Tom Catalano

2012 US Open Cup Round 3: Michigan Bucks put out Chicago Fire in historic OT upset (video)

May 30, 2012 by Tavio Palazzolo

A shot of the 93rd minute game-winning goal by Nermin Crnkic of the Michigan Bucks in the PDL team's 3-2 extra time upset of the Chicago Fire. Photo: Kelly Haapala — A shot of the 93rd minute game-winning goal by Nermin Crnkic of the Michigan Bucks in the PDL team’s 3-2 extra time upset of the Chicago Fire. Photo: Kelly Haapala

For over a decade, the Michigan Bucks have used the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup to earn a national reputation as giant killers. The USL Premier Development League team has more professional upsets than any amateur team in the country, including their prize upset of the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer back in 2000. On Tuesday, in front of a capacity crowd at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the Bucks, who are the first amateur team to upset an MLS side, became the first to do it twice with a 3-2 extra time victory over the Chicago Fire.

What makes the US Open Cup unique in American sports is the fact that a team from any level can face off with a team from the highest level in the country in a winner-take-all game. Only four amateur clubs (Michigan Bucks, Dallas Roma FC, Chicago Sockers and the now-defunct Seattle Sounders Select) have eliminated an MLS team from the 99-year old single-elimination tournament.

Frank Klopas, head coach of the Chicago Fire, didn’t field a relatively strong lineup for the match, and he may have been second guessing that decision in hindsight. He only put in two regular starters – Jalil Anibaba and Austin Berry. On the other hand, Michigan – who is undefeated between Open Cup and league play – came out strong, and it showed early. It took only nine minutes for the Bucks to find net, as Tommy Catalano crossed up Berry and beat Fire goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi low to put the Bucks ahead 1-0.

Even though the Bucks pressed on throughout the first half, the Fire waited for their chance to strike. They would get that in the 28th minute as Corben Bone rifled a shot from the top of the box past Bucks keeper Adam Grinwis into the net to even the score at 1-1. Just a minute later, Bucks striker Nermin Crnkic found himself in the penalty box, and although the play was debatable as to whether he was pushed down or dove, the result was judged the same – Crnkic earned a yellow card for diving in the 29th minute.

As the second half began, Chicago wasted no time in taking control of the match. Their efforts would prove fruitful in just a few short minutes, as Federico Puppo blasted an effort inside the post in the 51st minute to give the Fire a 2-1 lead.

Despite Chicago taking the lead and control of the match, the Bucks just wouldn’t give up. The work the amateur club put in would pay off in the 79th minute, when a cross from Crnkic found the head of Nate Boyden in the box to tie the match. Shortly after the tying goal was scored, Klopas saw an opportunity to try and push for the win, bringing in Dominic Oduro and Dan Gargan from the bench. It wasn’t to be, though, as the match was all square at 2-2 going into extra time.

The Bucks wasted no time putting the pressure on the Fire in the extra session. What proved to be the eventual game-winning goal came just three minutes in, Crnkic ripped a shot towards the net. Tornaghi got a hand on it, but it wasn’t enough, as Michigan took the 3-2 lead. For the next 27 minutes, the Fire pressed hard for the equalizing goal, while the Bucks looked to counter on turnovers and put the game away. Neither side would add to the scoreline, though, as the Michigan Bucks moved on to the Fourth Round, defeating the Fire 3-2. They now play the Dayton Dutch Lions of USL Pro – a familiar opponent who was in their division in the PDL in the 2010 season – next Tuesday for a spot in the Quarterfinals.

HIGHLIGHTS: CHICAGO FIRE at MICHIGAN BUCKS

FAN VIDEO: MICHIGAN BUCKS’ FIRST GOAL

FAN VIDEO: FINAL WHISTLE

Chicago Fire 2:3 Michigan Bucks
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, MI

Scoring Summary
MICH – Tommy Catalano (Kenny Uzoigwe) 9
CHI – Corben Bone (Federico Puppo) 28
CHI – Federico Puppo (Corben Bone) 51
MICH – Nate Boyden (Nermin Crnkic) 79
MICH – Nermin Crnkic (Tommy Catalano) 93

Lineups
CHICAGO FIRE: Paolo Tornaghi; Tony Walls (Dan Gargan 84), Jalil Anibaba, Austin Berry (Kwame Watson-Siriboe 49), Hunter Jumper; Michael Videira, Daniel Paladini, Corben Bone; Rafael Robayo; Federico Puppo, Orr Barrouch (Dominic Oduro 84). Substitutes not used: Sean Johnson (GK), Gonzalo Segares, Victor Pineda, Patrick Nyarko.

MICHIGAN BUCKS: Adam Grinwis; Kevin Cope, Sebby Harris, Chad Barson, Stew Givens; Nate Boyden, Scott Caldwell (Steve Miller 75), Tommy Catalano, Simon Omekanda (Joey Dillon 64); Nermin Crnkic, Kenny Uzoigwe (Zach Steinberger 35). Substitutes not used: Sean Teepen (GK), Kofi Opare, Bim Ogunyemi, Anthony Grant.

Discipline: CHI – Daniel Paladini (caution-foul, 25); MICH – Nermin Crnkic (caution-simulation, 29).

2012 US Open Cup First Round: Michigan Bucks steamroll Jersey Shore Boca 6-0

May 16, 2012 by Jon Sicotte

ultimate-soccer-arenas-detroit-united — A view from the press area at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas' main field. | File Photo: Josh Hakala

Being on the good side of the only rout of the First Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Michigan Bucks had no trouble piling onto their record for most US Open Cup wins by any amateur team in the Modern Era (1995-present). In the end, the USL Premier Development League squad took it to Jersey Shore Boca of the USASA, winning 6-0 at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Michigan (outside Detroit).

Trinidad national Stefan St. Louis scored twice in the first half, and Nermin Crnkic added two second half assists to his first half goal as the Bucks advanced to the Second Round of play in the 99th edition of the US Open Cup.

It was only the second match the Bucks had played this season, and the first official match other than an exhibition practice last Saturday. The team did look a bit rusty, according to head coach Gary Parsons, as Michigan had difficulty finishing.

They outshot Boca 28-6 in the first half, but only had 11 shots on net. “The finishing was frustrating,” Parsons said. “It would have been tougher if they had gotten us to halftime . When you don’t score like that, it does get frustrating. But we finally got one and another one. When that starts happening, it’s pretty much done.”

One contributing factor to the lopsided score was a red card in the 17th minute which sent off Jersey Shore defender Nick Tarquinio as the Bucks’ St. Louis drove in for what would have been a 1-on-1 goal scoring opportunity just outside the box. Player/coach Michael McCullion did not believe that Tarquinio deserved the booking, but admitted it did change the dynamic of the contest. “Getting a man down changed the whole game, especially the first ten to 15 minutes ,” he said. “We tried our best, but they are a great, fit club that is very athletic. We did our best; that’s what we came here to do.”

The Bucks ended the first half with a flurry of goals, scoring three within the span of seven minutes, with St. Louis bookending a goal by Crnkic. St. Louis’ second goal was a thing of beauty as he calmly back heeled the ball into the net .

St. Louis was happy with the result, but admitted they could have done more. “We just couldn’t get the ball into the net, which made the game a little more even,” St. Louis said. “We missed a couple early chances, but we finally scored and opened up the play. All the practice we have had paid off and it was good to play someone else.” Michigan lessened the pressure and added subs in the second half of the game, but scored three more goals in the final 16 minutes of the match.

Also scoring for the Bucks were Tom Catalano, Ethan Miller, and Bim Ogunyemi. Adam Grinwis finished with four saves for Michigan while Boca goalkeeper Bobby Feeney was busy, making 15 saves. “That was one of the best games I have seen Bobby Feeney play,” McCullion said. “He kept us in the game for the first 30 minutes, and even longer than that.”

The win gives the Bucks – who have been in the US Open Cup nine times in 16 years – their 10th overall win (10-7-1) in the Cup. They also improved to 7-4-1 at home. The Bucks head to Pittsburgh to take on the Riverhounds of the third division USL Pro league for the Second Round.

“We set a high standard with this team,” St. Louis said. “Whichever team it is, we go out and expect high performance and getting the win.”

Parsons expects upwards of six players to be able to join the squad for the Second Round of the US Open Cup. “That will make us stronger for next Tuesday,” he said.

McCullion said he expects Jersey Shore Boca to enter the tournament next year with even more confidence. “I think back home, this brings a little more credit to our club for getting players that want to compete at high levels,” he said.

NOTES: The Bucks have scored in 17 of 18 US Open Cup matches. … Catalano finished with a goal and an assist. … This was the third US Open Cup game played indoors. Michigan has hosted two of them and is 1-1 (lost 2-1 in the First Round in 2008 to the Cleveland City Stars). … The Bucks have tied the team record for most goals scored in a US Open Cup match with 6 (2000 First Round: 6-0 win over Jerry D’s).

Jersey Shore Boca 0:6 Michigan Bucks
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, Mich.

MIC: Stefan St. Louis (Matthew Banher) 31
MIC: Nermin Crnkic (Tom Catalano) 36
MIC: Stefan St. Louis (Steven Miller) 38
MIC: Tom Catalano (Thomas Schmitt) 74
MIC: Ethan Miller (Nermin Crnkic) 83
MIC: Bim Ogunyemi (Nermin Crnkic) 89

Discipline:
JSB: Nick Tarquinio – ejection 17

Saves: Michigan – 4 (Adam Grinwis); Jersey Shore – 15 (Bobby Feeney)
Corners: Michigan 9; Jersey Shore 5