The Croatian Eagles booked a spot in the U.S. Open Cup, as the Milwaukee club knocked off the Carpathia Kickers from Sterling Heights, Mich., 3-1 in the USASA Region II qualifying tournament Saturday afternoon in Kenosha, Wis.
A 30-yard strike by midfielder Jason Willan on a free kick about 30 minutes into the match broke a 1-1 tie, and striker Ramon "Choko" Alvarado sealed the victory with a goal in the 85th minute as the Eagles — playing in the competition for the first time in the club’s 83-year history — earned a spot in next Saturday’s regional final against Illinois side Lightning.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Loyola Soccer Park field. The regional champion will enter the U.S. Open Cup in the first round, while the runner-up will take on the second-place team from the PDL Central Division in a qualifying-round game.
The Eagles opened the scoring about ten minutes into the game, with striker Aaron Lauber finishing off a nice sequence. Defender Xavi Rico played a through ball to outside midfielder David Martinez, who let the ball run to the end line, then sent a cross into the box that Lauber finished off from about five yards out.
The Kickers got the equalizer about ten minutes later on a counter attack, but Willan then gave the Eagles the lead for good. The former pro player nailed a right-footed drive from the left side over the wall and into the net for a 2-1 advantage.
The game was played at Carthage College because heavy rains over the past week left standing water on the field at the Croatian Eagles’ facility in suburban Franklin. The Carthage facility has an AstroPlay field; Loyola Soccer Park has a FieldTurf surface.
In other action from Sunday......
USL 2nd Division
The Richmind Kickers moved much closer to securing a spot in this years Open Cup, defeating the Harrisburg City Islanders 5-2 at University of Richmond Stadium. Matthew Watson, Robert Ssejjemba Chris Carrieri and Michael Burke all scored for the Kickers, along with an own goal from the City Islanders. The loss damaged Harrisburg’s hopes for qualification, leaving them winless at 0-2-1.
Premier Development League
Defending PDL champions Des Moines Menace stumbled in their quest to return to the U.S. Open Cup, losing to the Kansas City Brass 1-0. Josh White’s goal in the 5th minute was all Kansas City needed for the victory, leaving the Brass perched atop the Central Conference standings with a 2-0-0 record in qualifying. KC is hoping to end a seven-year Open Cup draught. The Brass only made one appearance in the tournament and that was back in 1998 when they were upset in the First Round by the Central Jersey Riptide.
Lawrence Olum scored two goals in the final 20 minutes to help the St. Louis Lions overcome a 2-0 deficet and defeat the Sioux Falls SpitFire 3-2.....The Virginia Beach Submariners have won their first two PDL games after knocking off the Brooklyn Knights 3-2. Andrew Walker and Ian Holder scored in the 84th and 88th minutes to give the Submariners the victory.
USASA
In the only Region I score reported from Sunday, Maryland’s Allied SC defeated Sport Club Portugues on penalties, after playing to a 3-3 draw.
St. Michael’s, from Rhode Island, had their 2-0 win over Phantoms Future on May 7 overturned for using ineligible players. The Phantoms Future will face White Eagles next Sunday in a Group B semifinal.
