Wednesday, May 16, 2012

CHICAGO – U.S. Soccer has announced the third-round possible pairings and locations for the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Results from the second round of play next Tuesday, May 22, will determine the matchups for the third round taking place one week later on Tuesday, May 29.

The 99th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup includes a random selection process for determining home teams from the first round through the quarterfinals among clubs that have applied to host. The process, conducted by a coin flip, gives participating teams with venues meeting tournament standards an equal chance at hosting their possible opponent for these rounds.

The first round concluded on Tuesday, May 15, and all Division I, II and III professional clubs are participating in the tournament proper for the first time ever. The Division I field includes all 16 U.S.-based Major League Soccer teams, which is double the representation from the past five years and the first time since 2006 that all Division I teams are taking part.

2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
THIRD ROUND – Tuesday, May 29

Houston Dynamo (MLS) at Laredo Heat (PDL): Texas A&M International University Soccer Complex; Laredo, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Houston Dynamo (MLS) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Heroes Stadium; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

Chicago Fire (MLS) at Michigan Bucks (PDL): Ultimate Soccer; Pontiac, Mich.; 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire (MLS): Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.; 7:30 p.m. CT

K.C. Athletics (USASA)/Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO) Winner at Sporting Kansas City (MLS): LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.; 7:30 p.m. CT

D.C. United (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL PRO): Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va.; 7 p.m. ET

OR

Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA) at D.C. United (MLS): Maryland SoccerPlex Stadium; Boyds, Md.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO)/Chicago Fire PDL (PDL) Winner at Columbus Crew (MLS): Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio; 7:30 p.m. ET

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO)/El Paso Patriots (PDL) Winner at FC Dallas (MLS): FC Dallas Stadium; Frisco, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

Fresno Fuego (PDL)/Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL) Winner at San Jose Earthquakes (MLS): Cagan Stadium, Stanford University; Stanford, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL)/Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) Winner at Philadelphia Union (MLS): PPL Park; Chester, Pa.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at New England Revolution (MLS): TBD; Time TBD

OR

New England Revolution (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Hershey Park Stadium; Hershey, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET

Reading United AC (PDL) at New York Red Bulls (MLS): Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J.; 7 p.m. ET

OR

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO): Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Chivas USA (MLS) vs. Ventura County Fusion (PDL); TBD; Time TBD

OR

Chivas USA (MLS) at Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO): Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton; Fullerton, Calif.; 7 p.m.

PSA Elite (USASA) at Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS): The Home Depot Center; Carson, Calif.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

LA Galaxy (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET

Colorado Rapids (MLS) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL): Al Lang Stadium; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Tuesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Jacksonville United (NPSL) at Colorado Rapids (MLS): Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo.; 7 p.m. MT

Cal FC (USASA) at Portland Timbers (MLS): JELD-WEN Field; Portland, Ore.; 7:30 p.m. PT

OR

Portland Timbers (MLS) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO): Legion Sports Park; Wilmington, N.C.; 7 p.m. ET

Seattle Sounders (MLS) at Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL): Atlanta Silverbacks Park; Atlanta, Ga.; 7:30 p.m. ET

OR

Georgia Revolution (NPSL) at Seattle Sounders (MLS): Starfire Sports Complex; Tukwila, Wash.; 7 p.m. PT

Real Salt Lake (MLS) at Minnesota Stars FC (NASL): National Sports Center; Blaine, Minn.; 7:30 p.m. CT

OR

Des Moines Menace (PDL) at Real Salt Lake (MLS): Rio Tinto Stadium; Sandy, Utah; 7 p.m. MT

SECOND ROUND – Tuesday, May 22

Michigan Bucks (PDL) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO): Chartiers Valley Stadium; Bridgeville, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET

Long Island Rough Riders (PDL) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO): Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, Pa.; 7 p.m. ET

Cal FC (USASA) at Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO): Legion Sports Complex; Wilmington, N.C.; 7 p.m. ET

PSA Elite (USASA) at Carolina RailHawks (NASL): WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.; 7:07 p.m. ET

Fresno Fuego (PDL) at Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL): Lockhart Stadium; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET

K.C. Athletics (USASA) at Orlando City Soccer Club (USL PRO): Seminole Soccer Complex; Sanford, Fla.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Reading United AC (PDL) at Charleston Battery (USL PRO): Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) at Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO): Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, N.Y.; 7:35 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at Jacksonville United (NPSL): Patton Park; Jacksonville, Fla.; 7 p.m. ET

Richmond Kickers (USL PRO) at Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC (USASA): Maryland SportsPlex Stadium; Boyds, Md.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Atlanta Silverbacks (NASL) at Georgia Revolution (NPSL): RYSA Soccerplex; Conyers, Ga.; 7:30 p.m. ET

Laredo Heat (PDL) at San Antonio Scorpions (NASL): Blossom Athletic Center*; San Antonio, Texas; 7:30 p.m. CT

Dayton Dutch Lions (USL PRO) at Chicago Fire PDL (PDL): Toyota Park Practice Field; Bridgeview, Ill.; 6 p.m. CT

Minnesota Stars FC (NASL) at Des Moines Menace (PDL): Valley Stadium; Des Moines, Iowa; 7:30 p.m. CT

Charlotte Eagles (USL PRO) at El Paso Patriots (PDL): Patriots Stadium; El Paso, Texas; 8 p.m. MT

Ventura County Fusion (PDL) at Los Angeles Blues (USL PRO): Norco Community College*, Norco, Calif.; 4 p.m. PT*

* Note: Changed from original May 1 announcement. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – The W-League announced its Team of the Week for the first week of the 2012 season today, honoring Victoria Highlanders FC forward Lindsay Hoetzel as Player of the Week after she came off the bench to score twice in her team’s thrilling 3-2 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC Sunday.

Hoetzel entered the game at halftime with the score knotted at 1-1, and found the net in the 58th and 63rd minutes to give the Highlanders a lead they wouldn’t surrender. Victoria Midfielder Janelle Smith, who assisted on both of Hoetzel’s goals, also was named to the Team of the Week.

The Whitecaps are represented by forward Chelsea Buckland, who put her side ahead in the 41st minute and assisted on Vancouver’s second goal late. Rounding out the forwards this week is Grace Hawkins of the Long Island Rough Riders, who tallied four goals and an assist in her team’s season-opening victory against the New Jersey Rangers. Long Island defender Vaila Barsley also was named to the team after anchoring a defense that allowed only two shots on goal in the shutout victory.

A pair of teams making their W-League debuts placed players on the Team of the Week after the Central SC Cobras and VSI Tampa Flames battled to a 2-2 draw Sunday. Midfielder Debbie Smith tallied the first goal in Central SC franchise history to stake her team to an early lead, while VSI Tampa’s Cassie Barbaresi claimed one of the midfield spots after scoring the equalizer late to earn the team’s first point.

LA Strikers defender Christina Murillo was selected for her all-around strong play in her team’s opener vs. the Pali Blues, and rounding out this week’s squad are Blues goalkeeper Anna Marie Piccarelli and defender Liz Bogus, who played a big part in their squad’s 2-0 victory Sunday. Bogus tallied a goal and an assist from her spot on defense, while Piccarelli made six saves in recording the shutout.

The W-League ramps up this weekend with 21 of 30 teams in action in a 13-game slate. Teams playing their 2012 W-League openers include the defending-champion Atlanta Silverbacks (Friday vs. Central SC) and USWNT defender Becky Sauerbrunn’s D.C. United Women, who play host to the Virginia Beach Piranhas on Saturday.      

  W-League Team of the Week

Pos	Player	Team	Highlights
GK	Anna Maria Piccarelli	Pali	Made 6 saves in 2-0 shutout victory vs. LA Strikers
D	Christina Murillo	LA	Strong game in the back in Strikers’ opener
D	Vaila Barsley	Long Island	Anchored D that allowed only 2 shots in win
D	Liz Bogus	Pali	Goal, assist and strong D in season-opening win
M	Leah Fortune	Charlotte	Goal, assist in 3-0 victory vs. VSI Tampa
M	Cassie Barbaresi	VSI Tampa	Scored GTG late in 2-2 draw against Central SC
M	Debbie Smith	Central SC	Tallied franchise’s 1st goal in 2-2 tie at VSI Tampa
M	Janelle Smith	Victoria	Pair of assists in season-opening win
F	Lindsay Hoetzel	Victoria	Scored twice off the bench to lead Highlanders
F	Chelsea Buckland	Vancouver	Goal, assist and 6 shots in season opener
F	Grace Hawkins	Long Island	Tallied 4 goals, assist in opening win

Honorable Mention – Central SC – Cally Morrill, Ashley Swinehart; Charlotte – Hannah Gmerek, Robyn Jones; LA Strikers – Hannah Beard, Kassi Massey; Long Island – Kaila Sciasia, Brooke DeRosa, Hailey Hemmer, Rachel Hoffman; Pali – Sarah Huffman, Elizabeth Eddy, Ann Marie Tangorra; Vancouver – Janine Frazao; Victoria – Liz Hansen; VSI Tampa – Sarah Miller, Yvonne George

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Ventura County Fusion set a modern-era U.S. Open Cup record by scoring four goals in overtime to take a 6-2 victory against the Fullerton Rangers in the first round of the 2012 Lama Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night at Santa Ana Stadium in Fullerton.

The Fusion had taken an early 2-0 lead, Michael Roman and Frankie Lopez each scoring by the midway point of the first half, and they would carry that lead to halftime. The Rangers hit back after the break, though, as David Arvizu and Eder Roldan tied the game with just more than 20 minutes remaining despite their side being reduced to 10 men after Sean Toth was shown his second yellow card.

The Fusion were able to regain control in the extra 30 minutes, retaking the lead just two minutes into the first half of extra time from the penalty spot as Lopez converted low to the left corner. Moments later Kennedy Chongo made it 4-2, while Willie Rupert and Rodrigo Lopez added another pair of goals in the second half of extra time.

The Fusion will now face USL PRO’s Los Angeles Blues at Titan Stadium next Tuesday in a rematch from the 2011 tournament that saw the Blues take a 1-0 victory.

READING 2, NY GREEK AMERICANS 1: Reading United took its first victory in the Open Cup as Notre Dame standout Ryan Finley had a goal and an assist as they advanced to the second round.

Finley assisted on Pedro Ribeiro’s opening goal in the 37th minute as United’s first-half pressure paid off, and the former ACC Offensive Player of the Year added a second in the 55th minute to double the lead. The Greek Americans pulled a goal back in the 64th minute as Stephen Roche found the back of the net, but after a 1 hour, 20 minute delay due to lightning in the 66th minute, Reading was able to hold on.

Reading will now travel to face USL PRO’s Charleston Battery in the second round at Blackbaud Stadium next Tuesday.

GEORGIA 1, MISSISSIPPI 0: The Mississippi Brilla’s return to the Open Cup ended in overtime as a goal by Hailab Habtom gave the Georgia Revolution victory on Tuesday night.

Both sides had gone close to taking the lead in the opening 90 minutes, with Gary Buffington going close in the second half as the game began to open up. It wasn’t to be the Brilla’s night as the Revolution moved into the second round through Habtom’s goal late in the first half of overtime.

LONG ISLAND 2, FC SONIC 0: A pair of first-half goals from Thomas Wharf and Shaun Higgins gave the Long Island Rough Riders victory against FC Sonic on Tuesday night as the Long Island side advanced to the second round of the Open Cup for the second time in three years.

Wharf gave the Rough Riders the lead in the 19th minute, and Higgins added a second shortly after to send their side through to a contest with USL PRO’s Harrisburg City Islanders next Tuesday at Skyline Sports Complex.

JACKSONVILLE 2, ORLANDO U23 1: Orlando City U23 led until the final 10 minutes, but were unable to hold on late as Jacksonville United scored twice to grab victory at the Seminole Sports Complex to advance into the second round of the Open Cup.

After a scoreless first half, Orlando took the lead three minutes after the break when Drew Helm found the back of the net from the top of the penalty area. The Lions U23 had other chances to extend their lead, but as the half wore on, so did Jacksonville’s pressure. It finally told as Jacksonville equalized from the penalty spot after handball through Tomislav Krizanovic, and United then grabbed victory with two minutes to go as Ramak Safi scored after scramble in the Orlando penalty area.

CHICAGO FIRE PDL 1, CROATIAN EAGLES 0: Isaac Kanneh’s fifth-minute goal was all the Fire PDL needed to advance to the Open Cup’s second round for the second consecutive season as they took victory at the Toyota Park Practice Field on Tuesday night.

Kanneh scored the first goal of the 2012 tournament as he tapped home from Mark Blades’ cross, the Northern Illinois standout finishing past an onrushing goalkeeper. Chicago had the chance to add to its lead, forcing eight saves from Eagles goalkeeper Bryce Boyd, but was able to hold on after some late pressure to advance.

The Fire PDL will host USL PRO’s Dayton Dutch Lions, again at the Toyota Park Practice Field, next Tuesday in the second round.

AEGEAN HAWKS 3, CAROLINA 1: A pair of goals by Scott Larrabee lifted the Hawks past the Carolina Dynamo in the Open Cup at the Maryland Soccerplex on Tuesday night.

Larrabee scored midway through the first half, and then added a second in the first minute of the second, to give his side a 2-0 lead. The Dynamo were able to pull a goal back through Thomas McReady in the 85th minute off a free kick, but a minute later as Carolina looked for an equalizer the Hawks restored their two-goal advantage through Matt Ney.

MICHIGAN 6, JERSEY SHORE 0: The Michigan Bucks got their Open Cup campaign off to an impressive start as they defeated Jersey Shore Boca to advance to the second round behind a pair of goals by Stefan St. Louis.

After Boca was reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute, Nick Tarquinio being sent off, the Bucks continually pressed to find the opening goal. St. Louis provided it in the 31st minute, and he added another seven minutes later to add to Nermin Crnkic’s 36th minute goal that made it 3-0 at the break.

The Bucks added another three goals after halftime, with Tom Catalano, Ethan Miller and Bim Ogunyemi all finding the back of the net as Michigan moved on to face USL PRO’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the second round next Tuesday.

BROOKLYN 3, GPS PORTLAND 2: The first team from Maine to play in the Open Cup, the GPS Portland Phoenix’s late rally came up short as they fell to the Brooklyn Italians on Tuesday night.

Brooklyn had burst out to an early lead as Nathanial Simons scored just five minutes in, and the Italians doubled their advantage two minutes later through Christian Turizo. When Jumol Harewood added a third in the 78th minute, the contest appeared to be over, but the Phoenix stormed back, Blaike Woodruff scoring in the 80th minute to cut the deficit to two. Woodruff then added a second in the first minute of stoppage time, but the final whistle went soon after, denying the Phoenix a chance at overtime.

DES MOINES 3, MILWAUKEE 1: A pair of overtime goals by Lebogang Moloto allowed the Des Moines Menace to rally past the Milwaukee Bavarians on Tuesday night in a game that saw two weather delays, three red cards and a sprinkler system stop play.

In an open first half, the Bavarians took the lead in the 26th minute as Cyril Simmons opened the scoring. The Bavarians were reduced to 10 men just before the break, though, as Andrew Stone was sent off. The Bavarians’ David Caban then received a second yellow card in the 68th minute, giving the Menace a two-man advantage, and five minutes later Husref Jupic tied the game.

The Menace received a red card of their own in the final minute of regulation, Jubril Lawal being sent off to reduce the Menace’s advantage to 10-on-9, but Moloto came through with goals in either half of extra time to send his side through. The Menace will now host the Minnesota Stars FC next Tuesday at Valley Stadium.

K.C. ATHLETIC 3, REAL COLORADO 1: The Real Colorado Foxes let a halftime lead slip, allowing K.C. Athletic to advance to the Open Cup second round thanks to three second-half goals.

FRESNO 2, TURLOCK 0: The Fresno Fuego got a pair of goals from Abraham Campos, and overcame being reduced to 10 men, as they defeated their U.S. Club Soccer opponent at Chukchansi Park to move into the Open Cup second round.

After a scoreless first half, Campos scored just after the halftime break to give the Fuego the lead. Making its first Open Cup appearance since 2003, Fresno was reduced to 10 men just before the hour-mark as Nini Blanco received his marching orders, but Campos put the game away with 20 minutes to go with his second goal.

The Fuego will travel east for their second round match as they face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers next Tuesday night.

CAL FC 3, KITSAP 1: The Kitsap Pumas were knocked out of the Open Cup by Eric Wynalda’s Cal FC side as former Ventura County Fusion standout Danny Barrera scored twice to lead his side to victory at Memorial Stadium.

Barrera opened the scoring just before the halftime break, then doubled his side’s advantage in the 66th minute. The Pumas rallied, pulling a goal back six minutes later through Matt Freisen, but as they pushed to try and find an equalizer Cal FC’s Artur Aghasyan put the game away with four minutes to go.

EL PASO 3, NTX RAYADOS 1: The El Paso Patriots advanced to the second round of the Open Cup for the first time since 2009 as Naoyas Aizawa had two goals and an assist to lead his side past the NTX Rayados.

El Paso took the lead in the 26th minute, Aizawa finishing off a quick move into the penalty area. The Patriots then doubled their lead through Michael Griego in the 61st minute before the Rayados pulled a goal back, Raul Rodriguez’s free kick making it 2-1 with 12 minutes to go. Aizawa’s second goal sealed victory for the Patriots in the 84th minute, though, giving the Patriots another home contest against USL PRO’s Charlotte Eagles in the second round.

PSA ELITE 3, PORTLAND TIMBERS U-23S 1: The Portland Timbers U-23s’ first foray into the Open Cup proved a frustrating one as they fell to PSA Elite and former PDL player Davis Paul, who had a pair of goals to lead his side to victory at JELD-WEN Field.

Paul, formerly of the Chicago Fire PDL, opened the scoring in the 24th minute, and PSA added to its advantage 15 minutes later as Christian Ramirez found the back of the net. The Timbers U-23s got back into the game 11 minutes into the second half as Eric Miller cut the deficit in half, but Paul’s second of the game with a minute to go ended the Timbers U-23s’ chances of forcing overtime.

LAREDO 4, ASC NEW STARS 2: The Laredo Heat needed overtime to advance past the ASC New Stars and into the second round of the Open Cup, thanks to a pair of goals in the additional half-hour by Placide Budiri.

Laredo appeared to be set to advance in regulation, having twice taken leads through Ernesto Serrato, from the penalty spot, and Irving Villanueva, who scored two minutes after the halftime break. The New Stars sent the game to overtime as Peter Kozlowski scored in stoppage time to tie the game 2-2. Budiri, brought on as a second-half substitute, made the difference, though, giving his side a trip to face the San Antonio Scorpions in next Tuesday’s second round.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Tampa, Fla. - United Soccer Leagues released the U12 age group qualification allotments today for the 2012 Super Y-League North American Finals presented by Umbro. The 2012 SYL season marks the second year of the U12 age group’s inclusion. A total of 12 boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from the Mid Atlantic, Midwest, South Atlantic, and Southeast divisions will meet at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida, from December 7-11 to compete for the Super Y-League championship.

The Cleveland Internationals claimed the 2011 U12 title, and the club is once again hoping to send one of the two teams that will advance out of the Midwest Division. The South Atlantic Division will also receive two bids for the Finals. The Mid Atlantic Division, with 14 teams, will send five teams, while three Southeast Division teams will be included.

Each of the four U12 Girls divisions will receive two bids for the Finals, as a total of eight teams will participate at IMG Academies. The Long Island Rough Riders of the Mid Atlantic Division won last year’s championship, defeating the Richmond Kickers 2-0 in the championship game.

IMG Academies, a division of IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, is the world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training and education complex. IMG Academies has already hosted a myriad of soccer team training camps in 2012, including clubs such as the Seattle Sounders, D.C. United, Columbus Crew, Sweden’s Malmö FF, and, most recently, the U.S. Women’s National Team preparing for the London Olympic Games.

For more than 30 years, IMG Academies has helped countless youth, adult, collegiate and professional athletes reach their full potential in and out of sport, by providing world-class coaching, tailored programs and professional facilities within an energetic environment across a 450-acre campus.

The remaining bid allocations for the U13-U17 age groups will be released during the next two weeks.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

FLEETWOOD, Pa. – The dark rain clouds that circled Fleetwood’s Ray Buss Stadium on Tuesday night were generally associated with the dark and ominous, something the United had gotten used to in their previous U.S. Open Cup experiences. Losing a lead late against Harrisburg last year, losing in double overtime to Real Maryland FC, such has been the recent track record of the United in the Cup.

Five years, five losses. But Ryan Finley’s goal and assist, paired with a game-saving stop in stoppage time by goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin, kept history from repeating itself in Reading’s 2-1 victory against the New York Greek American Atlas on Tuesday night.

United struck first in the 37th minute, as Ryan Finley sent a laser across the goal line which bounced off Greek American and United players alike, finally finding the sliding leg of Pedro Ribeiro for a 1-0 lead.

Finley would strike again ten minutes after the halftime break, following a free kick from Steven Neumann. After former Philadelphia Union defender Christian Arrieta was booked for a yellow, Neumann’s deftly placed reset found the Notre Dame product’s foot in the middle of the box for a 2-0 lead.

New York would strike back in the 64th minute, as Stephen Roche slotted home a Paul Shaw pass just under the crossbar. Then the game succumbed to the dark clouds during an hour and fifteen minute lightning delay.

This game had all the makings of the United’s previous trips to the tournament: grab an early lead, let it slip away late in the game, wait until next season. The frantic pace after the delay was eerily reminiscent of those games, as New York nearly broke through in stoppage time. A header near the back post was put on frame after a cross from the near side was whipped in with pace. The crowd drew a collective breath.

Martin’s diving stop to his right, punching away the last gasp effort by the Greek Americans allowed everyone to exhale. And, in turn, it also advanced the United to the second round of the tournament for the first time in team history.

They will face USL PRO’s Charleston Battery next Tuesday evening in Charleston, S.C. in the next round, with the victor facing an MLS team yet to be determined. Reading will get a chance to hone their attack this coming Saturday against the Long Island Roughriders, who coincidentally also won on Tuesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. They will face Reading’s opponent in two of the previous three U.S. Open Cup appearances, the Harrisburg City Islanders.

2012 Reading United Game Day Tickets and Season Tickets are now available at readingunitedac.com. Also available: Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact Denise Strohmayr at denise@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.

During the next few months USLsoccer.com will highlight the on-the-field stars of the W-League by getting to know their personalities off the field. Up next: Sarah Huffman of the Pali Blues. Huffman was a star at the University of Virginia, where she developed into one of the country’s best while playing in one of the toughest conferences in women’s college soccer. In 2002, she was named to the ACC All-Freshman team. She also earned All-American honors from the NSCAA and Soccer Buzz in addition to being named MVP by Soccer America in 2004 and 2005. Huffman has also played for the USA at every level including the full Women’s National Team. She was a member of the U-19 Youth National Team that won the World Championship in 2002, and won the annual Nordic Cup in 2004, 2005, and 2007 with the U-21 program.

On Sunday night, Huffman scored in Pali’s 2-0 season-opening victory against the LA Strikers.
 

Full name: Sarah Huffman  

Club: Pali Blues

Head Coach: Charlie Naimo

Born: Danbury, CT

Nickname: Huffy

Position: Midfield

Inspired me the most: The whole U.S. Women’s National Team. When I was growing up, my youth coaches, Tracey Leone & Steve Swanson.

Playing strengths:  Hard work

Needs a bit of work: Heading

Favorite player: My favorite team to watch is Barcelona. 

Tell us about your coach: Charlie is passionate. He always puts a fun, competitive environment together. I love his style of soccer.

Biggest career highlight: U19 world champion & ACC college championship

Advice I would give to young girls following in my footsteps: Enjoy the process - both the successes and the struggles. The journey is worth it.

I’m stranded on a small island. Five things I’d want with me: My two dogs, sour patch kids, music, and Abby

Tunes I’m listening to: Florence + the machine. She rocked it out at Coachella this year.

Best movie seen recently: Hunger Games & Beginners 

Retro item I wish would make a comeback: Haven’t they all come back?

Favorite movie: Too broad of a category, so many kinds of movies… but maybe Elf? Haha

Describe yourself in five words: Loving, competitive, happy, thankful, loyal


Finish this!
I can’t get enough of… traveling with friends.

I spend my money on…  traveling, coffee, and shopping.

My fashion style is… comfortable and casual.

Technology and social media is… both good and bad.

Over time I’ve learned… to enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life.

Sometimes I need to…
 chill out and relax.

Every day I try to…  smile.

I’m thankful for… my supportive family and loving friends.

My biggest influence… my mom and dad.

I used to… lose my temper at little things outside of my control.

I always… start my day with a coffee.

I have a friend… I have more than just a friend. I have the best group of best friends anyone could ask for.

If I wasn’t playing soccer I’d be… opening a coffee shop café in Portland.

In five years I see myself… having a family and enjoying life post-professional soccer player.

PORTLAND, Ore. – A first-half brace by forward Mark Sherrod and a goal by striker Emery Welshman guided the Portland Timbers U-23s to a 3-0 win over Fraser Valley Mariners FC in their Premier Development League season opener at JELD-WEN Field before 1,257 fans on Friday night.

Sherrod and Welshman each scored in the opening 16 minutes of the match to put the Timbers U-23s on top 2-0 early. Sherrod then found the back of the net for a second time in the first half, driving home a header in the 40th minute to seal the 3-0 victory. Portland put Fraser Valley under pressure throughout the match, generating 27 shots. The Timbers U-23s had a chance to add to their lead late in the match, but Mariners FC goalkeeper Mark Village made a stop on a penalty kick in the 83rd minute.

Sherrod and Welshman scored their first PDL goals and midfielder Cam Vickers and defender Reed Matte each recorded assists to help the Timbers U-23s (1-0-0, 3pts) to their season-opening win. Goalkeepers Spencer Richey and Justin Baarts each made a save to contribute to the team’s first shutout of 2012.

Village finished with seven saves and forward Adrian Kekec took a team high three shots for Mariners FC (0-1-0, 0pts) in the first of a two-game road trip to open the 2012 campaign.

The Timbers U-23s staked an early 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Matte worked the ball down the right flank and crossed the ball into the penalty area. Sherrod was unmarked at the top of the box and leapt up to head the ball on frame. His shot got by Village, who left his line to challenge the play, and Sherrod’s shot landed in the back of an open net.

Welshman lifted the Timbers U-23s to a 2-0 advantage in the 16th minute. Midfielder Roberto Farfan played the ball down the left side to Welshman on the attack. At the top left corner of the box, Welshman worked past his defender and unloaded a shot on frame. Village was in position to get his hands to the low shot on the near post, but the ball deflected off and bounced over the line.

Sherrod notched his second goal of the first half in the 40th minute, capping a run of pressure by the Timbers U-23s. Vickers drove a sharply hit cross from deep in the right corner into the box, where Sherrod was slashing through. Sherrod knocked home a shot from inside 10 yards, giving Portland a 3-0 lead at halftime.

The Timbers U-23s dictated the run of play in the first half, out-shooting Fraser Valley 17-3. Portland’s first scoring chance came in the eighth minute, with Sherrod heading a cross from Matte just wide of the mark. Mariners FC defender Daniel Molendijk cleared a close range shot by Portland’s Farfan off the line with a sliding effort in the 18th minute.

Late in the first half, Village was called upon to make a pair of quick saves. Timbers U-23s midfielder Andrew Ribiero put a shot on frame from the top of the box, which Village saved, but the ball deflected back into the box. Sherrod was there for the follow-up effort, but Village was able to make another quick save from the ground.

Portland continued to pressure throughout the second half. Midfielder Steven Evans set up Sherrod for a scoring chance in the 62nd minute with a back-heeled a pass at the top of the box that played Sherrod in on goal. Sherrod hammered a shot that Village knocked up over the goal. Seven minutes later, Sherrod had a pair of shots from close range; the first was saved by Village and the follow-up was cleared off the line by Mariners FC defender Jason Cordiero.

Matte found the woodwork in the 81st minute, drilling the top left corner of the goal from 20 yards out after working his way forward down the left side.

Timbers U-23s sub Clark Phillips was fouled inside the box in the 83rd minute to set up a penalty-kick attempt. Evans stepped up to take the kick and hit it down the right side, but Village turned the effort away with a diving stop.

The Timbers U-23s return to action on Tuesday, May 15, when they play host to PSA Elite of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association in the first round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 and are available for purchase at the JELD-WEN Field box office or online at through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Gates open at 5:15 p.m. and the Major League Soccer match between the Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo will be shown live on the JELD-WEN Field video wall.

Monday, May 14, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Desmond Armstrong distinguished himself as a player with his air-tight man-marking of Italian strikers Salvatore Schillachi and Gianluca Vialli in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Hassled by Armstrong throughout, neither found the back of the net in the United States’ narrow 1-0 Group A defeat.

In an 11-year professional career, Armstrong also held his own against other international legends such as Roberto Baggio, Bebeto and Junior. Today, he still owns a jersey from Marco Van Basten after swapping uniforms with the former A.C. Milan offensive wizard.

But 10 days before the start of the Nashville Metros’ 2012 season, Armstrong wanted to focus more on his achievements after his playing career ended. In the 16 years since his retirement, Armstrong’s extensive resume includes a stint as a commentator for the World Cup, a spot on the Board of Directors for U.S. Soccer, a brief foray into sports management, a wide range of coaching and scouting responsibilities at the nation’s top youth soccer academies and even a position as director of marketing for a Women’s professional team in North Carolina.

The diverse experiences provide Armstrong with a unique skill-set as he encounters his next challenge: new general manager of the Metros.

“Over the years I’ve been able to do the patchwork,” Armstrong said. “You do the camps, the small programs, the private lessons, the teams, the clubs. You are wearing several different hats, you figure out what you can do and what you can’t do.”

Armstrong is now spearheading the revitalization of the longest running franchise in the USL Premier Development League – one that hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2004. The Metros have a new logo, a new home field (E.S. Rose Park) and a new coach in 1987 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Brent Goulet. Armstrong is confident the changes will help instill a new attitude.

“I’m not interested in what happened prior to us arriving. It has no relevance,” Armstrong said. “The reason it has no relevance is because things change every year. We want to get some stability first and foremost and with that create an environment by which we can bring in talented players and nurture them.”

* * *

Less than an hour after being one of the final cuts from the 1994 U.S. World Cup team, Armstrong displayed stunning resilience. Instead of remaining down from the shocking news, the veteran defender called several tournament sponsors to inquire in commercial opportunities for former national team members. He quickly received a call back from ABC/ESPN. Within a week, Armstrong was in New York to audition for a position as a studio analyst for the event.

During the month-long tournament, Armstrong shined. Despite having no prior broadcasting experience, Armstrong provided strong analysis and established instant chemistry with Award winning broadcaster Jim McKay. At tournament’s end, Armstrong received decent reviews from the Baltimore Sun – his hometown newspaper. Jack O’Hara, a former Executive Producer for ABC Sports, gave Armstrong stellar marks and described him as having a natural flair for the camera.

Armstrong stayed with ABC/ESPN for three years before focusing on helping develop youth soccer throughout the country. With his legacy as a player already cemented, Armstrong shifted his focus on giving back to his community. In the early 1990s, Armstrong founded Soccer Beats – an urban soccer ministry in the Baltimore-area – to provide kids with the potential of attaining the same experiences he had as a player. The club later morphed into Heroes FC, a talented youth team which captured a youth soccer national title in 2004. In 2000, Armstrong was named national coaching director for Soccer in the Streets, an organization dedicated to teaching kids to make positive life choices through the sport.

Over the past two decades, the Washington D.C. native has become heavily involved in scouting. From 2006-2008, Armstrong served as the head scout for Brad Friedel’s Premier Soccer Academies – the first full-time residential soccer academy in the nation. Armstrong has also spent considerable time mentoring the top youth players in the country at the Adidas Elite Soccer Program and the U.S. Club Soccer select id2 camp. Armstrong’s time with D.C. United’s Youth Academy could yield immediate benefits this season. Iyassu Bekele, a former striker from the academy, could be one of the Metros’ top scoring threats.

There may not be a general manager in the league with the wealth of contacts or the ability to acquire young talent as effectively as Armstrong. The relationships Armstrong has forged with some of the top youth coaches in the country could provide the Metros with the most talent the team has had since winning the A-League’s Central Division in 1998.

“He knows how to get things done administratively, but more importantly for us right now he knows how to find players from being on the ground so long,” Goulet said. “If he brings quality players, I’ll coach them and we’ll be successful. It’s a great combination.”

Armstrong’s list of contacts extends far beyond the United States.

“I have contacts in South Africa, South America, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Zambia, Gabon, Cameroon, not to mention England, Germany, France and Belgium,” Armstrong said. “We can find players, I can find players.”

Armstrong will be aided by Goulet and Eddie Davidson, the Metros’ marketing director. Goulet remains in contact with a number of professional teams in Germany after spending close to two decades in the country as a player and coach. Davidson is a former scout and business consultant for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga.

Several weeks into the season, Armstrong will be honored for his lifelong contributions to the sport with his induction into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame. In a twist of irony, the ceremony will take place before a Brazil-U.S exhibition on May 30 at FedEx Field in Maryland. In 1991, Armstrong became the first player in United States’ history to sign a contract with a professional team in Brazil when he agreed to terms with Santos, Pele’s former club.

“It’s going to be USA-Brazil, in my hometown,” Armstrong said. “There’s nothing better than that.”

“He had a terrific career as a player, it’s great he’s being inducted in the Hall of Fame,” said Sunil Gulati, the head of the United States Soccer Federation. “He should be very proud of his accomplishment.”

By then, Armstrong will be five games into his latest project and well on his way to accomplishing his next goal.

“The biggest goal for this year is where the team will be 10 years from now,” Armstrong said. “The issue is to bring stability with credibility. We want to come in and do it professionally.”

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos will induct Craig Demmin, Doug Miller and Pat Onstad into their Hall of Fame in the Class of 2012. The three Rhinos legends will join Lenin Steenkamp, the club’s inaugural Hall of Fame selection in 2011, in the Rhinos Hall of Fame. The Rochester Rhinos Hall of Fame Night will be on Saturday, June 30th as the club hosts the Harrisburg City Islanders. Each Hall of Fame inductee will also be honored with a limited-edition bobblehead during the 2012 season.

Center back Craig Demmin is the only four-time Rhinos Most Valuable Player. The seven-year Rhinos veteran played in four finals and won two A-League Championships (1998, 2000) and the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Demmin was a four time All-League selection who won First Team honors in 1998, 1999, and 2000. He anchored a back four that shut out two Major League Soccer sides on the way to the 1999 U.S. Open Cup title, and that shut out 12 postseason opponents in his career. Demmin ranks in the top five all-time in Rhinos history in games played, games started, and minutes played.

Goalkeeper Pat Onstad is widely considered the best player at his position in Rhinos history. He played in four finals with the club, and he won two A-League Championships (1998, 1999) and the 1999 U.S. Open Cup. In 1998 was a First Team All-League selection and the USL Goalkeeper of the Year after he posted a 22-4 record with a 0.50 goals against average and 16 shutouts. His 1998 totals rank first in Rhinos history in wins, goals against average and shutouts in a single season. After Onstad left Rochester to join the San Jose Earthquakes, remaining with the club after its move to Houston, in Major League Soccer, he went on to win three MLS Cups and two MLS Goalkeeper of the Year awards. In 2008 he was selected to the USL Hall of Fame.

Striker Doug Miller is the best goal-scorer in the history of the USL. He finished his career with 91 goals in all competitions. His 15 multi-goal games and five hat tricks are club records. He is first in Rhinos regular season history with 75 goals and 166 points. He is also first all-time in goals (7) and points (17) in the club’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup history. Miller is the only player in Rhinos history to lead the league in scoring, and he is the only player in Rhinos history to be selected as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Miller was selected to the USL Hall of Fame in 2010.

In addition to the Rhinos Hall of Fame induction ceremony, each player will be honored with a limited-edition bobblehead. Demmin will be honored with his Bobble Head Night, sponsored by Faber Homes, on June 30th. Doug Miller Bobble Head Night, sponsored by Wendy’s, will be on Friday, July 27th against the Los Angeles Blues, and Pat Onstad Bobble Head Night, also sponsored by Wendy’s, will be on Saturday, August 1st against the Charleston Battery.

The Rhinos are offering two Hall of Fame Bobble Head promotions. Non-season ticket holders can purchase a three-game ticket package and be guaranteed all three bobble heads for $49.99. Season ticket holders can purchase all three bobble heads in a guaranteed package for $20. Bobble heads will be available at the gates on a first come-first serve basis the night of each match. The guaranteed package ensures the holder a bobblehead each night without the wait in line.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Two sides on opposite ends of the country, GPS Portland Phoenix and the Portland Timbers U-23s, are the only two PDL sides experiencing the thrill of America’s oldest soccer competition for the first time.

The Phoenix will look to assert themselves on the national stage and write a new chapter in their history. Before they came under the Global Premier Soccer umbrella two years ago, they were two-time PDL champions as the Cape Cod Crusaders and produced multiple players who went on to bigger things. While the titles were nice, it was the development of players that pleased Head Coach and General Manager Paul Baber most.

“Because of the success we’ve had, [with] the Cape Cod Crusader PDL team, we really look after them like trainee-professionals, so we’re a fantastic stepping stone,” Baber said this week. “We don’t see our job as just playing our players at the PDL level. Our job, especially if they’ve been with us a number of years, is to not only develop them on the field, but really it’s to help them, assist them, to inspire them to reach their goals.”

Some of the recent players that have made the step up after playing with the Phoenix include Aaron Schoenfield and Bryan Gaul, who recently signed MLS contracts with the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy.

But the winning isn’t bad either, and the Phoenix got off to a nice start on Saturday with a 2-1 win against the Vermont Voltage in the PDL’s Northeast Division, which pleased Baber.

“The score line may not necessarily dictate how the game went,” he said. “We were very pleased with our performance. I think it makes a great building block for [today]’s game.”

Today’s game is an encounter at home with two-time Open Cup champions the Brooklyn Italians (8 p.m. ET, Memorial Field). While it has a cup feel for Baber, his approach with three attacking midfielders in a 4-4-2 will not change, though he does acknowledge “it will be close”.

Off the field, as the GM, Baber is aware of the buzz being created by being the first team from Maine to qualify for the Open Cup, and he is pleased with the response by the fans.

“We’re ecstatic. We came to Maine three years ago [and] we think we’ve really impacted the soccer in Maine,” Baber said. “So we’re very proud of the fact to be the first club from Maine. We thank the community for the support we’re getting.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the PDL season, Baber says his team will not be one with a couple of superstars, but rather a team full of solid, versatile players he feels can perform at the next level.

A dominant performance today would certainly begin to prove that.

This is the 99th edition of the US Open Cup, and it kicks off with an expanded format. A major beneficiary of this change has been the PDL’s clubs, with 16 spots now granted to the league. No-one is happier about this than the Portland Timbers U-23s.

Last year, before 5,000 fans at JELD-WEN Field, the Timbers fell 3-2 to the Kitsap Pumas and did not qualify for the Open Cup as a result. That loss accentuated a poor season, just one year after going a perfect 20-0-0 to win the program’s first PDL championship. Head coach Jim Rilatt, who was named PDL Coach of the Year as a result of that remarkable campaign in 2010, is ready to return to winning ways

“It’s not acceptable to have another year like that no matter what the reasons are, and that’s the way it should be,” Rilatt said. “We have to win. If any of these players are fortunate enough to become a Portland Timber MLS player next year, that’s the fans’ standard and they’ll be ready for it.”

The community has shown their support for the team in many ways, and it is made easier through the local talent. Eight players in the squad come from the state of Oregon, and with an academy system coming next season Rilatt promises to add as much local flavor as possible.

Some of that local talent has already stood out, such as midfielder Steve Evans, who impressed in the season-opening 3-0 win against the Fraser Valley Mariners this past Friday. Despite outshooting their opponents 27-7, Rilatt suggested his team caught its opponent “at their preparation stages, more than anything.”

As for today’s game against PSA Elite (7:10 p.m. PT, JELD-WEN Field), he says he is “completely in the dark” about the opponent. “What we do is make sure we focus on us, because we’re still trying to get to know us.”

Other than Cameron Dunn, a former Timbers player who Rilatt enjoyed coaching, scouting the opposition is not possible.

“I’ll shake his hand before the game and wish him all the best, but that’s about it for us. Then we got to go do our thing.”

Their thing usually involves winning, something he says the organization takes extremely seriously. Still, Rilatt says today’s Open Cup encounter is only about one thing.

“It’s great to have our chance at it, we’ve been that close so often,” Rilatt said. “This is really an event for the players. It’s the sacrifice that they make to come here. The PDL season is a grind, the travel schedule, the game schedule, we have to train at 7:30 in the morning so I can get to first team practice and they can go work camp. If you’re a kid with aspirations to play professional soccer, it’s a great opportunity. And I’m excited for them.”

Players such as Jake Gleeson, Ryan Kawulok, and Brent Richards – all graduates from the U-23 program and current MLS Timbers – know all about the opportunity the club offers. Rilatt acknowledges the support he gets from owner Merritt Paulson, and gives it straight back to his players, hoping they take it and run with it.

“I’d like to think these players, they talk to people like Jake, and heard it’s a good situation for them,” he said. “They get a fair shake, and if they do their job, there’s a good set of eyes on them.”

Today’s Open Cup match at JELD-WEN will certainly have more than a few eyes, looking for the talent of tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Harrisburg City Islanders will welcome their cross-state rivals the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. to Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. The game will be the first of three matches this season between the two teams and will be the lone contest in Harrisburg, as the City Islanders and Riverhounds will meet twice in Pittsburgh in July. The two clubs split the season series in 2011, with each team winning their respective home match.

The City Islanders enter Wednesday’s contest with a record of 1-1-2. In their latest challenge, the City Islanders battled the Richmond Kickers to a 2-2 draw at Richmond City Stadium on Saturday, May 12. Central Dauphin grad J.T. Noone and new addition Yann Ekra scored for the Islanders helping the visiting team reply quickly to both Richmond goals. Noone’s first-half goal was unassisted as he capitalized on an errant pass by the Richmond defense. Ekra’s header on a Jason Pelletier cross in the 80th salvaged a draw for the visitors, who played in front of a crowd of 2,273.

University of Pennsylvania grads Andrew Welker and Tom Brandt got their hands (and feet) dirty, each playing a full 90 minutes. In addition to the pitch, Welker made his presence felt on the stat sheet, accumulating two shots, six fouls and a yellow card in the 89th.

The Riverhounds will bring a record of 2-5-0 to Skyline Sports Complex. While the City Islanders were on the road on Saturday, the Riverhounds hosted the Los Angeles Blues, who were coming off a road victory against Dayton Dutch Lions FC on Friday night. First-half opportunities by the Riverhounds’ David Leon and Matt Kassel would prove insufficient as the Blues took the momentum – and the match – winning 3-0.

The first leg of this year’s Keystone Derby will kick off at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. It will be Harrisburg’s second home game of the 2012 campaign and will also feature a number of promotional events as part of “Impact Faith Night.” The game will feature Christian music, a pregame prayer, a special halftime contest and a canned food drive. Fans that donate will be given a chance to win an electronic tablet. Fans will also get the opportunity to meet former Islander and current Navy Soccer Coach Derek Potteiger, who will speak about faith and athletics.

In addition to the Impact Faith Night events, there will be a youth training session prior to the game. The session will run from 5-6 p.m. and will be open to all teams and individuals ages 8-15. Sign-ups will close after the first 100 players. The session will cost $5 and includes a ticket for the evening’s game, while the price for tickets for adults with the participating players will be $10. Registrations must be made in advance and can be placed through either the team’s website, www.cityislanders.com, or by calling 717-441-GOAL. Mention the promo code TRAIN while ordering tickets. Fans who can’t make it to the game can watch it live on USLNATION.com.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

TAMPA, Fla. – USL PRO announced its Team of the Week for the sixth week of the 2012 season today, honoring Rochester Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht as Player of the Week after he extended his shutout streak to six games with an outstanding 10-save performance on Saturday night against the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium.

Nicht, who has yet to concede a goal as the Rhinos have tied the USL PRO record with six consecutive victories to start a season, was remarkable against the Battery. Despite almost continuous pressure that saw the Battery amass a 20-2 advantage in shots, the 30-year-old German stood tall to allow Danny Earls’ second-half goal to give his side victory.

Joining Nicht on the Team of the Week is his teammate Troy Roberts, who put in a stellar performance in the Rhinos’ 1-0 victory against the Charlotte Eagles the night before. Roberts helped his goalkeeper maintain his shutout streak by making three goal-line clearances while marshalling the Rhinos defense in impressive fashion.

Roberts was joined on the Team of the Week defense by another pair of players who had strong weekends as their clubs took a pair of victories. The Los Angeles Blues’ Erlys Garcia put together a pair of solid performances as the Blues shut out both the Dayton Dutch Lions on Friday night and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday, helping the club jump up to fourth place in the league standings. Orlando City’s Wes Allen, meanwhile, scored his first professional goal, and played the full 90 minutes in both of the Lions’ victories against Antigua Barracuda FC.

Garcia was joined by a teammate on the Team of the Week, with recent addition Bright Dike making an immediate impact for the Blues in their two victories. The on-loan Portland Timbers striker was a handful in both of the Blues’ contests, and had a goal and assist in their 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night.

Allen’s teammates Max Griffin and John Rooney were also named to the Team of the Week, with Griffin scoring once and causing the game-winning goal in Friday night’s victory. Rooney played a key role in the Lions’ victory on Sunday, assisting Griffin’s game-tying goal as Orlando rallied to victory.

In addition to Allen, Richmond’s Chris Agorsor also scored his first professional goal as the Kickers took a 2-2 draw against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday night. He was joined on the Team of the Week by City Islanders midfielder J.T. Noone, who also notched a goal and an assist to continue his good start to the season.

USL PRO Team of the Week

Honorable Mention – Antigua – Stefan Smith; Charleston: Sallieu Bundu, Tony Donatelli; Charlotte: Josh Rife, Jorge Herrera; Dayton: Matt Williams; Harrisburg: Yann Ekra; Los Angeles: Matt Fondy, Allan Russell; Richmond: Matt Delicâte; Rochester: Danny Earls. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

EL PASO, Texas -- Naoyas Aizawa sandwiched an assist between two goals, and while it wasn't quite a feast for the El Paso Patriots, a 3-1 win against the North Texas Rayados was satisfying enough to whet their appetite for more in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

They'll get all they can handle next Tuesday, May 22nd, when the Charlotte Eagles of USL PRO come calling. Until then, Patriots' fans can feel satisfied after watching Aizawa and fellow forwards David Salas and Michael Griego take bite after bite of the North Texas defense.

If there was disappointment, it was in squandered opportunities for more offense. Consistent in possession and dominant in midfield, El Paso found itself on the Rayados' doorstep time-after-time, only to be turned away by the solid goalkeeping of Raul Herrera or by its own errant shots.

Griego has only been able to practice with the team twice, once again donning his hometown side's jersey after completing the season as coach of his own young club team. The rust showed at times, but so did his solid positioning and passing.

Perhaps it was head coach Hugo Samano's decision to go at North Texas with a 3-4-3 lineup, but it always seems El Paso's offensive anemia is cured by the transfusion Griego brings. A team that scored only twice in its first two Premier Development League games suddenly scores three times. 

It has been the same the last few years. Aizawa had a lot to do with the end result as well, but Griego's presence as a holding forward provides a fulcrum on which the rest of El Paso's offense swings. It was that solid build-up and some hard work on the wings by Aizawa's fellow former CF Indios teammate, Sergio Villasenor, that put El Paso on the board in the 26th minute.

From Griego to Villasenor to the nimble feet of Salas to Aizawa, the Patriots danced into the Rayados area; Aizawa taking the final few steps that got him past his marker and got Herrera diving for the shot the forward didn't take until the goalie was in the dirt.

As pretty as the first goal was, the second may have been the ugliest Griego has scored in his Patriots career. Stretching North Texas on the counter, Aizawa lasered a beautiful cross from the right wing. Griego only clipped the ball. Perhaps Herrera was surprised the ball actually kept moving, but it did, all the way into the net in the 61st minute.

Halftime substitute Raul Rodriguez got Rayados on the board in the 78th minute, blasting a 22-yard direct kick bomb past the Patriots' wall and goalie Victor Rodriguez. But as North Texas pushed for the equalizer, El Paso's counter-attack finished the game. No dancing from Aizawa this time, only a 20-yard blast from the top of the box that beat Herrera in the 84th minute.

The Patriots will hit the road this weekend for a pair of PDL away games against arch-rival Laredo Friday and Austin on Saturday before returning home next Tuesday for the Open Cup's second round against Charlotte.

After that much road food, the Patriots can only hope the home cooking is just as good next week.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

PONTIAC, Mich. -- The Michigan Bucks opened their 17th season with a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victory against the Jersey Shore Boca on Tuesday night at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac. The 6-0 shutout puts the Bucks into the second round on Tuesday, May 22 in Pittsburgh where they take on USL PRO's Pittsburgh Riverhounds for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Bucks and Riverhounds last met in round two of the 2006 US Open Cup when the Bucks upset the professional team 2-0 in a thrilling match at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester.

This year's version of the Bucks Open Cup roster was new to Bucks fans, but the attacking style they are accustomed to was the same. The team came out attacking from the opening whistle and pounded the Boca goal relentlessly throughout the first half. The star of the first stanza was Jersey Shore goal keeper Bobby Feeny, who faced 23 shots in the first 45 minutes (40 overall) and made several point blank saves in keeping the Bucks off the scoreboard for the first half-hour of play.

The Bucks inability to put the ball in the back of the net became a bit easier in the 17th minute when Jersey Shore defender Nick Tarquino was sent off for a straight red card when he brought down Bucks forward Stefan St. Louis who was heading in alone from the top of the box.

The Bucks finally broke the deadlock when a pair of former Oakland University Grizzlies connected to bring the crowd to their feet. Forward Stefan St. Louis smacked home a close range rocket to the top of the net after collecting a perfect through ball from former college team mate Tom Catalano in the 31st minute. Catalano, the Man of the Match, would set up newcomer Nermin Crnkic for his first tally in a Bucks uniform just five minutes later.

Then in the 38th minute, St. Louis would give the Bucks a 3-0 lead with one of the most bizarre goals ever scored in Bucks history. After breaking in alone on Feeny after a perfect through ball from Steve Miller, St. Louis would trip over the ball, nutmeg himself and wind end up lying on the turf three yards from goal. With Feeny unable to collect the ball from underneath the Trinidad striker, St. Louis back heeled the ball into the corner of the goal while rising up from the turf.

Defensively, the Bucks were solid across the back led by PDL veterans Sebby Harris and Kevin Cope. Michigan only yielded nine shots on the evening and goalkeeper Adam Grinwas was forced to make only four saves. Although most of the night was quiet for the Michigan Wolverine goalie, he did make a couple of key first half saves to keep Boca off the board in registering his first shutout in a Bucks uniform.

The second half started in a much more subdued fashion for both teams, with Jersey Shore playing down a man and the Bucks in complete control. Bucks head coach Gary Parsons made a couple of second half substitutions early bringing in Thomas Schmitt and Ethan Miller to lead the offense and both would figure in the second half scoring. Schmitt, the University of Akron leading scorer this spring, would set up Catalano for the games fourth goal in the 74th minute.

The best goal of the game came six minutes later when Crnkic beat his defender down the flank and found Miller at the top of the box running free. Miller ripped a left footed shot into the top corner to make the game 5-0 for the home team. Bim Ogunyemi would complete his homecoming party with the nightcap in the 89th minute from Crnkic to round out the scoring. Ogunyemi left the Bucks to pursue his pro career with the Portland Timbers the past two seasons and won a PDL championship with the Timbers U23 team in 2010.

The Bucks will be off on Wednesday before training Thursday and Friday for their PDL season opener on Saturday night against the expansion Chicago Inferno. The first of eight regular season home games will also be played at Ultimate Soccer Arenas (7:30 PM kick off). Tickets at the gate for the match are $10 Adults and $7 Youth (16 and under). Kids 5-and-under are always free to Bucks games.

Fans who attended Tuesday's US Open Cup game can get in for only $3 by showing their game ticket. Anyone can purchase tickets for the regular presale price of only $6 by going to the Bucks web site at www.buckssoccer.com and clicking the TICKETS link.

Monday, October 11, 2010

By NICHOLAS MURRAY

TAMPA, Fla. – Before the Rochester Rhinos and Carolina RailHawks, for Chris Economides, there was the Kansas City Attack.

“I actually got my start in professional soccer in the indoor game,” Economides said, speaking at the USL offices. “I was one of the owners of the old Kansas City Attack in the NPSL in the early nineties. One of my early claims to fame was winning an indoor championship in my second season in Kansas City with the Attack beating some of my soon-to-be Rhino players that were members of the Cleveland Crunch.”

Now the Senior Director of USL PRO is getting back to his indoor roots as the leader of the USL’s I-League, scheduled to begin play in November, 2011. With just over a year until the league’s launch, Economides is confident of finding success both on and off the field for the franchises that make up the league’s inaugural season.

“I think just as you’ve seen with USL PRO, we’re trying to have a business model that makes sense,” Economides said. “The days of operating with multi-million dollar operating budgets, it just doesn’t make any sense from a financial perspective, from an operational perspective, so I think just as we’ve done with USL PRO, we’re trying to create a business model with the I-League that makes sense, which preaches financial prudence, which preaches income versus expenses.

“It’s a pretty simple, common sense aspect where your expenses shouldn’t outweigh your income. We’re preaching financial prudence when it comes to the I-League, it will be a very structured budget, not with a lot of high costs.”

The Rochester Lancers are, as yet, the only confirmed member of the I-League, but Economides expects to have at least eight, and even as many as 12, teams playing in regional competition. The main focus of the league in terms of franchises is currently the Northeast, Mid Atlantic and Midwest regions, but Economides believes that in the long-term, the league could grow across the country.

“The sky is the limit. If the business model makes sense, if the franchises are profitable, as we grow this it will grow regionally,” Economides said. “As this thing grows, as we build the entire indoor pyramid structure of the USL, we hope to be in over 100 markets in the PDL, W-League and USL PRO perspective.”

While building a pyramid similar to the one USL currently uses for the outdoor game, incorporating indoor youth leagues and potentially divisions that mirror the PDL and W-League, is part of the long-term strategy, Economides is also aiming to have I-League and USL PRO franchises develop partnerships that would offer the ability to build the brand with year-round exposure from the indoor and outdoor game.

“As we looked at the overall model of the I-League, I think that’s one of the common synergies that needs to take place,” Economides said. “As we talk to potential I-League markets, we’re hoping that an I-League market will either have a relationship with a USL PRO team or even take it one step further, if a USL PRO market wants to take on and have what I call year-round exposure and year-round opportunity, that’s an ideal scenario to have both the indoor and outdoor operators own the franchises themselves.”

It would also have a benefit for the players, who would have the ability to move between the two franchises and play year-round.

“I think it allows players to make soccer more of a year-round opportunity,” Economides said, “a year-round job to let them focus on their playing career, to let them focus on honing their skills, indoor and outdoor. As we look to build the sport in this country, I think it could be a key aspect that will provide players with year-round employment opportunities.”

What Economides hopes most of all, though, is that the I-League can bring back the type of entertainment and excitement the sport saw in its heyday.

“We’re in the entertainment business,” Economides said. “We’re competing with high school sports, we’re competing with movies, we’re competing with a whole host of things, so I think it has to be something that’s family-oriented, that’s family-affordable fun. I envision our ticket prices being very affordable for a family of four to go to a match and then make it an experience for the kids, for mom and dad to have a good time.”

All this week, look for video conversations with USL Senior Director of USL PRO Chris Economides on the I-League on USLSoccer.com.