Stefan Dimitrov

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Pancyprian Freedoms take Eastern NY title back from rival Greek American Atlas

December 9, 2012 by Josh Hakala

Last year, the New York Greek American Atlas defeated their rival the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the Eastern NY Open Cup Final. The 4-0 victory denied the Freedoms a fifth straight state title, but on Wednesday night, they got their revenge, winning a penalty kick shootout after the teams finished regulation and extra time tied at 2-2. It was their sixth state championship in the last eight years.

With the win, the Freedoms advance to the USASA Region I Finals which will take place in the spring. There they will attempt to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the fourth time in the last six years.

It was a cold night at St. John’s University’s Belson Stadium as the two New York powerhouses found themselves squaring off in a cup final once again. For the Freedoms, they had to win three games to reach the championship game. The Greek Americans, on the other hand, earned themselves a bye into the final by winning the Sal Rapaglia Cup, a Cup Winners Cup-style competition that they were a part of as defending Cosmopolitan Soccer League champions. The Greeks defeated the Freedoms 2-0 on their way to winning the tournament back in September. They defeated Long Island’s Forest Park in the title game.

It didn’t take long for the game to warm up as the Freedoms struck first in the opening minutes. John Koutsounadis sent a through ball to veteran Stefan Dimitrov, who finished to give him at least one goal in every game in this year’s tournament.

Leo Fernandes leveled the match with an impressive individual effort around the 40th minute. Fernandes, a star for Stony Brook University, stole the ball from Jeff Matteo in midfield, went on the attack, dribbled through a couple of defenders and beat the keeper to make the game 1-1 heading into halftime.

The Freedoms would regain the lead in the 74th minute when Dimitrov turned provider, setting up another veteran Julio Cesar Dos Santos for a goal. Just like Dimitrov, Dos Santos, one of the greatest pro players to ever play in the United Soccer Leagues (115 career goals), has scored in all three of the team’s Open Cup qualifiers .

Minutes away from taking the Eastern NY trophy back from the Greeks, the Freedoms had their celebration spoiled when the Greeks tied the game up on a goal by former New York Red Bulls forward Chris Megaloudis, on an assist by Shaun Foster, in the 88th minute.

The match would have to be decided by a penalty kick shootout, which favored the Freedoms and their outstanding goalkeeper Chad Calderone. The veteran shot stopper came through, saving the Greeks’ first attempt by Tom Wharf, and what would prove to be their fourth and final attempt by Leo Fernandes. The Freedoms went 4-for-4 on their attempts to clinch a spot in the 2013 USASA Region I Finals.

2013 Eastern New York tournament
Round 1
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 15:1 NY Olympiacos
Barnstonworth Rovers 1:1 JC Eagles (BR advances 4-3 on PKs)

Round 2
United FC 2:0 NY Athletic Club
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 4:1 Barnstonworth Rovers

Round 3
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:1 United FC

Final (Dec. 5)
NY Pancyprian Freedoms 2:2 NY Greek American Atlas (NYPF win championship, 4-2 in penalty kicks)

Past Eastern NY Open Cup champions (US Open Cup finish)
2003: Greek American Atlas (Did not qualify)
2004: Greek American Atlas (US Open Cup Round 1)
2005: Greek American Atlas (US Open Cup Round 1)
2006: Pancyprian Freedoms (Did not qualify)
2007: Greek American Atlas (Did not qualify)
2008: Pancyprian Freedoms (US Open Cup Round 1)
2009: Pancyprian Freedoms (Did not qualify)
2010: Pancyprian Freedoms (US Open Cup Round 1)
2011: Pancyprian Freedoms (US Open Cup Round 2)
2012: Greek American Atlas (US Open Cup Round 1)
2013: Pancyprian Freedoms (TBD)

TheCup.us Best of 2011 review

December 30, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

As we head into the New Year with US Open Cup qualification for 2012 already under way in the USASA and all the entrants for the higher divisions (reportedly) set, we thought we would take a look back at the year 2011. We wanted to honor the great performances in the US Open Cup and by the teams and players in all competitions for the American domestic clubs. Here is the debut of TheCup.us annual honors.

US Open Cup Best 11 Performances of 2011

11 – Eric Kronberg & CJ Sapong (Sporting KC):

Qualifying for the tournament during and after a long road stretch to start the season due to stadium construction was no easy task, and the club could not be faulted if they chose to pass on playing in the event. Instead, the team dominated in qualifying with a pair of Kronberg shutouts and three goals from Sapong to top Houston, 1-0 in overtime, and New England, 5-0. Kronberg would go on to get a third shutout in the Third Round tournament opener for KC, blanking Chicago Fire’s PDL side, 3-0.

10 – Stefan Dimitrov (NY Pancyrprian Freedoms):

After being one of the club’s leading players in qualifying, he continued his stellar performance in the tournament. He struck the opening goal in the team’s 2-1 First Round win against Brooklyn Italians and nearly saw his team upset USL Pro’s FC New York in the Second Round, falling in penalties after a scoreless draw.

9 – Kitsap Pumas:

The best performance by a club from the fourth tier of US Soccer, Kitsap survived a difficult road trip to El Paso in the First Round, advancing on penalties after a scoreless draw. They then dominated fellow PDL side Real Colorado, 3-1, before giving the MLS Sounders a tough test on their home turf before exiting in a 2-1 decision.

8 – Jackson (FC Dallas):

The midfielder was the game MVP in the club’s first two contests, tallying a goal and assist in the thrilling 3-2 victory against Orlando City in the Third Round and finding the back of the net once again in their win at home against Real Salt Lake.

7 – Zach Lubin (Kitsap Pumas):

Filling in for the regular starter at the last minute, the netminder came out on top in a goalkeeping duel on the road against the El Paso Patriots. After a scoreless 90 minutes, he made a fantastic double-save in overtime and then stopped a penalty in the shootout to send the Pumas onto the Second Round.

6 – Dominic Oduro (Chicago Fire):

A maligned start to his MLS campaign resulted in a trade to Chicago, where he would revive his reputation with some success in the Open Cup. Part of the success included game-winners in the Quarterfinal and Semifinal matches against Richmond and New York. Oduro, Player of the Round for the Semifinals, also finished second behind Seattle’s Fredy Montero for TheCup.us Player of the ‘Tournament.

5 – Chicago Fire:

A club struggling in league play (and ultimately missing the postseason), the Fire advanced from pre-tournament MLS qualifying, kicking it all off with a win over defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids, 2-1, before topping San Jose in penalties after a 2-2 draw to earn the berth. In the tournament they edged perennial upset-power Rochester, 1-0, before clobbering a second-string Red Bulls, 4-0, and ending the amazing run of Richmond, 2-1, to reach the championship, where they fell, 2-0, to Seattle.

4 – Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders):

The Sounders played four games en route to the title. He netted the game-winner in the last three as they topped three consecutive MLS opponents, earning Player of the Tournament honors.

3 – David Bulow (Richmond Kickers):

He finished as the leading scorer of the tournament with six goals, doubling the tally of those behind him. The effort propelled Bulow into the all-time scoring leader for the Modern Pro Era with 14. With a hat-trick in the First Round, two goals in the Second he tied Johnny Menyongar and MLS great Jaime Moreno at 13. He notched the table-leading goal in a 2-0 Quarterfinal win against Sporting Kansas City. Unfortunately he had to watch his team play without him in the Kickers’ Semifinal loss to Chicago when he received a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation when he was cautioned late in the Kansas City match.

2 – Seattle Sounders:

Any other year and Seattle would have been in the top spot, which is undoubtedly where they would be for a team of the decade vote. You do not need to say anything more than Three-Peat.

1 – Richmond Kickers:

What can you say? In the 17 years of the Modern Pro Era of the tournament you can count on one hand the kind of lower division club performances equal to what the Kickers accomplished this year, becoming the first-ever team to win back-to-back road matches versus MLS opponents. They topped Columbus at Crew Stadium, 2-1, in the Third Round and stunned Kansas City, 2-0, in a thunderstorm-plagued match in the Quarterfinals. The run, which started with a pair of games against fellow USL Pro clubs and no amateur sides, did not see the team trail until it came to an end on the road in Chicago during the Semifinals.

All Competitions Best of 2011

Major League Soccer Club: Los Angeles Galaxy

It was not an easy choice between the star-laden Galaxy and the Open Cup darling Sounders as both were excellent across nearly all competitions. LA won MLS Cup as Seattle crashed out early in the playoffs again. On the other hand, Seattle knocked LA out of the early rounds of the Open Cup yet again on its way to winning their third consecutive title, making those two events basically even. In the end, that left the MLS Supporters’ Shield and CONCACAF Champions League, both of which the Galaxy were the better side. LA won their group in CCL action while the Sounders were second in theirs – both advancing to this spring’s Quarterfinals. And in the regular season, the Galaxy finished four points better as they finished one-two with LA having the better of Seattle on the narrowest of margins, 1-0 on aggregate, in their two league contests on the year – making the season opener back on March 15 the possible deciding factor in this honor as the point swing would have made Seattle Supporters’ Shield winners instead.

Major League Soccer Player: Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders)

With three goals in the Open Cup, he was tied with several other players for second in scoring. In MLS, he finished tied for fifth in both goals (12) and assists (9). He was also tied for sixth in CCL scoring with three goals.

Lower Division Professional Club: Orlando City

Based on Open Cup performance, selecting Richmond would have been the obvious choice. However, Orlando City dominated USL Pro this season, finishing with a 15-3-6 record and going on to capture the league double with a playoff championship in equally dominating fashion. In the Open Cup, the Floridians blew past amateurs ASC New Stars, 4-0, before becoming the first non-MLS team to oust Charleston, 1-0, in the Second Round. They gave CCL club and MLS Cup finalist FC Dallas a tough outing in the Third Round, finding themselves on the wrong end of a thrilling 3-2 contest that saw both clubs score in stoppage time.

Lower Division Professional Player: Miguel Gallardo (Orlando City)

If David Bulow was the star of the Open Cup, it was Gallardo during the USL Pro season. The netminder controlled the box with a league-leading 0.681 GAA, finishing first in shutouts (11) and tied for first in wins (12). He allowed only one goal in postseason contests against Charleston and Richmond and had a shutout in the works during the final before mistakenly taking down a Harrisburg player outside of the box, receiving a red card for the foul and allowing the City Islanders to force a 2-2 draw that saw the Lions take the title in penalties.

Amateur Club: NY Pancyprian Freedoms

The perennial USASA giants came into the tournament as defending USASA Open Cup champions and as reigning Cosmopolitan League title holders, suffering only one loss in a 11-1-4 campaign. The Freedoms topped the NPSL’s Brooklyn Italians, 2-1, in the First Round and nearly upset USL Pro FC New York in the Second Round. They took the pro club to penalty kicks in a scoreless contest before being eliminated in sudden death penalties. The club would go on to capture a second straight USASA championship, downing AAC Eagles, 6-0, in the semifinal and claiming the title in penalties after a 2-2 draw against ASC New Stars.

Amateur Club Player: Milton Blanco (Fresno Fuego)

He finished first in the league in assists (14) and tied for sixth in goals (12) to finish first overall in total points with 38. He helped lead Fresno to an unbeaten 13-0-3 season that came to an end in the second round of the playoffs, 1-0, by the professional Kitsap side that went on to win the league title. Four of Blanco’s goals came in the opening four Open Cup qualification games of the season, leading the team to a perfect 4-0-0 record that was not quite enough as they missed out on the division’s berth in the tournament to Ventura County on tiebreakers.

Professional Women’s Club: Western NY Flash

Dominant from start to finish, the newcomers to WPS finished 14-3-2 on the season and went on to win the league double with the playoff championship.

Professional Women’s Player: Abby Wambach (MagicJack)

It was a tough decision with WNY’s Christine Sinclair finishing tied for first in goals (10) and assists (8). Wambach, however, was tied for third in goals (9), having played in three fewer games. More importantly, the US international was the standout performer in the FIFA World Cup over the summer while Canada’s campaign fell flat.

Amateur Women’s Club: Atlanta Silverbacks

The W-League champions suffered only one loss on the year, an early season defeat to rival Charlotte, 3-1. Since that game, the Silverbacks gave up only two more goals during the regular season, finishing the campaign with seven shutouts. After a wild 3-2 opening round playoff win against the New Jersey Wildcats they went on to blank Charlotte, 1-0, and dominate the two Canadian giants. They topped Vancouver, 3-1, in the semifinal and shockingly crushed the perfect Ottawa Fury (12-0-0, 3-0-0) in the championship game with a stunning 6-1 result.

Amateur Women’s Club Player: Edite Fernandes (Santa Clarita Blue Heat)

With players on Canadian sides dominating the scoring charts it was Edite Fernandes that stood out in the W-League. She finished with nine goals and five assists on the season (fourth in goals, assists and points) to help guide the second-year club to a regular season title in the Western Conference, a group home to powerhouses like Pali Blues, Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders.

Note: Pro clubs (and their players) in amateur leagues were ineligible for amateur awards. For men, they were categorized with Lower Division Professional Clubs and for women, they were categorized with Professional Women’s Club, etc.

2011 US Open Cup First Round: Pancyprian Freedoms edge rival Brooklyn Italians in battle of former champions

June 15, 2011 by Josh Hakala

It was a battle between two long-time New York rivals in the most highly-decorated First Round matchup in the Professional Era (1995-present), with five US Open Cup titles between them. In the end, the New York Pancyprian Freedoms got the best of the Brooklyn Italians, 2-1, to earn their first Open Cup victory since 2002.

Stefan Dimitrov scored both goals for the Freedoms, including the game-winner which came less than a minute after Brooklyn’s Kordel Samuel had equalized in the 80th minute.

The victory sets up another Big Apple match in the Second Round between the Freedoms and FC New York of USL Pro at Belson Stadium next Tuesday. The site of the game is interesting, not because it was where tonight’s game was played, but because FC New York and the Pancyprian Freedoms both call the stadium on the campus of St. John’s University their home field in their respective leagues.

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)
1:2
NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA – East NY)
Belson Stadium, St. Johns Univ. – Queens, N.Y.

RECAP: New York Post

Scoring Summary
NYP: Stefan Dimitrov – 65th
BKI: Kordel Samuel – 80th
NYP: Stefan Dimitrov – 81st
FULL REPORT: NY Post (Dylan Butler)

While nothing has been confirmed, the winner of next Tuesday’s game could be in line to face the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer in Round 3. The United States Soccer Federation will make an announcement about the potential Third Round pairings in the coming days.

The two clubs canceled each other out in the opening half and it wasn’t until the 65th minute when Julio Cesar Dos Santos helped create the first goal. The former USL great sent a cross into the box and Dimitrov, a former Chicago Fire player, was there to put the Freedoms up 1-0.

After Kordel Samuel hit the post for Brooklyn in the 75th minute, he got it right the next time, putting the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer in the 80th minute. However, before Brooklyn fans were settled back in their seats, New York took the kickoff and Stelios Andreou’s cross would find Dimitrov in front of goal once again to re-claim the lead for good.

New York owes their berth in the Open Cup to Dimitrov who helped create or produce all four goals in their USASA Region I semifinal win over Mass Premier Soccer. He scored two goals and also assisted on both of Dos Santos’ tallies.

The last time the Freedoms were victorious in the tournament was in the opening round of the 2002 competition when the three-time champs were a member of the D3 Pro League (3rd Division) and they defeated fellow 2011 qualifier AAC Eagles (Chicago) 1-0 on a 119th minute golden goal by a young midfielder by the name of Shalrie Joseph.

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

May 22, 2011 by Gerald Barnhart

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

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Match Capsules

Mass Premier Soccer 2:4 New York Pancyprian Freedoms

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

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

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

Go Soccer FC 0:3 Phoenix SC

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

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

Go Soccer Lineup: not available

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

May 2, 2011 by Josh Hakala

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lineups unavailable

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

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

Discipline
DAN: Michael Mingione (red) 35

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

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

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

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

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

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