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Two clubs advance to USASA Regional Finals
Sonoma County, Sacramento, battle for second NPSL spot
Two clubs with vastly different histories in the U.S. Open Cup took the next step toward qualifying for this summers tournament over the weekend.
The Ukrainian Nationals moved on to the USASA Region I finals, after defeating United German Hungarians 3-1 this past weekend. Leon Cleary scored all three goals to power Tryzub (the Ukrainian name for the club) on their way to victory. The Ukrainian club has won the U.S. Open cup on four occasions in the 1960’s, and are looking to make their first appearance in the cup since professional teams began entering in 1995. The team have a perfect record in league and cup play thus far in the 2005/2006 season, standing at 12-0-0 in the United Soccer League, and reaching the finals of the Eastern Pennsylvania USASA Amateur cup as well. The Ukes will now face Washington D.C.’s Aegean Hawks in the Region I Group A semifinals on May 14.
Meanwhile out west, one of the new clubs in the NPSL claimed one of the league’s two spots in the USASA Region IV finals. Phoenix Banat Storm finished with three wins and a loss in their four matches that double as qualifiers, easily claiming the top spot in the Southwest Conference. The Storm had actually clinched the spot after Saturday night’s 2-1 victory over the Denver Kickers, but the Kickers spoiled a perfect qualifying run for Phoenix by taking the rematch on Sunday, 1-0. While making their debut in the NPSL, Phoenix Banat have entered Region IV qualifying in the past, and are looking to qualifying for the Open Cup for the first time.
In the NPSL’s Northwestern Conference, the Sacramento Knights prevented the Sonoma Coutny Sol from putting a stranglehold on the NPSL’s other Region IV finals spot. After defeating rivals Salinas Valley Samba 2-1 on Saturday, the Sol were a perfect 3-0-0, with three games left. However, the Knights defeated the visiting Sol 4-2 on Sunday, reeling in the leaders within reach. Sacramento can take over the top spot this coming weekend, when it faces the Sol once again, in a match that only counts towards qualifying for the Knights. The Chico Rooks, who stand five points behind the top spot with four games to play, can make up significant ground this weekend with matches against the Salinas Valley Samba and Redwood City Ruckus. The San Jose Frogs host Sacramento in a bid to gain on the leaders as well. The Salinas Valley Samba, who advanced to the second round of last year’s cup, have been eliminated from contention, sitting near the bottom with one point and two matches remaining.
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