Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

West Chester United

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: Julien Aoyama carries West Chester United to 3-0 win over Salone FC

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West Chester United's Julien Aoyama celebrates a goal. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger
West Chester United’s Julien Aoyama celebrates a goal. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

MORE: Five teams advance to final round of qualifying in first weekend

Since 2011, West Chester United has come close every season to qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, but the four-time Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup champion has not been able to make the tournament. West Chester is yet again close to its goal, one win away from a berth in the tournament after a 3-0 victory over Salone FC.

Amherst College graduate and 2012 NCAA Division III 1st team All-American Julien Aoyama had two goals and an assist, and Widener University men’s soccer assistant coach Matt Poole contributed a goal in the comfortable victory.

West Chester’s goals came after a disjointed start; it took about 20 minutes for the home side to start controlling the game.

“We went from a 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1,” West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo said. “We started connecting a little more and started playing well.”

That change in formation almost immediately led to a goal. In the 27th minute, Christian Benner of West Chester University got past the defense down the right side of the field. He put a cross into the Salone box that Aoyama easily tapped home.

Salone FC, of the Philadelphia Premier Soccer League, gave up another goal 12 minutes later, when Poole beat the offside trap and scored past the onrushing Salone keeper.

Prior to halftime, the away side made two substitutions, changing its tactics to push as many men forward as possible. The first half ended without any more scoring, but United was able to take advantage of these tactics early in the second half.

Less than 10 minutes into the second stanza, Benner got a second assist after a nifty interchange with Eric Giovagnoli, a senior at Eastern University. After a quick give-and-go with Giovagnoli, Benner found Aoyama in the center of the box. Aoyama had no trouble bagging his second goal of the game.

Up 3-0, West Chester was content to let Salone push forward. United turned this pressure into quick counter attacks, but were left wanting more on the offensive side of the field. Whether it was missed final passes, poor shots, or great saves from the Salone goalie, West Chester just could not find another goal.

Santangelo said, “We messed around with the ball a little bit too much. We left some goals on the field.”

Despite leaving goals on the field, West Chester cruised to a 3-0 victory and a spot in the final round of 2016 Open Cup qualifying tournament. That round is scheduled for April of 2016, with matchups to be announced at some point after the new year.

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United edge Junior Lone Star to continue Philly dominance

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West Chester United prepares to face Junior Lone Star in 2016 US Open Cup qualifying.
West Chester United prepares to face Junior Lone Star in 2016 US Open Cup qualifying.
West Chester United took a first step toward qualifying for its first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by going on the road and defeating Junior Lone Star 2-1 on a frigid October night.

From 2011-2013, West Chester won the Eastern Pennsylvania qualifying tournament, but fell short of the US Open Cup with losses in the USASA Region I tournament. In 2014-15, United won their third straight Eastern Pennsylvania title, won the Region I championship for the first time, and even moved on to win the USASA national tournament, but a change in the qualifying format denied the team a spot in the 2015 US Open Cup.

This year, West Chester, who competes in the United Soccer League of Philadelphia, is determined not to let anything get in its way, including a fiery Junior Lone Star team that took the lead in the 47th minute. After a cagey first 45, Lone Star came out strong in the second half. Jerome Pour, a native of Liberia (as are many of Junior Lone Star’s players), hit a beautiful shot from 25 yards out into the bottom left corner of the West Chester goal.

But the road team equalized seven minutes later with a nearly identical effort. Eric Giovagnoli, an Eastern University graduate and 2015 NCAA Division III All-American hit a laser from distance that gave the Lone Star keeper no chance.

2016 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United vs. Junior Lone Star
2016 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United vs. Junior Lone Star

Buoyed by strong home support, Junior Lone Star continued to press forward, but West Chester had the best chances as regular time came to a close.

In overtime, the game opened up and both teams had some incredible chances, but the focus at the end of the match would be on a referee decision. In the 115th minute, West Chester was on the attack, and the ball was played into the Junior Lone Star penalty area. After a Lone Star player made what seemed to be a normal clearance, the referee called him for a penalty, presumably for a dangerous play.

Arguments ensued, but that did not faze Giovagnoli, who stepped up and scored his second to give United the lead. Junior Lone Star pushed everything forward to no avail, not able to convert on two opportunities as the game came to a close.

“We are familiar with the Junior Lone Stars squad,” said head coach Blaise Santangelo. “We came in expecting a very physical battle. They took advantage of a mistake and scored on a ball from distance but once we started linking up on the carpet and running at the backline, we created scoring chances. Our quick ball play paid off.”

With the victory, West Chester United moves on to the second round against Salone, a team that plays in the same league as Junior Lone Star, the Philadelphia Premier Soccer League. Salone defeated Eastern Penn. heavyweight Vereinigung Erzgebirge 1-0 earlier in the day. Salone will host West Chester on Nov. 15, scheduled for 4 p.m. at Marcus Foster in Philadelphia.

MORE: Ten teams advance to Round 2 in opening weekend of 2016 US Open Cup qualifying

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Aegean Hawks, Maryland Bays, Lansdowne Bhoys and AC Blaugrana advance in USASA Region I tourney

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It was a physical battle between the Maryland Bays (left) and West Chester United in the 2014 USASA Region I Open Cup Quarterfinals | Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

UPDATE: AC Blaugrana of Rhode Island has been disqualified due to the use of an ineligible player. Details here.

The United States Adult Soccer Association’s (USASA) Region I took another step toward the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as their qualifying tournament kicked off this weekend.

In the tournament’s lone preliminary round game, Rhode Island’s lone entry AC Blaugrana made their debut with a 2-0 win over Mass Premier Soccer to earn themselves a date with New Jersey champion Icon FC in the quarterfinals on April 13.

Elsewhere, Open Cup regulars Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks from Metro DC/Virginia defeated Pittsburgh’s Oak Avalon 3-1 to punch their ticket to the final four. They will take on the Maryland Bays who traveled north and defeated the three-time defending Eastern Pennsylvania champions West Chester United by the same score.

And finally, a new face joined the semifinals when Eastern New York champion Lansdowne Bhoys cruised past Newtown Pride SC from Connecticut 5-1. The Bhoys will await the winner of the Icon FC-AC Blaugrana match. The semifinals will take place on May 4.

The winner of the Open Cup tournament, along with the Region I Amateur Cup champion will represent the region at the 2015 US Open Cup.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
AC BLAUGRANA (RI) 2:0 MASS PREMIER SOCCER (MA)
by Brian O”Connell | NESoccerToday.com

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – For many wearing the white AC Blaugrana strip, Sunday’s US Open Cup clash against Mass Premier Soccer at Framingham State University was a chance to right past wrongs. To atone for previous failures. And, perhaps most importantly, to avenge recent defeats.

With no fewer than 12 players from the recently-dissolved East Providence Sports on their squad, Blaugrana (R.I.) grabbed 2-0 Region 1 preliminary round win over the same Mass Premier (Mass.) team that had knocked the former LUSA powerhouse out of Open Cup play in three straight tournaments (2010, 2011 and 2012).

A scoreless first half gave way to a decidedly different sequel, which saw the Rhode Island-based side score its first from Kyle Teixeira in the 48th minute. Local goalscorer extraordinaire Alencar Junior scored Blaurgrana’s second in the 64th minute. Goalkeeper Scott Perdomo kept the sheet clean to ensure that he and his fellow E.P. Sports alumni would taste the nectar of sweet revenge against their recent Region 1 nemesis.

With the win, Blaugrana, who played its first Open Cup clash on Sunday, advanced to the Region 1 quarterfinals, where it will host Icon (N.J.) on Apr. 13 at a location to be determined.

Sunday’s match started off with Mass Premier pressing the issue, with Perdomo and his backline tested early. Tyler McNee and Ben Shuleva made runs into their opponent’s end, but Perdomo wasn’t forced to take any drastic actions.

Though they may have been making gains as the game progressed, Mass Premier found its best opportunities from set pieces. In the 20th minute, they were awarded a free kick near the left edge of the box, but Derek Nobrega’s effort was cleared away by center back Rui Fortes.

The Commonwealth XI found another chance from the set piece in the 40th minute, this time with a free kick given deep inside the right flank. Once again, Nobrega’s cross was cleared away, this time by right back Jimmy Hernandez.

Undaunted, Mass Premier nearly pocketed a goal seconds before the interval. MacNee beat his mark, and went alone into the area with only Perdomo standing in his way. But the Blaugrana keeper held his ground, and denied MacNee with a quick flick of his left arm before corralling the rebound.

Mass Premier may have looked like early favorites following an ambitious first half, thanks to their play along the flanks. But the second half would prove to be an entirely different story for the longtime Region 1 powerhouse.

Three minutes into the second stanza, Blaugrana came alive when Hernandez launched a long ball over to Teixeira, who beat the defense and looked to bring down the pass. MPS goalkeeper Jeff Newman quickly closed in on Teixeira, and the pair collided – but not before the Blaugrana winger pushed the ball on frame and gently into the back of the net.

The lead was theirs, but Blaugrana knew they couldn’t rest easily. Not against the same Mass Premier that proved itself the mightier in matches past.

However, Mass Premier would find its chances far and few in between. Unable to find a comfortable rhythm, they struggled to summon their first half form, and laid waste to the few opportunities afforded to them.

They were further frustrated just after the hour when Blaugrana put together the finest display of offense seen all afternoon. Wilder Arboleda sent it ahead to Hernandez on an overlapping run down the right, where the right back went deep into the MPS end before crossing it far post. With the ball about knee high, Junior clinically finished it on the volley to make it a two-goal game with just under half an hour remaining.

Facing deeper deficit, Mass Premier attempted to assemble their attack in search of a way to get back into the match. Set pieces afforded them glimpses of hope, but each opportunity went unanswered. Around the 75th minute, the men in red went to a 3-4-3, attempting to get bodies into the box.

Yet, the polish required to seize a measure of success eluded them throughout the afternoon, as Blaugrana were crowned victors once the final whistle screeched.

Lineups:

Mass Premier Soccer: Jeff Newman, Sam Brill, Alan Ashenfelter, Jake Edwards, Dan Tweed Kent, Ben Shuleva, Harris Smirko, Derek Stenquist, Charlie Romero, Tyler MacNee, Dan McGregor. Substitutes: Derek Nobrega, Nick Figueiredo, Matt Lemire, Jake Johnson, Matt Hoff

AC Blaugrana: Scott Perdomo, Wilder Arboleda, Quim DePinia, Rui Fortes, Mateo Giraldo, Jimmy Hernandez, Andres Perdomo, Anthony Petrarca, Jefferson Rojas, Alonso Villasenor, Alencar “Junior” Ventura. Substitutes: Patrick Gerard, Tristan Lewis, Peter Maciel, Dom Petrarca, Diego Tabares, Kyle Teixeira.

Scoring summary:
ACB: Kyle Teixeira (Jimmy Hernandez) – 48th min.
ACB: Alencar “Junior” Ventura (Jimmy Hernandez) – 64th min.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
DULLES SPORTSPLEX AEGEAN HAWKS (DC/VA) 3:1 OAK AVALON (WEST PA)
By Grant Czubinski | A Moment of Brilliance blog | @Pieyow

GERMANTOWN, Md. – It was business as usual for the reigning Metro DC-Virginia Open Cup Champion Dulles Sportplex Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) today as the Washington club handily defeated visiting Oak Avalon (PA West) 3-1 in their USASA Region I Open Cup quarterfinal. The win sees the Hawks advance to the semifinal round where they will face the Maryland Bays on May 4.

If not for the heroics of Oak Avalon’s goalkeeper, Dustin Walker, the score line could have easily been much higher in favor of the Aegean Hawks. Walker – a Penn State Erie graduate – proved to the most important player on the field as he singled handedly prevented the game from becoming a rout, a performance that Aegean Hawks player/ assistant coach Watson Vaughn-Prather called “fantastic.” In the end, his efforts were for naught as the more experienced Hawks found ways to put the ball into the net, as David Rosenbaum, Scott Larrabee, and Gui Fonseca were able to notch goals to send the Washington club through to the next round.

After some pregame pleasantries between former Pittsburgh Riverhounds teammates Devlin Barnes (Aegean Hawks), Anthony Calvano, and John Liersemann (both of Oak Avalon), the game got underway just after 3 p.m. at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, Md.

From the first whistle, the Hawks dictated the tempo of the game, which according to Vaughn-Prather, was part of the Washington club’s game plan. It did not take long for the Hawks to find the back of the net as Rosenbaum got on the end of a cross, found himself alone in the left side of the box, and blasted a mouthwatering shot near post beating Oak Avalon’s Walker for the game’s first tally in the 5th minute.

Following the game’s opening goal, the Hawks repeatedly made deep runs into Oak Avalon’s final third during the game’s first quarter hour, as the visiting Pennsylvania club looked overwhelmed and off balance. As the game progressed, Oak Avalon settled in and eventually created chances of their own, though their forays always sputtered while Walker who kept them in the game by continually turning away shots, which left the home team frustrated to only be up by one goal at the half.

Oak Avalon started the second half much more in control than the first, but could not get a shot on target, despite constantly controlling the ball in the Hawks’ half. The breakthrough finally came in the 63rd minute as Paul Paradise scored to level the game at 1-1.

The stalemate did not last long as Paradise’s goal proved the motivation the Hawks needed to perform at their highest level. Larrabee, finally got a shot past Oak Avalon’s Walker two minutes later to put the home team back on top 2-1.

Play began to get scrappy after the Hawks’ second goal as Oak Avalon realized that Larrabee’s goal decisively pushed the momentum of the game in the Hawks’ favor. Oak Avalon tried in vain to equalize for the next fifteen minutes, but always failed to find an opening in the host’s competent back four. The entrance of substitute Alex Herrera in the 80th minute proved to be the death knell for the tiring Pennsylvania club, as the speedy winger repeatedly took advantage of Oak Avalon’s often absent left back to control the ball deep in Avalon’s half giving the Pennsylvania club zero opportunity to mount an attack.

With momentum on their side, and a slew of substitutes in the game – including DC United academy product Parnell Hegngi – the Aegean Hawks took advantage of the fact that Avalon traveled with just 12 players, wearing them out as the game went on and dominating the final 20 minutes.

Fonseca decisively put the game away in stoppage time after he broke through several defenders to earn a one-on-one opportunity with the Avalon goalkeeper. Fonseca, a Santos academy product, danced around a fast encroaching Walker inside the box and calmly slotted home a left footed shot in the six yard box to give the Aegean Hawks a 3-1 lead in stoppage time to secure the win.

The win sends the Aegean Hawks into the semifinal round of Region I qualifying, one that Vaughn-Prather feels his team is more than ready to play. When asked how the competition in the Washington Premier League prepared the Hawks for this game, Vaughn-Prather responded, “It’s a competitive league that keeps us fit and allows us to compete in Open Cup qualifiers.”

Scoring Summary:
AEG: David Rosenbaum – 5th min.
OAK: Paul Paradise – 63rd min.
AEG: Scott Larrabee – 65th min.
AEG: Gui Fonseca – 90th min.+

Cautions:
OAK: Andres Lopez (Yellow) – 45th min.
AEG: Watson Vaughn-Prather (Yellow) – 79th min.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
MARYLAND BAYS (MD) 3:1 WEST CHESTER UNITED (EAST PA)
By Michael Berton | @MichaelBerton

In a battle between two teams that had never won a USASA Region I Open Cup game, the Maryland Bays overcame an early deficit to defeat Pennsylvania hosts West Chester United by a 3-1 score.

The Maryland Bays celebrate Chris Weaver's goal in the 74th minute that gave the Bays a 3-1 win over Wets Chester United. | Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

West Chester won the Eastern Pennsylvania championship for a third year running, but had been knocked out in the quarterfinal round of the Region I tournament in each of its previous two attempts. Maryland won its third state championship in its last four attempts, but similarly had yet to win a regional game.

United got off to a quick start on its home turf. An 8th  minute corner kick was cleared out of the Bays penalty box, but only as far as United winger Justin McCall. With time and space, McCall shot from 25 yards out, curling the ball into the right side-netting.

That lead was short-lived however, as Maryland’s Elton Joe sped past the West Chester defense in the 11th minute and easily slotted the ball past the United keeper. Joe’s speed would prove to be an issue for the home side throughout the contest.

Maryland Bays won a physical battle with West Chester United to advance to the Region I Open Cup semifinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Each side had several more close chances in the first half, but the game remained tied 1-1 at the break. The second half was a different story though. According to West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo, a mixture of tired legs and missing players gave his squad some problems, which showed in a second half dominated by the Maryland champions.

Maryland got the eventual game-winner just six minutes into the second stanza. Once again, a Bays player ran through the middle of the West Chester defense for an easy goal. This time, it was former Loyola University Maryland player Glenn Leitch with the goal.

The game gradually got more physical, culminating in a red card for United’s Aaron Thomas, who got involved in an altercation in the middle of the field in the 67th minute. Maryland made the home team pay seven minutes later, when Joe’s blazing speed got him past the defense. His cross found Chris Weaver, who pushed the ball in from six yards out.

Maryland was able to calmly see out the remainder of the game, and in the process won a Region I game for the first time. The Bays will take on DC/VA champions Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks in the semifinals on May 4.

2014 USASA REGION I OPEN CUP QUARTERFINALS
LANSDOWNE BHOYS (EAST NY) 5:1 NEWTOWN PRIDE FC (CT)
By David Harris | Soccer Long Island Magazine | @DavidHarris0422

Bronx, N.Y. – In a performance worthy of those usually seen in Ballsbridge or Parkhead, Lansdowne Bhoys defeated Newtown Pride FC by a score of 5-1. Representing Eastern New York in the USASA Region I quarterfinal, Lansdowne added to a season of dominant displays with their win over Newtown, who were representing the Connecticut State Soccer Association.

The scoring started early in the first half as Lansdowne earned a penalty, which was coolly converted by midfielder and captain Stephen Roche. Lansdowne midfielder Cian McBrien added to the tally with a goal off a pass from forward Dwayne Reid. McBrien added another goal just before halftime, to make the score 3-0 to Lansdowne.

Lansdowne Bhoys captain Stephen Roche in action against Newtown Pride in their USASA Region I Open Cup quarterfinal match. Photo: David Harris

The second half started slow, with both teams struggling to create good scoring chances. Lansdowne maintained possession and Newtown looked to counter, which they eventually did through a goal by Colin Jackson.

With the score now 3-1, Lansdowne knew they had to finish what they started and they did. Lansdowne pushed the pace once again and came up with a fourth goal by Reid. Midfielder Sikele Sylvester added another for Lansdowne just before the end to make the score 5-1 and seal the win for the Eastern New York champions.

Lansdowne president and ESPN commentator Tommy Smyth was among the supporters who were there to cheer on their club. It’s been a dominant season thus far for the Bronx-based Irish-American club, with many terrific performances in the various Eastern New York and USASA competitions.

Currently top of the East group in Division 1 of the Cosmopolitan League with 36 points from 12 wins and only 1 loss, Lansdowne have been the story of the season thus far throughout amateur soccer in the region.

Austin Friel, the player/manager for Lansdowne said after the game, “it was another terrific performance by the lads. Newtown have a very good team, but the lads showed once again the quality that we possess. It’s a special group and it’s been a special season thus far, but we need to keep going with so many important matches coming up. We also want to thank our supporters and sponsors, who’ve been behind us all the way.”

Stephen Roche, the Lansdowne captain said, “I’m very proud of the effort the lads put in today. We pressed them from the word go and looked like we could score every time we had the ball. We will respect our next opponent, but are full of confidence.”

USASA Region 1 national cup commissioner Gus Xikis said, “Lansdowne looked really good today and are a great representative of Eastern New York. I can’t wait to see how they progress throughout the competition. Whether it’s Lansdowne or another club, Region 1 will be well represented at this year’s National Finals in Salt Lake City.”

Lansdowne Bhoys will play the winner of AC Blaugrana (R.I.) vs Icon FC (N.J.) on Sunday, May 4 in the USASA Region I semifinal.

2014 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying
(Home teams on right)

Preliminary Round (April 6)
AC Blaugrana (RI) L:W Mass Premier Soccer (MA)
ACB won original match 2-0, but were DQ’d for use of ineligble player

Quarterfinals (April 6)
Newtown Pride FC (CT) 1:5 Lansdowne Bhoys FC (East NY)
Maryland Bays (MD) 3:1 West Chester United (East PA)
Oak Avalon (West PA) 1:3 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
Icon FC (NJ) at Mass Premier Soccer (MA) – April 13, 2 p.m. at Framingham State College

Semifinals (May 4)
Lansdowne Bhoys (East NY) at Icon FC / Mass Premier winner
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (CT) at Maryland Bays (MD)

Final (June 15)
Teams TBD – Winner qualifies for 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United earns rare Eastern Pennsylvania three-peat

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West Chester United celebrate their third straight Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup tournament. Photo: West Chester United

West Chester United defeated Vereinigung Erzgebirge 4-2 on Sunday to win their third straight Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup title. Four different players scored for the tournament’s top seed, who played without former MLS player Jeremiah White, who missed the game due to injury.

With the win, United becomes the first team to win the state title three years in a row since the United German Hungarians won four straight from 1997-2000. They now move on to next year’s USASA Region I Open Cup tournament, where the winner will earn a spot in the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The USASA’s qualifying deadline was moved up to Dec. 31, and since there was no way to fit state and regional tournaments in before the end of the year, the 2014 Region I entries were already decided based on 2013’s results. The 2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC (New Jersey) and Amateur Cup winners, New York Greek American Atlas SC, punched their tickets.

There were a number of key performances that led to the club clinching a spot in the USASA Region I tournament for a third straight year, but West Chester manager Blaise Santangelo was quick to credit the most important performance of the day.

“The MVP award should definitely go to the Jeep Wrangler that plowed the field,” Santangelo joked. It was a selfish award, as Santangelo, a man of many hats, was the one plowing the field in the early morning hours at YCS Sports in Wayne, Pa. Heavy snowfall blanketed the Philadelphia area over the weekend, forcing the match to be moved from West Chester’s home field to the complex where Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union practice.

Luckily for the players involved, the weather was a relative non-factor. The temperature hovered around the mid-30s with little wind, but it was set pieces that made the difference in the game as two of the four West Chester goals came from free kicks.

The first goal of the game didn’t take long, as West Chester earned a free kick on the left wing. From about 25 yards out, Andrew Kummerer took the free kick and bent the ball from left to right and buried it in the back of the net.

A few minutes later, VE equalized from the penalty spot. The referee called a foul just inside the penalty area and Artie Taylor stepped up and tied the game in the 8th minute.

The match remained level heading into halftime, with VE controlling the majority of the possession as West Chester’s midfield play struggled to establish itself.

“VE had the better of the play in the first half,” said Santangelo. “We weren’t connecting our outside backs to our outside mids very well and we turned the ball over a lot.”

WCU found themselves forcing direct balls from the backline to the strikers and VE took advantage of the turnovers, but were unable to take the lead before the break.

The second half was a completely different story, as the two-time defending champs focused on more two-touch passing and erupted for three goals.

Within ten minutes of the restart, a scrum broke out in the penalty box and West Chester’s Peter Pittaoulis found himself at the right place at the right time. Pittaoulis drilled the ball past goalkeeper Tim Washam to put WCU up 2-1.

Shortly after, Billydee Scantlebury entered the game as a substitute and the former Joe Public midfielder made an immediate impact. Roughly five minutes after he entered the game, West Chester won a free kick and Scantlebury struck an unstoppable shot past Washam to give his team a two-goal lead around the 65th minute.

Needing multiple goals to have a chance to win their first state Open Cup title since 2009, VE pushed players forward, but they paid the price for it on the counter-attack. West Chester found themselves on a 3-on-2 break and Joe Scales scored to make it 4-1.

The game seemed out of reach, but VE was given a lifeline around the 78th minute. The referee awarded them a penalty kick and, to make things even better for the underdogs, Kummerer of West Chester was shown a straight red card for dissent after arguing the decision. Anthony Bafiel converted the spot kick to make it 4-2 as VE looked to rally with a man advantage.

Despite playing with 10 men, United managed to hold on in the final 10 minutes to secure the win.

West Chester United lineup

Anthony Noel (GK), Chris Amato, Peter Luzak (Tomasz Fryzel – 81st), Mark Fetrow, Dave King, Joe Sales (Charlie Sales – 78th), Andrew Kummerer, Bill Brown (Billydee Scantlebury – 57th), Mike Lodge, Dom Popolizio, Pete Pittaoulis (Tony Murungi – 87th)

Vereinigung Erzgebirge lineup

Tim Washam (GK), Artie Taylor (Brian Madden – 75th), Alex Shuptar, Mike Reese, John Boswell, John Fazio (Mike McKee – 78th), Brian Devlin, Greg Ermold (Kevin Wolfe – 75th), Anthony Bafiel, Julian Ward (Giuseppe Bua – 75th), Greg Shertzer

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United, Vereinigung Erzgebirge reach Eastern PA final

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West Chester United celebrate their opening goal in the 2nd minute against Salone FC in the Eastern Pennsylvania semifinal. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

The semifinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania qualifying tournament for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup couldn’t have been more different than the quarterfinals. After a round of eight that saw few goals and three upsets, 12 goals were scored in the semis, and both favorites, West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge, advanced to the tournament final.

West Chester United 3:2 Salone FC

Two-time reigning champion West Chester United was pushed to its limits by Salone FC, but the top seed managed a 3-2 victory over the only Philadelphia-based club in the competition.

West Chester came into the match dealing with some injury issues, as former pro Jeremiah White could not play while recovering from an ankle problem. Despite that, United still managed to jump on top early. Mike Lodge cut in from the left side of the field in the second minute and curled a shot over the Salone goalkeeper from just outside the box to give his side a 1-0 lead.

That lead was short-lived, however, as Salone answered back a minute later. A cross into the West Chester box was blocked out to Salone’s Junisa Sandi, who then sliced the ball off the outside of his right foot over the keeper and into the top corner to tie the game at 1-1.

West Chester United and Salone FC battled for 90 minutes in their Eastern Pennsylvania semifinal match. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

“I’m really impressed at how Salone handled themselves,” West Chester coach Blaise Santangelo said. “We got off strong, but Salone played some really nice soccer.”

Sandi’s goal gave the strong contingent of away supporters something to cheer about, which in turn motivated Salone to continue pressing forward. That pressure culminated in a penalty kick in the 23rd minute, when a Salone player was tripped in the box. Sandi stepped up to take the kick and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way on his attempt.

Down 2-1, United pushed forward and found an equalizer in the 37th minute. A ball that was crossed into the Salone penalty area caused a mad scramble as West Chester United players tried to get shots off while Salone players desperately tried to clear the ball. Eventually United’s Justin McCall gathered the ball at the penalty spot and side-footed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net to tie the game at 2-2.

Despite the wild first half, Santangelo said that he was confident heading into the break. He said, “At halftime, we felt that we were going to be okay. We felt that we were getting away from Salone’s coverage, and we thought that we could get in on goal against them.”

Santangelo was proven correct as West Chester created the best chances of the second half. And, in the 66th minute, former Penn State defender Mark Fetrow put the home side up for good. Andrew Kummerer curled in a free kick from about 30 yards out that found the head of the tall center back. Fetrow’s game-winning header looped up and over the keeper and several defenders before finding the back of the net.

West Chester United celebrate what would prove to be the game-winning goal against Salone FC in the Eastern Pennsylvania semifinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

With a 3-2 lead, West Chester concentrated on possessing the ball, which limited Salone’s chances. In the end, the away side just did not have enough to find a tying goal.

Salone manager Foday Turay said, “It was a good game. We gave it our best. That’s soccer…someone has to win. We’ll definitely be back next year.”

West Chester moves on to the final on Dec. 15, where it will host Vereinigung Erzgebirge. United is looking for a third Eastern PA Open Cup championship in a row. “Our guys are ready to go back to another final,” Santangelo said. “We’re excited to move forward and try for a third-straight cup.”

Vereinigung Erzgebirge 7-0 Upper Moreland Celtic

In the other semifinal, Vereinigung Erzgebirge scored early and often in a rout of Upper Moreland Celtic. Paul Dudley scored a first-half hat trick, and four other players added goals in the 7-0 victory.

Dudley’s goals came in the 2nd, 15th, and 33rd minutes. Also scoring were Nate Baker (30’), Artie Taylor (50’), Mike McKee (62’), and John Fazio (65’).

“We just had to go out and get a few goals,” VE manager Rob Oldfield said. “They didn’t have the depth to cause us too many problems. We just got a couple goals early, then we got to sit on the lead.”

VE, which has been playing soccer since the 1930s, is looking to win its first Eastern PA Open Cup championship since 2009 and its first US Open Cup berth since 2002. The club is also in the final of the Eastern PA Amateur Cup, marking only the third time in club history that it has made both cup finals in the same year (1991 and 2002). VE will host the Amateur Cup final on Dec. 8 against Phoenix SC.

Region I has decided to use the winners of both the Open Cup and the Amateur Cup as its qualifiers to the 2015 US Open Cup, meaning VE still has two chances to make it to the tournament.

2015 US Open Cup qualifying: Top seed West Chester United, three road surprises advance to Eastern PA semifinals

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West Chester United celebrates their first goal against the Ukrainian Nationals in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Note: Due to a change in the qualifying deadline, USASA Region I has already determined their two entries for the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup (2013 Region I Open Cup champion Icon FC and 2013 Region I Amateur Cup champion New York Greek American Atlas). Therefore, this fall’s Eastern Pennsylvania champion will advance to the 2014 Region I tournament, which will then determine the region’s entry into the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Eastern Pennsylvania’s qualifying tournament for the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup continued on Sunday. The tournament’s top seed progressed to the next round, but three road teams pulled off upsets in the quarterfinals.

West Chester United 2:0 Ukrainian Nationals

On a cold and windy Sunday afternoon, West Chester United scored a goal in each half to earn a victory over the four-time US Open Cup champion Ukrainian Nationals in the quarterfinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania qualifying tournament.

The Ukrainian Nationals' defense clears an attempt on goal by West Chester United. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

As top seed and two-time reigning champion, West Chester came into the match as the favorite, but the Ukrainians looked more likely to score in the game’s opening stages. That all changed when United’s Dominic Popolizio found the back of the net in the 31st minute.

West Chester’s Jeremiah White, who you might recognize from his pro days in MLS and Europe, made progress down the right side of the field and sent in a cross to Michael Lodge, who laid the ball off to Popolizio. He took advantage of time and space in the middle of the penalty area to slot ball to the left of the goalie for a 1-0 lead.

Ukrainian Nationals manager Pete Chareczko said, “The first half was tough. We were trying to hold the ball while playing against the wind. We didn’t take advantage of the chances we had, and we got caught on the counter.”

The goal seemed to wake up United, who took control the rest of the half. The home side kept the momentum going in the second half when White scored in the 50th minute. After dribbling into the left side of the box, White took a shot that hit the post. The ball rebounded straight back to him, and he was able to find the net on his second attempt.

Besides giving his team a two-goal lead, White was constantly giving the Ukrainian backline trouble and was one of the most effective players on the field. White joins West Chester after an extensive international career that included stints with Panserraikos in Greece, FC Gueugnon in France, AGF Aarhus in Denmark, and Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. Last year, White made two appearances for the New England Revolution before being waived. He also has one US National Team appearance in 2008 in a friendly against Sweden.

“He’s a talent,” West Chester coach Blaise Santangelo said. “He’s going to be someone that really helps us in this cup run.”

Behind 2-0, things got even worse for the away side in the 78th minute when one of its players earned two consecutive yellow cards for dissent. Down a man, the Nationals continued to press forward, hitting the crossbar and forcing multiple saves. West Chester also had chances, but could not convert on multiple one-on-one opportunities against the Nationals keeper.

With the 2-0 victory, West Chester now moves on to the Eastern Pennsylvania semifinals. As top seed, United will host Salone FC in the next round of the tournament.

Phoenix SC 0:1 Salone FC

The biggest upset of the day came when Salone FC edged Phoenix SC 1-0. Phoenix, which qualified for the US Open Cup in 2011, went down a man in the 50th minute when Precious Lloka was red carded. Salone scored the game-winner in the 80th minute.

Phoenix manager Blair Thomson said, “It was a very even game and both teams had chances. I think we’re the best team in the area, but we’re not getting breaks right now.”

Salone, which is the only team in the competition from Philadelphia proper, will match up with top seed West Chester United in the semifinals.

Colonial Ultra 1:1 Upper Moreland Celtic
Upper Moreland advances 9-8 in penalty kicks

In a battle of Inter-County Soccer League teams, Upper Moreland Celtic eked out a 9-8 penalty kick victory over hosts Colonial Ultra after a 1-1 tie. Celtic player/manager Fran Pitonyak scored the game-winning penalty.

“It was a hard-fought and scrappy match,” he said. “We’ve got a good bunch of guys and we keep plugging away.”

Colonial Ultra scored first off the foot of Kastriot Fazliu 10 minutes into the match. Celtic responded midway through the first half when Matt Gamble scored on a rebound after a 35-yard shot hit the crossbar.

Neither team could find the net in the second half or in overtime, so the game went to penalty kicks. After Pitonyak scored Celtic’s ninth penalty, Colonial pushed its attempt wide of the left post. Upper Moreland moves on to the semifinals to take on Vereinigung Erzgebirge.

United German Hungarians 0:1 Vereinigung Erzgebirge

In a classic game between two teams with rich histories, Vereinigung Erzgebirge took out the No. 2 seed United German Hungarians 1-0. Greg Ermold of VE scored in the 55th minute from 30 yards out, turning his defender at midfield and hitting a rocket past the UGH goalie into the corner of the net.

VE manager Rob Oldfield said, “It’s a rivalry game, and those can be tricky. We were real solid in the back, so once we got the goal, we were able to sit on it. For the most part, we were happy to get a 1-0 away win.”

UGH, which has been playing soccer since 1922 and are twice Open Cup runners-up, was one of three home teams to lose in the quarterfinals. VE, founded in 1931, last qualified for the Open Cup in 2002. To win its first state title since 2009, VE will have to get past Upper Moreland Celtic in the semifinals.

“It was a good, classic game between us and VE,” UGH manager Werner Fricker III said. “We hit two posts and a crossbar, but VE were able to capitalize on their chances.”

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: Four USASA Region I teams emerge from quarterfinals

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USASA Region I logoThe 2013 USASA Region I Open Cup qualifying tournament kicked off with three of the four quarterfinal matches decided by a single goal. The traditionally competitive Northeast region also saw three of the four matches won by the visiting team as Region I moves on to the “Win & You’re In” semifinal round.

The three-time US Open Cup champion New York Pancyprian Freedoms needed a late penalty kick to a claim a narrow 1-0 win over first-time entry Newtown SC. The Freedoms will take on Mass Premier Soccer for the right to qualify for the Open Cup as MPS edged another first time entry, the Rhode Island Reds by the same scoreline.The results of the South bracket assured that there will be a first-time entry in the 2013 US Open Cup. The Screaming Eagles from Maryland scored a first half goal and held on the rest of the way to eliminate two-time defending Metro DC/Virginia champion, Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks. The Eagles will take on New Jersey representative Icon FC, who traveled up to Eastern Pennsylvania to eliminate West Chester United 4-2.

The winners of the April 21 semifinal matches (time/locations still to be determined) will automatically qualify for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and will begin play in Round 1 (May 14).

New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) 1:0 Newtown SC (CT)
Treadwell Park (Newtown, CT) – 4 p.m. ET

By Matthew Walsh (@TylerGuinness)

Check out a complete photo gallery of this game from Michael Anderer of SoccerLIMagazine.com

Nikos Katsanos of the Pancyprian Freedoms scores a penalty kick against Newtown SC's Brad Jeeves in the 83rd minute. Photo: Michael Anderer | SoccerLImagazine.com

An 83rd minute penalty was the only goal in a hard fought match between New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Connecticut’s first-time entry Newtown SC.

The match had played out evenly up to that point. Throughout the game, the Pancyprian Freedoms had greater possession and spent more time in their offensive half.  However, Newtown SC was very well organized defensively and kept the scoring chances to a minimum while creating their own chances on the counter attack.

New York started the action with a shot just high over the bar in the 5th minute. The teams then traded possession for the next 10 minutes with New York having the edge in play. Newtown’s keeper was forced into his first save in the 21st minute, which was followed by two successive corners for the visitors. Newtown countered with a header on the other end that went over the crossbar.

In the 35th minute, Brad Jeeves, the Newtown keeper, made a brilliant one handed save to keep New York off the scoreboard. Newtown dealt with the subsequent corner efficiently as they did for most of the afternoon. New York had the best chance in the fading moments of the first half when Panagiotis Halkidis broke free from the Newtown defense on the right side, but was unable to cleanly strike the bouncing ball and pushed his shot to the right.

Photo: Michael Anderer | SoccerLImagazine.com

Physical play highlighted second half of the match with three yellow cards being issued in the match. However, for much of the match the ref kept his whistle in his pocket and let the players decide the outcome. The Newtown keeper went down under a slide tackle as he covered the ball in the 47th minute.  Three yellow cards were issued between the 60th and 70th minutes. Players from both sides were slow to get up on either end of the field after hard challenges within seconds of each other in the 80th minute.

Both sides created scoring chances throughout the second half.  Newtown used a free kick and subsequent throw in to pressure the New York keeper. On the other side it took a brave slide tackle inside the box by Luke Whelan to take away a dangerous opportunity from the Freedom.

New York continued to carry the bulk of the possession. However, on the other end of the field, Julio Garcia’s pace created a number of dangerous situations for Newtown on the counter.

It looked like the game would need more than 90 minutes to decide, when a tackle inside the Newtown box was called for a penalty kick in the 83rd minute. Andreas Chronis stepped up for the Freedoms and despite Brad Jeeves diving correctly to his left, the low shot went past his fingertips and into the net just inside the post. Newtown pressed the attack for the remainder of regulation and three minutes of extra time, but were unable to seriously threaten the New York goal.

The Pancyprian Freedoms will take on Mass Premier Soccer on April 21 at a time/location still to be determined. A win by the Freedoms would give them their third Open Cup berth in the last four years, and the fourth straight year that an Eastern New York team has represented in the tournament.

Icon FC (NJ) 4:2 West Chester United (EPA)
Delacy Soccer Complex No. 4 (West Chester, PA) – 2 p.m. ET

By Michael Berton (@MichaelBerton)

Icon FC (blue) won their first-ever USASA Region I Open Cup game, 4-2 over West Chester United. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

Icon FC may have been the road team in its USASA Region I Quarterfinal on Sunday afternoon, but the players came out playing as if they were at home, scoring two goals in the first six minutes against hosts West Chester United. New Jersey champions Icon FC added two goals in the second half to hold off a pesky West Chester team 4-2 and put themselves one win away from the Garden State’s second straight tournament berth.

“We have a confident bunch of players,” Icon FC coach Greg Bajek said. “We have a lot of players that have aspirations to do bigger things in their personal careers, and this is a good chance for them.”

The game got off to a quick start at the Delacy Soccer Fields in West Chester, Pa. Icon was immediately on the front foot, crowding the West Chester penalty box. A cross from the right side of the box found the head of an Argjent Duka, who was able to put it in the net. Barely a minute later, United had to grab the ball out of the back of the net again. This time, Jonathan Lopuski used his foot from the top of the box to beat the keeper. After six minutes, Icon was already up 2-0.

West Chester finally started to get into the game, leading to quality chances. In the 23rd minute, a ball over the top was played into Michael Lodge. The Icon keeper had come off his line, allowing Lodge to head the ball over the goalie and into the net to cut the lead in half.

Icon FC celebrates one of their four goals in a 4-2 win over West Chester United in the 2013 USASA Region I quarterfinals. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

The home team was motivated by the goal, and enjoyed the bulk of the chances for the rest of the half. West Chester hit the crossbar, sent several shots just high and wide, and forced the Icon keeper into key saves. Icon held on to take a 2-1 lead into the half.

Vince D’Ambrosio, West Chester manager said, “We came out flat. We didn’t come out as strong as we wanted to. got us early. We started playing strong, but it was unfortunate we came out weak the first ten minutes.”

With United chasing the game in the second half, Icon took advantage of the space in its offensive end, creating multiple chances. Continued pressure and quick switches eventually led to two similar goals in a span of five minutes.

In the 53rd minute, the road team moved the ball side to side, eventually leading to a cross from the left side of the penalty area that found a wide-open Samuel Gehman, who calmly slotted it past the keeper. It was the same story five minutes later—a cross from the left found an open Gehman on the right, leading to an easy goal.

At that point, the game was all but over, yet West Chester kept on fighting. After a few missed shots, United had a goal disallowed in the 80th minute due to a handball. Ironically though, it would be an Icon handball that led to United’s second goal. In the 85th minute, after Icon handled the ball in the area, Lodge stepped up and buried his second goal of the game.

West Chester clipped the cross bar in the 89th minute, but could not find two more goals to tie it up. Icon FC won 4-2, advancing to the semifinals whee they will host the Screaming Eagles of Maryland in its first-ever US Open Cup qualifying attempt. West Chester has now fallen at this stage two years in a row.

Mass Premier Soccer (MA) 1:0 Rhode Island Reds FC (RI)
Cranston Stadium (Cranston, RI) – 2 p.m. ET

By Brian O’Connell (NESoccerToday.com | @NESoccerToday)

CRANSTON, R.I. – In a match that pitted youth versus experience, a veteran Mass Premier Soccer side edged the fledgling Rhode Island Reds 1-0 in a windy US Open Cup Region I USASA quarterfinal on Sunday.

Rhode Island Reds midfielder Jason Garcia lines up a free kick against Mass Premier Soccer. Photo: Brian O’Connell | NESoccerToday.com

Matt Horth scored in the 19th minute, while goalkeeper Jeff Newman kept the Reds out of his net. Reds goalkeeper Chris Moura collected a series of dramatic saves to keep his club within striking distance.

Mass Premier’s victory booked them a meeting with the Pancyprian Freedoms, who claimed a 1-0 victory over Newtown SC on Sunday. The match is set for Apr. 21 in New York at a time and location to be determined. MPS will aim to end a small drought as the state of Massachusetts hasn’t had a team emerge from the Region I tournament since Emigrantes Das Ilhas qualified for the Open Cup in 2009.

With the wind howling and gusts reaching 30 mph, the Reds kicked off into the wind, and hoped to set the tone with an attack predicated upon short passing.

They did so throughout, but to little effect. Central midfielder Jason Garcia provided a strong link between the defense and attack, however, the hosts couldn’t breach Mass Premier’s back four.

Meanwhile, the guests found no such issues as they barreled into the Rhode Island end with the win at their backs. In the 14th minute, Dan MaGregor headed a Nick Cristman corner kick into the turf inside the six before it strayed over the bar.

A minute later, Matt Lemire found an opportunity when he snuck into the area and directed his shot toward the far post, but Moura leaned to his right to push it away.

The third try proved to be a charm in the 19th minute, when Mass Premier collected the remnants of a stalled Rhode Island attack and pushed forward. Charlie Romero sent it ahead to Hoff, who beat his mark then chipped it over Moura to put the guests in the driver’s seat.

Rhode Island searched for a reply, and nearly did just that in the 35th minute when Wilfred Ghanyea played it wide to Ivan Boaventura, who easily beat Newman. But the assistant referee’s flag was raised as the ball skipped through, much to the chagrin of the home crowd.

Mass Premier came within inches of doubling their lead when Hoff nearly converted another Christman corner. But David Ricci cleared it right off the line to keep the Reds within one going into halftime.

Hoff’s 40th minute chance was the closest either side would get to the net for the remainder of the match. Dilson Xon played it ahead to Emmanuel Asiedu on a clean break, but Newman came off his line to deny him in the 57th minute.

Moura made a trio of strong saves in the final 25 minutes, and averted danger in the 71st minute when Christman skied an open look inside the 18. Yet, the Reds couldn’t capitalize before time expired.

Screaming Eagles (MD) 1:0 Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA)
Cedar Lane Regional Park (Bel Air, MD) – 1:30 p.m. ET

By Matt Johnston (@MattClimbs)

The Screaming Eagles, Maryland’s representative to the USASA Region I tournament have continued their unlikely run through the qualifying for the 100th US Open Cup with a 1-0 win over the two-time defending DC/VA champions Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks at Cedar Lane Park in Bel Air, MD on Sunday.  The win puts the first time entrants one win away from the Open Cup proper.

The Aegean Hawks had only twelve players in uniform through a combination of injuries and work commitments for the amateur side, depleting its ranks.  The Screaming Eagles boasted a full squad of twenty with only two absences.  Earlier in the week, the Eagles were facing a serious paperwork issue as 14 of its 22 man roster had not received their international clearances from USSF.  Hawks manager Jonathan Knight stated that he was unsure if the paperwork was completed but indicated that the Hawks were not planning to lodge an official protest, preferring to let the game decide matters.  The USASA could conceivably take official action, but it is unclear if such action will take place.

When kickoff finally occurred, the two teams knocked the ball around in midfield a great deal.  The Hawks started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to solidify the middle.  But in doing so, the Eagles traditional 4-4-2 enabled them to control the wings.  The Eagles striker duo of Jonathan Orlando and Olakunle Banjo were active and able to find seams and pockets of space among the Hawks’ back line, particularly between the Hawks’ right back Devlin Barnes and centerback Tim Finklea. Whether sensing the confusion between the defenders and the midfielders Michael Goldman, Michael Montross and Erwin Diaz, or just deciding to attack down the left flank, the Eagles poured on the pressure early on in the match on their left wing.

The pressure paid off in the 18th minute as Orlando collected a ball on the left, muscled past Barnes and broke toward the penalty area.  Finklea, the other centerback James Kpainay, and left back Mateus Dos Anjos all over committed on their coverage and left Emmanuel Yamson unmarked in the right channel at the top of the penalty area.  Orlando threaded a pass through and Yamson calmly slid a side-footed shot past the largely helpless Hawks keeper Chris Fenner.

The next 15 minutes saw a fair amount of back and forth play in the midfield with neither team able to solidly assert possession.  The Hawks attack centered on lone striker Scott Larrabee making strong runs, usually along the Hawks left wing and then cutting in toward the penalty area.  Attacking center midfielder Gui Fonseca was similarly active and the Hawks were able to manage a few shots, but most were either off target or weak enough for Eagles keeper Theodore Edwin to handle.

By the 35th minute, the Hawks began to assert control of the game and the passing became sharper and quicker.  In the 40th minute the Hawks assembled their best chance of the half.  The attack began down the left channel with a series of short, one-touch passes among Fonseca, Larrabee, Goldman and Sam Scales which left the Eagles in disarray and chasing the ball, but the final touch eluded Fonseca who was not able to connect with a strong shot.

But aside from that flash of brilliance, Knight said after the match “the first half we played about as bad as I have ever seen.”

On the other hand, discipline became an issue for the Eagles in the latter seven minutes of the half.  In the 39th minute, Eagles Malone Komora picked up a silly yellow card for delaying the restart.  Komora picked up the ball after a foul had been called against the Eagles and ran for approximately 10 yards before dropping the ball.  The referee had little option but to issue the yellow card.  Just five minutes later, Eagles centerback Godwin Amuzie picked up a yellow card for a hard challenge from behind on Goldman.  Heading in to half time, the Eagles had two defenders on yellow cards.

Following the intermission, Knight, noting that the 4-2-3-1 was not helping his side, made a tactical change for the Hawks, pushing a center midfielder higher into the attack and shifting to a more 4-4-2 formation.  The change in formation and small tactical changes allowed the Hawks to begin managing the ball in all areas, including out on the flanks where the Eagles had dominated in the first half.

Believing the Hawks had moved to a 4-5-1, Eagles manager Adam Camara pulled his wingers back a little giving the Hawks own flank players and full backs room to begin bombing down the flanks.  With the extra space, Mateus Dos Anjos in particular was making a meal on the space on the left, but the Hawks were unable to regularly feed him the ball.

Knight made his only substitution, pulling Diaz and inserting David Rosenbaum, who immediately made an impact with fresh legs and speed up top alongside Larrabee.  The Hawks clearly had the Eagles on the back foot with several attacks from all angles, including a cheeky attempt by Fonseca to chip the keeper from 40 yards out that was caught a bit by the wind and floated just over the bar.

As the Hawks applied pressure, the Eagles discipline began to slip.  In the 73rd minute, Yusuf Sindel ewarned a yellow card for a hard challenge on Montross.  Play continued to be physical in the midfield and just four minutes later, Amuzie received a second yellow and his marching orders for a studs up challenge on Goldman.  Now a man down, but a goal up, the Eagles went to a purely defensive 4-4-1 and were putting all ten men behind the ball at times.

The Hawks’ best chance of the game came just three minutes after Amuzie was sent off.  A corner kick led to a strong aerial challenge from Finklea who put a header on frame.  Eagles keeper Edwin palmed it away but into the path of Scott Larrabee who blasted a shot of the right post.

After a full seven minutes of stoppage time (accumulated due to players having to chase the ball out of bounds) and after a few more quality and half-chances by the Hawks, the referee blew the final whistle and the Eagles had held onto their slim margin of victory with ten men.

Following the match, Knight commented on the offensive performance, “We had five quality chances and didn’t convert.  You’re not giving yourself much of a chance with a 0 for 5 conversion rate.  It really was a story of not giving ourselves a chance.”

As for the Eagles, Camara said of his team, “Nobody expected us to be here.  Nobody expected us to beat this team.  We are excited, the guys have come a long way, this is their first experience in this level of competition.”  As for discipline and card trouble, “we will be missing one of our key players, but we will see going forward.”

2013 USASA Region I Finals (US Open Cup qualifying)

Quarterfinals (April 7)
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) 1:0 Newtown SC (CT)
Mass Premier Soccer (MA) 1:0 Rhode Island Reds FC (RI)
Icon FC (NJ) 4:2 West Chester United (EPA)
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA) 0:1 Screaming Eagles (MD)

Semifinals (April 21 – Time/Location TBA)
Mass Premier Soccer (MA) at New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
Screaming Eagles (MD) at Icon FC (NJ)
Semifinal winners both qualify for 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

Recent USASA Region I Open Cup entries
2012: Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), Jersey Shore Boca (NJ), Greek American Atlas (ENY)
2011: NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY), Phoenix SC (EPA)
2010: Brooklyn Italians (NPSL), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
2009: Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), Emigrantes Das Ilhas (MA)
2008: Boston Olympiakos (MA), NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY)
2007: Aegean Hawks (DC/VA), Danbury United (CT)
2006: Allied SC (MD), Milford International (CT)
2005: Baltimore Colts FC (MD), NY Greek American Atlas (ENY)
2004: Allied SC (MD), NY Greek American Atlas (ENY)
2003: Bridgeport Italians (CT)
2002: Vereinigung Erzgebirge (EPA)
2001: Olympia Stamford (CT)
2000: Jerry D’s (MD)
1999: United German Hungarians (EPA)
1998: NY Greek American Atlas (ENY)
1997: Bridgeport Italians (CT)
1996: Mo’s Sport Shop (DC/VA)
1995: Spartan SC (DC/VA)

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: USASA Region I field announced with eight Northeast teams (UPDATED)

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USASA Region I logoUPDATE (3/24/13): Icon FC defeated Polonia Wallington 4-0 in the New Jersey Open Cup final to complete the eight-team field for the Region I tournament. || Full story

The draw for the 2013 USASA Region I tournament has been announced with eight teams from the Northeast set to battle for two berths in the 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. According to the recently announced 2013 US Open Cup format, the two finalists in the tournament will qualify for the competition. The winner will also represent the region at the USASA National Cup Finals in San Antonio July 19-21.

The tournament will be divided into a North and South bracket with the quarterfinals beginning April 7 and the semifinals will take place on April 21. The two semifinal winners will qualify for the US Open Cup.

In the North, Eastern New York champion the Pancyprian Freedoms will travel to Connecticut to play Newtown SC, while the Rhode Island Reds will take on Massachusetts champion Mass Premier Soccer.

The newcomers from the Connecticut Soccer League (CSL), Newtown SC, will have their hands full with the three-time Open Cup champion Freedoms who defeated their rival Greek American Atlas SC 4-0 to win their sixth Eastern New York title in the last eight years. The Freedoms have also qualified for the Open Cup three times in the last five years (2008, 2010, 2011). Newtown finished in second place (5-1-3) in the fall season of the very competitive CSL and after a decade, the club is making their first attempt at qualifying for the Open Cup.

Mass Premier Soccer are back in the tournament for the second time in three years after winning a penalty kick shootout with East Providence Sports, a Rhode Island-based club, in the Massachusetts final. (East Providence competes in a Mass.-based league) MPS will travel to Rhode Island to face the Reds of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The Rhode Island Reds finished tied for fourth place last year in the NPSL Atlantic Division with a 2-4-3 record, but they are part of the USASA regional tournament because they have a reserve team that will compete in the Southern New England Super Cup this summer.

In the South bracket, the two-time defending Eastern Pennsylvania champion West Chester United will host first time New Jersey title holders Icon FC. West Chester defeated United German Hungarians 3-1 in the Eastern PA final and are back in the Region I tournament hoping to improve on their brief appearance in the competition last year where they lost to the Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks 3-1 in their opening game. Icon FC, who are making their first Open Cup qualifying appearance, cruised to a state championship with a 4-0 win over Polonia Wallington on March 24 to complete the regional field.

The other South bracket match-up will feature the Screaming Eagles, the first-time Maryland champions hosting tournament regulars Aegean Hawks FC, the Metro DC/Virginia champion. The Eagles denied the Maryland Bays their third straight Maryland Open Cup title in chaotic fashion, winning 4-2. The Hawks defeated Hammers FC 1-0 to win their second straight DC/VA title. The Hawks have qualified for the Open Cup three times since 2006, and have won their state tournament six of the last seven entries.

2013 USASA Region I Finals (US Open Cup qualifying)

Quarterfinals (April 7)
New York Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) at Newtown SC (CT)
Treadwell Park (Newtown, CT) – 4 p.m. ET
Mass Premier Soccer (MA) at Rhode Island Reds FC (RI)
Cranston Stadium (Cranston, RI) – 2 p.m. ET
Icon FC (NJ) at West Chester United (EPA)
Delacy Soccer Complex No. 4 (West Chester, PA) – 2 p.m. ET
Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (DC/VA) at Screaming Eagles (MD)
Cedar Lane Regional Park (Bel Air, MD) – 1:30 p.m. ET –

Semifinals (April 21)
Time/Location TBA
Semifinal winners both qualify for 2013 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: West Chester United defeat United German Hungarians to repeat as Eastern PA champs

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West Chester United celebrates a goal during the Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup Final against the United German Hungarians. United won the game 3-1 to win their second straight title. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

West Chester United is the Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup champion for the second year in a row after beating United German Hungarians 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. UGH scored first, but West Chester equalized just before the half and used the extremely windy weather conditions to its advantage to pull away in the end.

“The guys played really, really well. The wind was a huge factor. In the second half…I think the elements actually helped us with the wind going our way a little bit,” West Chester manager Vincent D’Ambrosio said after the game.

The two-time Open Cup runners-up, UGH, had the wind advantage in the first half, and used it to control the early part of the game. The visitors capitalized in the 17th minute when Elsion Pajolarri was taken down just inside the box. Pajolarri sent the keeper the wrong way on the ensuing penalty to put the Hungarians up 1-0. Pajolarri then had to be subbed out after picking up an injury just three minutes later.

From that point on in the first half, neither side had a definitive advantage. However, just as the half was coming to a close, West Chester nabbed an equalizer. A long ball that was popped up high into the air came down perfectly for West Chester’s Dominic Popolizio, who then outran the defense and slotted the ball past the keeper.

West Chester United: 2013 Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup champions. Photo: Kari Haffelfinger

“They’re back breakers when things like that happen,” UGH coach Mike Curley said. “At halftime I tried to give a pep talk because as we walked off the field, our heads were down. It’s tough to come back from a goal like that. That hurt.”

West Chester used that momentum, plus the wind advantage, to score early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Popolizio ran into the penalty area and passed the ball across the 6-yard box to an onrushing Michael Lodge, who calmly hit it home. UGH had no answer for West Chester’s play in the second half, and ended up finding themselves down 3-1 in the 80th minute. At the top of the box, Lodge found David King, who ran deep inside the area. Bearing down on the keeper, he passed to substitute Scott Patrick for the game’s final goal.

With the victory, West Chester United advance to the USASA Region I Finals in the spring. Last year, United fell in the first round to Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks.

2013 Eastern Pennsylvania Final
West Chester United 3:1 United German Hungarians

Scoring Summary
UGH: Elsion Pajolarri (PK) – 17th minute
WCU: Dominic Popolizio (unassisted) – 45th minute
WCU: Michael Lodge (Dominic Popolizio) – 52nd minute
WCU: Scott Patrick (David King) – 80th minute

Discipline

None

Lineups

West Chester United: Travis Chulick; Christopher Amato, Ryan Smallwood, David King, Neema Mohajery; William Brown (William Pinto-81), Neil Gallagher (Omarie Salmon-81), Andrew Kummerer, Justin McCall (Scott Patrick-75); Dominic Popolizio, Michael Lodge

United German Hungarians: Jim Clark; Mike Pio, Zach Fayer (Ike Onyeador-81), Kevin Sherry, Brian Blesi; Jason Karasow, Ken Tomczuk, Ryan Tadley, Joe Brocker; Uche Onyeador, Elsion Pajolarri (John Gravelle-26)

2013 Eastern PA Open Cup Tournament
(home team listed second)

First Round (Nov. 11) [+] Recap
Cavalla FC 1:0 Ukrainian Nationals (Oct. 28)
Quakertown 3:2 Colonial Ultras
Junior Lone Star 6:0 Mayfair Celtic
Nether United 1:1 Phoenix SC (Nether United advances, 7-6 in PKs)
Predators 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge

Quarterfinals (Dec. 2) [+] Recap
Quakertown 0:4 West Chester United
Cavalla FC 4:0 Salone
Junior Lone Star 0:3 United German Hungarians
Predators 0:0 Nether United (Predators advance 5-4 in PKs)

Semifinals
Cavalla FC 1:2 West Chester United (Dec. 9) [+] Recap
Predators 0:1 UGH (Dec. 16) [+] Recap

Final (Dec. 22)
United German Hungarians 1:3 West Chester United

Past Eastern PA Open Cup champions:
1997: United German Hungarians
1998: United German Hungarians
1999: United German Hungarians*
2000: United German Hungarians
2001: DiPasquale’s
2002: Vereinigung Erzgebirge*
2003: Ukrainian Nationals
2004: Lighthouse SC
2005: Ukrainian Nationals
2006: Ukrainian Nationals
2007: Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Runner-up Ukrainian Nationals also qualified for Region I Finals)
2008: United German Hungarians
2009: Vereinigung Erzgebirge
2010: Phoenix SC
2011: Phoenix SC*
2012: West Chester United Predators
2013: West Chester United Predators

* Qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2013 US Open Cup qualifying: United German Hungarians edge 10-man Predators to reach another Eastern PA final

by

The much anticipated Eastern Pennsylvania US Open Cup semifinal match between United German Hungarians and the Predators took place on Sunday at the soccer cathedral known as the YSC sports complex in Wayne, Pa. The United German Hungarians, making their fifth straight semifinal appearance, advanced to the championship game with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Predators, who were making their first appearance in the competition.

With the win, UGH will advance to Saturday’s title game against defending champion West Chester United. The match will be hosted by United with the kickoff scheduled or 2 p.m. (Map to the game) The winner will take the next step toward qualifying for the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by qualifying for next spring’s USASA Region I Finals.

The match was originally to be played at UGH’s home field in Oakford, Pa. last Sunday, Dec. 9, but had to be rescheduled due to poor field conditions caused by heavy rain. The game was then moved to the YSC sports complex, which is the facility the Philadelphia Union use for preseason training, and the home to the YSC Union Juniors.

Elsion Pajolarri of UGH, who scored the game's only goal from the penalty spot, sends in a free kick against the Predators' defense. Photo: Jeff Livezey

Sunday’s semifinal was a true battle for the entire 90 minutes with both teams playing with rosters full of skill and experience. Everyone from former Union academy players, to current and former college players, to veterans of the professional ranks.

The Preds were dealt a blow early in the game when Tom Greenawalt, a former pro with the Reading Rage (now Reading United), took down a UGH player inside the box and referee John Barr called for a UGH penalty kick. Before the kick was taken, Greenawalt, continued to argue the call until the official had enough and sent him off. The Predators, a talented over-30 team, were down a man and shortly after, down a goal as Elsion Pajolarri converted the spot kick. Despite playing with 10 men, the Pred’s defense held UGH to 1-0 at the half.

In the second half the shorthanded Predators moved the ball well and managed to create a number of chances, but none of them went their way. Peter Pittaoulis had a shot on goal that just went right of the goal post, and Tomasz Fryzel had a free kick opportunity that went just above the crossbar. The best opportunity came from Joe Ferrero, who dribbled inside the box and had a shot on frame that hit the post. UGH had a strong defense that kept their lead and kept a clean sheet for goalkeeper Jimmy Clark.

The Hungarians, an Open Cup runner-up in 1977 and 1993, move on to the Eastern Pennsylvania Open Cup championship game as they attempt to win their sixth title since 1995.

2013 Eastern PA Open Cup Tournament
(home team listed second)

First Round (Nov. 11) [+] Recap
Cavalla FC 1:0 Ukrainian Nationals (Oct. 28)
Quakertown 3:2 Colonial Ultras
Junior Lone Star 6:0 Mayfair Celtic
Nether United 1:1 Phoenix SC (Nether United advances, 7-6 in PKs)
Predators 1:0 Vereinigung Erzgebirge

Quarterfinals (Dec. 2) [+] Recap
Quakertown 0:4 West Chester United
Cavalla FC 4:0 Salone
Junior Lone Star 0:3 United German Hungarians
Predators 0:0 Nether United (Predators advance 5-4 in PKs)

Semifinals
Cavalla FC 1:2 West Chester United (Dec. 9) [+] Recap
Predators 0:1 United German Hungarians (Dec. 16)

Final (Dec. 22 – 2 p.m.)
United German Hungarians at West Chester United
(Map to the game)

Past Eastern PA Open Cup champions:
1997: United German Hungarians
1998: United German Hungarians
1999: United German Hungarians*
2000: United German Hungarians
2001: DiPasquale’s
2002: Vereinigung Erzgebirge*
2003: Ukrainian Nationals
2004: Lighthouse SC
2005: Ukrainian Nationals
2006: Ukrainian Nationals
2007: Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Runner-up Ukrainian Nationals also qualified for Region I Finals)
2008: United German Hungarians
2009: Vereinigung Erzgebirge
2010: Phoenix SC
2011: Phoenix SC*
2012: West Chester United Predators

* Qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

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