Feature - Amateur Cup

The first team heading to July’s national championship is now known. FC Arizona punched their ticket to play for the National Amateur Cup, and a US Open Cup spot, in the 100th anniversary of the competition. Meanwhile the Midwest narrowed its field and the South set its own.

Since 2018, the champion of the National Amateur Cup, the highest tournament in the United States Adult Soccer Association, receives direct qualification to the following year’s U.S. Open Cup. For the last few years, TheCup.us has tracked the National Amateur Cup from its regional stages all the way up until the national final. These updates have been provided on Twitter / X and stats have been kept internally.

USASA is broken into four regions, each holding their own amateur cup tournament respectively. The champions of these four tournaments qualify for the national finals later this summer.

You can find a brief summary of every from this past weekend below. Additionally, here are links to the Twitter threads and articles made over the two months regarding other results:

• April 7 (Region I)
• April 14 (Region I & Region II)
• April 20 (Region II)
• April 27 to May 5
• May 11 to 25

FULL 2024 NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP SCHEDULE/RESULTS

USASA Region II (Midwest)
Quarterfinals

TUESDAY, MAY 28

FC Milwaukee Torrent (WI – National Premier Soccer League)
6:1
Chicago House AC (IL – Midwest Premier League)
Catholic Memorial High School – Waukesha, WI

FC Milwaukee Torrent beat Chicago House AC, 6-1. Back-to-back goals in the first ten minutes was followed up with five unanswered by the Torrent. House’s Eduardo Aguilera was red carded for a bad tackle from behind twenty minutes into the second half, all but sealing the visiting team’s fate. Milwaukee received a bye to the Quarterfinals as a member of the NPSL based on last year’s league results.

(Full Recap by TheCup.us’ Joe Chatz on the NPSL website)

Goal scorers

FCMT:

• Angel Gongora 8’, 34’
• Sam Abreu 28’
• Gabe Voung 50’
• Zakaria Daaou 83’
• Paco Piscaglia 90+2’

CHAC:

• Nico Williams 9’

THURSDAY, MAY 30

Bavarian United SC (WI – Midwest Premier League)
2:0
Wisloka Chicago (IL – Premier Soccer League of Chicagoland)
Bavarian Soccer Park – Glendale, WI

Bavarian United SC beat Wisloka Chicago, 2-0, as it continues the hunt for a seventh National Amateur Cup title. Two late goals helped the Bavs get the momentum over Wisloka. Since USSF began awarding a place in the USOC to the national champion, the Wisconsin side is the only team to win the Amateur Cup multiple times (2018, 2022). United received a bye to the Quarterfinals as a regional finalist from last year’s tournament.

Goal scorers

BUSC:

• Buran Huseini (Ivan Cuellar) 78′
• Paco Gutierrez (Logan Andryk) 86′

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

RWB Adria (IL – Midwest Premier League)
1:4
Vlora FC (MN – Minnesota Amateur Soccer League)
Bridgeview Sports Fields – Bridgeview, IL

In a huge upset, Vlora FC beat defending Region II champion RWB Adria, 4-1, in the shadow of Seatgeek Stadium. Vlora took the lead in the first half before RWB equalized. In the second half, the Minnesota amateurs scored three unanswered to secure a spot in the regional semifinals for the first time. RWB had received a bye to the last eight as defending champion.

Goal scorers

RWB:

• Peri Marošević

VFC:

• Hesham Samir Al-Julani (x2)
• Franklin Schwendimann
• Robert Cooper

Match broadcast:

Akron City FC (OH – National Premier Soccer League)
4:2
Northern Indiana FC (IN – Midwest Premier League)
After Extra Time
St. Vincent-St. Mary High School – Akron, OH

Akron City FC advanced past Northern Indiana FC, 4-2 after extra time, to lock up a spot in the Semifinals. NIFC had two leads in the game but the hosts equalized twice, including a late goal in the last few minutes of regulation. A controversial penalty kick call early in extra time gave Akron the lead for the first time and a counter attack sealed the win. Akron received a bye into the quarterfinals as a member of the NPSL. The team is looking to be the second Akron team to win the National Amateur Cup after Akron Goodyear lifted the trophy back in 1931.

(Full match recap by the NPSL)

Goal scorers

ACFC:

• Samuel Sarver 63′
• Ryan Kingsford 85′, 94′ (PK)
• Jackson Herbert 127′

NIFC:

• Eduardo de Silva 33′
• Andres Maza 72′

Match broadcast:

USASA Region III (South)

Region III, encompassing 11 states and 12 associations across the southern United States, will hold its tournament on June 7–9 at MESA Soccer Complex in Greer, South Carolina.

Teams taking part are:

Group A

• Tobacco Road FC (NC)
• NTX Black Ice (TX) – North Texas
• OFC Wolves (FL)
• Terminus FC (GA)

Group B

• ASC New Stars (TX) – South TX
• Majestic FC (SC)
• Cobb United FC (GA)
• Naples United FC (FL) – NPSL

Note: Two teams were previously announced for the tournament but were unable to compete. Those teams were FC Brownsville (TX) and Los Migos (TX). They were replaced by Cobb United FC (GA) and NTX Black Ice (TX).

USASA Region IV (West)
Semifinals

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

Temecula FC (CA – NISA Nation)
1:2
FC Arizona (AZ – National Premier Soccer League)
Cheyenne Sports Complex – North Las Vegas, NV

FC Arizona beat former NPSL rival Temecula FC, 2-1, after a long day. Saturday’s semifinals were originally scheduled to be played at Sandstone Ridge Park in North Las Vegas in the morning (Prior to THAT the games were going to be held at Tropical Breeze Park but the venue was changed earlier in the week). The morning of, the venue was changed to Cheyenne Sports Complex due to field conditions at Sandstone. USASA and the teams also decided to move the semifinal matches to later in the day. Arizona scored five minutes after the first whistle and didn’t look back. A late goal by Temecula cut the deficit in half but it wasn’t enough to force extra time.

Goal scorers

TFC:

• Eddie Perez

FCA:

• Marco Afonso
• Cade Williams

JM United FC (UT – Utah Adult Soccer League)
1:5
Azteca FC (CO – Colorado Soccer Association)
Cheyenne Sports Complex – North Las Vegas, NV

Azteca FC knocked off upstarts JM United FC, 5-1, in the second semifinal. The 2024 US Open Cup participant used its vast experience to overpower a much younger Jersey Mike’s throughout. JM, a second team to USL League Two side Salt City SC, has a roster mostly made up of college age players. A lone goal ruined the clean sheet for the Colorado side but was not enough to threaten.

Goal scorers

JMUFC:

• Dalton Gibson

AFC:

• Alan Salgado (x3)
• Jovany Herrera
• George Martinez

USASA Region IV Final

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

FC Arizona (AZ – National Premier Soccer League)
2:4
Azteca FC (CO – Colorado Soccer Association)
After Extra Time
Cheyenne Sports Complex – North Las Vegas, NV

FC Arizona won its first ever USASA Region IV Amateur Cup title by beating Azteca FC, 4-2 after extra time. With the win, Arizona is also the first team to punch their ticket to July’s national tournament in Illinois. Arizona took a 1-0 lead into halftime before Azteca tied it in the 88th minute to force extra time. In extra time, Arizona scored twice in the first period to take control back. Both teams scored in the final 15 minutes before the final whistle blew.

(Full match recap by the NPSL)

Goal scorers

FCA:

• Marco Afonso
• Gabe Waters
• Bryan Aceves
• Jordin Figueroa

AFC:

• Alan Salgado
• Luis Reyes

USASA National Amateur Cup Finals

Once all four regional champions have been crowned, each will take part in the national finals on July 25 to 28 in DeKalb, Illinois. This event is officially being hosted by DeKalb County United, who oddly enough did not even enter the tournament.

Qualified teams:

• FC Arizona (Region IV)

The 2024 National Amateur Cup has continued over the last few weeks, with more regional tournaments nearing their final stages. Only one region, Region III (South), has yet to kick a ball.

Since 2018, the champion of the National Amateur Cup, the highest tournament in the United States Adult Soccer Association, receives direct qualification to the following year’s U.S. Open Cup. For the last few years, TheCup.us has tracked the National Amateur Cup from its regional stages all the way up until the national final. These updates have been provided on Twitter / X and stats have been kept internally.

USASA is broken into four regions, each holding their own amateur cup tournament respectively. The champions of these four tournaments qualify for the national finals later this summer.

You can find a brief summary of every from this past weekend below. Additionally, here are links to the Twitter threads and articles made over the two months regarding other results:

• April 7 (Region I)
• April 14 (Region I & Region II)
• April 20 (Region II)
• April 27 to May 5

FULL 2024 NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP SCHEDULE/RESULTS

Region I (Northeast)
Semifinals

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Providence City FC Rogues (MA – Bay State Soccer League)
1:7
New York Pancyprian-Freedoms (NY – Eastern Premier Soccer League)
Rhode Island College Alumni Stadium – Providence, RI

Three-time US Open Cup champions New York Pancyprian-Freedoms cruised past Providence City FC Rogues, 7-1, to reach the regional final in June. The visitors took a one goal lead into half but took advantage of a lacking host. PCFC suffered a red card and then allowed six goals. A consolation was the only solace for the home side.

Goal scorers

PCFC:

• Pedro Ferreira

NYPF:

• Joe Holland
• Matt Forster (x2)
• Sebastian Ruiz (x2)
• James Thristino
• Arsen Demetriou

Christos FC (MD – Maryland Super Soccer League)
2:0
Steel Pulse FC (MD – Maryland Super Soccer League)
Cedar Lane Park Field #6 – Columbia, MD

Christos FC advanced to the regional final past rival Steel Pulse FC, 2-0, with two late game penalty kicks. The match was back and forth with both teams knowing each other very well. This was a rematch of the 2023-24 Maryland Stewart Cup final, which qualified both teams for the regional tournament and which Christos won. This was also a rematch from the Third qualifying round of 2024 US Open Cup qualifying, which Christos also won on route to a tournament berth.

Goalscorers

CFC:

• Anthony Dragisics (PK) 88’
• Dominic Colon (PK) 90+5’

Match video:

Region II (Midwest)
Round 3

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Michigan Stars Semi Pro U23 (MI – Midwest Premier League)
0:2
Northern Indiana FC (IN – Midwest Premier League)
Michigan Stars Sports Center – Washington, MI

Northern Indiana FC scored twice late to beat hosts Michigan Stars Semi Pro U23, 2-0. The leaders of the Great Lakes West Division in the MWPL have been rolling since joining the league earlier this year. With the win, the team will return to Ohio, the site of its win last round, to play NPSL side Akron City FC.

Goal scorers

NIFC:

• Leo Mendez 80′
• Julian Vargas 84′

Match video:

Match highlights:

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Green Bay Glory (IL – Midwest Premier League)
0:1
Vlora FC (MN – Minnesota Amateur Soccer League)
Aldo Santaga Stadium – Green Bay, WI

Joseph Giron’s stoppage time goal advanced Vlora FC past Green Bay Glory, 1-0, in a game that looked destined for extra time. Vlora’s second time in regional quarterfinals (2021) sets up a road trip to play a multi-time national champion in RWB Adria.

Goal scorers

VFC

• Joseph Giron 90+4′

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

SAC Wisla Chicago (IL – Premier Soccer League of Chicagoland)
1:3
Wisloka Chicago (IL – Premier Soccer League of Chicagoland)
After Extra Time
Loyola Academy Munz Field – Glenview, IL

A heated match between league rivals saw Wisloka Chicago beat SAC Wisla Chicago, 3-1 AET. The home side took the lead midway in the second half thanks to Konrad Malinowski corner finding Alex Lulek. Former Polish professional player Daniel Lukaszczyk equalized late in the second half to force extra time. Late in the first ET, Lukasz Sulka put the visitors ahead with what would be the game winning goal before former USL Championship player Wojciech Wojcik scored in his second straight Amateur Cup game. Wisloka will now hit the road to play multi-time national champion and one-time US Open Cup runner-up Bavarian United SC.

Goal scorers

Wisla

• Alex Lulek (Asst: Konrad Malinowski) 57’

Wisloka

• Daniel Łukaszczyk 84’
• Łukasz Sulka 104’
• Wojciech Wójcik 108’

MONDAY, MAY 20

Czarni Jaslo Chicago (IL – Midwest Premier League)
1:3
Chicago House AC (IL – Midwest Premier League)
Redmond Soccer Field – Bensenville, IL

2024 US Open Cup participant Chicago House AC advanced, 3-1, past Czarni Jaslo Chicago. Nico Williams scored for a second straight Region II match before Kikis Avalos doubled the lead just before halftime. Hosts CJC cut the deficit in half, but House responded a few minutes later to make it a two goal lead once again. After being one and done in its first Amateur Cup last year, CHAC is now heading on the road for a Quarterfinal match against NPSL side FC Milwaukee Torrent.

Goal scorers

CJC:

• Paul Urban 64’

CHAC:

• Nico Williams 20’
• Kikis Avalos 42’
• Lalo Aguilera 69’

Region III (South)

Region III, encompassing 11 states and 12 associations across the southern United States, will hold its tournament on June 7–9 at MESA Soccer Complex in Greer, South Carolina.

Qualifications is typically decided by teams winning their respective state cups (for example the on-going Georgia Adult State Cup). However, open entry has been allowed in the past to make up numbers.

Region IV (West)
Round 1

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Peak XI FC (CO – Mountain Premier League)
1:1
Timbers SC (CO – Mountain Premier League)
Timbers SC advances 4-3 on penalty kicks
Fairview High School – Boulder, CO

The first game of the USASA Region IV Amateur Cup did not disappoint on thrills as Timbers SC beat fellow Mountain Premier League side Peak XI FC, 1-1 (4:3 on pks). The game was scoreless after 90 minutes meaning the two teams would need to play at least two more 15 minute halves. In the second extra time, a run by Peak up the left side ended with a shoulder tackle by a Timbers player in the box. The subsequent penalty kick was converted by Taylor Smyser to give the home side the lead. However Timbers responded a few minutes later, with a team play up the right side ending with Alex Molchan equalizer. In the penalty kick shootout, Timbers’ keeper Kyle Lanham made two huge saves in the first two rounds as his team went four for five to win, 4-3, in the fifth round.

Goal scorers

Peak:

• Taylor Smyser 113′ (PK)

TSC:

• Alex Molchan 118′

Match Video:

• Video 1: https://www.facebook.com/peakxi/videos/6740214276081047/
• Video 2: https://www.facebook.com/peakxi/videos/1019124812908431/
• Video 3 (Second half + ET + Shootout): https://www.facebook.com/peakxi/videos/1083951045999312

Azteca FC (CO – Colorado Soccer Association)
W:L
Young Gunz FC (CO – Mountain Premier League)

Azteca FC advanced past Young Gunz FC via forfeit. When reached for comment, Gunz cited the team’s current schedule congestion between Mountain Premier League and another competition it was in. The team also criticized the region’s planning of the event, noting it had signed up for the tournament in March and only heard about scheduling two barely squeezing two games in May at the last minute.

Quarterfinals

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Boise Alpha FC (ID – Southern Idaho Soccer League)
1:4
J.M. United FC (UT – Utah Adult Soccer League)
Sunway Soccer Complex – Twin Falls, ID

J.M. United FC beat Boise Alpha FC, 4-1, In a battle of teams from states that aren’t often talked about on this website. J.M., which stands for Jersey Mike’s United FC, is a reserve/second team for USL League Two side Salt City SC. The group is in the process of changing its name to “Salt City FC” but there’s no chance we’re not capitalizing on this name while we have the chance to report on it.

Goal scorers

BAFC:

• Alain Clement (Musab Bwana)

JMUFC:

• Nathan Reginato (Youri Joseph)
• Teddy Chester (Youri Joseph)
• Moses Ruiz (Ian Nielson)
• Ian Nielson (Moses Ruiz)

THURSDAY, MAY 23

Azteca FC (CO – Colorado Soccer Association)
4:0
Timbers SC (CO – Mountain Premier League)
Lowry Sports Complex – Denver, CO

Azteca FC beat Timbers SC, 4-0, to advance to the regional semifinals in Las Vegas. The experienced multi-time US Open Cup qualifier overpowered the barely year old club. Timbers had chances to turn the tides but had two goals called back, preserving Azteca’s clean sheet.

Goal scorers

AFC:

• Luis Reyes
• Jovany Herrera
• Alan Salgado
• George Martinez

SATURDAY, MAY 25

UNM Club Soccer (NM – Albuquerque Soccer League)
0:4
FC Arizona (AZ – National Premier Soccer League)
New Mexico Soccer Complex – Bernalillo, NM

Experience heavy FC Arizona knocked off sentimental favorite UNM Club Soccer, 4-0, on the road. Hosts UNM are the only men’s soccer representing their university cut the varsity men’s soccer program in 2018. The NPSL side took a one goal lead into half time thanks to a Dino Redzic goal before scoring three more unanswered to advance to Las Vegas.

Goal scorers

FCA:

• Dino Redzic
• Josue Murillo (x2)
• Justin Provenzano

Temecula FC (CA – NISA Nation)
W:L
The Olympic Club (CA – San Francisco Soccer Football League)

Temecula FC advanced past The Olympic Club via forfeit. When reached for comment, OC and the region cited the team’s current schedule congestion with San Francisco Soccer Football League commitments and the travel to SoCal. The team, like Young Gunz prior, also criticized the region’s planning of the event. A team official noted the original date of the Las Vegas Semifinals & Final was supposed to be June 17-18 and OC was supposed to just qualify for that without a play-in (Quarterfinal) match. The date of the final four switched two more times, giving Olympic Club little space to organize travel to a game.

Note: This was announced the same day as the Young Gunz FC forfeit/withdrawal.

National Amateur Cup Finals

Once all four regional champions have been crowned, each will take part in the national finals on July 25 to 28 in DeKalb, Illinois. This event is officially being hosted by DeKalb County United, who oddly enough did not even enter the tournament.