second pair of USL-2 teams to reach the Quarterfinals in the same season. In 2010, the City Islanders made it two years in a row, upsetting the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in overtime, while the Charleston Battery (who moved down to the 3rd Division after several years in the 2nd Division) eliminated the Chicago Fire of MLS in a penalty kick shootout after a scoreless draw. In 2012, with the expanded tournament (64 teams), three clubs from the 3rd Division reached Round 4. The Harrisburg City Islanders erased a 3-0 deficit in the second extra time period, forced penalty kicks and upset the New England Revolution. The Charlotte Eagles knocked off FC Dallas 2-0, while the Dayton Dutch Lions surprised the Columbus Crew by winning the first ‘Ohio Derby’ by a score of 2-1. In 2013, Orlando City SC upset their first MLS team, knocking off the Colorado Rapids 3-1, while the Charleston Battery upset the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0.

In 2014, seven 3rd Division clubs (USL PRO) and in 2015, 12 advanced past the Third Round, but this was largely due to a change in format where Major League Soccer didn’t enter the tournament until Round 4. In 2016, that number dropped to six.

In 2004, a Modern Era record four Open Division teams reached the Third Round. All four teams were from USL Leageu Two (PDL) and all four of them lost by a single goal (three of them by golden goal) in their Round 3 matches:

* Boulder Rapids Reserve lost to the Minnesota Thunder (A-League, Division II) 2-1 in sudden death extra time
* Carolina Dynamo lost to the Atlanta Silverbacks (A-League, Division II) 3-2 in sudden death extra time
* Cape Cod Crusaders lost to the Richmond Kickers (A-League, Division II) 1-0 in sudden death extra time
* Chicago Fire Reserves lost to the Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League, Division II) 1-0 in regulation.

In 2013, that record was matched with four new teams:

* Ocean City Nor’easters (PDL) lost 2-1 at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
* Des Moines Menace (PDL) lost 2-0 at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
* Reading United (PDL) lost 2-0 at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
* FC Tucson (PDL) lost 2-0 at Houston Dynamo (MLS)

In 2015, that record was broken with FIVE teams:

* Chattanooga FC (NPSL) lost 2-1 (AET) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL)
* Chula Vista (USASA) lost 7-3 at Sacramento Republic (USL)
* Jersey Express (PDL) lost 3-0 at New York Cosmos (NASL)
* PSA Elite (USASA) defeated Ventura County Fusion (PDL) 2-1 (1st all-Open Division Round 3 matchup)

In 2016, that number was up to SEVEN:

* Lansdowne Bhoys (USASA)
* Chattanooga FC (NPSL)
* Jersey Express (PDL)
* Des Moines Menace (PDL)
* La Maquina (USASA)
* LA Wolves FC (USASA)
* Kitsap Pumas (PDL)

In 2006, four more Open Division clubs reached Round 3, but for the first time, TWO of them advanced:

* Dallas Roma FC eliminated Chivas USA of MLS 4-2 in penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless draw to become the first USASA club to eliminate a Major League Soccer team.
* Carolina Dynamo defeated the Seattle Sounders (USL First Division, Division II) 3-2 after extra time
* Michigan Bucks lost to the Columbus Crew (MLS, Division I) 4-1
* Des Moines Menace lost to the Kansas City Wizards (MLS, Division I) 2-1

In 2014, due to an increase in Open Division entries and a change in format (most teams beginning in Round 2), a record 12 Open Division clubs reached the Third Round. Three of them advanced.

In 2012, for just the second time in the Modern Era, two Open Division teams advanced beyond Round 3, but both of them were particularly historic:

*The Michigan Bucks became just the fourth USL League Two (PDL) team to eliminate a Major League Soccer team when they defeated the Chicago Fire 3-2 in extra time at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. With the win, they also became the first Open Division team to defeat multiple MLS teams in club history after they upset the New England Revolution in Foxboro, Mass. in 2000.

* Cal FC, a USASA club from Southern California managed by former US international Eric Wynalda, not only became the first USASA team to score a goal against a Major League Soccer team, but they became the first to defeat one. (Dallas Roma FC won their game in PKs, and therefore is officially a draw) Cal FC upset the Portland Timbers 1-0 in extra time at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Ore. Cal FC joined the Michigan Bucks as the only Open Division team to defeat an MLS team on the road, but the Bucks’ upset of New England in 2000 remains the only time an Open Division team has done it within 90 minutes.

In 2003, the Fresno Fuego (PDL) became the first Open Division team to win a Third Round game in the Modern Era (1995-present), upsetting the El Paso Patriots (A-League, Division II) by a score of 5-2.

Prior to 2014, only 12 3rd Division clubs have ever advanced beyond the Third Round. In 2015, seven NEW clubs advanced. San Antonio FC was the only new USL teams to accomplish that feat in 2016.

Wilmington Hammerheads (2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2016)
Harrisburg City Islanders (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016)
Charleston Battery (2010, 2013, 2015)
Richmond Kickers (2007, 2011, 2014, 2015)
Charlotte Eagles (2012)
Dayton Dutch Lions (2012)
Orlando City SC (2013, 2014)
San Francisco Bay Seals (1997)
Rochester Rhinos (2014, 2015, 2016)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (2014, 2015)
Arizona United SC (2014)
Seattle Sounders 2 (2015)
Charlotte Independence (2015)
Louisville City FC (2015)
Saint Louis FC (2015)
Oklahoma City FC Energy (2015, 2016)
Austin Aztex (2015)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks (2015, 2016)
Sacramento Republic (2014, 2015)
San Antonio FC (2016)

Note: The format of the 2014 US Open Cup changed so Major League Soccer teams didn’t begin the tournament until Round 4 to accommodate the increase in teams (80).

In the Modern Era, only 16 open division teams have advanced beyond the Third Round:

Fresno Fuego (2003, PDL)
Des Moines Menace (2005, PDL)
Dallas Roma FC (2006, USASA)
Carolina Dynamo (2006, PDL)
Cal FC (2012, USASA)
Michigan Bucks (2012, PDL)**
Orlando City U23s (2014, PDL)
Laredo Heat (2014, PDL)
PSA Elite (2014, USASA)
PSA Elite (2015, USASA)*
Kitsap Pumas (2016, PDL)
La Maquina (2016, USASA)*
Christos FC (2017, USASA)*
Miami United FC (2018, NPSL)*
NTX Rayados (2018, USASA)*
FC Golden State Force (2018, PDL)**
Orange County FC (2019, NPSL)

** Defeated a MLS team in Round 3
* Defeated an Open Division team in Round 3

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: FC Tacoma crushes well-traveled San Diego Flash to complete 2015 tournament field (with complete list)

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FC Tacoma (purple) hosted San Diego Flash with the final spot in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line. Photo: Marcus Annable
FC Tacoma (purple) hosted San Diego Flash with the final spot in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on the line. Photo: Marcus Annable (PHOTO GALLERY)

Did you want an underdog story?

The San Diego Flash had the worst possible run up to Sunday’s 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play-in against FC Tacoma 253. Back in February, Clent Alexander, the well-liked CEO of the team, passed away after an illness. The team fought on, winning the NPSL’s Southwest Conference qualifying tournament after playing to a draw against Deportivo Coras last Saturday. After getting past their Inland Empire opponent on penalty kicks, they qualified to play in a final one-off match to qualify for the Cup.

The trouble is, that meant a drive to Tacoma, Wash. They didn’t have the money to do it, so Justin Picou, the team’s No. 10, started a GoFundMe page to raise some cash. They got enough money to make the trip, but they had to leave one player behind who couldn’t get out of work.

We all love underdogs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always end well for the scrappy, underrated folks. The adversity may have been too much for them as they got stomped by Tacoma, a team only playing its second match in club history, 6-1.

FC Tacoma 253 (the number is Tacoma’s area code) got things off to a strong start with a ninth minute goal from former Venezuelan youth international Pedro Millan. Tacoma extended the lead with a 16th minute own goal.

If San Diego was hoping halftime would change their fortunes, Matt Shaxton’s strike two minutes after the whistle blew put that to rest. The Flash managed to see a bit of light when they were awarded a penalty kick.

Sergio Valle-Ortiz easily found the back of the net. The team had no chance to build on the momentum.

Memorial Stadium in Seattle was the site of the FC Tacoma vs. San Diego Flash match. Photo: @Brazbit (Twitter)
Memorial Stadium in Seattle was the site of the FC Tacoma vs. San Diego Flash match. Photo: @Brazbit (Twitter)

Millan came back to score his second in minute 72. Then, San Diego keeper James Stroud looked to have a save, but his body carried too far on the wet turf. He was ejected for handling the ball outside of the box. He handed the his goalkeeper jersey to Picou, who was unable to stop either the free kick (it became Millan’s third goal of the match) or the 88th minute strike from Eil Goodley.

Despite the lopsided result, Tacoma assistant coach and midfielder Phil Aur said that San Diego was a tough opponent, one that “had a right to be there.”

“We dealt with their final third attack well, but we gave them more of the ball than we would like to have,” he said. “They are a good team, very creative. Every final ball they played was over the top, and that’s where we excelled.”

“They challenged us throughout the whole game,” he added. “There was a lot of play that the defense had to gobble up.”

FC Tacoma is a new entrant in the NPSL, and the only two matches they have played so far have been open cup qualifiers. They formed after the dissolution of two other teams in the area, Inter United FC and Seattle Sporting. Aur played for Inter United FC, and his team has players from both sides as well as a strong local adult club league.

“Last year, a lot of us were rivals,” Aur said.

Millan, a local coach in Seattle with experience as a pro in his native Venezuela, was an addition from Sporting. Despite Millan’s hat trick, his role was more of a distributor high up the field.

“It’s hard to keep the ball off of him. He’s very skillful,” Aur said.

fctacoma-logoAur acknowledges that the team had some trouble working in a new player who joined up with the squad this week, Oussama Esabr. Esabr is a Moroccan who played for Juventus’s youth side and a number of lower division Italian teams.

“We weren’t sure if he was going to start,” he said. “We were trying to find a way to get him on the field and give him a role where he could have a lot of responsibility. He didn’t have the ball much because we didn’t always know where he was going to be.”

Needless to say, Aur is proud that his team has made the US Open Cup.

“You can’t say that you’ve played in the US Open Cup until you get there,” he said. “The guys were pumped, you could see it from the way they played.”

Tacoma opens their NPSL season opener Saturday against Real San Jose. They will need to figure out how to play both their NPSL season plus Open Cup matches.

“We are a new club, we have a lot of unseen territory,” Aur said. “It’s not anything we can be prepared for. Do we know when our next game is? No … we just gotta suck it up and be the underdogs.”

Oh, there’s the underdog story you were looking for.

Map of all 91 entries for #USOC2015 posted by 'lookuppage7' on Reddit
Map of all 91 entries for #USOC2015 posted by ‘lookuppage7’ on Reddit

2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup entries

Participating Professional Teams (47 total):

Major League Soccer
(Division I – 17 teams, entering in the Fourth Round)

Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City

North American Soccer League
(Division II – 9 teams, entering in the Third Round)

Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Jacksonville Armada, Minnesota United FC, New York Cosmos, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies

United Soccer League
(Division III – 21 teams, entering in the Second Round)

Arizona United, Austin Aztex, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Harrisburg City Islanders, LA Galaxy II, Louisville City FC, New York Red Bulls (USL PRO), Oklahoma City Energy, Orange County Blues, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Portland Timbers 2, Real Monarchs SLC, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Sacramento Republic, Saint Louis FC, Seattle Sounders 2, Tulsa Roughnecks, Wilmington Hammerheads

Amateur Leagues (44 total teams):

U.S. Adult Soccer Association Regional Qualifiers
(11 places [nine entering in the First Round, two entering in the Play-In Round)

Region I: Maryland Bays, New York Greek American Atlas
Region II: Kansas City Athletics, Madison Fire
Region III: North Texas Rayados, Triangle Brigade
Region IV: Cal FC, Chula Vista FC

Wild Card Berths (3):
GPS Massachusetts (MA), PSA Elite (CA), RWB Adria (IL).

Premier Development League
(19 places, entering in the First Round)

AC Connecticut, Burlingame Dragons, BYU Cougars, Des Moines Menace, FC Tucson, Golden State Misioneros, Jersey Express, Kitsap Pumas, Laredo Heat, Long Island Rough Riders, Michigan Bucks, Midland/Odessa Sockers, Ocala Stampede, Reading United, Seacoast United Phantoms, Southwest Florida Adrenaline, Ventura County Fusion, West Virginia Chaos, Western Mass Pioneers.

National Premier Soccer League
(12 places, entering in the First Round)

Brooklyn Italians, Chattanooga FC, Detroit City FC, FC Tacoma 253, Fort Pitt Regiment, Greater Binghamton Thunder, Lansing United, Miami United, Sonoma County Sol, Tulsa Athletics, Upward Stars, Virginia Beach City FC.

US Club Soccer
(One place, entering in the Preliminary Round)

San Francisco City FC (will play Cal FC in Preliminary Round)

US Specialty Sports Association
(1 place, entering in the Preliminary Round)

Harpo’s FC (will play KC Athletics in Preliminary Round)

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: San Diego Flash need penalty kicks to join NPSL West’s final four (video)

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npsl-logo-largeAfter returning to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in 13 years, the San Diego Flash had their run end before it began. Their first round opponent forfeited, and the Flash were forced to forfeit in Round 2 due to the lack of a suitable field. Now, San Diego are one win away from qualifying for the fifth time in team history (dating back to the Flash’s previous incarnation as a pro team from 1995-2001).

On Saturday, the Flash repeated as NPSL Southwest Conference tournament winners, moving them on to a one-game playoff against Northwest Conference champion FC Tacoma 253. The game will be played on Sunday, Mar. 22 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle with the winner qualifying for the 2015 US Open Cup.

Elsewhere, CD Aguiluchos and the Sonoma County Sol both advanced to the Golden Gate Conference final where another 2015 Open Cup berth will be determined next week (details below).

San Diego hosted Deportivo Coras USA of Riverside, Calif. at Balboa Stadium on the campus of San Diego High School, and came away with a wild 4-1 penalty kick victory after the two sides were deadlocked at 2-2 after extra time.

“If I could describe it in one word, it would be ‘entertaining,'” said Flash director of operations Robb Watson. “It was back and forth, both sides were very evenly paced. There were plenty of missed opportunities by both sides, it could have realistically ended in a 5-5 tie if it wasn’t a qualifier.”

While Flash goalkeeper James Stroud was able to save one of the Coras penalties in the shootout, the visitors missed the target on two of their other three attempts, letting forward Brandon Zuniga seal the victory by calmly sending the Deportivo goalkeeper the wrong way to book San Diego’s ticket up north.

Zuniga had earlier tied the game in the 19th minute with a header at the back post off an in-swinging ball from a set piece, 16 minutes after Francisco Hernandez had opened the scoring for Coras off a near post header on a corner kick.

The Flash would then take the lead through former Orange County Blues defender Duach Jock in the 27th minute before Coras leveled the game in the 39th on a Christian Zamora header.

When the second half and both periods of extra time ended scoreless, San Diego easily dispatched its first four penalties en route to victory.

When the Flash take on FC Tacoma on Sunday, it will just the second game in franchise history for their opponents. Tacoma defeated Portland Spartans FC 2-1 in the only game of the Northwest Conference tournament.

According to Watson, San Diego is looking for a long run in the tournament to honor former CEO Clent Alexander.

“It’s a starting point,” Watson said of the win Saturday. “It’s good for the players to have this opportunity to grow. Some of the guys on our team are, I’m not going to say old, but are getting to the point where they maybe aren’t going to have another opportunity to advance.

“With the recent loss of our CEO, who passed away, it would be nice to move as far along as we could in the cup should we beat Tacoma.”

San Diego Flash vs. Coras USA: Highlights

San Diego Flash vs. Coras USA: Penalty Kicks

Aguiluchos, Sol advance to Golden Gate Conference Final.

Defending Golden Gate Conference champions CD Aguiluchos USA opened 2015 in the most emphatic way possible, stomping the San Francisco Stompers 8-1 thanks, in large part, to 2013 NPSL National Player of the Year Ross Middlemiss.

The striker was able to bag four goals for Aguiluchos, who qualified for the tournament in 2014 by virtue of defeating Portland Spartans FC in a playoff.

This year, the winner of the Golden Gate Conference will qualify directly for the Open Cup.

Middlemiss’ former team, the Sonoma County Sol defeated Real San Jose 4-3 Sunday night in San Jose with goals from Brandon Boone, Carlos Hernandez, Tyler Hurst, and Taylor Varnadore to garner hosting rights for the final, which will be played Saturday at Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park, Calif.

The Sol are looking for their fifth Open Cup appearance after qualifying in 2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010. Their best results were second round runs in 2006, and in 2009 when they also were NPSL national champions.

2015 US Open Cup Qualifying (NPSL West)

SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE

First Round (March 7)
San Diego Flash 4:2 Temecula FC
FC Hasental 0:3 Deportivo Coras USA

Final (March 14)
San Diego Flash 2:2 (4:1 PKs) Deportivo Coras USA

NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

Final (Feb. 20)
SFC Spartans 1:2 FC Tacoma 253 [+] RECAP

WIN & YOU’RE IN

San Diego Flash at FC Tacoma 253
March 22 – 2 p.m. PT
Memorial Stadium – Seattle, WA
*Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

GOLDEN GATE CONFERENCE

First Round (March 7)
Real San Jose 2:1 Sacramento Gold [+]RECAP

Second Round (March 14)
Sonoma County Sol 4:3 Real San Jose
CD Aguiluchos 8:1 San Francisco Stompers

Final (March 21)
CD Aguiluchos at Sonoma County Sol
* Golden Gate winner qualifies for 2015 US Open Cup

Evan Ream covers Sacramento Republic FC for the Davis Enterprise. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @EvanReam

San Diego Flash CEO Clent Alexander, a champion for soccer, passes away

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Clent Alexander
Clent Alexander

I can’t claim to know Clenton Alexander extremely well. This is due, in large part, to being 2,000 miles apart, and both being extremely busy individuals. What brought us together was our passion for soccer, and while I never had a chance to shake his hand, which is more and more common in this 21st century digital age we live in, I was impacted by his generosity and drive to make an impact in the sport he loved.

Clent Alexander, the CEO of the NPSL’s San Diego Flash, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 14. His health was not something he advertised, or sought pity for. As far as I knew he was just sick and had to visit the doctor more often than he’d like. When the topic of his health would come up, he would always quickly shift our conversation back to soccer. I never knew the gravity of the situation, so needless to say, this came as quite a shock to me, and to the many of us who knew him.

Clent was always a supporter of TheCup.us and I had exchanged emails with him over the years. Despite not knowing me very well, he stepped forward last year after I put out a cry for help on social media asking for advice from someone who was business-savvy. He fit the bill perfectly. You’ll find in the American soccer world, especially at the minor league level, there are people who are in it to make money and see soccer as a path to achieve that, and there are some who are in it purely for the love of the game and the financial element is secondary. Clent managed to find a balance between those two, which is so important in the game today.

He reached out and gave me a call and wanted to know everything about the ins and outs of TheCup.us and how he could help. From that conversation, and the ones that followed, he gave me plenty of advice and he put me in touch with a handful of people who are working with me to help take the site to the next level. What was most surprising, was that he offered to put up the money to buy shirts and hats to sell to raise money for TheCup.us. While the fundraiser was only a modest success, he wasn’t discouraged and had bigger and better ideas going forward. He loved the US Open Cup and saw its potential. He would tell me, “you really have something special” and that it was just a matter of getting the right people on board.

He was a champion for the sport of soccer, for the city of San Diego, his club, the San Diego Flash, and the #growthegame movement that he helped organize. Those are just a few of the things Clent will be remembered for. He always talked about his big plans for bringing professional soccer to San Diego and I agreed that it only seemed a matter of time before it happens. If and when it does, it will be built on the foundation he has laid. And for me personally, everything he has done to help my site, I will be forever grateful for his help and generosity. #RIP

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

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san-diego-flash-logo-bigLast 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.”

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: San Diego Flash advance after SC Corinthians forfeit

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The San Diego Flash of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) are anxious to play their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game since 2001, but they will have to wait another week. As the Flash were preparing to host their first round match at Mira Mesa High School, team officials from their opponent, US Club Socer representative SC Corinthians USA contacted them to tell them that they will have to forfeit the match.

“Josias Baptiste of Corinthians called me today to inform me that they had to forfeit the match,” said Flash CEO Clenton Alexander. “My initial reaction was that I felt bad for him and his players. At the same time, I felt really bad for our fans and players here in San Diego.”

“The good news is that we move and play again here in San Diego next Wednesday,” said Alexander. “We still plan on putting on a good show for our fans.”

The Flash, who are managed by Fox Soccer analyst Warren Barton, will now host the winner of tonight’s match between PSA Elite (USASA) and the Los Angeles Misioneros (PDL) on May 14.

Corinthians, who are managed by former Brazilian international Palhinha (Jorge Ferreira da Silva), clinched their first US Open Cup berth by defeating fellow California club Juventus Black 5-0 in the US Club Soccer final on Saturday, April 26. According to Batptiste, the club’s general manager, he was informed that the team needed to acquire international clearances for a number of their players less than a week later.

“US Soccer informed us on Friday that we had to get international clearances for our match today ,” said Baptiste, who says about 80 percent of his roster are made up of international players. After submitting the paperwork, they were informed that there was not enough time to approve their roster before the tournament kicked off on May 7, and the team would have to forfeit.

While forfeits tend to occasionally happen in qualifying tournaments, it’s been a decade since the US Open Cup had a team forfeit during the competition. The last time it occurred was in 2003 when the Chesapeake Dragons of the PDL moved on after the Bridgeport Italians (USASA – Connecticut) were found to have fielded an ineligible player in their opening round match.

Baptiste says his entire organization is disappointed not to compete in their first tournament, and while they are still awaiting answers as to why they weren’t informed earlier about the roster requirements, they are taking a ‘lesson learned’ approach to the news. The club will now shift their focus on their plans to joining the San Diego Flash in the NPSL. Baptiste says the team will join the league as an expansion team in 2015.

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: NPSL’s San Diego Flash back after 13 years; CD Aguiluchos USA to debut in 2014

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San Diego Flash and FC Hasental players battle for the ball in their 2014 US Open Cup qualifying final match. Photo: FC Hasental

Two west coast National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) teams have presumably qualified for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with wins Saturday. While the US Soccer Federation has yet to announce the format for the 2014 edition of the tournament, the game between the San Diego Flash and FC Hasental and the match between CD Aguiluchos USA and Spartans Futbol Club were largely predicted as “Win & You’re In.” The Flash and Aguiluchos both won their games 2-1, and are now awaiting the final word from USSF.

For San Diego, if you include the club’s past history, it will mark the sixth time the Flash have qualified for the US Open Cup and the first time since 2001 when they were an A-League team (2nd Division). In fact, the last time the Flash qualified for the Open Cup, their head coach Warren Barton was still playing for Newcastle United in England.

Now, in their fourth season as an NPSL side, they have returned to the tournament by avenging last year’s qualifying tournament final loss to FC Hasental.

“We think is great for our city of San Diego,” Flash CEO Clent Alexander said. “It’s great for our players. We re-started the organization about four years ago. We’ve been knocking on the door. This means that we got through. It’s great for our players and staff. It’s great for our organization overall.”

San Diego FlashThe match, hosted by Hasental at Oak Park High School Stadium in Oak Park, Calif., started out slow but the home side finally took the lead with a penalty kick by Moises Orozco in first half stoppage time.

However, the scoreline was reversed early in the second half when Flash forward Justin Picou scored a pair of goals in the 58th and 63rd minutes to lead the Flash to victory.

“This loss stings considering we have to wait an entire year for another shot at qualifying,” Hasental head coach Eric Warner said after the match.

The last time the Flash qualified for the Open Cup, they were knocked out thanks to a brace by then-Chicago Fire forward Eric Wynalda at Milwaukee Sports Complex in Franklin, Mil.

Wynalda is now a part-owner of the club. That performance by Wynalda continued the trend of the San Diego club getting knocked out with a brace from a US National team star as they were also knocked out in 1999 thanks to a two-goal effort from Clint Mathis, then with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The farthest they have ever gone in the tournament was in 1999 and 2000 when they reached the third round before losing to the Galaxy both times.

“The last four years has been a magical ride, getting my partner Warren Barton involved,” Alexander said. “Warren Barton is here to put San Diego on the map in outdoor soccer. And ride with Cal FC a few years ago was special. If we can do anything like he did, we’d like to see our local media involved with what we do.”

Meanwhile, CD Aguiluchos USA of Oakland, Calif. continued their dream run towards qualifying for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by defeating Spartans Futbol Club of Vancouver, Wash. Saturday night at Raimondi Park in Oakland.

Aguiluchos, the Golden Gate Conference Open Cup Qualifying tournament champion, faced the Spartans who won the qualifying tournament for the newly-formed Northwest Conference.

“ a big opportunity for all the fans that we have in the whole of the United States,” said Aguiluchos chairman Roger Amaya, who’s club is named as an homage to 15-time Salvadorian champion C.D. Aguila. “We have a lot of fans from Maryland, New Jersey and LA where there is a big concentration of Salvadorian people.”

“They’re watching us,” Amaya added. “We’re showing all the fans that we’re working hard to compete at a good level.”

The home side was the first to score when Jorge Ruiz collected a ball in the midfield, then dribbled the ball to the top of the box and unleashed a right-footed shot that caromed off of the post and into the net.

The Spartans then tied the match when defender Jordan Selland found forward Nino Ayala for the equalizing goal shortly before halftime.

Late in the match, Aguiluchos won a penalty and up stepped former Salvadorian international Rudis Corrales, who scored for El Salvador as recently as 2011.

The veteran converted the penalty to give Aguiluchos the win. CD Aguiluchos are now expected to take part in the US Open Cup for the first time in just their second season under head coach and former CD Aguila player Hugo Coria.

NPSL qualifying tournament: FC Hasental gets first win over San Diego Flash to qualify for first US Open Cup (video)

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For the second week in a row, a National Premier Soccer League team from the Western Conference has clinched a spot in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time. After the Sacramento Gold punched their ticket with a 5-2 win over the Sonoma County Sol last Saturday, FC Hasental earned their first Open Cup berth with a 2-0 win over the San Diego Flash.

In a game hosted by the Flash, FC Hasental withstood some early first half pressure from the home team before scoring the opening goal on a Armando Gaitan free kick. Gaitan’s free kick came from over 30 yards out to five Hasental a 1-0 lead on a team that they had never defeated in league play (0-2-2).

Just before halftime Hasental doubled their lead when a corner kick by Augustine Cazares found Gustavo Villalobos in the 42nd minute, marking the first time the club had scored multiple goals against the Flash in four previous all-time meetings. They were able to hold on in the second half to secure their first win over the Flash.

“We made US Open Cup qualification a real priority this year,” said Hasental manager Eric Warner. “In the past we challenged players’ technique and insight, and took more chances. This year we’re playing primarily to win and we were fortunate enough to do that.”

Hasental qualifies after falling short in 2009, 2010 (USASA Region IV tournament) and 2012. The club lost a tight 1-0 game to the Fullerton Rangers in the semifinals of last year’s NPSL tournament.

“The result was reflective of how competitive the guys are,” said Hasental midfielder Agustin Cazarez. “We felt we were the better team and had to prove it by winning.”

Hasental and Sacramento join Lehigh Valley United Sonic, Chattanooga FC and the Madison 56ers as the confirmed NPSL entries for the 100th US Open Cup. Three spots remain and will be announced by the league at a later date.

Hasental’s first goal by Armando Gaitan

Hasental’s second goal by Gustavo Villalobos

2013 NPSL Western Conference Southern Division qualifying

First Round (March 17)
Las Vegas Stallions at FC Hasental*
*Las Vegas forfeits (player paperwork issues)
San Diego Boca FC 0:2 Orange County Spartans**
**Orange County forfeits (player paperwork issues)

Semifinals (March 23/24)
FC Hasental 2:1 Santa Clarita – Mar. 23
San Diego Boca 2:4 San Diego Flash – Mar. 24

Final (March 30) – “Win & You’re In”
FC Hasental 2:0 San Diego Flash

2013 NPSL Western Conference Northern Division qualifying

First Round (March 9)
Sacramento Gold 3:0 CD Aguiluchos USA

Semifinals (March 16)
Sacramento Gold 2:0 Real San Jose
San Francisco Stompers 2:5 Sonoma County Sol

Final (March 23) – “Win & You’re In”
Sonoma County Sol 1:5 Sacramento Gold

2013 US Open Cup entries: NPSL

1.) Chattanooga FC
2.) Lehigh Valley United Sonic
3.) Madison 56ers
4.) Sacramento Gold
5.) FC Hasental
6.) To be announced
7.) To be announced*
8.) To be announced*
* Will begin play in the Qualifying Round on May 7

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Saturday’s NPSL “Win & You’re In” to decide who will join Sacramento Gold in Open Cup (video)

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The National Premier Soccer League’s Western Conference US Open Cup qualifying tournament will wrap up this weekend when the San Diego Flash take on FC Hasental in a “Win & You’re In” match on Saturday. The winner will join the Sacramento Gold in the 100th edition of the tournament who punched their ticket with a convincing 5-1 win over the Sonoma County Sol back on March 23.

The Western Conference represents two of the NPSL’s eight spots in the Open Cup, with three teams yet to be announced by the league.

The qualifying tournament was split into the conference’s north and south divisions. All five teams took part from the Northern Division and the Gold cruised their way into the championship game with back-to-back shutouts over newcomers CD Aguiluchos USA (3-0) and Real San Jose (2-0).

The Sol entered the tournament as the only team in the field who have qualified for the US Open Cup. In fact, they have reached the tournament four times: 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. They have a 1-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) record in their four appearances with their lone regulation win coming against the PDL’s Orange County Blue Star in 2009. They used their experience and skill to crush the San Francisco Stompers 5-2 in the semifinal round while getting goals from Brandon Boone, Chris Daly and the Hurst brothers Tyler and Trevor.

WIN & YOU’RE IN
FC Hasental at San Diego Flash
March 30 – 5 p.m. PT
Del Norte High School
San Diego, CA

The Northern Division’s “Win & You’re In” match came down to the Sol, who ran away with the division crown last year with a 4-0-2 record, and the Gold, who finished second last year. In the opening 20 minutes, it appeared as though the Sol, who swept both games against the Gold last year by a combined score of 8-3, were going to make another Open Cup appearance.

Sonoma’s Ross Middlemass opened the scoring in the 18 minute, but it was all Sacramento after that. The Gold scored five unanswered goals, including a hat trick and an assist by Manolo Pina.  Clemente Fonseca also scored and assisted on two other goals, including a goal by John Jones II. With the win, the Gold become the first Sacramento-based club to qualify for the US Open Cup since the Sacramento Knights of the NPSL (then known as the MPSL) reached the Second Round in 2004. If they are lucky enough to host their opening round game, that will mark the first time an Open Cup game has been played in the city of Sacramento since 1982.

In the other bracket, both first round games were forfeited, as the Las Vegas Stallions and Orange County Spartans did not properly register their players. This sent FC Hasental and San Diego Boca into the final four where they were matched up against the Santa Clarita Storm and the San Diego Flash, respectively.

In what was a theme that weekend, the Storm scored an early goal, but Hasental rallied with goals from Manuel Cazares and Alberto Anguiano to win 2-1. (SEE highlights below)

In the other semifinal, it was a San Diego derby as the Flash came back to beat San Diego Boca 4-2. Boca got on the board early with goals from David Luquen and Joe Schloss in the first 15 minutes. However, just like the other two games, the team that fell behind early came roaring back as the Flash scored four unanswered goals from Brandon Zuniga, Daniel Ortega, Justin Picou, and Andy Ortega.

The Flash will host the “Win & You’re In” match against FC Hasental on March 30 at 5 p.m. local time at Del Norte High School. If Hasental wins, it will mark their first appearance in the US Open Cup, but if the Flash qualify, it will be the franchise’s first time in the tournament since 2001 when they were a professional team in the USL’s A-League. (Highlights below)

2013 NPSL Western Conference Southern Division qualifying

First Round (March 17)
Las Vegas Stallions at FC Hasental*
*Las Vegas forfeits (player paperwork issues)
San Diego Boca FC 0:2 Orange County Spartans**
**Orange County forfeits (player paperwork issues)

Semifinals (March 23/24)
FC Hasental 2:1 Santa Clarita – Mar. 23
San Diego Boca 2:4 San Diego Flash – Mar. 24

Final (March 30) – “Win & You’re In”
FC Hasental vs. San Diego Flash
Del Norte High School (San Diego, CA) – 5 p.m. PT

2013 NPSL Western Conference Northern Division qualifying

First Round (March 9)
Sacramento Gold 3:0 CD Aguiluchos USA

Semifinals (March 16)
Sacramento Gold 2:0 Real San Jose
San Francisco Stompers 2:5 Sonoma County Sol

Final (March 23) – “Win & You’re In”
Sonoma County Sol 1:5 Sacramento Gold

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: NPSL West tournament continues this weekend; Sacramento Gold qualify (UPDATED)

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UPDATE: According to the San Diego Flash’s official website, the Orange County Spartans had to forfeit their 2-0 win over San Diego Boca due to improper player registration.

UPDATE (3/24 – 12:41 a.m. ET): The Sacramento Gold have qualified for the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 5-1 win over the Sonoma County Sol.  FC Hasental also advanced to a “Win & You’re In” match next weekend with a 2-1 win over the Santa Clarita Storm. Results updated below.

The National Premier Soccer League Western Conference is holding a qualifying tournament for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, and the competition is down to six teams. Of the six remaining teams, just two will advance to the US Open Cup, and according to NPSL officials, both will begin play in Round 1.

Each division of the Western Conference will submit their winner into the 2013 Open Cup, and the Northern Division has already determined their championship game. On Saturday, March 23, the Sacramento Gold will host the Sonoma County Sol at River City High School in West Sacramento in a “Win & You’re In” match. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.

The Sacramento Gold reached the Northern Division final with a pair of shutout victories away from home. On March 9, they traveled to Oakland, Calif. and defeated CD Aguiluchos USA 3-0. The scoring opened with an own goal in the 31st minute, and the game remained tight until John Jones and Eliot Ricks-Chambers scored clinching goals in the 78th and 83rd minute respectively.

“We came away with a positive result but we only expect to get better,” said Sacramento coach Ruben Mora. “With a lot of returning players it will not take long to find our rhythm. You can’t say enough about the role the solid defense and goalkeeping played in the shutout.”

A week later, the Gold earned a 2-0 win at Real San Jose to punch their ticket to the final where they will face the Sol who only needed to win one game to reach the championship game. The Sol received a bye into the semifinals and defeated the San Francisco Stompers 5-2 on March 16.

The Sol are the only team in the field who have qualified for the US Open Cup. They have reached the tournament four times: 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010. They have a 1-3-2 (1-1 in PKs) record in their four appearances with their lone regulation win coming against the PDL’s Orange County Blue Star in 2009.

In the other bracket, the final four is set with the Orange County Spartans — formerly known as the Fullerton Rangers — traveling to San Diego to take on the Flash, while Santa Clarita will host FC Hasental. Both games will take place on March 23 and are both are scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. local time.

The Spartans were the only team that had to earn their way into the semifinals, as they defeated San Diego Boca 2-0 in the opening round. FC Hasental was scheduled to play the Las Vegas Stallions in Round 1, but according to Hasental team officials, the Stallions failed to submit the necessary paperwork for their players and were forced to forfeit. The Flash and Santa Clarita both received byes into the semifinals. The final is set for March 30.

Last year, the NPSL received 6.5 spots and the West had 1.5 berths. The Rangers qualified while the Bay Area Ambassadors claimed the “half berth.” Bay Area faced fellow California club Stanislaus United Turlock Express in a play-in game — Stanislaus United won that match 3-0 to become the first US Club Soccer team to qualify for the Open Cup.

This year, the NPSL received eight spots, and three of those teams have been confirmed: FC Sonic Lehigh Valley, Madison 56ers and Chattanooga FC. According to NPSL officials, the two teams that emerge from the Western Conference will join those three teams in the first round of the US Open Cup. The remaining three teams are still to be determined, with two of them beginning their cup run in the Qualifying Round against either the US Club Soccer representative or the US Sports Specialty Association representative. The third team will begin play in Round 1.

2013 NPSL Western Conference Southern Division qualifying

First Round (March 17)
Las Vegas Stallions at FC Hasental*
*Las Vegas forfeits (player paperwork issues)
San Diego Boca FC 0:2 Orange County Spartans**
**Orange County forfeits (player paperwork issues)

Semifinals (March 23/24)
FC Hasental 2:1 Santa Clarita – Mar. 23
San Diego Boca 2:4 San Diego Flash – Mar. 24

Final (March 30) – “Win & You’re In”
FC Hasental vs. San Diego Flash
Del Norte High School – 5 p.m. PT

2013 NPSL Western Conference Northern Division qualifying

First Round (March 9)
Sacramento Gold 3:0 CD Aguiluchos USA

Semifinals (March 16)
Sacramento Gold 2:0 Real San Jose
San Francisco Stompers 2:5 Sonoma County Sol

Final (March 23) – “Win & You’re In”
Sonoma County Sol 1:5 Sacramento Gold
River City High School (West Sacramento)

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