The 2007 USASA Region I qualifying tournament is down to the final four, with only two of those teams set to enter the Open Cup.

"Win & You’re In"

Danbury United (CT) vs. Emigrantes Das Ilhas (RI) May 20th - 2:00 p.m. EST Marciano Stadium (Brockton, MA) Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) vs. AC United (MD) May 20th - 7:15 p.m. EST Greenbrier Park Stadium (Arlington, VA) AC United defeated the Hawks on May 13th in the USASA Amateur Cup - MATCH REPORT

AC United (MD), used a total team effort to eliminate Vereinigung Erzgebirge (PA) 4-1. Jim Fendryk converted a penalty kick in the first half and Pat Crawford added a second goal to put United up 2-0. Much of the same in the second half as JC Cole and Pat Crawford each scored a goal in the first two minutes to put the game out of reach. V.E. added a late goal to make it a 4-1 scoreline, sending AC United on to the semifinals.

There they will meet the Aegean Hawks (DC/VA) who knocked out Greek American Atlas (NY) in an exciting match that had to be decided at the penalty spot. Atlas went up 1-0 in the 60th, but the Hawks equalized 10 minutes later. Moments later, an Atlas defender was shown a red card, shifting the momentum to the Hawks. They finally broke through in the 85th minute, but just when the Hawks thought their ticket to the semifinal was punched, Atlas scored an equalizer in second half stoppage time. With 10 men, Atlas held the Hawks scoreless in both overtime periods, sending the match into penalty kicks where the Hawks prevailed 4-2. For more information about the match visit the Aegean Hawks’ official website.

By the time they play in the semifinals, AC United and the Aegean Hawks will be very familiar with each other because they will play each other in the Amateur Cup the weekend before (May 13) and will then square off the following weekend (May 20) for a place in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

An own goal is a horrible way to lose a match, and while there’s a never a good time to put one in your own net, second half stoppage time is probably the worst. That’s how the quarterfinal match between Queen City FC (NPSL - Buffalo, NY) and Emigrantes Das Ilhas (RI) was decided. The two clubs battled scoreless until the 92nd minute of the match when Queen City FC put the ball in the wrong goal. For a full match report, visit the Queen City FC’s official website.

Danbury United (CT) dismissed the Lowell Revolution (MA) 5-0 to earn a place in the semifinals. They will take on Emigrantes Das Ilhas on May 20th with the winner qualifying for the Open Cup.