It's started (R)

Loads of stuff in the e-mail box tonight!

Got word from Brian Gendron, manager of Green Briar FC. As gorilla stated, Green Brian defeated Boston Olypiakos 4-1 on 5/1 in the Mass. final, and defeated the NH qualifier 5-1 on 5/4. They will, play Bridgeport Italians on May 1 for a spot in the Region I final.

Got an e-mail from Walter Kolbik of Vistula. According to them, ZPA was actually considered the NJ Open Cup qualifier, because Vistula qualified as the winner of the Champions League in NJ. He said that ZPA was DQ'd against Greek American Atlas due to use of inelegable players. He also said that Dynamos FC of DC/Virginia defeated Atlas in the quarters, but that Atlas was likely to appeal that match as well for the same reason. He says they are being very strict this year about player eligibility.

Finally, got a response from Phillip Drtmer from Tyneside United about the Region IV finals. There will be six teams in the finals, split into two groups, playing group matches on May 30-31, with the group winenr playing on June 1. Group 1 will be Colorado (Colorado Springs Brewmen), New Mexico (?), and Nevada (Tyneside Utd), and Group 2 will have California-South, Arizona, and the MPSL qualifier

 

Mass. Final match report from Brian Gendron, Green Briar FC manager

The Green Briar reached the Regional level of a
National Cup competition for the first time ever. The match started off with the
Briar in complete control of the game and finished in the same fashion.
Billy McNicol opened the scoring midway through the first half by hammering
a loose ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out. Peter Anderson
nearly scored the goal of the season to put the Briar up 2-0, but the Olympiakos
keeper was up to the task, barely. The sequence began with Brian Gendron
winning a loose ball in midfield and sending a precision first time ball to
Dan Rudolph behind them left side of the Olympiakos defense. Dan squared the
ball back across the 18 to Peter who's first time effort looked destined to
curl and dip into the upper 90 but the Olympiakos keeper, who had been
fooled by the shot, just got a fingertip to it to push it over the bar. It was
an outstanding effort from the self proclaimed Danish Dynamite. Several
minutes later, Olympiakos pulled level with a soft goal. The Briar missed a
tackle at the edge of the area that deflected to an open Olympiakos player who
slotted the ball past a helpless Brett. Olympiakos had a few more surges
towards the Briar goal but they did not amount to much. 1-1 at the half.

The beginning of the second half saw the Briar increase the pressure which
resulted in an early goal. Rich Wilmot, who injured his ankle in the first
half, received a pass from the left hand side, spun and volleyed the ball
into the left side of the Olympiakos net. Five minutes later an odd
sequence sealed the win. A ball was swung in from the left, nodded on to
the back post where Dan Rudolph headed it back across the face of Peter
Anderson. The ball caromed into the goal and gave Peter his first goal of
the season. The scoring finished as David Baumritter hit a one time ball
from midfield over the top of the defense that bounced
over the keeper. It was a crafty move from the right back position, but it
was obvious if the ball was played at just the right height and pace, and
bounced at just the right spot, it would bounce right into the Olympiakos
goal. There was some controversy, though as Billy McNicol drilled the ball
into the net, after it had already crossed the goal line. Baumritter, who
only scores from distance in Cup Finals was ecstatic.

An all around excellent game by everyone on the field. It should be pointed
out, though that Andre had an exceptional game on this night and was deemed
"Man of the Match" by the media.

 

Green Briar FC 5-1 New Hampshire

The Briar continue to move forward in the US Open Cup
to advance to the Regional Semi-Finals with a convincing 5-1 over New
Hampshire. The Briar were in complete control throughout the match and were
disappointed to only be leading 2-0 at the half. Several opportunities
were missed - two over the bar and one mis-hit wide - before the opening goal
came 20 minutes into the contest. A free kick 20 yards out on the right
side of the goal gave the Briar the opportunity they needed to open the
scoring. Will Hench decided not to do his best Roberto Carlos impression,
instead chose to play a short ball to Dan Rudolph who was inexplicably
unmarked on the right side of the wall. He received the pass from Hench, took
one touch to control and slotted the ball past the keeper to the far post.
Rudolph struck again shortly thereafter tapping in a feed from Will
Kohler. The play developed on the left side as Craig Canavan, the Briar's steady
back, played a ball forward towards Peter Andersen. Peter dummied the
ball, allowing it to continue down the left flank to a streaking Will
Kohler. Maybe streaking is too strong a word. He was running fast. Will beat
his defender and drove a firm ball across the six, past the keeper in the path
of an onrushing Rudolph. The game was nearly in hand, if only the
Briar could score one more before half time. Despite generating several
seemingly easy opportunities, that third goal did not come before the
half time whistle. Kohler's double touch effort on a one-on-one with the
keeper was especially disgraceful, yet enjoyable for his Briar teammates and
fans.

The first half was one of total dominance and the Briar players clearly let
their intensity wane after securing a 2 goal lead. The players were warned
to be careful about letting the New Hampshire team get back into the game.
This warning was taken to heart, and the Briar came out and created a few
scoring chances, but like in the first half, failed to convert. As New
Hampshire went to 3 forwards and applied more pressure, the Briar began to
foul the New Hampshire players with some regularity for the next five
minutes. They would pay for their mental lapses when New Hampshire
converted a free kick from 25 yard out. A slack walland a well taken shot
put the outcome in jeopardy...for a moment. Following the goal, the Briar
lifted their level and responded with a goal of their own. Dan Rudolph
broke free around the right hand side and squared a ball across the box for
a redeeming finish for Will Kohler. The 3-1 lead was too much for the New
Hampshire team to overcome and the game was basically
over with 30 minutes remaining. Dan Pucci notched a fine goal in his
season debut and Steve Robertson scored after his defender was apparently
shot by a sniper from the grassy knoll.

The experienced Briar team did what they had to do to get a result, although
this game could have been over after 30 minutes. Against better teams,
these squandered opportunities may come back to get them. It is clear that
this Briar team can advance deep into this cup competition. We must all
work towards that goal TOGETHER in order to make this a reality. Our
commitment and team spirit make us who we are. We are good enough to beat a
pro team if we can get there. The next match, however, is the only
important one. The Regional Semi-Finals pits the Green Briar against the
Bridgeport Italians from Connecticut.

 

I'm trying to find the results for the Freedoms/Stallions match so I e-mail the Freedoms and there e-mail addy is not working, so I e-mail the Stallions and I get this stupid answer
--------------------------------------------------
"No decision has been made yet."

Thank You
--------------------------------------------------

WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?! No decision has been made yet, it sounds like the match was never played. This is a crucial USOC Qualifier and all they can say is No decision has been made yet?

I have looked at the NJ Stallions website and nothing there. I looked up USL Soccer's website and nothing there. So that tells me that this match was cancelled for some reason or, someone forgot about it. I don't know, but when I get a stupid response like that, I have to ask myself who the hell is running the show over there in the Stallions front office.

I think a true and thourogh explination is expeted here with someone who has brains, obviously this person who e-mailed me is a shmuck.

That's my tiraid what's your opinions?.

 

I was wondering myself about weather or not that match went off. You would think the USL would have something on their website about it.

Then again, if it was postponed, knowing the USL, they'll have the next Stallions-Freedoms match count 2.4 times in the standings, or something looney like that.

Took a look at the USL website, and in their Open Cup secion, they list the match as being postponed.

 

Now they said that the next match between these two will counut on May 23rd but not the rescheduled one that will be in June.

There now. Was it that difficult to explain. I didn't think so, but they did so in my opinion they are shmucks. NJ Stallions Front office.

 

.... and these are pro organizations. Huh. Any explanation for the postponement?

 

The May 23 Freedoms-Stallions match was already scheduled to count as a qualifier. I have a bad feeling thay will do the USL classic and count the game as double in the standings for the cup qualifying. I hope they don't handle it this way, because that would be very unfair for the other teams.

BTW, got some details on the Bavarian SC-Busch SC Region II semifinal. Bavarian SC won 1-0 in sudden death extra time when Ryan Seymour scored in the 102nd minute.

 

Region II final

The Milwaukee Bavarians beat Busch 1-0 so they face the AAC Eagles on May 18 in the Region II finals.

http://www.usopencup.com/qual/usasa/56196.html

 

Region I semifinals
Vistula 4-2 Greek American Atlas

No result for Green Briar-Bridgeport Italians yet.

 

Monster. In laimen's terms please.

I'm already confused.

 

One unfortunate side note of having league matches double as qualifiers is that league suspensions also end up affecting cup play. In the Thunder's preview of their match this Sunday vs. Cinci, they note that 2 of Cinci's starters are suspended after apparently being red carded in league play last week vs. El Paso.

At any rate, the Thunder lead 1-0, so need a tie or win to advance. Cinci needs to win by 2 goals. A one goal victory and it goes to penalties to determine who advances in the Cup. Which is confusing for the fans, because there are no shootouts for regular season games, and it still goes as a tie in the league standings.

 

What are the rules for US Open cup home and away series? Do the same rules apply for a way goals as they do in Europe?

The Virginia Beach Mariners lost to Charleston 3-1, in Charleston. In the second leg would a 2-0 victory for the Mariners be sufficient? What happens if the Mariners win the second leg 3-1, would there be overtime and potential PKs?

I haven't seen enough of the Open cup early round action to know the rules. I'll be at the game Saturday and want to know what to expect.

 

Away goals don't count, so if the Mariners win by 2 goals, it's a tie. I'm pretty sure that at that point they go straight to PKs with no overtime to determine who advances in the Cup. As per my post above, no one in the stadium will know what's going on, though, since the game will be a tie in the League standings regardless of the outcome of the PK shootout.

 

According to the Vistula website, they play Bridgrport Italians in the Region I final on May 25, so apparently Green Briar lost in the semis (no score posted, though). I hadn't recieved any word from Green Briar, who in the past were eager to share info on their Cup run. I have noticed that most of the clubs, when they've been knocked out of the state/Region I tournament, haven't been too eager to share info of their defeat.

 

I'm thinking that the winner of the O-30 round robin will go to the Open Cup side, and the other will go to the O-30 tourney, with the Amateur winner playing in the Amateur cup.

I think.

 

Region II Final
AAC Eagles 0:1 Bavarians SC

Congratulations to Bavarians SC for winning the Region II berth in the US Open Cup!

 

If an MPSL ream advances in the Open Cup and has to play a team from the USL, I have to wonder what is going to happen. The USL forbids any USL team from playing any MPSL team under any circumstances (as I understand it). I would say they are going to have to eat their words if an MPSL team has to play a USL team.

 

I'm sure they would allow it to happen. They would po the USSF to no end by forfeiting or whatever. If this dictum is so, I'm sure what they had in mind was to discourage (or "forbid") teams from setting up friendlies with MPSL franchises.