USSSA

2015 US Open Cup: San Francisco City, Cal FC to kick off 102nd tournament in Preliminary Round; Harpo’s FC, KC Athletics rematch confirmed

March 20, 2015 by Josh Hakala

UPDATED: Harpo’s FC and the KC Athletics have been confirmed as the other Preliminary Round match

The 102nd Lamar Hunt US Open Cup kicks off at the end of April, but TheCup.us has learned the two Preliminary Round matchups for the upcoming tournament. US Club Soccer tournament champion San Francisco City FC has confirmed they will face the United States Adult Soccer Association’s (USASA) Cal FC, which made a name for itself with a Cinderella run in the 2012 US Open Cup. Meanwhile, the round’s other contest will feature a rematch from last weekend’s United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) tournament between Harpo’s FC and the Kansas City Athletics.

San Francisco City, who recently tweeted that they are in talks with the North American Soccer League about possibly becoming an expansion franchise, are attempting to become the first US Club Soccer team to win a game in the US Open Cup. They are also attempting to end a drought for their city as they are the first team from San Francisco to take part in the Open Cup since the California Victory (USL-1, 2nd Division) won a pair of games before falling the Colorado Rapids (MLS) in 2007. They are the first amateur club from the city to play in the US Open Cup in the modern era (1995-present).

We can confirm that we have made initial contact to NASL regarding potential expansion. — SF City FC (@SFCityFC) March 18, 2015

Cal FC was introduced to the American soccer world in 2012 when they won three straight road games including an upset of USL PRO’s Wilmington Hammerheads and a stunning 1-0 extra time win over Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers. Their run would end with a 5-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders in the Fourth Round. After falling short in 2013 qualifying, they returned to the tournament last year but suffered a 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy II (USL PRO) in their opening game.

According to USSF’s announcement in February, the other Preliminary Round game will feature the USSSA representative against the nearest USASA club. Harpo’s FC (Boulder, Colo.) will represent the USSSA after finishing as the runner-up in last weekend’s Open Cup qualifying tournament, having lost to the Kansas City Athletics in the final. Since the Athletics qualified for the 2015 US Open Cup through the USASA’s Region II, Harpo’s FC will make their first trip to the tournament.

However, since the Athletics are the closest USASA team from Boulder, Colo., we will see a rematch in the Preliminary Round. Kansas City confirmed that the two teams will play for the third time this year. The two split a pair of USSSA games with Harpo’s beating KC 4-1 in group play, and the Athletics getting revenge in the championship game, winning 3-1.

This is just the third year that the USSSA has taken part in the US Open Cup. The last two years, the Colorado Rovers represented the league, losing in a penalty kick shootout to the Georgia Revolution (NPSL) in 2013 and falling 2-1 to the USASA’s Red Force a year ago.

The dates and venues for the Preliminary Round games have yet to be determined.

Elsewhere …

The National Premier Soccer League has finally confirmed their final three entries for the 2015 US Open Cup: Fort Pitt Regiment, Virginia Beach City FC and Detroit City FC. More details to come.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Harpo’s FC from Boulder, Colorado punches ticket despite losing USSSA final to KC Athletics (updated)

March 14, 2015 by Anders Aarhus

UPDATE: The Kansas City Athletics defeated Harpo’s FC 3-1 in the USSSA championship game. Since KC already qualified through USASA Region II, Harpo’s FC has qualified as runner-up. They are the first Boulder, Colorado team to qualify since 2004 (Boulder Rapids Reserve, PDL).

The brilliance of individual players is one of things that makes soccer “the beautiful game.” Individual brilliance was on display in Harpo’s FC’s 3-2 win over Colorado Rovers Saturday afternoon, when forward Shane Wheeler’s 25-yard strike off the post in the 88th minute snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory and clinched a spot in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The game-winning goal was doubly sweet as they become the first Boulder, Colorado club to qualify for the US Open Cup since 2004 (Boulder Rapids Reserve, PDL) but they also knock out their rival, two-time defending champion Colorado Rovers.

There was some controversy after the game, however. Many of the coaches were upset with the tournament setup where teams played cross-group games instead of teams within their own groups. This was done after several teams dropped out earlier in the week to ensure every remaining team got to play at least three games. Because he felt the tournament structure was unfair, KC Athletics player/coach Kyle Perkins offered to give up his team’s spot in the final since his club already qualified for the tournament through USASA Region II last fall. However, tournament director Craig Scriven decided the final would go on as planned with Harpo’s meeting KC at noon on Sunday, meaning that Harpo’s will be the USSSA’s Open Cup representative.

Wheeler’s strike was the culmination of an open and entertaining game. The scoring started almost instantly when Ian Marcheschi wrong-footed the Rovers’ goalkeeper after Daniel Whittle fed the forward’s smart, diagonal run into the box.

Rovers quickly leveled at 1-1 with a controversial goal. Harpo’s failed to clear a corner and the ball was headed back into the box and a Rovers player collided with Harpo’s goalkeeper Marc Herzerger. The referee elected not to blow his whistle, allowing a Rovers player to poke the ball over the line.

“I thought the goal they scored was definitely a foul our keeper,” said Harpo’s coach John Freeston. “They moved the entire goal and net when it happened.”

Harpo’s retook the lead 12 minutes into the second half thanks to some good footwork from Wheeler. The forward beat a Rovers defender to the ball and touched it past, only to be tripped. Kevin Harber stepped to the spot and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.

Things got crazy from there. A Rovers player was shoved to the ground while trying to get a head on a dangerous cross and the referee had no hesitation making what was an easy penalty call. As Colorado tied the game at 2-2, the ASC New Stars took the lead on the KC Athletics in the day’s other important group game. Harpo’s suddenly went from a potential spot in the Open Cup to heading home if the scores held up. Harpo’s needed at least a tie in both games to go through.

The chances of that looked dire when ASC padded its lead over KC with a second goal late in the game and Harpo’s missed a flurry of chances. Sawyer Frank skied an open chance over the bar from six yards out in the 81st minute and Wheeler had a shot roll inches wide of the post a minute later. Captain Dan Campbell slammed a shot off the crossbar in the 83rd. But with two minutes to go, Wheeler pulled off some cup magic. The forward danced around a defender before unleashing a rocket from 25 yards that the Rovers’ goalkeeper could only deflect off the post on its way in.

Harpo’s staved off a few late chances from Rovers to secure the spot in the final and the USSSA’s Open Cup berth.

Scoring:
4’ Ian Marcheschi (Dan Whittle)
6’ Unknown Rovers player
57’ Kevin Harber (PK)
62’ Unknown Rovers player
88’ Shane Wheeler

Discipline:
89’ Shane Wheeler (removing his shirt)

2015 USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament
Overland Park Soccer Complex – Overland Park, Kan.

Group A	GP	W	L	D	Pts	GF	GA	GD
KC ATHLETICS	3	1	2	0	3	6	8	-2
Colorado Rovers	3	0	1	2	2	4	5	-1
Monaco FC	3	0	3	0	0	2	15	-13

Group B	GP	W	L	D	Pts	GF	GA	GD
HARPO’S FC	3	3	0	0	9	13	3	+10
ASC New Stars	3	2	0	1	7	8	2	+6
CO Sporting Premier	3	1	1	1	4	7	7	+0

Friday, March 13
Colorado Rovers 1:1 CO Sporting Premier
Harpo’s FC 4:1 KC Athletics
ASC New Stars 5:1 Monaco FC

Saturday, March 14
KC Athletics 5:2 CO Sporting Premier
ASC New Stars 1:1 Colorado Rovers
Harpo’s FC 6:0 Monaco FC

Saturday, March 14
Harpo’s FC 3:2 Colorado Rovers
ASC New Stars 2:0 KC Athletics
CO Sporting Premier 4:1 Monaco FC

Sunday, March 15 (12 p.m. CT)
Championship game: KC Athletics 3:1 Harpo’s FC
*Harpo’s FC qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup because KC Athletics have already qualified through USASA*

Saturday morning recap

The Kansas City Athletics bounced back from an opening day loss with a resounding 5-2 victory over Colorado Sporting Premier on Saturday morning in the USSSA’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament. The win eliminated Sporting and put KC in command of Group A.

The goals came early for the Athletics. John Markey converted a spot kick after Brian Williams drew a penalty in the fifth minute and Martin Johnston doubled the lead four minutes later off a beautiful early cross. KC continued to pad its lead after halftime, adding a goal from Kyle Perkins and two from Brian Williams to make it 5-0. Sporting pulled two back late, a disappointment for KC when considering goals allowed is the first tiebreaker to determine a spot in Sunday’s final.

“Lapses of concentration in the back,” explained Perkins about the late goals they allowed. “We were subbing everybody in and out and sometimes you can get markers switched and lose a man here and there.”

The win sets up an interesting slate of afternoon games. Four teams – KC, Colorado Rovers, Harpo’s FC and ASC New Stars – are still alive for a berth in the final after Rovers tied ASC 1-1 and Harpo’s won 6-0 over Monaco FC.

The Athletics now sit atop group A on three points, one ahead of Rovers and can assure itself a place in the final with a win over ASC Newstars.

Scoring:
6’ John Markey (PK)
9’ Kyle Perkins (Brian Williams)
71’ Brian Williams
77’ Brian Williams (Skelly Kellar)
80’ Craig Jarvis
83’ Kaleb Romero

Discipline:
Evan Sizemore (yellow, reckless tackle)

Friday recap

Beauty. Controversy. Late drama. Friday night’s match between Colorado Rovers and Colorado Sporting Premier was the lowest scoring of the tournament’s opening round, yet it was anything but boring. Sporting’s Joseph Cover won and converted a 90th minute penalty kick to salvage a 1-1 draw from an eventful game to kick off the 2014 United States Specialty Sports Association Open Cup tournament in Overland Park, Kan.

In other action, Boulder, Colorado club Harpo’s FC thumped the Kansas City Athletics 4-1, while Houston’s ASC New Stars cruised to a 5-1 win over Denver’s Monaco FC.

The Rovers and Sporting combined for just two shots in the opening 20 minutes as both struggled to connect passes, but Rovers settled in from there and took the lead in the 24th minute. Former Major League Soccer player Richie Kotschau started the move by winning the ball back in Sporting’s half and hitting a well-weighted pass out to the left wing. He followed that up with a perfectly-timed run into the penalty box, latching on to a teammate’s cutback pass and hammering a first-time shot into the left corner to put Rovers up 1-0.

“I thought we had a defensive lapse on the opening goal,” said Sporting head coach Gerard Louison “That was the only mistake we made all half.”

Kotschau led a Rovers midfield that shut down Sporting’s single-forward look for most of the first half. The few opportunities Sporting did get came courtesy of Aaron Chin and Elliot Levett’s work down the right flank. It was their clever combination play that led to the team’s best chance to equalize on a dangerous 41st minute cross, the kind of play that Louison said was lacking throughout the game.

“We just didn’t get enough crosses in,” Louison said. “That’s the way to really break down.”

Sporting struggled to create chances in the second half even after subbing on a second forward and eventually moving to a desperate 3-5-2 in an attempt to tie the game. With time ticking down, it was the captain who stepped up to save the day.

The play started down Sporting’s right flank and ended with Cover bursting into the Rovers’ box with the ball. He went down while trying to cut across a defender and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Sporting’s captain coolly slotted home the 90th minute equalizer.

“We didn’t finish,” said Rovers head coach Erick French. “There’s a certain amount of professionalism at the end of a game that you don’t provide them with opportunities, they should never get to our box at that point. We should be playing in the corner by the corner flag, not in our box.”

Both coaches had predictably conflicting views on the validity of the penalty call, but neither was happy with the referee in general.

“The whole game was a little bit sketchy,” said French. “The referees didn’t know the rules.”

Part of Louison’s frustration stemmed from the head official mistakenly sending off one of Sporting’s players after only one yellow card. The error was quickly corrected, but the Sporting coach was not pleased.

Both teams play their final two group games Saturday. Those games, along with the others will be at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (Details below)

Scoring Summary
ROVERS: Kotschau – 24th min.
SPORTING: Cover (PK) – 90th min.

Discipline
51’ Unknown CO Sporting player (yellow, reckless tackle)
62’ Eric Wilson (yellow, reckless tackle)
76’ Craig Jarvis (yellow, reckless tackle)

Other Notes:
* As was reported in the tournament’s preview, if the Kansas City Athletics are able to rally to win the tournament, the tournament’s runner-up will be the 2015 US Open Cup entry from the USSSA. The Athletics have already qualified for the US Open Cup through the USASA and are using this tournament as preparation.
* Colorado Sporting Premier coach Gerard Louison said he thinks Harpo’s is the best team at the tournament. Louison knows the team well because Sporting lost to Harpo’s in the Colorado State Cup final.
* Rovers coach Erick French said after the game fitness is a concern because of the two Saturday games. French rotated guys frequently against Sporting. When asked what the plan is to recover tomorrow he laughed and said, “Ice baths.”
* The ASC New Stars are aiming to qualify for the tournament for the fourth time in club history. They competed in the US Open Cup in 2008, 2011 and 2012 while representing the USASA’s Region III. They lost their opening game in each tournament appearance.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: USSSA tournament kicks off with six teams this weekend in Kansas

March 13, 2015 by Anders Aarhus

Colorado Rovers have qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row. Photo: USSSA — Colorado Rovers qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row last year. Photo: USSSA

Check back here and on Twitter for the latest updates throughout the weekend. Day 1 recap here

American soccer is back and ramping up across the country and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is no exception. Another bid to the 2015 tournament will be handed out this weekend at the Overland Park Soccer Complex in Overland Park, Kansas.

The Kansas City suburbs play host to the US Specialty Sports Association’s (USSSA) tournament just like last year and the similarities don’t stop with the venue. Three teams that showed well in 2014, the Kansas City Athletics, Colorado Premier and Colorado Rovers, are all back for another shot at the bid. The Rovers are the two-time defending champs and should have a good chance to retain their title. Colorado Premier plays in the same league as Rovers and last year’s derby between the two Colorado sides was one of the best games of the tournament. KC Athletics are the local side and a two-time Open Cup qualifier (2010, 2012) out of the USASA.

Another familiar face is the ASC New Stars from Houston, who are entering the competition after qualifying for the Open Cup three titmes (2008, 2011, 2012) out of the USASA. Rounding out the six-team field are Denver-based Monaco FC and Harpo’s FC from Boulder, Colo.

The winner of the tournament will begin the 2015 US Open Cup in the opening round. The draw for this year’s competition has not been held.

One interesting element of this tournament is the Athletics, who have already qualified for the 2015 US Open Cup through USASA Region II. Player/manager Kyle Perkins says they are using this competition to help prepare for the Open Cup, not to qualify for it twice.

“We are not attempting to qualify for the Open Cup since we are already in,” said Perkins. “We just want to play in it to get some games in against good teams before the cup starts.”

If they were to win the tournament, the USSSA will submit the runner-up to the 2015 US Open Cup.

The six teams are split into two groups, each team plays the three in the opposite group and then the team with the most points in its respective group advances to the final on Sunday. Group play opens on Friday night before teams play two games on Saturday.

TheCup.us will have live coverage of the event all weekend, including player and coach interviews, game recaps and stats. Follow @USOpenCup and #USOC2015 on Twitter for the latest updates and check back here for scores and standings below.

2015 USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament
Overland Park Soccer Complex – Overland Park, Kan.

Group A	GP	W	L	D	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Colorado Rovers	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	+0
KC Athletics	1	0	1	0	0	1	4	-3
Monaco FC	1	0	1	0	0	1	5	-4

Group B	GP	W	L	D	Pts	GF	GA	GD
ASC New Stars	1	1	0	0	3	5	1	+4
Harpo’s FC	1	1	0	0	3	4	1	+3
CO Sporting Premier	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	+0

Friday, March 13 (All games 7 p.m. CT) [+] Day 1 recap
Colorado Rovers 1:1 CO Sporting Premier
Harpo’s FC 4:1 KC Athletics
ASC New Stars 5:1 Monaco FC

Saturday, March 14 (All games 9 a.m. CT)
CO Sporting Premier vs. KC Athletics
ASC New Stars vs. Colorado Rovers
Harpo’s FC vs. Monaco FC

Saturday, March 14 (All games 3 p.m. CT)
Colorado Rovers vs. Harpo’s FC
KC Athletics vs. ASC New Stars
Monaco FC vs. CO Sporting Premier

Sunday, March 15 (12 p.m. CT)
Championship game (Group A winner vs. Group B winner)
*Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup*

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: Red Force storms back to beat Colorado Rovers, earn rare Florida win

May 10, 2014 by Robert Wilson

Red Force, the USASA representative from Florida, scored a pair of second half goals to overcome the USSSA’s Colorado Rovers 2-1 in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It was a battle of amateur clubs featuring former professional players making their second consecutive trip to the tournament and a goal by David Olguin in the 81st minute was enough to send Red Force to a rare Florida victory.

With the win, the Miami-based club becomes the first USASA club from the sunshine state to win an Open Cup game since 2001 when Uruguay SC beat Miami Strike Force (PDL). Red Force have another long road trip ahead of them for their Second Round match as they will take on the PDL’s Laredo Heat on May 14 at 9:15 p.m. ET.

The match kicked off in Highlands Park, Colo. with the Rovers eager to jump on the attack. The Rovers, making their second consecutive appearance in the competition, set a tone for the game by taking the first shot of the game; ringing a hard-hit ball right off the middle of the crossbar. Minutes later, Red Force winger Andres Navas and former Ft. Lauderdale Strikers midfielder Scott Gordon connected on a series of quick passes with Navas firing a shot right at Rovers goalkeeper Mark Saxby. For the next ten minutes or so, the Red Force really found a rhythm displaying excellent ball movement. Attackers Gordon, Navas, Olguin and former Miami FC player Abiodun Adeyemi, continued to hold possession and force the Rovers into their own third.

After warding off multiple shots, the well-organized Rovers backline regained possession and sprung Marc Herschberger and former MLS player Colin Clark toward the opposite goal. The pressure resulted in a foul 22 yards from the goal. Clark took the free kick but it was inadvertently handled along the wall, giving the former Colorado Rapids and Houston Dynamo midfielder another chance. This time, Clark bent the free kick over the wall and past a helpless Red Force keeper Kyle Schoeder to give his team the lead in the 30th minute.

For the remainder of the first half and into the second, the Rovers enjoyed the majority of the possession and attempts on net. After the game, Red Force manager Gabriel Vega admitted that jet lag, accompanied with altitude, set in and his team struggled to keep up with the athletic Colorado team.

Just when it looked as if the Rovers were going to maintain or build on their lead, Red Force captain Richard Perdomo cut a Colin Clark run short and turned his team on the counter. Substitute Daniel Gonzalez accompanied by Navas, broke into the Rovers 18-yard box and chipped the keeper. Just before the ball rolled over the line, Rovers centerback Tyer Adam heroically cleared the ball but a penalty was called on the Rovers goalkeeper. Daniel Gomez converted the penalty and game was tied up.

Ten minutes later, all momentum that the Red Force had was quickly taken away when Gomez was sent of with his second yellow card. Just when the Rovers were once again looking to put the game away the Red Force responded with a quick counter attack and some smooth passing to set up Colombian forward Olguin with a 35-yard strike that found the top corner of Saxby’s net. Olguin’s golazo took the entire stadium by surprise and gave the Red Force the decisive edge in the back and forth affair.

After some nervy moments in stoppage time for both teams, the 2-1 result was complete, and the Red Force captured their first-ever US Open Cup victory securing their second round tie in Laredo, Texas next Wednesday.

After the game, Rovers coach Erick French was clearly disappointed to be defeated in such a shocking turn of events. For the Rovers, it was the second consecutive heartbreaking loss in Open Cup play. Last year, on the same Shea Stadium grass, Colorado was eliminated by the NPSL’s Georgia Revolution in a penalty kick shootout. Putting his emotions aside, French sounded determined to qualify once again, already thinking about the qualification process for 2015.

Vega and his Red Force players were ecstatic, yet exhausted from the incredible day they had. After the game, Vega complimented his team for pushing through the long travel, altitude, the early goal, and the difficult opposition. There was little time for celebration as the team had to hop on a plane back to Miami for a local tournament before arranging travel plans for Wednesday’s trip to Laredo.

Colorado Rovers repeat as USSSA champions, clinch US Open Cup berth in shutout-filled qualifying tournament

March 19, 2014 by Anders Aarhus

colorado-rovers-2014-usssa-champs — Colorado Rovers: 2014 USSSA Open Cup tournament champions | Photo: USSSA

With the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Open Cup qualifying tournament in Overland Park, Kan. this past weekend, Mark Saxby wasn’t thinking about his homecoming.

“I came here not looking to spend time with my family and my friends,” the Colorado Rovers goalkeeper said. “I wanted to win this with my team.”

That intensity and focus paid off as Saxby helped the Rovers win the USSSA title for the second year in a row by not allowing a single goal in five tournament games over three days. In fact, all 15 games of the tournament finished with at least one goalkeeper earning a shutout.

The Olathe, Kansas native saved his best performance for last. Saxby made a string of incredible saves to help the Rovers clinch a 1-0, extra-time victory over the Kansas City Athletics in the final to send Colorado to the US Open Cup. Saxby was named MVP of the championship game for his efforts.

“Mark Saxby was unbelievable,” said Rovers head coach Erick French. “Some of the best goalkeeping we’ve had in years.”

The 2014 US Open Cup marks just the second year the USSSA will be taking part in the 101-year-old competition. Last year, the Rovers represented the organization but lost in a penalty kick shootout to the NPSL’s Georgia Revolution in the tournament Preliminary Round after finishing extra time tied 1-1.

The format for this year’s Open Cup has yet to be announced by the US Soccer Federation, so it is unclear where or when the Rovers will begin their journey. The tournament is expected to begin in May.

There was no question the final matched the two best teams of the tournament. Both sides cruised through the group stage and their respective semifinal games, not only without losing, but neither team gave up a goal. The Rovers defeated local rival FC Denver 1-0 on a 39th minute penalty kick by Scott Crawford to punch their ticket to the final. The Athletics had an easier time, defeating Colorado Sporting Premier 6-0. Player/coach Kyle Perkins scored a pair of goals, while John Markey, Matt Kuhn, Evan Sizemore and Martin Johnston added one each in the route.

After Friday and Saturday produced weather in the mid-70s with a light breeze, the conditions for Sunday’s championship game were brutal. Ice chips covered the field and winds close to 20 mph made the temperature feel much colder than the reported 30 degrees at kickoff.

TheCup.us 2014 USSSA
All-Tournament Team
GK: Mark Saxby (Colorado Rovers)
DEF: Curtis Greenley (FC Denver)
DEF: Dele Johnson (Colorado Rovers)
DEF: Daouda Kante (Boulevard)
DEF: Joel Miller (FC Denver)
LM: John Markey (KC Athletics)
CM: Scott Crawford (Colorado Rovers)
CM: Matt Kuhn (KC Athletics)
CM: Robert O’Brien (Comets Express)
RM: George Hunt (Colorado Rovers)
FWD: Garrett Webb (KC Athletics)

Kansas City controlled the game out of the gate and almost took the lead in the third minute when a free kick rattled around the Rovers penalty box before Saxby was able to smoother the loose ball.

In the 13th minute, John Markey got all the way to the end line, but his cross to the near post was cleared just before Brian Williams could reach it.

Colorado seemed to settle in after the first 15 minutes and the game opened up with opportunities for both sides.

The Rovers’ first big chance came in the 20th minute. Scott Crawford played Craig Thompson in alone on goal, but KC ‘keeper Steve Patterson narrowed the angle and Thompson hit his shot inches wide of the near post.

Kansas City nearly made Colorado pay for the missed opportunity on the stroke of halftime. Martin Johnston got free down the right flank with some nifty footwork and his cross found Kyle Perkins, but the player/coach couldn’t direct his diving header on target.

The Athletics were again inches away from taking the lead four minutes into the second half. Saxby managed to get a hand on Chris Markey’s free kick from 25 yards leading to a scramble in the box. The ball found its way to the feet of Williams who tapped into the open net, only to see the assistant’s flag raised for offside.

Both teams struggled to generate chances after that until Josh Westburg’s volley in stoppage time forced an impressive diving save from Saxby.

With nothing separating the two teams after regulation, the game headed to extra time and it didn’t take long for the breakthrough to come in the first extra period.

Rovers went forward on the counter, Evan Siezendev’s clearance was blocked, Bulwich couldn’t reach the deflection and the ball bounced to Marc Herschberger who found himself one-on-one with Patterson. The Athletics’ goalkeeper rushed out to cut down the angle, but Herschberger keep his composure and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Colorado the lead.

“We knew was going to put a lot of pressure out as fast they could,” said French. “But they were starting to get tired and they were starting to sub a little more quickly. We were starting to get a little more possession near the end of the game and starting to become a little more dangerous.”

Kansas City pressed for an equalizer and nearly found it two minutes into the second period of extra time when Williams hit the bar from 30 yards out.

Saxby’s MVP resume was solidified in the game’s final minutes. First, he dove to his left to palm away a rocket from Patterson, after the KC keeper had come forward for a corner. A minute later, he made a tremendous reflex save, palming Garrett Webb’s point-blank header over the bar. On the ensuing corner it was Saxby coming off his line to claim as the referee blew his whistle for full time.

“Growing up here, it’s nice to have support and come back and I think that made me a little more calm in those frantic situations,” said Saxby of his family members who braved the harsh conditions to watch both the semifinal and final.

colorado-rovers-2014-usssa-champions — Colorado Rovers have qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row. Photo: USSSA

The significance of qualifying for the Open Cup two years in a row wasn’t lost on French.

“It’s huge, you can’t underestimate that,” he said. “There’s sponsorships, there’s long-term ramifications, there’s different players that are going to approach us to say ‘hey, look I want to play for the best team in Colorado’.”

Even though he was happy to celebrate with his team, French made it clear it won’t be easy going forward in the tournament.

“We’ve got work to do,” he said.

2014 USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament
Overland Park Soccer Complex – Overland Park, Kan.
Note: Group stage, Semifinals are 50-minute games
Note: We apologize for the formatting problems
Tournament Preview [+]

Group A	PTS	W	L	D	GD
Colorado Rovers	7	2	0	1	+3
CO Sporting Premier	6	2	1	0	+8
Boulevard	4	1	1	1	+0
Comets Express	0	0	3	0	-11

Friday, March 14 – (Day 1 recap)
Colorado Rovers 2:0 Comets Express
CO Sporting Premier 5:0 Boulevard
Saturday, March 15 – (Day 2 recap)
Boulevard 0:0 Colorado Rovers
CO Sporting Premier 4:0 Comets Express
Colorado Rovers 1:0 CO Sporting Premier
Comets Express 0:5 Boulevard

Group B	PTS	W	L	D	GD
KC Athletics	7	2	0	1	+13
FC Denver	5	1	0	2	+3
Azteca Mojos	4	1	1	1	+3
Performance Soccer	0	0	3	0	-19

Friday, March 14 – (Day 1 recap)
FC Denver 3:0 Performance Soccer
KC Athletics 4:0 Azteca Mojos
Saturday, March 15 – (Day 2 recap)
Performance Soccer 0:9 KC Athletics
Aztexa Mojos 0:0 FC Denver
FC Denver 0:0 KC Athletics
Performance Soccer 0:7 Azteca Mojos

Tiebreakers: (1) Head to head (2) Fewest goals allowed (3) Goal difference (Max +/- 4) (4) Most shutouts (5) Most goals scored (no maximum) (6) Fewest red cards (7) PKs or coin flip

Sunday, March 16

Semifinals (9:30 a.m.)
Colorado Rovers 1:0 FC Denver
KC Athletics 6:0 CO Sporting Premier

Final (12 p.m.)
Colorado Rovers 1:0 (AET) KC Athletics

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: Four USSSA clubs emerge from Saturday group stage

March 17, 2014 by Anders Aarhus

UPDATE: Colorado Rovers defeated the Kansas City Athletics 1-0 in extra time to win the USSSA’s Open Cup qualifying tournament. More details to come.

The second day of the United States Sports Specialty Association’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament produced four semifinalists. Those four winners will square off on Sunday in Overland Park, Kan. to decide which club will represent the USSSA in the 101st edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, which will kick off in May.

The defending champion Colorado Rovers moved on with a 2-0-1 record in group play. They finished in first place in the group with a 1-0 win over Colorado Sporting Premier in the final game. Luckily for Sporting Premier, they had won their first two group matches to clinch a spot in the semifinals already.

PREVIEW: 2014 USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: USSSA Day 1 recap

In Group B, the Kansas City Athletics took advantage of their second opportunity to qualify for the 2014 US Open Cup as they finished unbeaten (2-0-1) in the group stage, outscoring their opponents 13-0. The only team who held them to a draw, FC Denver, will join them in the final four as they used a 3-0 win over Performance Soccer on Friday and two scoreless draws on Saturday to advance.

A surprising trend so far in the tournament has been the defense, as all 12 matches in group play were shutouts, with only three of them finishing as scoreless draws.

Here are more details from Saturday’s action:

GROUP B >> KC Athletics 9:0 Performance Soccer

The KC Athletics continued their prolific USSSA tournament campaign with a 9-0 blowout win over Iowa’s lone representative, Performance Soccer, on Saturday morning.

The left-side combo of Skelly Kellar and John Markey was effective once again for the Athletics and it was Markey opening the scoring in the fourth minute after being played in by Kellar.

Two minutes later, Garrett Webb flicked the ball on to the near post for Jesse Baker to head home and the rout was on.

Kyle Perkins added a third right before halftime with a rocket off the underside of the crossbar.

KC continued its dominance in the second half and it wasn’t until the 31st minute that Performance managed to get a shot off.

The highlight of the second half was a pair of terrific goals by Markey to complete his hat-trick. The left-winger now has four goals in two games.

“ didn’t expect to score that many,” said player/coach Kyle Perkins. “It’s always nice to get that many guys on the scoresheet.”

More importantly, the win means the Athletics qualify for the knockout rounds regardless of what happens in their afternoon match against FC Denver.

“We’ll go out to win it just like every game,” said Perkins when asked about the afternoon game. “We’re not going to take it easy on anyone.”

KC can claim the top spot in the group with a win or draw. Perkins said he’s happy with the fitness levels of his team, but he’ll continue to rotate players in the third group game.

“Most of the younger guys are pretty good, some of the older guys might be dragging but we’ll be alright,” Perkins said.

In the other, group game taking place at the same time, FC Denver was held to a scoreless draw by Azteca Mojos. This result put Denver in a difficult position because they needed a win or tie in their game against the high-scoring Athletics in order to advance. If they lost, they would need help from other results or a tiebreaker.

GROUP B >> KC ATHLETICS 0:0 FC DENVER

Both the Kansas City Athletics and FC Denver came into Saturday’s matchup having allowed zero goals in the tournament.

Both teams would keep their tournament clean sheet going as the teams battled to a 0-0 draw in a potential preview of Sunday’s championship game.

“We had our chances to win it,” said Athletics player/coach Kyle Perkins. “But in the end, we did what we came to do and finished top of the group a draw’s fine.”

One of those chances came just seconds into the game when Matt Kuhn took the kickoff and split the Denver defense, but his shot from just inside the 18 went wide.

Physical play from the Athletics in midfield continued to lead to chances. In the 7th minute, Martin Johnston had a beautiful pass to free Garrett Webb, but the forward saw his shot saved at the near post.

Denver’s chances were few and far between, but the Colorado side came close in the 19th minute when Brody Yarletts’ dangerous free kick rattled around the penalty area before being scrambled clear.

FCD threated again off a set piece in the 35th minute when Joel Miller flicked on Felipe Donato’s free kick to the back post, but Ian Cross pushed his shot wide of the open net.

Brian Williams had a good chance to break the deadlock in the 37th minute after Johnston played him in alone on goal, but the big forward failed to test the keeper with his shot.

The game ended in controversy when Denver keeper Walter Fink misjudged a backpass with Skelly Kellar bearing down and appeared to foul Kellar in the box. Perkins was animated on the sideline asking for a penalty, but his protests fell on deaf ears as the referee waved play on.

The result means KC wins Group B on seven points and advances to play Colorado Sporting Premier in one semifinal while FC Denver advances as the runner-up with five points and will face the Colorado Rovers in the other semifinal.

“It’s going to be tight,” said Elbin when asked about the semifinal. “We share the same practice facility , we have a few of their former players so we’re super familiar with them. We’re a pretty defensive group and we’re going to lock it down tomorrow too.”

“We’ll play a stronger lineup for longer periods of time the next two games,” said Perkins when asked how he planned to approach the knockout rounds. “We’ve been playing 50-50, but we’ll stick with a stronger lineup.”

Azteca Mojos fell short of second place, defeating Performance Soccer 7-0 in their final game, but they needed an FC Denver loss to advance.

GROUP A >> BOULEVARD 0:0 COLORADO ROVERS

Boulevard managed to get its first point of the tournament Saturday morning, drawing 0-0 with Colorado Rovers.

After playing with just nine men on Friday night, Boulevard showed much better against the Colorado side and gave itself a slim chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Despite the improvement, there were plenty of chances for Rovers.

George Hunt burst down the right in the fifth minute and squared for Craig Thompson, but the forward scuffed his shot into the hands of Bangu keeper Matt Gow.

Three minutes later, a bad backpass from Michael Gow was intercepted and nearly sent in by one of the Rovers, but the ball was cleared off the line.

Colorado thought it had the lead when Hunt found Marc Herschberger for a tap-in at the back post, but the goal was ruled offside.

“One of those games where you’re obviously better than the other team, but the guys just aren’t sharp and we couldn’t finish,” said Rovers coach Erick French

Boulevard had its best chance of the game in the 21st minute when former MLS player Kyle Brown used a fake shot to free himself in the box and forced a diving save out of Rovers’ ‘keeper Mark Saxby.

Bangu, as Boulevard is also referred to, was almost forced to play down a man for the second straight game when Fabio Caresia lunged in with both cleats exposed, but received only a yellow card.

Rovers continued to throw players forward in search of a winner as the game wore on, but Boulevard defended well and Matt Gow made another big save one minute before full time to preserve the draw.

Rovers will play Colorado Sporting Premier Saturday afternoon to determine the top spot in the group.

Boulevard needs to make up a six-goal differential as well as a Rovers loss to make the knockout stages. Colorado Sporting Premier won their group game 4-0 over Comets Express to clinch a spot in the semifinals

GROUP A >> COLORADO ROVERS 1:0 COLORADO SPORTING PREMIER

Colorado Rovers and Colorado Sporting Premier know each other well.

As two of the Centennial State’s top teams it was no surprise Saturday afternoon’s game was for the top spot in Group A.

But when the dust settled on the physical affair, it was Rovers who took all three points with a 1-0 victory.

After a sluggish performance in a scoreless draw earlier in the morning, Rovers came out bursting with energy and used a high press to frustrate Sporting and control the game.

Rovers came close to opening the scoring when Wesley Post crossed to Brenden Hughes at the back post, but the midfielder sent his header wide of the target.

Two minutes later, Hughes made a second chance at goal count. George Hunt found space on the right flank and swung in a cross that was misplayed by Sporting goalkeeper Andrew Simonete. The ball fell to Hughes who turned and fired home to give Rovers the 1-0 lead.

Sporting’s best chance to equalize came four minutes from time when forward Daniel Perez was able to turn his defender at midfield and run unchecked into the box, but his attempted cutback pass was cleared.

The win means Colorado Rovers finish top of Group A on seven points and will play another local rival in FC Denver in one semifinal Sunday morning.

Sporting Premier finishes the group stage with six points and will play KC Athletics in the other semifinal also on Sunday.

The other game in the group was just for pride as Boulevard blanked the Comets Express 5-0 to finish in third place.

2014 USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament
Overland Park Soccer Complex – Overland Park, Kan.
All times CT
Note: Group stage, Semifinals are 50-minute games
Note: We apologize for the formatting problems

Group A	PTS	W	L	D	GD
Colorado Rovers	7	2	0	1	+3
CO Sporting Premier	6	2	1	0	+8
Boulevard	4	1	1	1	+0
Comets Express	0	0	3	0	-11

Friday, March 14
Colorado Rovers 2:0 Comets Express
CO Sporting Premier 5:0 Boulevard
Saturday, March 15
Boulevard 0:0 Colorado Rovers
CO Sporting Premier 4:0 Comets Express
Colorado Rovers 1:0 CO Sporting Premier
Comets Express 0:5 Boulevard

Group B	PTS	W	L	D	GD
KC Athletics	7	2	0	1	+13
FC Denver	5	1	0	2	+3
Azteca Mojos	4	1	1	1	+3
Performance Soccer	0	0	3	0	-19

Friday, March 14
FC Denver 3:0 Performance Soccer
KC Athletics 4:0 Azteca Mojos
Saturday, March 15
Performance Soccer 0:9 KC Athletics
Aztexa Mojos 0:0 FC Denver
FC Denver 0:0 KC Athletics
Performance Soccer 0:7 Azteca Mojos

Tiebreakers: (1) Head to head (2) Fewest goals allowed (3) Goal difference (Max +/- 4) (4) Most shutouts (5) Most goals scored (no maximum) (6) Fewest red cards (7) PKs or coin flip

Sunday, March 16

Semifinals (9:30 a.m.)
Colorado Rovers vs. FC Denver
KC Athletics vs. CO Sporting Premier

Final (12 p.m.)
Colorado Rovers/FC Denver vs. KC Athletics/CO Sporting Premier

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: Defense rules opening matches of USSSA tournament (with Saturday updates)

March 15, 2014 by Anders Aarhus

The United States Specialty Sports Association kicked off their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament on Friday night with four games as group play began in the eight-team competition.

All four opening games ended in a shutout as the Kansas City Athletics, Colorado Sporting Premier, FC Denver and defending champion Colorado Rovers all picked up three points in Overland Park, Kan. The games being played at this year’s competition are all 50 minutes long, due to scheduling limitations. The shortened games have made for some intense battles as teams have little time to waste to pick up valuable points in the group stage.

PREVIEW: 2014 USSSA Open Cup qualifying tournament

2014 US Open Cup qualifying: USSSA Day 1 recap

The Colorado Sporting Premier had no trouble with Boulevard, taking the match 5-0, while FC Denver defeated Performance Soccer 3-0. (More details to come.)

COLORADO ROVERS 2:0 COMETS EXPRESS

Almost 700 miles from home, it took the Colorado Rovers time to find their footing.

Once they got going, though, the Rovers looked like a team capable of defending its USSSA title.

Brenden Hughes and Scott Crawford scored second-half goals to help the Colorado side open its title defense with a 2-0 win over the hometown Comets Express.

“ a little bit of nerves coming out,” said Rovers coach Erick French. “It took about 35 minutes to get our feet under us.”

Nerves seemed to affect both sides in a first half that featured a scrappy midfield battle and few scoring opportunities for either team.

The first real chance came eleven minutes in when Comets goalkeeper Chris Plooster misjudged a corner kick, but Rovers defender Dele Johnson sent his header over the open net.

Five minutes later the Rovers had another chance to take the lead when Scott Crawford intercepted a pass in midfield and fed Arkadiusz Raclawski who beat two defenders only to hit his shot from inside the box right into the arms of Plooster.

Colorado refocused after the break and five minutes into the second half the goal finally came. Quick, one-touch passing opened up space for Hunt down the right flank and his cross to the near post found a diving Hughes for a 1-0 lead.

“Some of the one-touch stuff was magic,” said French. “It’s just fun to watch.”

“ and I just made eye contact,” said Hughes. “It was a perfect ball and he made it easy for me. I finished it pretty nicely, but all credit to him.”

The goal seemed to open the game up and the final 20 minutes saw chances for both teams.

Hunt managed to get free again in the 40th minute and his cross found Brian Sheenhan alone in the six yard box, but the forward inexplicably hit his shot right into the arms of Plooster.

Comets best chance to equalize came in the 41st minute. Brian Turner beat Colorado ‘keeper Mark Saxby to a free kick and sent a looping header toward goal, but defender Travis Hutchinson managed to recover and clear the ball before it could cross the line.

Six minutes later Scott Crawford sealed the win for the Rovers with beautiful curler from the left edge of the 18-yard box.

“That first half I thought we had possession pretty much the entire half,” said Comets Express coach Brad Geraldi. “Coming out we played very flat and they took advantage.”

The result leaves Colorado Rovers second in Group A on goal differential after Colorado Sporting Premier defeated Boulevard 4-0 later in the evening. Coach French said his team would rotate some new players in to ensure everyone stays fresh for both games on Saturday.

Geraldi said he’d also rotate his team. He said he knows the Comets have to get a result in game one on Saturday to stay alive, but he’s confident they can do so.

“Absolutely not,” said Geraldi when asked if he’d make any changes to the way his team played heading into Saturday. “If we come out playing the way we did we’ll be in good shape.”

KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS 4:0 AZTECA MOJOS

For the KC Athletics the USSSA Nationals represents a second chance at qualifying for the US Open Cup after the team was knocked out of USASA Region II qualifying by the Des Moines Menace last fall.

“We’re not changing the emphasis,” said player/coach Kyle Perkins when asked if there was extra motivation. “We put out 100% in Iowa and we’ll do the same here. Hopefully it’s a better result this time.”

So far so good.

KC used a pair of first half goals from Garrett Webb and second half strikes from John Markey and Matt Kuhn to cruise to a 4-0 win over Azteca Mojos in its opening group stage game.

The Athletics pressed high up the pitch and controlled the game throughout, generating midfield turnovers and scoring chances through smooth build-up play.

“With the halves being shortened we can really high press,” said Perkins.

That high pressure paid off in the 13th minute. John Markey’s shot was parried by the Mojos keeper, but fell right into the path of a sliding Webb, who poked home the rebound to open the scoring.

Kansas City doubled its lead on the stroke of halftime. Slick passing down the right flank released Webb into the box and he rifled a shot inside the near post for his second goal of the game.

Things got chippy in the second half after several hard fouls and five cards where handed out between the two teams.

Markey sealed the win in the 42nd minute with a wicked curling shot to the far post that left the Mojos keeper rooted to the spot and Kuhn added an insurance goal in stoppage time after Chris Markey made a run from inside his own half and got all the way to the end line to cross.

With the win the Athletics move into first place in Group B on goal differential.

Perkins knows the first game on Saturday will be important, but said KC may not press as much in order to conserve energy for the rest of the tournament.

“We’ll gauge everyone’s fitness level and go from there,” he said. “If the results go our way and we can rest the third game that’s always a bonus.”

Group A	PTS	W	L	D	GD
Colorado Rovers	7	2	0	1	+3
CO Sporting Premier	6	2	1	0	+8
Boulevard	4	1	1	1	+0
Comets Express	0	0	3	0	-11

Group B	PTS	W	L	D	GD
KC Athletics	7	2	0	1	+13
FC Denver	5	1	0	2	+3
Azteca Mojos	4	1	1	1	+3
Performance Soccer	0	0	3	0	-19

Tiebreakers: (1) Head to head (2) Fewest goals allowed (3) Goal difference (Max +/- 4) (4) Most shutouts (5) Most goals scored (no maximum) (6) Fewest red cards (7) PKs or coin flip

Sunday, March 16

Semifinals (9:30 a.m.)
Colorado Rovers 1:0 FC Denver
KC Athletics 6:0 CO Sporting Premier

Final (12 p.m.)
Colorado Rovers 1:0 (AET) KC Athletics

Colorado Rovers to represent United States Specialty Sports Association in 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

March 22, 2013 by Michael Berton

When US Soccer announced the format for the 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a new name caught the eye of many a soccer fan—the United States Specialty Sports Association. The organization was awarded a spot in the tournament, beginning play in the Qualifying Round, and TheCup.us has confirmed that the Colorado Rovers will be their representative.

While Specialty Sports may not be a household name, it is actually quite a large organization. Specialty Sports is a national organization, featuring 13 different sports and about 3.5 million members. Baseball and softball account for most of that number, but soccer has made large strides since its inclusion into Specialty Sports in 2001.

By 2008, 11 states were holding championships, and the first Specialty Sports National Championship took place in Las Vegas. This year, 18 teams got together in Denver to determine who would become the first ever Specialty Sports club to participate in the US Open Cup.

A Specialty Sports club in the US Open Cup is new, but the Colorado Rovers are anything but. Founded in 1992, the Rovers have gradually become a force in Colorado soccer. According to Erick French, the Adult Director of Specialty Sports, the Rovers began in a league’s second division, eventually moved to the top division, and have been winning consistently ever since.

“It’s really good for the team to have this kind of an opportunity. It helps with our recruiting, it helps with everything we do,” said French. “Regardless of how we do in the cup, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us. We’re really excited.”

Before moving to Specialty Sports, Colorado was a member of the USASA. The Rovers never attempted to qualify for the Open Cup, but they were successful in the amateur tournaments, winning the Region IV Amateur Cup in 2009. Currently, they play in the Colorado Amateur Soccer League.

Last year saw a US Club Soccer enter their first team into the US Open Cup and the Fresno-based Stanislaus United Turlock Express were victorious in their tournament debut. The Rovers hope to do the same as they begin play in the Qualifying Round on May 7 against an National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team that has yet to be determined.

Regardless of what happens, it will be a great experience for the Specialty Sports side, and a stepping stone for the organization.

“My motivation was for our adult member leagues. I wanted to be able to give them the opportunity to compete at a national level in the most prestigious soccer tournament in the country,” said Craig Scriven, the National Director for USSSA Soccer, about applying to add USSSA to the tournament field. “The Open Cup is a great tournament which allows all teams and players the chance to test themselves against other federation members. In speaking with the representatives from Colorado Rovers I’m already excited about the game ahead.”

“For me we have reached our goal this year, which is acceptance into the event. It’s a great moment for USSSA and Colorado Rovers who will not only be representing themselves and their league, but also an entire organization for the very first time. Any further progression will be the icing on the cake.

“Going forward, I am excited to see our member leagues and tournaments grow stronger. By having an avenue into the Open Cup our top divisions throughout the country will have another step in their seasons which will make for some great games.”

The Rovers will be the first non-PDL amateur club to qualify for the US Open Cup in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present).

#USOC100

2013 US Open Cup Qualifying Round (May 7)
Colorado Rovers (USSSA) vs. NPSL team TBA
US Club Soccer team TBA vs. NPSL team TBA
*Winners advance to Round 1 on May 14