|
Pat Healey named Round One's best
Crystal Palace Baltimore midfielder scored two, including late winner vs. Los Angeles Legends
Pat Healey, a midfielder from Crystal Palace Baltimore, was selected as the Player of the Round for the first round of this year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by the editorial staff of USOpenCup.com as the
His two goals led the USL Second Division side to a 2-1 victory over the PDL’s Los Angeles Legends. A 2008 draft pick of Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards, Healey returned to Baltimore to finish his degree at Towson University and chose to play for his hometown side.
Recently, we caught up with Pat to discuss the first-round match, Palace’s upcoming second-round matchup with the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) and his career to date. 
U.S. Open Cup First Round Recap
Hollywood United's upset highlights a busy night of action
In the lone upset in this year’s opening round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Hollywood United became only the second USASA club to defeat a USL First Division team in the U.S. Open Cup, knocking off the Portland Timbers with a dramatic, stoppage-time goal from Earl Alexander.
A pair of penalty kicks by Matt Taylor kept Hollywood level with their professional hosts. The Timbers tallied with goals fron Chris Brown (32nd minute), and Arsene Oka (51st minute). A crucial turning point in the match came in the 53rd minute, when Hollywood goalkeeper Javier Barragan saved a penalty kick from the Timbers’ Takayuki Suzuki, keeping the score 2-1 in favor of Portland.
Three other amateur teams nearly joined Hollywood in the second round and one game was postponed.
Real late finish - Monarchs slip past Freedoms
Real Maryland survive upset bid in extra time
|
Maryland SoccerPlex
Boyds, Md.
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
2
|
|
AFTER EXTRA TIME
NYPF: Julio DoSantos (unassisted) 22’
RMM: Muner Hassen (Alas) 56’
NYPF: Matia Damiani (unassisted) 69’
NYPF: Panagoitis Halkidis (SENT OFF)
RMM: Dennis Alas (Hassen) 85’
RMM: Marcos Chantal (unassisted) 117’
Match Report:
Real Maryland
BigAppleSoccer.com
|
The Real Maryland Monarchs survived the NY Pancyprian Freedoms upset bid with two late goals, one in normal time and the other in extra time, after New York were reduced to ten men for a 3-2 first round win.
The USASA side took an early lead when Julio Cesar DoSantos took advantage of a mistake by Maryland defender Marcos Chantal to score the first goal of the match. the score remained 1-0 until a few minutes into the second half, when Dennis Alas’s free kick was headed home by Muner Hassen to tie the score.
Thirteen minutes after the Monarchs drew level, the Pancyprian Freedoms regained the lead, when a free kick was headed into the penalty area, and Matia Damiani met the ball at the back post for a 2-1 lead.
Hollywood (United) ending
Only one upset among the 16 first round games, but it was a doozy
 |
|
Hollywood United coach Ian Carrington celebrates his club’s upset win over the Portland Timbers (Photo: Allison Andrews)
|
PGE Park - Portland, Ore. |
|
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
|
POR: Chris Brown 32’
HOL: Matt Taylor (PK) 45’
POR: Arsene Oka (N. Dombrowksi) 51’
HOL: Matt Taylor 58’ (PK)
HOL: Earl Alexander 90’
Match Reports:
|
|
Hollywood United became only the second USASA club to defeat a USL First Division team in the U.S. Open Cup, knocking off the Portland Timbers with a dramatic, stoppage-time goal from Earl Alexander.
The Timbers jumped onto the score sheet first. After gaining a free kick from a foul against Arsene Oka, Chris Brown connected on a low shot from 25 yards out, and just inside the left post. Just before the halftime whistle, Hollywood were given the breath of life they were looking for. Timbers defender Tim Karalexis was whistled for a foul in the penalty area, and former MLS veteran Matt Taylor stepped up and slotted his spot kick home past Jordan James for a 1-1 halftime score. Portland out shot Hollywood 12-4 in the opening half.
Oka put the Timbers in the lead just six minutes before the re-start. Neil Dombrowski sent a precision cross that met the head of Oka, who tucked it inside the left post. Just two minutes later, Portland forward Takayuki Suzuki and United goalkeeper Javier Barragan faced off in what would turn out to be the pivotal point of the match. The Timbers were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area, and as Suzuki took the kick, his slow approach allowed Barragan to react correctly and stop the shot. Barragan started the game in goal over regular goalkeeper Mike Littman, who was forced to serve a one game suspension for a red card he received as a member of the Utah Blitzz in his last Open Cup game in 2003.
Eagles Soar Past Galactics
Three unanswered goals following lightning delay put Charlotte in second round
Charlotte Christian School
Charlotte, N.C.
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
2
|
|
CHA - Robert Ssejjemba (Swinehart) 32’
CLW - Oscar Carmona 41’
CLW - Edwin Diaz 50’
CHA - Dustin Swinehart 54’ (PK)
CHA - Dustin Swinehart (Kabwe) 67’
CHA - Jorge Herrera (Daka) 71’
CHA - Robert Ssejjemba (Kabwe) 75’
|
Two goals apiece from Robert Ssejjemba and Dustin Swinehart saw the Charlotte Eagles advance over Clearwater Galactics 5-2 in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup.
After Swinehart leveled the score at two from the penalty spot in the 54th minute, the match was brought to an halt due to lightning. After a 1-hour delay, the Eagles were the more aggressive side and in the end outworked Clearwater with tallies in the 67th (Swinehart), 71st (Jorge Hererra), and 75th minutes (Ssejjemba).
The match was high-tempo on both ends, with each side having early chances to take the lead. The Eagles opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with Ssejjemba slotting home a Swinehart pass. The Galactics would equalize nine minutes before halftime with a goal by Oscar Carmona. Edwin Diaz then gave the Galactics a 2-1 lead with a 50-yard chip over Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss in the 50th minute, but the advantage was short-lived as Swinehart converted from the spot just before the delay.
The Low-down: Just enough
RailHawks dodge upset on Low's free kick in 85th minute
|
WakeMed Soccer Park
Cary, N.C.
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0
|
|
CAR - Kupono Low 85’
|
|
Midfielder Kupono Low scored on a free kick in the 85th minute, giving the Carolina RailHawks a 1-0 victory over the PDL’s Brooklyn Knights in a first-round U.S. Open Cup match in Cary, N.C.
Carolina had a 10-6 advantage in shots, but the USL First Division team put only two shots on Knights goalkeeper Elvir Prasovic. But Low’s shot got through to give the RailHawks the late lead, and they held on.
That hasn’t been easy lately for Carolina, which had allowed the tying or winning goal in the final six minutes three times in their last five games. Chris McClellan earned a clean sheet while only having to make two saves for the RailHawks, who will play host to either Real Maryland or New York Pancyprian Freedoms in the second round.
Charleston cruise past New Stars
Darren Spicer scores natural hat trick to advance the Battery
Darren Spicer’s hat trick in the first half was all the Charleston Battery needed for a 3-0 victory over the visiting ASC New Stars.
Blackbaud Stadium
Charleston, SC
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
0
|
|
CHN - Darren Spicer (Kenga) 19’
CHN - Darren Spicer (King) 27’
CHN - Darren Spicer 43’
|
|
The Houston-based USASA club nearly jumped out to the lead after 12 minutes, as Esteban Lotero found Alex Bolan with a through ball. Bolan beat Charleston goalkeeper Keith Wiggins, but the shot just missed wide right.
Five minutes later, Spicer began his scoring surge, heading home a cross from David Kenga. Spicer struck again in the 27th minute, this time receiving a pass from Aaron King, who found Spicer at the middle of the box for an easy header.
Just before half time, Spicer completed his hat trick. Spicer recovered a loose ball after ASC tried to clear a cross by King, and the midfielder beat ASC goalkeeper Emilio Frias for the final goal. The Battery move on to the second round, where they will host the Charlotte Eagles (USL-2) on June 24.
Stars shine against Bucks, win 2-1
Cleveland recovers from early 1-0 deficit
 |
|
The Cleveland City Stars huddle before they face the Michigan Bucks at the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, MI, the Bucks’ new indoor soccer arena, the only stadium of it’s kind in the United Soccer Leagues.
PHOTO: Cleveland CIty Stars
|
|
Ultimate Soccer Arena
Pontiac, Mich.
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2
|
|
MIC - Ty Shipalane 4’
CLE - Floyd Franks (Hlavaty) 23’
CLE - Neil Hlavaty (Franks) 34’
|
|
The Cleveland City Stars overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat the Michigan Bucks 2-1, and move on to the second round.
In the 4th minute of play, a defensive mishap led to the Bucks goal. On a back pass to goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, the ball took a funny bounce over Gilstrap’s foot, allowing Ty Shiplane to swoop in for the easy score.
Midway through the first half, Cleveland was able to equalize, as Floyd Franks scored off a pass from Neil Hlavaty. A few minutes later, the pair switched roles, as it was Hlavaty benefiting from a Franks cross to head home the eventual game-winning goal.
Miami leaves Bradenton feeling Blue
USL-1 club posts first Cup win after three tries
Tropical Park Stadium
Miami, Fla.
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
2
|
|
BRA - Zak Boggs (Ibeagha) 18’
MIA - Sean Cameron 25’
BRA - Own Goal (E. Gutierrez) 49’
MIA - Leo Inacio 58’
MIA - Alex Afonso (Cameron) 59’
MIA - Alex Afonso (E. Gutierrez)
Sent Off - Cristiano Diaz, Miami 69’
Match Report: Miami FC
|
|
Miami FC finally shook the Open Cup monkey off their back, earning their first win in three tries with a 4-2 victory over the PDL’s Bradenton Academics.
Zak Boggs started the scoring for Bradenton with a goal in the 18th minute, which was answered by Sean Cameron for Miami just seven minutes later. After the break, an own goal by Eddie Gutierrez put the PDL club back on top. Leo Inacio drew Miami level again in the 58th minute, and the Blues never looked back.
Even after Miami was reduced to 10 men with Cristiano Dias’ red card in the 69th minute, Miami had control of the match. Alex Afonso scored the final two goals to send Miami to a second round meeting with fellow First Division side Atlanta Silverbacks.
Though Miami has played since 2005, they have lost their opening game each year. In 2006, Miami lost to USASA side Dallas Roma (the first time a USL-1 team had lost to a USASA club), and last season they fell to the El Paso Patriots of the PDL.
Richmond kicks the Gunners
Move on to face Western Mass in Round 2
SportsBackers Stadium
Richmond, Va.
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
0
|
|
RIC – Eliot Paschalis (Bulow) 11’
RIC – Stanley Nyazamba 20’
RIC – David Bulow 24’ (PK)
|
|
The Richmond Kickers cruised into the second round with a 3-0 win over the Fredericksburg Gunners.
Richmond scored all of its goals in the first 25 minutes, starting with midfielder Eliot Paschalis’ tally in the 11th. Stanley Nyazamba doubled the lead in the 20th minute. The final goal came three minutes later, when David Bulow converted a penalty kick, awarded when Nyazamba was brought down in the penalty area by Fredericksburg defender Jay Bownes.
The Kickers move on to face USL Second Division rivals Western Mass Pioneers in the second round on June 24.
Scoring Summary
11th minute: Richmond – Eliot Paschalis (David Bulow)
20th minute: Richmond – Stanley Nyazamba
24th minute: Richmond – David Bulow (Penalty)
All this way for nuthin'
Harrisburg tops Yakima 5-1
 |
|
Luis Galvan brings the ball upfield as the City Islanders defense awaits (Photo: Derek Meluzio)
|
|
Skyline Sports Complex
Harrisburg, Pa.
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
1
|
|
HAR - David Schofield (Wiesner) 1 ’
HAR - Own Goal (Hacker) 16’
HAR - Brett Weisner (Schofield) 43’
HAR - Almir Barbosa (Wiesner) 45’
HAR - Geoff Bloes (Wiesner) 57’
YAK - Angel Rojas 86’
|
|
The Harrisburg City Islanders wasted no time making sure the Yakima Reds wasted their cross-country trip, scoring in the first minute en route to a 5-1 drubbing of the PDL club.
David Schofield needed only 30 seconds after the kickoff to bead Yakima goalkeeper Robert McCurdy for a 1-0 lead, and the City Islanders never looked back. HCi’s lead doubled when a shot deflected off Yakima defender Joshua Hacker for an own goal. Harrisburg widened their lead to 4-0 by halftime through goals from Brett Wiesner and Almir Barbosa.
Geoff Bloes pushed the lead to 5-0 in the 57th minute. In the dying moments of the game, Angel Rojas ensured the Reds wouldn’t go home empty-handed, scoring with 4 minutes remaining to make the final score 5-1. The City Islanders will visit Crystal Palace Baltimore in the second round on June 24.
Two plus two equals win
Balanced attack leads Riverhounds past AAC Eagles for first victory
Benedictine University,
Lisle, Ill.
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
4
|
|
PIT - Nathan Salsi (Zabinski)
PIT - Leon Browne (Khumalo)
PIT - Jean Robens Jerome (Langton)
PIT - Travis MacKenzie (Gibson)
|
|
Twos were wild for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tuesday night.
The ’Hounds got two first-half goals and two more in the closing stages of the match as they posted a 4-0 win over USASA Region II side AAC Eagles in Lisle, Ill. Pittsburgh got goals from four different players, with each of them tallying their second goals of the season.
In all, eight players got on the scoresheet for the Riverhounds, who are in last place in the USL Second Division with a 0-6-3 record. Thabiso "Boyzz" Khumalo, drafted by the nearby Chicago Fire in the 2005 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, set up Nathan Salsi’s opening goal as Pittsburgh moved on to a meeting with former USL First Division rival Rochester.
Closer than it needed to be
Rhinos escape RWB Adria upset bid in extra time
The Rochester Rhinos escaped the clutches of the upset-minded RWB Adria, needing an extra time goal from Hamed Diallo to overcome the Chicago USASA club 2-1.
The teams played to a scoreless tie for 73 minutes, when Diallo was brought down in the penalty area. Tiger Fitzpatrick stepped up and converted the spot kick for a 1-0 lead. Just as Rochester seemed ready to book their second-round ticket, RWB Adria proved why the game is 90 minutes long. Joey Carver found a wide-open Awadallah Morad, who buried the ball into an open net with just 4 minutes remaining.
The Rhinos took the lead back for good six minutes into the first extra period, when Diallo received a header from Matthew Delicate, dribbled past RWB Adria defender Justin Dugena and scored. Scott Vallow preserved the Rhinos’ win with a kick save on a wide-open shot by Carver with just five minutes remaining.
Tarley brings the Thunder
Veteran goal scorer makes sure Minnesota moves on
|
National Sports Center
Blaine, Minn.
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
1
|
MIN - Melvin Tarley (deRoux) 45’
MIN - Ricardo Sanchez (Kallman) 57’
STL - Tommy Heinemann (Patterson) 79’
MIN - Melvin Tarley (Day. O’Brien) 80’
MIN - Aaron Paye (Day. O’Brien) 89’
Match Reports:
Minnesota Thunder
Minneapolis Star-Tribune |
|
Melvin Tarley opened the scoring just before halftime, then squelched any hopes of an attempted comeback and upset in the game’s final 10 minutes as the Minnesota Thunder eased past the PDL’s St. Louis Lions 4-1 in Blaine, Minn.
With the Thunder up 2-0 after Ricardo Sanchez’s second-half goal, Tommy Heinemann got the Lions on the board and sliced the lead to 2-1 in the 79th minute. But a minute later, the lead was back to two thanks to Tarley, who has enjoyed quite a scoring record in this tournament.
Dayton O’Brien set up Tarley’s second goal, then set up Aaron Paye for an insurance goal in the 89th minute as Minnesota earned a second-round game against the Cleveland City Stars of the USL Second Division.
Pioneers survive Greek charge
Western Mass top Boston Olympiakos 2-0
Lusitano Stadium
Ludlow, Mass.
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
0
|
|
WMP - Neil Krause 33’
WMP - Jeff Deren (Maciel) 68’
Match Report:
MassLive.com
|
|
In an ugly game hampered by the oppressive heat, the Western Mass Pioneers edged their USASA opponents from the eastern part of the state, Boston Olympiakos, by a 2-0 scoreline.
The Pioneers played the match with a heavy heart, as head coach Lesznek Wrona returned to his native Poland to attend his mother’s funeral.
Neil Krause opened the scoring for the Pioneers in the 33rd minute, when his shot deflected off an Olympiakos defender and caught goalkeeper Chris Charnecky leaning the wrong way. Boston nearly tied the score just before halftime, when Samuel Appiah’s shot from 15 yards out was blocked by Pioneers ’keeper Matt Glaeser.
In the second half, Western Mass dodged another bullet, when Geoff Walker’s shot trickled towards the goalline after a save from Glaeser, but James Greenslit beat Bostons Sherron Manswell to clear the ball.
In the 68th minute, the Pioneers got their insurance goal. Everson Maciel passed up a shot to send the ball to Jeff Deren, who beat Chernacky for a 2-0 lead.
Healey is Palace's legend this night
Scores both goals, including late game-winner
 |
|
Baltimore goalkeeper Brian Rowland prepares to dive for Ian Etherington’s shot.
(Photo: Amy Walz)
|
|
Cougar Athletic Stadium
Azusa, Cal.
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2
|
|
CPB - Pat Healey (Teixeira) 43’
LAL - Kevin Gallagher (Baker) 62’
CPB - Pat Healey (Marshall) 88’
Match Report:
|
|
Midfielder Pat Healey’s second goal of the night, a low strike inside the right post in the 88th minute, lifted Crystal Palace Baltimore to a 2-1 victory over the 10-man Los Angeles Legends in Azusa, Calif.
Healey opened the scoring for the USL Second Division side in the 43rd minute, connecting on a volley from the back post. The Legends were reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute as Ross Schunk drew a straight red card for a tackle. Three minutes later, though, the homestanding PDL club equalized through Kevin Gallagher.
Healey, though, made Palace’s 2,500-mile trip worth the while in the waning moments, matching his season goal total coming in with his second of the night and sending his club into a second-round meeting at the league rival Harrisburg City Islanders.
Sounders sweat one out
Treschuk's goal late in extra time avoids upset in Arizona
 |
|
John Fishbaugher dribbles around a pair of Sahuaros defenders
|
Kenji Treschuk pounced on a poor clearance and scored the game’s only goal with 92 seconds left in the second period of extra time as the Seattle Sounders avoided an upset with a 1-0 win over the Arizona Sahuaros in front of about 3,500 people on a blazing hot night at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
The USL First Division team, which will play in Major League Soccer next year, outshot the USASA team 17-12, but needed seven saves from goalkeeper Chris Eylander against the scrappy Sahuaros to advance to a second-round matchup with another amateur side, Hollywood United.
Arizona, a member of the National Premier Soccer League, had several chances to break the scoreless tie. Chad Brown had a free kick from just outside the box go over the crossbar early in the second half, then had a long shot just miss wide of the goal in the 57th minute. His replacement, Kris Sumter, missed just wide on a breakaway late in extra time.
Hayes makes Austin pay the penalty, three times
'Backs defender converts three spot kicks in win
Dragon Stadium
Round Rock, Texas
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
AFTER EXTRA TIME
Atlanta advance on PKs 5-4
AUS - Jamie Watson 45’+
ATL - David Hayes 81’ (PK)
AUS - Willy Guadarrama 101’
ATL - David Hayes 113’ (PK)
Match Reports:
Austin Statesman
Atlanta Silverbacks
|
|
The Atlanta Silverbacks came from a goal behind twice, once to force extra time and again to force penalties, to sneak past the Austin Aztex on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.
After facing several good scoring opportunities from the Silverbacks, it was Austin who held the lead at halftime. With only stoppage time remaining in the half, Jamie Watson poked home a loose ball from 12 yards out for a 1-0 advantage.
At the 79th minute, Atlanta was handed a chance to level the game, but David Hayes penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo. Just three minutes later, Atlanta did find the equalizer, when Mac Kandji beat Gallardo for the tying score.
USOpenCup.com 2008 1st Round Blog
Check out the evening's events as they happened
USOpenCup.com provided fans with live updates of all 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup first round, and the final Major League Soccer play-in game. As always, we invite you to email your questions/comments using the site’s email form, and we will try to answer your questions.
---------------
Welcome to our first ever live blog of the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. We’ve got some great matchups in store for tonight...and we’ll have updates for EVERY game right here. All you have to do is to hit REFRESH every so often, and we’ll have new info.
For all the results, visit our USOpenCup.com Scoreboard. To read the entire first round blog, click continue.
Notable First Round USOC upsets
1997 - Bridgeport Italians (USASA) 3, Rhode Island Stingrays (D3 Pro) 2
With the USASA clubs reeling from losing "their" cup to the USISL and MLS, the amateur clubs of the USASA looked forward to proving to the higher level clubs that they still belonged. On this summer day in East Providence, Rhode Island, the Bridgeport Italians proved they did belong. Their opponents, the Rhode Island Stingrays, would eventually make the playoffs of the Third Division USL Pro League, but wound up seeing an early exit for themselves from the Cup. Marek Jurkonski, Pierre Venditti and Allen Zuniga scored for Bridgeport to give them a 3-2 win over the Stingrays. The Italians went on to lose a close 1-0 game to the Long Island Rough Riders in the next round, but they fulfilled the dream of every USASA club, they beat one of the "big boys".
Click continue for more First Round upsets...
Some things you should know about the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup
A total of 76 clubs took part in the first Open Cup tournament in 1914, a majority of whom came from the Northeast region of the country.
In 2007, the Carolina RailHawks and the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division joined the 1997 San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro) as the only teams since 1996 to advance to the semifinals after starting from the first round.
Since 1995, a USASA team has failed to advance past the first round only three times (1995, 1998, 2002). Uruguay SC from Florida did it in back-to-back years (2000, 2001), and Mexico SC (Fresno, CA) joined Uruguay SC in the second round in 2000. Dallas Roma FC advanced in consecutive seasons in 2005 and 2006 and Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI) advanced in 2003 and 2007.
In 2006, a record was set when four USASA clubs (Dallas Roma FC, Sonoma County Sol, Arizona Sahuaros and Milford International) advanced to the second round. The previous record was set the year before when three teams advanced (Dallas Roma FC, Salinas Valley Samba, Reggae Boyz FC).
In 1999, the Wilmington Hammerheads saw two players score hat tricks in their first round match. Ryan Walker and Luke Griffith both scored three times in Wilmington’s 8-1 rout of Los Lobos, a USASA team from Oklahoma.
The Atlanta Silverbacks embarrassed Azzurri, a USASA club from North Texas, 10-0 in the first round of the 2007 tournament. It was the biggest route in the professional era, topping the Chicago Stingers’ (USL D3 Pro) 8-0 win over SAC Wisla (USASA) in 1997.
2007 marked the first year that all USL First and Second Division teams began the tournament in the first round. It was also the first year that any USL First Division teams started in Round 1.
|
|
|
|
