USSSA

2017 US Open Cup qualifying: Harpo’s FC eliminates Colorado Rovers for third straight year

September 17, 2016 by Jim Hart

In the shadow of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, where the Colorado Rapids were warming up for their match against the San Jose Earthquakes, two powers of the Colorado Amateur Soccer League (CASL) were going at it on a pitch that was far below the standards the Rapids were playing on. This bumpy, ragged, patchwork pitch was the scene for the opening round match featuring two of Colorado’s best sides, Colorado Rovers of Denver and Harpo’s FC of Boulder.

In the end, Harpo’s FC won the latest chapter in this rivalry by a score of 2-0. It was the third year in a row that Harpo’s have eliminated the Colorado Rovers in Open Cup qualifying.

The Rovers are the historic power in Colorado football, having won two national championships in the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) and made historic runs in the Open Cup in years not too far in the distant past. Head coach Erick French is proud of that winning tradition and is determined to bring those days back to the Rovers.

Harpo’s is the current hot hand in Colorado, making a decent run in the Cup last season, they were knocked out by USL’s Colorado Switchbacks in an exciting 1-0 loss in the Spring session. Head coach Steve Lepper is excited to return to Open Cup action and feels like he has the side to take Harpo’s further this season.

These two Colorado Amateur Soccer League rivals have been the only two clubs that have represented the USSSA since the organization received its first entry into the tournament in 2013. In 2013 and 2014, the Rovers won the USSSA qualifying tournament to punch their ticket. In 2015, Harpo’s FC defeated the Rovers in group play, which helped them advance to the championship game. Harpo’s would lose the Final to the KC Athletics, but earned their first spot in the US Open Cup after the Athletics already qualified for the tournament through the USASA. In 2016, the open division qualifying tournament made its debut and the Rovers and Harpo’s met in the opening round with the “bull shit pub team” (as Harpo’s refers to themselves as) won 4-1 in extra time.

The match started quickly with Harpo’s taking most of the action in the first half. Harpo’s was able to work the ball down the left side effectively throughout the half, however, finishing was elusive, as the Rovers defense was bending, but certainly holding firm at the net until late in the half when Santiago Velez was able to beat the goalkeeper in the 40th minute for 1-0 Harpo’s lead.

The second half played at a slower pace and became a more physical affair. Rovers were able to get more of their attacking players up the field and were unlucky with a shot off the post. These two teams are very familiar and banter from the first half started to become frustration in the second half. A few yellow cards were required to settle things down and the pace became more choppy and uneven, which seemed to play into Rovers game plan a bit better.

Substitutions started to come in the 60th minute and none was more effective than Harpo’s Dan Whittle, whose pace changed the game dramatically. From the time Whittle came off the bench the match took a different tone, and Harpo’s amped up the pace and was able to stave off the advancing Rovers attack. The result was an 89th minute securing goal by Ross Van Osdale to seal the victory for Harpo’s.

Speaking with both managers after the match it was clear that the pitch was an issue for both sides, they were both missing critical players, however, Harpo’s was clearly the deserved winner. French was gracious in defeat and wished Harpo’s well in their match on October 22 against Aztecs, who were able to defeat FC Denver 3-1 in other action tonight in CASL.

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Colorado Springs Switchbacks end cup run of Harpo’s FC again

May 21, 2016 by Jim Hart

For the second year in a row the Colorado Springs Switchbacks have knocked Harpo’s FC out of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The match was played under the looming shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the home stadium of the Switchbacks. A crowd of about 600 was in attendance to witness the match in the cool Colorado spring. Snow was seen high on the peaks in the background, and a definite chill was in the air, especially for visiting Harpo’s FC of Boulder Colorado, an amateur side who plays in the Colorado Amateur Soccer League of the United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA).

The first half started brightly for the Switchbacks. The athleticism of the USL side showed in the early stages of the match, then in the 17th minute, Martin Maybin scored a perfect goal on the run in against Harpo’s gymnastic goalkeeper Zac Gibbens, who was caught out and just missed the save. Harpo’s FC looked to be on their back heels early in the match, but after the 20 minute mark they began to take the game to the Switchbacks. Frontman Sawyer Frank broke through several times in the first half but was unable to find the net. The first half ended with the Switchbacks up by a goal, but Harpo’s knocking on the door.

The second half was all Harpo’s. Wave after wave of attack was thrust upon the Switchbacks defensive unit. The only discipline of the match occurred in the 61st minute with a yellow card to Switchbacks Saeed Robinson for a nasty tackle in the midfield.

In the 71st minute, the Switchbacks brought in fresh legs to help on the defensive side but the Harpo’s attack continued, and missed a shot from inside the six yard box late in the match. The all-out attack from Harpo’s left them defensively open. Robinson got free with the ball late in the match and Gibbens was able to stop the shot which then careened off the post to save the one goal deficit.

However, in the end it was all that the Switchbacks needed, the single goal was the decider as they earn a trip to Peoria to take on fellow USL side Arizona United in Round 3 with the Colorado Rapids waiting for the winner in the Fourth Round.

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: Harpo’s FC kicks off second straight tournament with win in Albuquerque

May 14, 2016 by Robert Wilson

Harpo’s FC (USSSA) rode two first half goals to an away victory at Albuquerque Sol (PDL) in the First Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Casual fans may see it as an upset, but after last year’s run to Round 3, nobody should be surprised by the veteran and in-form group from Boulder, Colo.

Harpo’s opened the game with a 3-5-2 lineup intent on allowing the hosts maintain possession amongst their defenders but cutting down every attempt out of their own half. Eventually defensive miscues and some timely passes by the Harpo’s counterattack gave the visitors the lead and they never looked back.

Harpo’s opened the scoring in the 14th minute when midfielder Chris Salvaggione pounced on Dan Campbell’s long ball that was misplayed by the Albuquerque goalkeeper Andres Seazzu and his backline. Salvaggione and the rest of the Harpo’s full team press continued to pressure the Albuquerque defense corralling the hosts back into their own half. Seventeen minutes later long free kick picked up by Kyle Luetkehans forced the Albuquerque defense into another precarious situation. Luetkehan’s cross in side to penalty area was defected, by a handball not called by the referee, but collected by forward Shane Wheeler whose first touch drove the ball into back of the net for the second goal.

Albuquerque Sol’s playmaker Patrick Pacheco and second half substitute Elliot Prost provided the hosts with a number of second half attacking combinations, few which tested Harpo’s goalkeeper Zac Gibbons. Harpo’s Chris Salvaggione, on the other hand, never took his foot off of the gas, testing Seazzu numerous times in the second half including a disallowed finish from an offside position in the 53rd minute and a long-range effort that required a diving Seazzu fingertip save.

The victory sets up a Centennial State rematch with second year USL side Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The Switchbacks ended Harpo’s three-game Open Cup run before setting off on a three game run themselves in last year’s tournament. The 2015 match turned into a fierce back and forth battle on a cold, rainy evening. This year’s matchup is guaranteed to be equally as heated with both teams confident and eager to push into the later rounds of their second U.S. Open Cups.

Man of the Match: Team effort. Chris Salvaggione’s pace along with Dan Campbell and Kyle Luetkehans’ passing created many of the highlights for Harpo’s however it was defender Joey Matibag that held a very high and very consistent three man backline throughout the match. As the field was compacted the counterattack was pushed higher and higher into the Albuquerque backline eventually forcing the pivotal mistakes.

Moment of the Match: Shane Wheeler’s goal in the 31st minute. At this point Albuquerque was already a goal down, but they were establishing possession and starting to build into dashing attacks led by winger Patrick Pacheco. The offensive foul by Wilkinson and ensuing long free kick by Joey Matibag led to a messy situation that if the missed handball on Kyle Luetkehans’ cross passed without effect perhaps the tide could have turned in the host’s favor. Instead Shane Wheeler blasted the deflected ball into the net and pushed the game out of reach.

LHUSOC highlights Harpo’s 2, ABQ Sol 0 from Patrick Shea on Vimeo.

2016 Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC coach confident ahead of US Open Cup run, “we could win the USL”

May 5, 2016 by Robert Wilson

Harpo's FC celebrates a league game against FC Denver at Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colo. Photo: Harpo's FC — Harpo’s FC celebrates a league game against FC Denver at Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colo. Photo: Harpo’s FC

Started in 1997 as a way for University of Colorado players and their friends to get more games, Harpo’s Tavern sponsored a soccer team and started the local legend.

Johnny Freeston was part of the old crew and is now the owner and the man behind Harpo’s FC and their focus on winning at higher and higher levels.

“Last year we weren’t ready for the US Open Cup,” Freeston said. “This year it is our number one priority.”

Last season, Harpo’s had an attention-grabbing run, defeating amateur side KC Athletics at home and the PDL’s BYU Cougars away before ultimately falling away at the USL’s Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

The Colorado Rapids have been accommodating hosts for Harpo’s FC and other regional amateur rivals during their Open Cup run and qualifying matches, offering the practice fields at Dicks Sporting Goods Park as a consistent home base.

Grateful but ambitious, Harpo’s FC have set a goal for this year’s Cup run: to play on the Dick’s Sporting Goods Field pitch, inside the stadium – where the Rapids play their MLS home matches – against the highest competition the region has to offer, the Rapids themselves.

This run would require the fearless group to win two games on the road: at Albuquerque Sol (PDL) and at Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL) in the month of May before being matched up with a NASL side or another side that has advanced this far. A win in this third round game would make a matchup of an amateur team vs. a top-division MLS team. Only five amateur clubs have knocked off an MLS team; Cal FC (2012), Michigan Bucks (2012, 2000), Dallas Roma (2006) and Chicago Shockers (2000) but Harpo’s owner Freeston repeatedly states that forcing this matchup is this year’s goal.

Harpo's FC celebrates their 2015 US Open Cup First Round win over KC Athletics. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler — Harpo’s FC celebrates their 2015 US Open Cup First Round win over KC Athletics. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler

There is no lack of confidence in this group. Head coach Steve Lepper, who grew up in Switzerland and came to the United States where he played soccer at Hope College (Division 3 school in Michigan) and played in the PDL for the now-defunct West Michigan Edge. He has coached at various clubs here in the States, and was the executive director at St. Vrain FC youth club in Longmont, Colo. for eight years and the Colorado Rapids U-23s. With his experience, Lapper is highly confident in the skills of the Harpo’s side.

“We think we could win the USL right now with the players we have,” says coach Lepper.

And Harpo’s does have an experienced and cohesive squad.

“We might be a pub team, we can’t train every day because of work and family, but on any given day we can hang with anyone,” said Freeston. “I desperately want to move up, I think all of our guys want to move up, our fans want us to move up and challenge ourselves at the highest level.”

The system that Lepper and Freeston have put together is a mixture of youth and experience, continuity mixed with constant competition. Lepper and Freeston have the ability to call upon 50-60 players at any given time, since they are not a professional team everyone has a job and a home life, but from that group the best 18 will suit up on match day.

This year’s squad returns almost all of their 2015 Open Cup starters including center forward Shane Wheeler, speedy frontman Dan Whittle, acrobatic goalkeeper Zac Gibbens, the team’s leading scorer/former Finnish pro Kyle Luetkehans, and offensive-minded wingback Sawyer Frank. Notable additions who will feature in this year’s Open Cup opener include Michael Ogletree, a veteran of MLS’ now-defunct Chivas USA, captain Dan Campbell, a D1 college player who has turned into one of the core players for both the outdoor side as well as the outstanding indoor side, as well as former USL Charlotte Eagles super-sub Chris Salvaggione.

Harpos' FC players battle for the ball in a league game against FC Denver. — Harpos’ FC players battle for the ball in a league game against FC Denver United. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler

2016 has begun in similar fashion to the previous year with Harpo’s FC dominating indoor Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL) play up until the final. Once again Harpo’s FC fell just short in the PASL final thriller to a Texas based club, this year it was RGV Devils in penalty kicks. The outdoor Colorado Amateur Soccer League (USSSA) Spring Season has recently kicked off and Harpo’s FC is in fine form, currently 3-0 with 12 goals scored and zero allowed in games vs. Union Jerez, Real Colorado and FC Denver United.

Last year, Harpo’s had to dethrone two-time defending USSSA champion Colorado Rovers to qualify for the Open Cup. This year, those two teams met again in the 2016 qualifying tournament. This year, Harpo’s did it again, by knocking off the Rovers 4-1 in the opening round. Harpo’s forward Daniel Whittle scored the opener before former MLS player Ritchie Kotschau equalized in the second half. The two Colorado Amateur Soccer League (CASL) rivals went into to overtime tied at one a piece. After 100 minutes of physical, back and forth soccer the rowdy Harpo’s support pushed the Boulder-based pub team past the exhausted Rovers with three knockout goals from captain Dan Campbell and well-traveled forward Chris Salvaggione to win 4-1.

In the next round, a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rush at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field No. 8 would prove to be the game that clinched a spot in the tournament. Last year’s TheCup.us Player of the Round from the Preliminary Round, Kyle Luetkehans, scored the opener, followed by Dan Campbell before halftime and Sawyer Frank adding the insurance goal in the 81st minute.

Wednesday, May 11, when Harpo’s FC takes the field in Albuquerque, they will not be the unknown quantity they were last season, but with their depth and continued form, the coaches and players expect this to be their best year yet. Their dreams are big, but they have the plan to take it one step at a time, and one of the most important steps is: might as well have fun while you are doing it, because you never know when another upstart #bullshitpubteam (the hashtag they started) might come out of nowhere and take it all away.

Watch a promotional video of Harpo’s FC below

2015 US Open Cup Round 2: Colorado Springs Switchbacks hold on, end cup run for Harpo’s FC, 2-1 (video)

May 22, 2015 by Robert Wilson

The USL’s Colorado Switchbacks rode two first-half goals by forward Martin Maybin to their first US Open Cup victory, beating Harpo’s FC 2-1 in the Second Round.

Harpo’s did not go out without a fight, throwing everything they had towards Switchbacks goalkeeper Samir Badr in the second half.

The result eliminated the Boulder, Colo.-based and ended their run from local recreation league champs to Open Cup Cinderellas.

“We could have won this game, and I think the guys take a lot of positive out of this,” said Switchbacks owner and general manager Johnny Freeston, “like we always say we either win or learn and this game gives ambition to look at the next level for guys and the club.”

Right off the opening whistle Maybin outjumped Harpo’s goalkeeper Zac Gibbens and flicked Kleyner Bejarano’s cross into the top left corner of the net. The first-minute goal allowed the hosts to comfortably sit back and hold possession for most of the first half. Maybin added his second with a ‘goal of the round’ nominee in the 34th minute.

Down two goals at half, Harpo’s looked outmatched by the professional side.

“We worked so fricken hard,” Freeston said. “We owe it to ourselves to be better than this.”

While Switchbacks FC were content with their two-goal lead, the motivated and refocused Harpo’s FC took the field by putting it all on the line. After waves of attacks and successful passing combinations led Kyle Luetkehans, Justin Geibel and Sawyer Frank, the visitors finally broke through with what Freeston described as centerback Kevin Haber “running through a brick wall.”

The 48th minute goal came off a long free kick sent in by Frank.

Photo: Richard Wheeler — Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler [email protected]

After finally breaking through, the visitors could feel the momentum shifting and that an equalizer was possible.

In the 76th minute, Switchbacks midfielder Rony Argueta was issued a second yellow after a forcefully-applied header in a 50/50 ball. At this point Harpo’s knew it was the time to attack.

Switchbacks head coach Steve Trittschuh added two defender and star midfielder Luke Vercollone to help mitigate the momentum shift as Freeston went all in with three attacking substitutions. Harpo’s best chance for an equalizer came late in the second half when forward Shane Wheeler played and excellent through ball to Kyle Luetehans who was in on net with just the keeper to beat. Luetkehans took one touch before the ball completely stopped in a deep muddy puddle on the edge of the box; ending the attack.

In the closing minutes of the game the exhausted visitors scrapped for every free kick and corner they could including sending Gibbens in the attack. In the end the Switchbacks held on.

After the game an optimistic yet disappointed Freeston lamented how his team, “trained hard, we trained smart, we watched video and understood their players, knew their tendencies but we made two very amateur mistakes at the beginning of the game.

“They took their chances early, we had to battle back. Under different circumstances we could have a different result, but we made those mistakes.”

In reference to his enjoyable three game Open Cup run the inspired coach added that “the next level beckons for us, but we are not sure what that means yet.”

Going forward Trittschuh is looking forward to what will be the third official meeting between Real Monarch SLC and Switchbacks on Wednesday.

Overall his side plans on taking this tournament “round by round” adding that, “it’s going to take the whole roster to adjust to the Wednesday-Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday,” rhythm of balancing the USL season and Open Cup run.

When asked about Open Cup goals Trittschuh smiled and added, “maybe we could meet the guys up the road,” referring to the his former club the Colorado Rapids in MLS where he reached the Open Cup Final in 1999.

2015 US Open Cup Round 1: Harpo’s FC pitches another shutout, reaches Round 2 with PK win over BYU (video)

May 16, 2015 by Robert Wilson

BYU's South Stadium in Provo, Utah — BYU’s South Stadium in Provo, Utah

Harpo’s FC (USSSA) defeated the BYU Cougars (PDL) 4-2 from the penalty spot after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer on the BYU campus. The result continues Harpo’s dream run into the second round when they return to the Centennial state to face Switchbacks FC (USL) at Sand Creek Stadium in Colorado Springs on May 20.

Both teams enjoyed large periods of possession and accurate passing on South Field, but with few quality attempts on net. From the beginning of the match, the older, more experienced Harpo’s squad successfully maintained an organized defense. As the game continued, the college-aged BYU attackers got closer and closer to breaking down the visitors with exceptional attacks from Pedro Vasconcelos, Jacob Ence, and Dallin Cutler.

“The hardest part was the guys were exhausted,” said Harpo’s manager Johnny Freeston. “We made our subs early so we could finish off the game in regulation, but that didn’t work. It was a big gamble, but my players dug deep to give everything they had.”

Harpo’s defenders Jose Matibag, Kevin Haber, Sawyer Frank, and goalkeeper Zac Gibbens stayed organized to keep BYU off the scoreboard during relentless attacks.

According to BYU head coach Chris Watkins, “It’s disappointing to lose a game like this. We gave them a little too much early in the game because we came out unsure of ourselves. Hat’s off to them. They were playing for overtime for the last hour or so. They parked the bus.”

Watkins redirected his young players during the break.

“We came out at halftime wanting to push the ball more,” Watkins said. “As they got more tired, we pushed more. The plan was working, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”

In the closing seconds of regulation, a long clearance found Vasconcelos in the BYU attack with one defender to beat before firing a potential game-winner. As he cocked his leg to shoot, Matibag cut him down with a clutch, yet controversial tackle outside of the penalty area.

During the extra 30 minutes, BYU attacked in waves with occasional counterattacks from Harpo’s. Both keepers — Gibbens for Harpo’s and Jake Peterson for BYU — had their moments preserving the shutouts and forcing the game to spot kicks.

Cutler shot first for BYU, placing the ball past Gibbens to give the Cougars the lead. Justin Geibel leveled the score for Harpo’s with a clean shot to Peterson’s right. Vasconcelos took BYU’s second shot, but Gibbens made the save and gave the visitors momentum.

Ben Iiames scored the second Harpo’s shot. Matt Rider followed for BYU and sent his attempt wide left. Corey Cullen stretched the score to 3-1 for Harpo’s, yet Ethan Meyer scored to keep the Cougars in the hunt at 3-2. But Sawyer Frank tucked away his shot to seal the game and send Harpo’s to their second-round match in Colorado Springs.

For Freeston, reaching the second round was an ambitious goal that the team clarified before the tournament. Freeston’s squad is familiar with the Switchbacks roster, most notably Switchbacks veteran captain Luke Vercollone, who trained with Freeston’s Avery Brewing FC over the winter. Most of all, Harpo’s players like Gibbons, Matibag, and striker Shane Wheeler are eager to continue their Cup run and hope to gain notoriety by proving their abilities above the amateur level. The determined Harpo’s squad believes they can play at a professional level, and USL exposure is what they were hoping for in this tournament.

After the game, the easy-going group from Boulder shared cans of Avery India Pale Ale and Ellie’s Brown Ale that they hauled for the road trip. Looking ahead?

“We envision beers, ice baths, rest, and unfortunately some of us have to go to work,” Freeston said. “People will rest up and take care of themselves. We’ll train accordingly. We’ll prep like we did for this, and we’ll be ready for Wednesday and give it our best.”

Patrick Shea of the website Current of Colorado also contributed to this report, along with producing the video below.

Highlights: Harpo’s FC at BYU
Harpo’s-BYU-USOC-Highlights-5-13-15 from Patrick Shea on Vimeo.

2015 US Open Cup Preliminary Round: Well-traveled Kyle Luetkehans of Harpo’s FC edges teammate for TheCup.us Player of the Round

April 29, 2015 by Josh Hakala

Kyle Luetkehans of Harpo's FC assisted on both goals in his teams' 2-0 Preliminary Round win over the KC Athletics and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler wheeler@pocketsofpeace.com — Kyle Luetkehans of Harpo’s FC assisted on both goals in his teams’ 2-0 Preliminary Round win over the KC Athletics and was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler [email protected]

Kyle Luetkehans of Harpo’s FC dished out two assists to lead the Boulder, Colo. club to a 2-0 win over the Kansas City Athletics in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Preliminary Round. The midfielder’s performance was enough to earn him TheCup.us Player of the Round honors.

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

Luetkehans edged out Harpo’s FC goalkeeper Zac Gibbens, who made five saves in the shutout win. Cal FC’s Danny Barerra, a two-time winner of the award in 2012, finished third after leading his team to a 2-1 win over San Francisco City FC.

Luetkehans, who played his college ball at the University of Vermont, helped open the scoring in the 50th minute when he fed Dan Campbell a square ball to the middle of the field. The captain found space and drove a low shot into the back of the net on the edge of the penalty area.

In the 70th minute, clinging to a 1-0 lead, Luetkehans stripped the ball at midfield and played a long, floating ball over the defense to the feet of Shane Wheeler, who also received Player of the Round votes. Wheeler, who is a co-worker with Luetkehans in their day job, brought the ball down, dribbled around onrushing goalkeeper Steven Grow and slotted it home to give the home team a two-goal cushion. (CHECK OUT THE HIGHLIGHTS BELOW)

Harpo’s FC have played the Athletics three times in the last two months and Luetkehans has played a key role in both of his club’s wins. He scored a hat trick in a 4-1 win over KC in the group stage of the USSSA qualifying tournament.

“Kansas City is a talented team but after having played them three times now in the last month or so, we’ve gotten to understand their style,” said Luetkehans. “We knew they were going to try to counter us so as long as we made sure we kept a disciplined midfield and back line during transitions, we would be in a great position.”

The Chicago-area native has taken an interesting path to Harpo’s FC and helping them become the first United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) team to win a US Open Cup game. After suffering an injury during his senior year at Vermont in 2010, he left for Europe determined to find a team to play for. After a stop with Mjondalen in Norway and training with a 5th division club in Germany, he impressed on trial with Kemi Kings in Finland and immediately signed and was on the field in the team’s next game. After playing the final third of the season for the Kemi Kings, he wasn’t able to help them avoid relegation (they have since been promoted again), and he was left looking for a new club.

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

His performance was enough to earn him a trial with HIFK in Helsinki (Finland) and after scoring a goal in a preseason friendly, he was told he had earned a contract. Three months later, after a number of visa issues, he eventually put pen to paper shortly before the first game of the season and played throughout the entire campaign. The following season, he signed with another Helsinki club, GrIFK, but visa issues limited him to just half a season with the club.

After leaving Finland, a former assistant coach at the University of Vermont, Ross Duncan, put him in touch with his former club, the Brisbane Strikers in Australia. After a successful trial, Luetkehans signed with the club. He followed in the footsteps of former Vermont teammate and current Harpo’s FC teammate Justin Geibel, who also played in Australia. Two other Harpo’s players also have experience playing Down Under, although with different teams, Aaron Woodruff and Corey Cullen. None of those players knew each other prior to joining Harpo’s FC.

A family emergency brought Luetkehans back to the United States and he settled in Denver and walked away from playing professionally.

“I stopped playing a few years ago because I was ready to start a new chapter in my life,” said Luetkehans who currently works full-time for a technology company. “I really enjoy the life I’ve found in Denver and haven’t seriously considered going back into the pro game for a few years. That being said, I love the game and can never stray too far from it. Playing the game you love for a living is an incredible experience and if the right opportunity came across I’d give it some serious thought.”

He didn’t stay away long, as he signed with Oskar Blues FC in the second-tier Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL), which was run by current Harpo’s owner, head coach Johnny Freeston. The following season, Freeston launched Avery Brewing FC, signed Luetkehans and later invited him to play for his outdoor team, Harpo’s FC.

While he’s not earning a paycheck playing for Harpo’s FC, it doesn’t make the experience any less special.

“I’ve never been on team quite like Harpo’s,” said Luetkehans. “It’s not often the guys you play with are some of your best friends and even more rare that they can all ball at such a high level. We all owe a lot to Johnny (Freeston) for making this happen. It couldn’t have been done without him.”

Josh Hakala is a sports broadcaster and the creator/senior editor of TheCup.us. You can reach him on Twitter @USOpenCup or on his personal account @JoshHakala. Anyone interested in contributing (writing, research, website design), sponsoring TheCup.us, or if you have any questions or have some historical information about the US Open Cup to share, please email him here.

MORE:
Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC transitions from beer league team to USSSA champions, US Open Cup debutants

Harpo’s2, KCA 0 Prelim Open Cup from Patrick Shea on Vimeo.

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

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.

Meet the Underdogs: Harpo’s FC transitions from beer league team to USSSA champions, US Open Cup debutants

April 23, 2015 by Josh Hakala

Harpo's FC celebrate its 2014 CASL Fall League championship. Photo: Richard Laemming Wheeler | Harpo's FC — Harpo’s FC celebrate its 2014 CASL Fall League championship. Photo: Harpo’s FC

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.”

For the third year in a row the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup will kick off in the State of Colorado. This year, it will be Boulder-based Harpo’s FC of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) hosting the Kansas City Athletics of the United States Adult Soccer Assocation (USASA) on April 25. The game will be played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Field No. 20, just outside of the home of Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids.

Harpo’s FC, which is sponsored by a local bar, Harpo’s Sports Grill, will be making its first-ever appearance in the US Open Cup. Founded in 1997 as a rec-league team, Harpo’s has gradually grown into one of the regional powers in the Colorado Amateur Soccer League (CASL). Just in the last few years they have won the City of Boulder Men’s D-1 title four times, and won three CASL D-1 championships in addition to multiple tournaments, including last year’s state cup.

In 2014, they were 35-2-4 in outdoor games. With their outdoor success, they decided to take their game indoors. They joined the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL) and their winning ways continued. This past season, under the name Avery Brewing FC, they were Rocky Mountain Division champions (7-1-0) and the Brewers finished as the 2014-15 National Cup runner-up in the second-tier indoor league (behind the Major Arena Soccer League).

Johnny Freeston, the club’s owner and manager, says the team has come a long way since their ‘beer league’ beginnings.

“Admittedly, when the team started it was just a group of guys who just wanted to keep on playing after high school and college,” said Freeston. “In those early days, there was probably more drinking than playing, but could still ball.”

Freeston arrived in Boulder around 2005 and eventually found himself in a leadership role. In 2012, he decided they had enough talent on the roster and in the area to start challenging for trophies. For Freeston, who works in sales and handles all the financial aspects of the club, an appearance in the US Open Cup has been a couple years in the making. After a number of years living up to their rec-league roots, the team started to get older and having families. And with players training on their own and living their own lives, it was about changing the team’s mentality.

“It was all about creating a culture of winning and a brotherhood,” said Freeston. “I think we’ve done that, and it’s shown in the results.”

Harpo’s brotherhood starts with their captain, Dan Campbell. The California native moved to Boulder to work on his MBA after playing soccer and getting a degree from the University of California-Davis. He met a few players and was brought into the fold and over time has become the veteran leader that the team needs in midfield.

One of the main goalscorers is Boulder native Shane Wheeler, who is hoping that playing for Harpo’s and making a run in the US Open Cup could help him earn a pro contract. He has been on trial with a number of pro teams, but has yet to catch on. Freeston describes him as a ‘diamond in the rough’ and has high hopes for his confident number nine who scored two vital free kick goals to help Harpo’s qualify for this year’s tournament.

Another player to watch is Justin Geibel, another outsider who has joined the Harpo’s family. Freeston describes him as the team’s horse who never stops running. Geibel followed an interesting path to end up in Boulder as he grew up in Massachusetts and played college ball at Vermont before ending up in Australia playing for Brisbane Strikers, a lower division pro team. (Brisbane Strikers reached the Round of 16 of Australia’s FFA Cup last season) The 29-year-old brings a veteran work ethic to the midfield, both for the outdoor and indoor teams.

The last few years have seen various amateur teams having trouble securing venues for the tournament, and that was a challenge for Harpo’s as well. They originally planned to play at the University of Colorado’s Pretnup Field, but they learned that the field would be unavailable due to some field maintenance. Luckily for Harpo’s, one of their center midfielders, Sean Sullivan, works in the ticket sales department with the Colorado Rapids. The Kentucky native, who played his college ball at Siena College in New York, was able to help his team find a new home field at Field No. 20 at the Dick’s Sporting Good Park facility in Commerce City, Colo.

Harpo's FC: 2014 USSSA Colorado State Champions — Harpo’s FC: 2014 USSSA Colorado State Champions

On Saturday, they will host the Kansas City Athletics, which will be making its third appearance in the Open Cup (2010, 2012 and 2015) after qualifying through Region II of the USASA. The Overland Park, Kan.-based team has enjoyed relative success in the national tournament, beating Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) 3-1 back in 2012, and giving NSC Minnesota Stars (now Minnesota United in the NASL) all they could handle in a 4-2 loss in the opening round in 2010. The Athletics thought they had qualified in 2013, but they were forced to withdraw after they were ordered to replay their tournament on short notice after the Dearborn Stars filed a protest over the size of Kansas City’s home field.

The matchup is unusual in that these two teams are quite familiar with each other having faced off twice in the USSSA qualifying tournament a month ago. The two sides first met in the opening game of group play where Harpo’s cruised to a 4-1 win over the Athletics behind a free kick goal by Wheeler and a hat-trick by Kyle Luetkehans. Harpo’s ultimately secured their entry into the 2015 US Open Cup after defeating two-time defending champion Colorado Rovers 3-2 in the semifinals thanks to a dramatic free kick from 25 yards out that deflected off the post and into the back of the net.

The win put them into the championship game against Kansas City. However, since the Athletics had already qualified for the Open Cup through the USASA, and were just participating to get game experience ahead of the tournament, Harpo’s was awarded the spot as the last remaining USSSA team. The two clubs would square off in the Final to crown a champion and it was the Athletics getting revenge with a 3-1 win.

“It was very interesting circumstances which saw us play (KC Athletics) twice at the USSSA National Cup and those experiences were valuable with each team earning a win,” said Freeston. “However, it’s all about the here and now. Both sides will be better prepared for this rubber match. We expect a top quality battle and we’re excited for the opportunity to face them again.”

The third meeting will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. MT with the winner traveling to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars in the First Round on May 13. The team that emerges from the opening round will earn a road date with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, a professional team out of USL on May 20.

Harpo’s are the fourth amateur club from Colorado to qualify in the modern era (1995-present), and the previous three were undefeated in their opening game (Boulder Rapids Reserve, Real Colorado Foxes, Colorado Foxes – all PDL). To carry on that tradition, Freeston plans to build on his club’s past successes to make their inaugural cup run a memorable one.

“To be successful we never lose, we either win or learn, and always strive to improve. Our team motto is Brothers, Character and Excellence. Onwards and upwards!”

Robert Wilson also contributed to this article

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.