Once again after two full months of qualifying matches from Major League Soccer all the way down to the National Premier Soccer League, twenty-three spots along with seventeen automatic entrants have been filled for the 2011 Edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
A historical moment came to NPSL as they were allowed four spots, one per conference to enter the first round when they would normally enter thru US Adult Soccer Association qualifying. For the first time we saw the Kitsap Pumas and the Portland Timbers U-23’s play a fifth match as both sides ended with the same record and same goals for thru four qualifying matches, instead of a coin flip.
But of course the sadness came to the five American clubs of the new North American Soccer League (NASL) when they learned by getting back their temporary sanctioning, they would not get the chance to particiapte in this season US Open Cup campaign. But once again it should be a fun season with some new sides getting their first shot at the Lamar Hunt trophy.
Yet standing in the way is the two time back to back champion Seattle Sounders as they are looking for their third straight US Open Cup Championship and threatening the NY Greek Americans who won the title in three consecutive seasons from 1967 through 1969. It feels like that this field could be one of the most exciting US Open Cup seasons in a good while.
Round 1 Proper: Tuesday, June 14th
#1 NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA) Vs. Brooklyn Italians (NPSL) At Belson Stadium, St. John’s Univ.; Queens, NY 7:30PM
#2 FC New York (USL Pro) Vs. Western Mass. Pioneers (PDL) At Adelphi University; Garden City, NY 7PM
#3 Harrisburg City Islanders Vs. Reading United A.C. At Skyline Sports Complex; Harrisburg, PA 7PM
#4 Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) Vs. Phoenix SC (PA.)(USASA) At Sahlen’s Stadium; Rochester, NY 7:35PM
#5 Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL Pro) Vs. Chattanooga FC (NPSL) At Chartiers Valley Stadium; Bridgeville, Pa. 7PM
#6 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) Vs. Dayton Dutch Lions (USL Pro) At Richmond City Stadium; Richmond, Va. 7PM
#7 Carolina Dynamo (PDL) Vs. Charlotte Eagles (USL Pro) At MacPherson Stadium; Brown Summit, N.C. 7PM
#8 Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) Vs. Central Florida Kraze (PDL) At Legion Stadium; Wilmington, N.C. 7:30PM
#9 Orlando City SC (USL Pro) Vs. ASC New Stars At Rollins College; Winter Park, FL. 7:30PM
#10 Charleston Battery (USL Pro) Vs. Regals FC (USASA) At Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, SC 7:30PM
#11 Madison 56ers (NPSL) Vs AAC Eagles (USASA) At Breese Stevens Field; Madison, Wis. 8PM
#12 Iowa Menace (USASA) Vs. Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) At Valley Stadium; W. Des Moines, Iowa 8:30PM
#13 Real Colorado Foxes (PDL) Vs. DV8 Defenders (USASA) At Shea Stadium; Highlands Ranch, Col. 9PM
#14 Chivas-El Paso Patriots (PDL) Vs. Kitsap Pumas (PDL) At Patriots Stadium; El Paso, TX 10PM
#15 LA Blues (USL Pro) Vs. Hollywood United Hitmen (NPSL) At Riverside Community College; Riverside, CA. 8:30PM
#16 Ventura County Fusion (PDL) Vs. Doxa Italia At Ventura College; Ventura, CA. 10:05PM
