USASA

2015 US Open Cup Round 1: Reading United wins 4th straight tournament opener, 1-0 over Maryland Bays

May 16, 2015 by Phil Naegely

Brett Campbell of Reading United scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 19th minute against the Maryland Bays. Photo: Reading United

After being told just a few days before the match that they would be hosting their First Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match, Reading United faced Maryland Bays on Wednesday night. It didn’t take long for the USL PDL side to find the net in front of their home crowd at Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium. United, who were making its seventh straight tournament appearance out of the Premier Development League, used that goal to hang on for a 1-0 win over the reigning USASA Region I Open Cup champions

In the 19th minute, after a few early scoring opportunities, Reading struck first. Brett Campbell poked home the eventual game-winner after receiving a pass from Neco Brett.

Playing with only one substitute, the Bays struggled to find many threating chances on net as Reading’s goalkeeper Kyle Morton showed zero rust in the PDL side’s first competitive game of 2015.

With the 1-0 victory, Reading United will host USL side and fellow Philadelphia Union affiliate Harrisburg City Islanders on May 20 at 7 p.m. This will be the third time the Union affiliates have faced off in US Open Cup play. In 2011 Harrisburg defeated Reading 2-1, while United upset the City Islanders 1-0 in 2013.

Reading defender Paul Marie challenges former Reading player Jon Ports of the Maryland Bays. Photo: Reading United AC

After the game Reading United head coach David Castellanos was proud of his side.

“A great goal by Brett Campbell and good build up all around. We’re going to take the positives away from the match, but we know we have a ton of work to do to get ready for Harrisburg,” said Castellanos. “There were pieces of good movement. Keegan Rosenberry did well and William Picoux came on in the second half and really moved that ball. Our backline played great. Kyle Morton in goal, he saved us.”

For United, a franchise that began its Open Cup history losing its first give games, have made history in recent years. This is the seventh year in a row that the club has qualified for the tournament, which a record for amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present). This game also marks the fourth year in a row that the club has won their opening match, which ties the Ventura County Fusion’s modern era record (2011-2014). The Fusion currently hold the record for longest unbeaten streak in consecutive tournament openers with five (2011-2015). The Chicago Fire PDL side won five straight opening round games, but not in consecutive seasons (2004-05, 2009, 2010, 2012).

The organization of the match was a challenge as the Maryland Bays had originally been awarded hosting rights. The opening game was scheduled to be played at Calvert Hall in Towson, Md. but the stadium was made unavailable due to safety concerns following the recent Baltimore riots. Scrambling to find a new venue, the Bays were able to find one at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County (UMBC). After renting the field, they were informed on Thursday that the person who rented it to them had done so in error, because the venue was not available because the stadium was under construction.

With less than a week until the match, the Bays were in desperation mode but somehow managed to find a field at Troy Park in Elkridge, Md. The condition of the field was good, but the venue didn’t have locker rooms, which is one of the US Soccer Federation’s minimum standards. Less than 48 hours before the game, the federation decided that Reading United would host the game.

Meet the Underdogs: GPS Massachusetts back for third straight US Open Cup seeking first tournament win

May 13, 2015 by Sean Donahue

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

Bay State Soccer League (BSSL) side Global Premier Soccer Massachusetts (GPS) is set to kick off its 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup campaign on Wednesday against the USL-PDL Seacoast United Phantoms at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, Mass. at 8 p.m. For GPS, who as a United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) club that earned qualification by finishing runner-up in the Region I Open Cup tournament last June, it’s the third straight year the club has made it to the tournament. When they first made it in 2013, they were the first USASA club based in Massachusetts in five years to make the tournament.

“The team at its core has remained much the same , particularly the way we go ahead and approach the way we show up every day,” said GPS-Massachusetts player/coach Gregory Zuboff who joined the team in the Fall of 2013, after their first Open Cup run. “We’re a group of guys that are young professionals here in Boston and most of us have played soccer through our whole lives and just continue to play for the love of the game. We come out and meet up once a week during the week to get some fitness and keep our form and then get a game or two in on the weekends to stay competitive.”

GPS, which changed its name from Mass Premier Soccer shortly before last year’s Open Cup to fall in line with the name of the youth clubs it is affiliated with, is an adult amateur team that plays its home games in Wayland, Mass. The team has had some players that have gone through the GPS system, but the affiliation, which began in 2008, has mostly benefited the club in other ways.

Mass Premier Soccer: 2011 Massachusetts Open Cup champions — GPS Massachusetts, formerly Mass Premier Soccer, won their first Massachusetts Open Cup championship in 2011 and since then have three of the last four years.

“They’ve been very supportive of us – always helpful in terms of managerial responsibilities such as finding fields,” said Zuboff. “Anytime we’re in a crunch they come through. We have a great relationship with Joe Bradley who runs the organization, so we like to stay as involved as we can and they’ve been a great organization to be a part of.”

The affiliation just adds further to the credibility of one of the most successful amateur teams in Massachusetts. The team has built its continued success around a core of players who have stuck with the club long term.

“A lot of the guys have been with the team 5, 6, 7 years and it’s a testament to the team that they stick around,” said Zuboff. “They love to come on Saturday morning for the game, at the coolers after the game and so it’s pretty similar makeup of the team.”

The team is further aided by a host of players with professional experience. Among them are Keith Caldwell (formerly on MLS side Colorado Rapids and brother of current New England Revolution midfielder Scott Caldwell), Charles Romero (USL’s Charleston Battery), and Joe Vella (lower divisions in Spain). Perhaps most notable is Sam Brill, who played for the New England Revolution as well as lower division teams in Germany and Sweden. Brill scored the game-winning goal for the Revolution in a 3-0 victory over the USL’s Richmond Kickers in the Third Round of the 2008 Open Cup. He also started at center back for the Revolution in their quarterfinal penalty kick win over USL’s Crystal Palace Baltimore that year, but didn’t play when the team was eliminated by D.C. United in the semifinals.

“Sam is a great leader for this team,” said Zuboff. “He’s never been a captain, but he’s been a stronghold in our defense for a number of years and he’s a real leader on and off the field. Very composed guy, very talented guy, so he in many ways is a leader on the team and the players on the team look to him for guidance and really respect what he has to say. Particularly on the field during tough games we look to him to show up and perform and he does.”

But, although GPS has done well to make it to three straight US Open Cups, the team has fallen in the first round on both occasions thus far: 4-1 to the Western Mass Pioneers (USL-PDL) in 2014 and 2-0 to GPS Portland Phoenix (USL-PDL)—another team under the GPS umbrella—in 2013. An impressive history of success and championships in the BSSL and amateur cups has yet to translate when facing teams higher up in the soccer pyramid in the Open Cup.

“We do quite well in our local leagues here in Massachusetts,” said Zuboff. “We have some great competition here, but we typically perform. We’ve had some tough results when we’ve gotten to the Open Cup as of late. It’s definitely top of mind for us, we’ve know we’ve got to come out and show up right from the get go. Seacoast is going to be a great competitor, so we know we’ve got to show up and certainly the results from the past will fuel us to work that much harder.”

GPS’ recent results show just what the club is capable of in the BSSL. This past Saturday they crushed Oneida FC 6-0. The weekend before Kendall Wanderers B was their victim, falling 7-0. The team now sits at 3-1 to start the BSSL season and is riding a three game winning streak. Undoubtedly, momentum is on their side.

“We’re hoping to carry that forward into the Cup game ,” said Zuboff.

If they do that successfully, a first ever trip to the second round and a home match against USL’s Tulsa Roughnecks awaits.

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

May 13, 2015 by Jose M. Romero

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet the Underdogs: Madison Fire make US Open Cup debut representing Wisconsin

May 12, 2015 by Eric Anderson

Wednesday’s first-round matches of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are a chance for the 42 remaining amateur teams in the record 91-team field to take center stage.

But on a night that will feature exclusively players who aren’t being paid to play, the Madison Fire might best exemplify the “Sunday League” amateur teams that decided to try their luck on a higher level in the national tournament.

The Fire have been around since 2003, when two teams in Madison, Wisconsin — Dionysus and Hooligans — merged, but the team didn’t have a logo until one of its players created one last month in preparation for its Open Cup debut against the Des Moines Menace.

Technically, David Kommavang is the Fire’s manager. But he said that’s more of an organizational role rather than an on-field role. Decisions about lineups and strategy are made by the team as a whole — and he’s usually busy playing in the midfield anyway, so he can’t make those calls.

“We talk about what we want to do as a team before we go in,” said Kommavang, who added that the team is hoping to find someone to handle the managerial duties on the sideline Wednesday night for the match in West Des Moines, Iowa. “We’ll be like ‘OK, we’ll start David in the middle and if it goes bad, we’ll push him up to the left and we’ll sub this guy out or something.’ We have ‘what-if’ in place already and we have game plans.”

The Fire have enjoyed great success in the Madison Soccer Association over the past decade, winning four of the past seven Division 1 titles. But last fall, with the top division in the city league shrinking, the current team decided to take a step up and join the Wisconsin Soccer Leagues Major Division.

“A lot of the players wanted to play different teams, because MSA only has six teams (in Division 1). Everybody knows everybody, so that sort of competitiveness, I guess you could say, got lost a little bit,” said Kommavang, a Madison native. “A lot of them thought it would be a good idea to have a Major team … You know, different teams, different atmosphere and maybe the other teams aren’t going to like us.”

The Fire struggled somewhat in the fall, going 3-5-2 against the Milwaukee-area clubs in the WSL Major Division.

“I knew that was going to be a challenge,” said Kommavang, one of several players who played in the league with Madison United. “We’re like, ‘Let’s go ahead and do it. We’ll get through the fall and in the spring, we’re going to make a run for it.’ There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re one of the best teams in the Majors.”

Indeed, the Fire have gone 3-0-1 in their first four matches of the spring, outscoring opponents 13-3 and posting three clean sheets in the process.

In addition to moving into the WSL Majors, the Fire took a shot and signed up for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Only two other teams entered the US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) Region II tournament — Kansas City Athletics drew a bye and qualified for the Open Cup proper, while the Fire drew FC Indiana at home with the winner also earning a spot.

“We did take a risk and we got lucky that was a home game,” Kommavang, whose team still only had 12 players for the match — after much confusion over the date and location of the game, it was played at Reddan Soccer Park in nearby Verona.

Ali Barry scored the lone goal and Demba Camara recorded the shutout as the Fire won 1-0 on Oct. 4, 2014 to claim a berth in the 102nd tournament.

“Oh, it’s amazing,” Kommavang said of playing in the US Open Cup. “It’s another step and I think it’s a good way to test our skills to see where we’re at.

“I hope we can get through the first round and see as far as we can go and just give the team and our teammates a good experience, a different level of soccer. Just to be a part of that, to me, that’s just awesome.”

As part of their preparations to play Premier Development League powerhouse Des Moines Menace in Round 1 on Wednesday, the Fire borrowed a page from the successful Wisconsin men’s basketball team and started running up a large hill at Elver Park on Madison’s west side. Badgers coach Bo Ryan, whose team has advanced to the NCAA Final Four each of the past two seasons, has had his teams run the hill as part of their preseason conditioning program for years.

“We will play teams that will be more skilled than us or will have more great players than we have, but we have control over how fit we are,” Kommavang said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime-thing maybe, let’s just go in there 100 percent in shape.”

While the sentiment might ring true, Wednesday won’t be Kommavang’s US Open Cup debut — he played with the Madison 56ers in the 2011 tournament, coming on as a sub in a 4-0 victory over Illinois club AAC Eagles in a first-round match.

The Fire’s roster includes a mix of players from both local and international backgrounds. Trevor Banks (Old Dominion), Brian Bultman and Erol Goknur (Wisconsin), Ryan Germann (Wisconsin-Milwaukee), Will McAteer (Wright State) and Sabastian Xiong (Wisconsin-Green Bay) are former NCAA Division I players, while many other players starred at Division III and junior college programs.

Also on the roster is Khalid “Johnny” Zafari, a 43-year-old native of Afghanistan who has been a constant with the Fire and in Madison soccer circles for years.

“He’s played a few games this season,” Kommavang said of Zafari. “He’s in amazing shape, man. We call him ‘The Godfather.’

“As for the Fire’s chances against the Menace and possibly USL professional club Saint Louis FC in the second round?

“We could be like the California team,” Kommavang said, referring to Cal FC, which beat the Wilmington Hammerheads of USL Pro and Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers as they advanced to the fourth round of the tournament in 2012.

Meet the Underdogs: First-timers Chula Vista FC enter US Open Cup to build ‘a club for life’

May 12, 2015 by Ted Prezelski

It can be hard to ask a coach or team official to pick out one or two stars of the team. It takes all eleven guys out there, working as a unit, to give a win. Still, when Hector Diaz, Director of Soccer for Chula Vista FC had to answer that question, he had a name.

“One guy in particular I would point out, because he got me into this, is Alberto Diaz,” he said. “He’s my brother.”

Fraternal connections aside, Alberto Diaz’s situation is common among Chula Vista’s players. He had talent recognized from an early age (he played for the US Under-15 team), but like many of the players who have gone through Chula Vista FC’s youth academy, didn’t see college as an option.

“There is not really a chance for these players to go to college,” Hector Diaz said. “We decided to build the next step. Our first team is composed of U-23 players … we are building a club for life and not just a youth club.”

Organizing a youth academy is difficult given the schedules of working class families, but the area doesn’t lack for talent. Joe Corona and Paul Arriola, both players with Tijuana Xolos, come from the area. Alejandro Guido, also a player for Tijuana, played for Chula Vista FC. All three players are part of the US national team pool.

Chula Vista FC’s academy works in the shadows of both the Nomads academy in La Jolla and Tijuana’s academy on the other side of the border. Add that to the local popularity of the Xolos, it can be intimidating, but Diaz thinks there is a strong market for a local soccer team. “We could have a MLS, USL Pro or PDL team here,” he said.

The team staged an exhibition between Chula Vista’s U-20s and Xolos’s U-20 team two years ago. They sold out a small high school stadium.

“There weren’t a lot of Xolos supporters,” Diaz said. “Xolos scored and everyone was quiet. Chula Vista scored and everyone was making noise. People are hungry, they just don’t have an option.”

This is the first appearance in the US Open Cup for Chula Vista, who qualified out of Region IV of the United States Adult Soccer Association. They finished runner-up in the Region IV tournament in a competition that came down to the final day. On June 8, 2014 in Orem, Utah, Cal FC and Chula Vista found themselves in a three-way tie for first place in the group standings with Cal FC and Oregon’s IPS Marathon Taverna. With one game left on the final day, Cal FC shut out a shorthanded PSA Elite team 3-0, while CV drew 2-2 with Marathon Taverna.

Chula Vista FC drew FC Tucson for their opening US Open Cup match on May 13. Diaz is familiar with the management of the team (he’s tried to arrange scrimmages before) but admits that he’ll need some preparation before the team hops on I-8 for the ride to the Old Pueblo.

“This upcoming month, I know I’ll get very familiar with who they are,” he said. “We’ll be ready.”

Meet the Underdogs: Greek American SC, winner of 4 US Open Cup titles, aiming for success in modern era

May 12, 2015 by Jack Cumming

Josh Trott (No. 9) celebrates one of his two goals with his New York Greek American Atlas teammates in their 2-0 win over Ocean City Nor'easters. Photo: Paul Rudderow | PhillySoccerPage.net — Josh Trott (No. 9) celebrates one of his two goals with his New York Greek American Atlas teammates in their 2-0 win over Ocean City Nor’easters. Photo: Paul Rudderow | PhillySoccerPage.net

Founded in 1941, the New York Greek American Soccer Club, also known as “The Greeks” are the second oldest soccer club outside Greece representing members of the Greek community. This Astoria-based neighborhood club, which is a long-time member of the historic New York Cosmopolitan League, has a rich history in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, winning the crown four times: in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1974. They are one of just seven clubs in the tournament’s 102 year history to win four titles, one shy of the all-time record of five.

This year, the club is back for the sixth time in the modern era (1995-present), seeking to carry over their winning tradition into success in the 21st century.

Unlike other amateur leagues, the Cosmopolitan League and the USASA provide players the opportunity to play year-round. The Greek Americans are typically comprised of two types of players: former professional players who need a club to play with before moving on to their next professional team, and aspiring professional players who are looking for exposure in tournaments like the US Open Cup. The club provides year-round training and cup competition experience at both the amateur and professional level.

In the 2014 edition of the US Open Cup, the Greeks snapped a five-game tournament losing streak by taking down one of the Premier Development League’s biggest giant killers, the Ocean City Nor’Easters. They won the game 2-0 on the strength of a pair of goals by Josh Trott before falling to the USL Pro’s Richmond Kickers 2-1 in the third round.

The Greeks have qualified for the tournament for the second year in a row through the USASA’s Amateur Cup. In 2013, USASA Region I decided to award their two Open Cup spots to the region’s Amateur Cup and Open Cup champions, rather than the Open Cup winner and the runner-up. The Greeks won the Region I Amateur Cup title each of the last two years to punch their ticket to the tournament. They clinched their tournament berth with a 5-1 win over Western New York’s Italian American Sport Club in the Region I Amateur Cup Final back on June 13, 2013. Chris Megaloudis scored four goals and Stephan Pierce added another to lead the route.

This season, the Greeks hope to capitalize on last year’s successes and use their momentum to make a run this year’s Cup. The Greeks have already been preparing and believe sound preparation and a steady roster will make a difference in the success of lower division teams in the tournament.

Greek American SC team in 1969. Photo: Bill Graham Guide | National Soccer Hall of Fame

“Preparation and quality does make a difference,” said head coach Stavros Zomopoulos. “We have to be better prepared and our players need to know what we’re getting into.”

The Greeks will look to the leadership and experience of their players heading into the cup stretch. Two notable players to look out for are Megaloudis and Stephan Barea. In last season’s US Open Cup, Megaloudis scored off of a Barea assist to take a 1-0 lead on professional side Richmond Kickers. Both players will be looking to make an impact again this year’s competition.

The Greeks will also look to have a formulated plan as they head into their second round cup matchup against the PDL’s Jersey Express on May 13 in Newark, New Jersey. If the Greeks win, they are scheduled for a third round matchup against the New York Red Bulls II (USL) at Red Bull Arena on May 20. The Greeks will also attempt to reclaim back-to-back USASA National Amateur Championships from May 26-29 in Chattanooga, Tenn., meaning that fitness and training will be a priority going into the next few weeks.

Meet the Underdogs: Triangle Brigade, born out of UNC, representing North Carolina in US Open Cup debut (video)

May 11, 2015 by Michael Berton

Jason Sisneros lifts the 2014 USASA Region III Open Cup trophy

For Triangle Brigade FC coach Jason Sisneros, every moment is an educational opportunity. Each game, each practice, each tournament is a chance to learn and grow with the overall goal to create an elite level of amateur soccer in North Carolina and the surrounding region.

That focus on learning and growth shouldn’t come as a surprise—Sisneros is an assistant coach for the women’s team at the University of North Carolina. Teaching is part of his job description.

As a coach for the UNC women’s team, he often got to work with the UNC men’s club soccer team, against whom the women regularly trained. After observing the club players for a few months, witnessing their work ethic and passion, Sisneros pushed forward with an idea to create an amateur team, Triangle Brigade FC.

“I knew that these guys needed a more consistent environment. This would give guys an opportunity to train, and to play and seek out better competition,” Sisneros said.

The club was launched in January 2014 and gained entry into the Triangle Adult Soccer League (TASL). Pulling from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas, more than 50 people tried out and or trained with the team initially. Some of those players are used in TASL, but some players needed even more opportunities to learn and grow.

Triangle Brigade: 2014 USASA Region III Open Cup champions.

So, the club tested itself at higher levels. In its first year of existence, Triangle Brigade entered the USASA Region III Open Cup Tournament, with the winner getting a chance to progress to the national tournament as well as earning a berth in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

To the surprise of the head coach, the team did not just compete well, it won the tournament. After going 2-1 in the group stage, Brigade beat North Texas champions and perennial Open Cup entrants NTX Rayados 4-1 in the final.

“I personally knew we were capable of competing, but I wasn’t thinking about winning the tournament,” Sisneros said. “It was about testing ourselves at a higher level. We knew we would get to play games against teams that have historically done really well. The tournament really pushed us. We were humble and proud to win.”

In addition to knowing his team would get a chance to compete nationally, Sisneros also scheduled a number of non-league games to push his team. Triangle Brigade has played teams like Gate City SC of the NPSL and the Carolina Railhawks reserves. Sisneros said that the eventual goal is to get Triangle Brigade into the NPSL.

“We have so many different kinds of players and levels,” he said. “I create opportunities for all these different levels of players because it makes everyone better. The best players will push everyone else to higher levels.”

A couple of key players for the Brigade include UNC club player Jonathan Rivera, who played a big role for the team in the Region III tournament and one of the club’s founders, Hayden Gridley. Gridley is back after nursing an injury, and was unable to play at regionals because he was working in Africa. One unknown comodity will be the club’s new Brazilian import Gabrielle De Silva.

The next major hurdle for the team was the USASA National Open Cup Tournament. Drawn against Region I champions Maryland Bays, Triangle Brigade fell to a 4-1 defeat. While he and his team were initially unhappy, they were extremely excited at getting that national experience.

Sisneros said, “Maryland was excellent, which is what we are searching for. We want to know what the best teams are doing and how they play. If you want to be great, you have to find great competition.”

Triangle Brigade will get another chance at “great competition” in this year’s US Open Cup. The team was drawn away to the NPSL’s Upward Stars out of South Carolina. The game will take place at 7 p.m. on May 13. Looming large is a potential second-round contest against the Charlotte Independence, a newly-formed pro team from the USL.

“If we are able to advance and play a professional club, it’d be huge and so much fun. It’d be a dream come true opportunity for our guys,” Sisneros said.

But for now, Triangle Brigade is taking things one step at a time, focusing on its first-ever Open Cup match. One thing is certain—Sisneros will make sure, win or lose, his team learns something from the experience.

Michael Berton is a freelance soccer writer out of the Philadelphia area. He also works at the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia and you can follow him on Twitter @MichaelBerton.

2015 Preliminary Round: Cal FC’s two penalty kicks help edge San Francisco City 2-1 to advance in US Open Cup (video)

April 25, 2015 by Robert Jonas

Used with permission from Centerline Soccer

Cal FC scored on two penalty kicks to advance past San Francisco City FC 2-1 in a 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Preliminary Round match Saturday afternoon at Kezar Stadium in front of a crowd of 1,519.

Goals from Chris Cummings and Johnny Bravo for the Southern California club countered an own-goal in the well-played match in the heart of San Francisco. Cal FC will advance to join Round 1 while SFCFC will lament a lost opportunity to advance in the nation’s longest running soccer competition.

The weather was ideal for the match, as a light breeze off the Pacific combined with bright California sunshine allowed both teams to play their game. For host SFCFC, the approach was to defend and counter, using a speed balls to access the attacking third. Visiting Cal FC employed a more possession-based approach, content to one-touch the ball among its midfielders.

Though the two tactical set-ups complemented each other, the first half was bereft of scoring opportunities for both sides, as San Francisco came close on a pair of free kick and corner kicks and Cal FC poked and prodded its way into the area a handful of times. The most dangerous opportunity of the first half came right before intermission, as City goalkeeper Austin Harms had to deflect a shot around his post to keep the match scoreless.

The goal drought ended just minutes into the second half, when Cal FC was awarded a penalty kick for a tough challenge by the City goalkeeper. Chris Cummings calmly stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball just out of Harms’ way and inside the right post. Harms was given a yellow card on the play.

PHOTO GALLERY: Cal FC at San Francisco City (CenterLine Soccer)

cal-fc-vs-sfc-2015 — Photo: Maciek Gudrymowicz

Down a goal, but with plenty of time left on the clock, San Francisco picked up the pace of the match and looked much more dangerous on offense. A shot attempt in the 57th minute went just wide of the target, and a minute later Mauricio Diaz De Leon scorched a shot that Cal FC goalkeeper Brian Hill parried away. Hill was the center of attention five minutes later when he won a challenge against forward Reed Williams in his own area, but the ‘keeper escaped a booking.

SFCFC continued to be the more aggressive side, as Cal FC settled into a good defensive shape. Space was hard to come by for the City forwards, but Eric Anderson found a sliver of valuable San Francisco real estate from which to send a header on target in the 67th minute. Hill was little troubled by the attempt and easily scooped up the ball in front of goal.

City made the first sub of the game, sending in Tyson Crim for David Taylor. He immediately made his presence felt with a brilliant give and go with winger Diaz De Leon that allowed Taylor a shot in the area. The attempt was off, but it signaled a renewed push by the hosts to find an equalizer.

And an equalizer they found, when in the 76th minute, winger George Plakorus rifled a cross into the area that appeared to deflect off Cal FC defender Roger Mendoza and into the net for an own goal. Tied at 1-1 and with only 10 minutes remaining in the game, both teams played a more cagey style than before. The match looked destined to reach extra time.

But Cal FC was awarded its second penalty kick of the game in the 88th minute, this time for a handball in the box by second half substitute Taylor Amman. Midfielder Johnny Bravo stepped up to the spot and emphatically scored to give the visitors a late 2-1 lead.

A spirited SFCFC comeback was quashed at every opportunity by the now defensive minded Cal FC crew, and after a few minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle with the final score 2-1 for Cal FC.

Cal FC, best known for their 2012 upset of Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers pick up their first win in the tournament since that historic evening in Portland, Ore. After the game, Cal FC manager Ross Greaney was very complimentary of San Francisco’s effort and the support in the stands, but was happy to advance to the next round.

“We came here to upset a lot of people,” said Greaney. “And we did.”

Robert Jonas writes for Centerline Soccer and you can follow him on Twitter @RobertJonas.

Video by NonLeagueAmerica.com

2015 Preliminary Round: Harpo’s FC gives USSSA first US Open Cup win, 2-0 over KC Athletics (video)

April 25, 2015 by Robert Wilson

Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler wheeler@pocketsofpeace.com — Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler [email protected]

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debutants Harpo’s FC celebrated their first tournament berth with a Preliminary Round win over the Kansas City Athletics by a score of 2-0. Second half goals from midfielder Dan Campbell and forward Shane Wheeler pushed the home team to victory in front of a small crowd at one of the practice fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods, home of the Colorado Rapids.

The Boulder, Colo.-based USSSA squad will now travel to Utah to face the BYU Cougars (PDL) in the First Round on May 13. It will be just the third matchup between the state of Colorado and Utah in the tournament’s modern era (1995-present).

The first half was a cagey midfield battle between the familiar foes. The two teams had met twice in last month’s USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament with Harpo’s winning 4-1 in the group stage and the Athletics winning in the USSSA Final.

“Both sides wanted to attack, so it turned into a bit a chess match in the first half,” said Harpo’s FC owner and head coach Johnny Freeston. “Both teams had their chances.”

Kansas City’s fullbacks Oran Andrew and Skelly Kellar, along with former Colorado Rapid & Denver native Steven Emory provided the visitors with some of their best opportunities in the first half. None the less, neither Andrew’s long throw-ins, Kellar’s marauding left-sided runs nor Emory’s consistent midfield passing were able to find forward Bryan Williams in the Harpo’s penalty box.

In the second half, the home team took control of the game producing more sustained possession and composed attempts on net. The deadlock was broken in the 50th minute when a Harpo’s forward got a hold of a loose ball and calmly dropped it into the bottom right hand corner of Kansas City’s net. The goal energized the small but lively contingent of Harpo’s FC fans and families as well as the eleven players on the field. After the goal, Harpo’s FC had a number of quality shots on net from forward Shane Wheeler and midfielder Edgar Olivas.

In an effort to retake control of the game, player-coach Kyle Perkins took matters into his own hands and entered the game in the 60th minute. Perkins, who has scored a goal in each of the Athletics’ last two Open Cup runs, reenergized the KC attack expanding the field of play. The Athletics’ high line and eagerness to attack eventually provided opportunities for Harpo’s forward Shane Wheeler to repeatedly test the KC back line on the counter attack.

After multiple quality attempts, Shane Wheeler got his goal in the 70th minute after pushing KC’s high line at the back all game. Moments after shooting a 20-yard free kick inches over the crossbar, Wheeler broke through the KC backline and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Steve Grow.

“I knew what I was going up against,” said Wheeler about his familiarity with the Athletics having played against them recently. “I wanted to give them a hard time and I knew I would get my chance, and when I got it, I took a deep breath, took the goalie on, duked him and I knew it was in.”

In the closing 20 minutes, Kansas City’s final attempts were handled by fullback Sawyer Frank and goalkeeper Zac Gibbens. After the game, KC right back Oran Andrews denied that neither the altitude nor travel were an issue in their performance.

“It was (Harpo’s FC’s) cohesion,” said Andrews. “You could tell they have played together for a while … it was a pretty even game. We made a couple mistakes and they were able to capitalize.”

After the match, beers in hand, the players, fans and families celebrated true to their beer league roots.

“We take this seriously,” said Freeston. “Everyone wants to win but at the end of the day, we are all best friends … it was great for everyone, I am really proud of the guys and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Harpo’s FC returns to Colorado Amateur Soccer League play the next day, and they don’t want to overlook a league game, but a May 13 tie with the PDL’s BYU Cougars is certainly on their mind.

“We are going to train hard and come out for the next game,” said Wheeler.

“Since the draw came out, our goal has always been to get to (a second round matchup with) Colorado Springs (Switchbacks – USL) and face the Switchbacks in their stadium, but until then it’s one game at a time – now Utah,” said Freeston.

Robert L. Wilson covers Colorado-based US Open Cup games for TheCup.us and occasionally contributes to DenverUrbanism.com because he loves everything Colorado. He can be reached on twitter at RLW2020

Highlights: KC Athletics vs. Harpo’s FC
Harpo’s2, KCA 0 Prelim Open Cup from Patrick Shea on Vimeo.

2015 US Open Cup Preliminary Round details confirmed: San Francisco City hosts Cal FC, Harpo’s FC welcomes KC Athletics to Boulder

March 25, 2015 by Josh Hakala

UPDATE (April 8, 2015): The United States Soccer Federation announced the details for the Preliminary Round, Round 1 and the potential matchups for Round 2.

UPDATE (April 11, 2015): The match between Harpo’s FC and the Kansas City Athletics in the Preliminary Round will no longer be played at Prentup Field in Boulder, Colo. due to field maintenance that will be taking place. They are in the process of finding a new venue.

The draw for the First Round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup won’t take place until April 8, but fans and teams can start making travel plans for both Preliminary Round games.

Both games will take place on Saturday, April 25, starting in the Bay Area where US Club Soccer representative San Francisco City FC will host Cal FC at Kezar Stadium at 2 p.m. Pacific Time (5 p.m. Eastern). A little later, in Boulder, Colo., United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) team Harpo’s FC will host the Kansas City Athletics. However, TheCup.us has learned that their original venue of Prentup Field at the University of Colorado will not be available due to field maintenance. A new venue will be announced soon.

The winners of each game will advance to Round 1, which will take place the week of May 13, and their opponents will be determined on April 8 when the US Soccer Federation conducts the competition’s first draw.

Playing Open Cup games on a weekend is pretty rare since Major League Soccer joined the tournament in 1996. Last year, thanks to the FIFA World Cup break, three Fourth Round Open Cup games were played on a Saturday, but prior to that, the last time there was a Saturday gameday in the tournament was 2003 (USASA’s DS United vs. PDL’s Raleigh CASL Elite in Cary, NC).

Michael Friedman and former US international Eric Wynalda, the architects of Cal FC’s memorable run in 2012 that saw them upset two professional teams, including MLS’ Portland Timbers, are back with the club again this year. They will play another road game (they have never hosted a tournament game) and face an up-and-coming club with high aspirations. San Francisco confirmed recently on Twitter that the club, which doesn’t currently belong in any of the national amateur leagues (PDL, NPSL) is in talks about possibly making a big jump to the North American Soccer League. They will bring an experienced roster to Kezar Stadium, which has been hosting Open Cup games (among many other events) for several decades.

The battle in Colorado will be a rematch from the USSSA qualifying tournament as the home team, Harpo’s FC, will take on the KC Athletics for the third time this year. The two teams met in group play with Harpo’s winning 4-1, but KC avenged that early loss by defeating Harpo’s in the championship game 3-1. Normally, the Athletics would have been the USSSA representative in the US Open Cup, but they had already qualified through the USASA’s Region II and had only entered the tournament purely as a way to get some competitive games in before the tournament started. Since KC was ineligible, Harpo’s was awarded the USSSA’s Open Cup berth. However, interestingly enough, the format for the 2015 US Open Cup called for the USSSA representative to play against the nearest USASA team in the Preliminary Round, and without question, the Athletics were the closest team to Boulder, Colo. of the USASA clubs that qualified.