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Region III US Open Cup Qualifying Ends With Red Force & NTX Rayados Joining 19 Pro Teams Going for Glory

 Posted by on April 15, 2013 at 9:26 pm  FC Dallas, GFT Special, Global Football Today, Houston Dynamo, MLS, NASL, Orlando City, United States, US Open Cup, USL PDL, USL Pro
Apr 152013
 
usasaregioniii

Region III has spoken and the final participants, from USASA, have been chosen or rather earned their spots through a weekend of US+Open+Cup+WEB Region III US Open Cup Qualifying Ends With Red Force & NTX Rayados Joining 19 Pro Teams Going for Glory match play in New Orleans.

Red Force (Florida) and NTX Rayados (NTX) will enter into the draw for this years 100th edition of the Open Cup, the matches of which will take place on May 14th and alongside 30 other sides, they will compete for a spot in round two.

This weekends play which saw nine sides compete in three groups of three, resulted in Sundays final matches involving group winners NTX Rayados (NTX), CD Motagua (LA), Red Force (FL) and also best runner-up ASC New Stars (TXS) all competing for the winning two spots that would ensure an US Open Cup Spot.

Both 2012 region III entrants, ASC New Stars (beaten in 1st round by Laredo Heat 4-2) & NTX Rayados (beaten in 1st round by El Paso 3-1) managed to reach the qualifying stages again this year and would be hoping for much the same this term in qualifying but faced stiff opposition from the plethora of young guns searching for Open Cup success.

Friday saw previous two year entrants ASC New Stars take on Dallas TNT, emerging 3-0 winners to stamp their authority on the competition once again. Fellow 2012 entrants NTX Rayados also kicked off this years qualifying campaign with a thumping 6-1 win over Texas South entrants Islanders FC, who lost out at this stage last year.

Saturday saw the bulk of the matches and in Group A, Louisiana based CD Motagua took the bull by the horns early in the day with a magnificent 11-1 victory over Dallas TNT, that not only set the benchmark for scoring for the day, but also eliminated the Dallas side from the competition. In the later match, both CD Motagua and ASC New Stars who had a win each to this point, sparred off for the winners title which CD Motagua walked away with after a hard fought 2-1 victory. ASC New Stars though would find out later that they had secured the best placed runners up spot, that gave them the fourth semi final place in Sundays matches.

In Group B, Los Lobos from Oklahoma who had taken Boston Avenue’s spot, started their first ever Open Cup campaign with a defeat to one of Friday night’s winners in the form of NTX Rayados by the score of 4-1, which although never eliminated the OK side, made it difficult to progress as the the NTX side would not be able to be caught with two victories under it’s belt. Los Lobos only hope would be best placed second spot but after a three goal deficit, that would be difficult to achieve. This proved to be the case after Islanders FC defeated them 4-2 in the evening Saturday match which ultimately eliminated both sides from contention.

Group C saw FC Rahr (NTX) take on Barracudas FC (Texas South) in the early match on Saturday but a 3-3 draw ensured that the group remained wide open. Later that day FC Rahr were defeated quite comprehensively 3-0 by Florida side Red Force who went on to also beat Barracuda 2-1 to take the group title.

So the semi finals were set, CD Motagua v NTX Rayados, Red Force v ASC New Stars and after a thunderstorm delayed start to Sunday morning’s proceedings, it was NTX Rayados & Red Force who emerged victorious with 4-0 & 2-0 victories respectively, and with the wins, secured their spots in the 100th edition, the 2013 US Open Cup as USASA Region III representatives.

They will join an abundance of fellow Region III sides this season to compete for the ultimate prize in cup competition within the United States.

With the largest ever number of sides competing this year (68), joining them from our region are also the largest percentage (31%) of soccer sides in comparable terms to the other three regions.

USASA will join round one with NTX Rayados (2012 R1), & Red Force

NPSL sides will join round one with Georgia Revolution (2012 R2) & Chattanooga (2011 R1)

PDL will join round one with Austin Aztex, Carolina Dynamo (2012 R1, 2011 R1), Laredo Heat (2012 R2), Ocala Stampede & Orlando U23s (2012 R1)

USL PRO side will join round one with VSI Tampa Bay

USL PRO sides will join round two with Charleston Battery (2012 R3, 2011 R2), Charlotte Eagles (2012 QF, 2011 R2) & Wilmington Hammerheads (2012 R2, 2011 R3), Orlando City (2012 R3, 2011 R3)

NASL will join round two with Atlanta Silverbacks (2012 R3), Carolina Railhawks (2012 R4), Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2012 R3), San Antonio Scorpions (2012 R4) & Tampa Bay Rowdies (2012 R3)

MLS will join round three with Houston Dynamo (2012 R3) & FC Dallas (2012 R3, 2011 SF)

A total of 21 sides (31%) from the eventual 68 taking part will be from our Region III, the future’s bright for the Region, let’s make this 100th year one to remember in the US Open Cup.

The winner of this years competition will receive a $250,000 cash prize and a berth into the 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League while the runner-up will received $60,000. The top finisher from each lower division will receive $15,000.

Mark the first round in your calendar to support Region III sides, May 14th 2013.

You can follow Region3Soccer on Twitter @region3soccer

Sporting KC agrees to loan four players to USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC

 Posted by on March 14, 2013 at 8:35 pm  Global Football Today, MLS, Orlando City, Sporting KC, United States, USL Pro
Mar 142013
 

O City DL Sporting KC agrees to loan four players to USL PRO affiliate Orlando City SC

 Partnership sends Duke, Dwyer, Kempin and Songo’o to Orlando City

Sporting Kansas City announced on Thursday that the club has agreed to loan four players to the team’s official USL PRO affiliate Orlando City Soccer Club. Goalkeeper Jon Kempin, defender Yann Songo’o, midfielder Christian Duke and forward Dom Dwyer will join the Lions today in preparation for their USL PRO season opener on April 7.

“We’re excited about this partnership with Orlando because it not only gives us an opportunity to partner with a great organization, but more importantly it also gives us an opportunity for players who we think have real potential within our team to be able to go into an environment and play on a regular basis for a real competition,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes. “That’s a big aspect of the growth of a player so that constant competitiveness is going to be huge for their development.”
Sporting Kansas City entered into a two-year agreement with Orlando City SC in January in conjunction with Major League Soccer and USL PRO’s new multi-year partnership. Orlando City is led by Manager Adrian Heath, the USL PRO’s Coach of the Year each of the past two seasons, and were crowned USL PRO champions in 2011.
Winners of the Commissioner’s Cup each of the last two years for the best regular season record, Orlando City SC is one 13 USL PRO teams competing in the 26-game regular season played from April thru August. All USL PRO games will be streamed live online through USLnation.com and Orlando City will enter the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the second round of the tournament on May 21.
Duke, 21, signed his first professional contract last month after being selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft out of the University of San Diego. An Overland Park, Kan. native, Duke played for the Sporting KC Academy while attending Shawnee Mission South High School. He went on to appear in 60 games during his four-year collegiate career, earning six assists and leading the team to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 2012.
Dwyer, 22, was selected in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of South Florida. After appearing in international friendlies against Montpellier Herault SC and Stoke City FC, Dwyer made his MLS debut against Toronto FC and came off the bench in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Houston. He made nine MLS Reserve League appearances with two goals.
Kempin, 19, was Sporting Kansas City’s first Home Grown Player upon signing at age 17 in 2010. The Leawood, Kan. native has extensive experience for the United States at the Youth National Team level, most recently joining the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team in January. He was also a member of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team in November 2011 for a training camp held in Germany. Kempin and Dwyer both started against Orlando City SC in the third round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Sporting Park.
Songo’o, 21, signed with Sporting Kansas City in December and appeared in seven of the team’s matches during the pre-season. A Cameroon youth international, Songo’o represented his country at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup. After developing as a youth with Deportivo de la Coruna and Real Zaragoza in Spain, Songo’o has played professionally for FC Metz, Real Zaragoza B, CE Sabadell FC and Pobla de Mafumet CF.
Sporting Kansas City, who acquired defenders Lawrence Olum and Mechack Jerome from Orlando City, will have the option to recall any of the four players during the loan period.

Still in first

 Posted by on July 17, 2012 at 1:26 pm  Orlando City, USL Pro
Jul 172012
 
Orlando City welcomed second place Rochester Rhinos to the Florida Cirtus Bowl on Saturday night. Led by a trio of goals coming in the first 30 minutes and a penalty conversion in the second, Orlando Citydowned the Rhinos 4-0 and extended their lead in the USL PRO table to 10 points over now-second placeCharleston.
Orlando didn’t waste any time to notch a goal, taking advantage of an early counter-attack to take the lead. Kevin Molino, second in the league in assists, perfectly led a streaking Matt Luzunaris inside the six yard box, with the forward blasting a strike in the lower-left corner to give City the early 1-0 lead and score his fifth goal of the season.  Luzunaris struck the ball so hard it bounced off the back of the net and flew out without another touch.
Only five minutes later, Orlando notched another goal with a strike by Defender Jerome Mechack. The play began with Midfielder Adama Mbengue taken down just outside the 18 yard box, resulting in a free kick for the Lions. Ian Fuller tapping it over to Mechack, who blasted it straight past Rhino Goalkeeper Kristian Nicht for the second goal of the night.
The Lions continued to capitalize on opportunities, especially ones coming from set pieces. In the 27th minute, Luke Boden found the 6’3” Rob Valentino leaping above the scrum around goal, heading in the feed to give Orlando the 3-0 advantage.
The fourth and final goal for Orlando was scored by newcomer Rodrigo Lopez from the penalty spot. Jamie Watson was taken down inside the 18, bringing up one of the newest Orlando City players to attempt the penalty. Lopez, who was most recently with the PDL’s Ventura County Fusion, calmly put the ball in the back of the net, giving Orlando the 4-0 lead and victory.
Orlando City goes back on the road to square off against newly second-place side Charleston Battery on Thursday, July 19, at 7:30 p.m. The Battery hold a record of 11-6-0 so far in 2012. Orlando and Charleston have met once this season, with the Lions coming out on top 2-1 with goals from Jaime Watson and Jean Alexandre.
Earlier this week, Orlando City announced that the Nottingham Forest friendly was cancelled due to the cancellation of their USA Pre-Season Tour. To get more information on the refund policy please visit the Orlando City Website.

Open Cup & LA Blues

 Posted by on May 26, 2012 at 4:35 pm  European Champions League, Orlando City, US Open Cup, USL Pro
May 262012
 

Four games in a week is tough on any team but when you ask the players they don’t mind as long as they get the results they need. Orlando City first match this week was against KC Athletics, who plays in the United States Adult Soccer Association or USASA, in the second round of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup on Tuesday night.
Orlando got on the score sheet early on. KC defender Cody Andrews tried to clear the ball in the crowded box but instead headed the ball into his net. Fortunately for the 946 fans that attended the match, that was the only one of the night.
About 20 minutes later, Max Griffin score the second goal for the Lions. Midfielder Charlie Campbell found Griffin just outside the 18-yard box and after one touch the forward blasted the ball past the keeper. John Rooney headed in the teams third goal of the game just a few minutes later. Jamie Watson was able to cross the ball into the path of the streaking midfielder. Griffin added the teams fourth and his second goal of the night after he scored from a corner kick.
KC Athletics night got even worse as the game went on when Watson, Rooney and Matt Luzunaris scored goals to give Orlando a 7-0 victory. Orlando will travel to Livestrong Sporting Park next Tuesday, May 29th, for the next round. Kick off is set for 8:30pm.
Thursday night City welcomed the Los Angeles blues for the first time. The Blues were the only team the Lions didn’t face last season. City remains undefeated in the 2012 season.
Orlando got the first goal of the night in the 22ndminute. Wes Allen rose above all the players to score off of a corner kick. The lead didn’t last long due to a defensive mistake. Blues on loan forward, Bright Dike, was able to get behind the defense and score in the 25thminute to tie the match and score the last goal of the night.
Later tonight Orlando City will play their next league match. Tickets are still available for their game against Charlotte Eagles. Lions traveled to Charlotte earlier in the season and walked away with a 2-0 Victory. Hopefully we do the same tonight.

The British Are Back!

 Posted by on May 22, 2012 at 3:38 pm  Orlando City, USL Pro
May 222012
 

Orlando City earlier announced their two international friendlies that will be played in July. The lions will welcome Nottingham Forest from the N-Power Championship on July 21st and Stoke City from the Barlcays Premier League on July 28th. 


“This is the second consecutive year that we have been able to attract two top class English teams to Central Florida,” said Phil Rawlins, Orlando City President. “These games give our fans the chance to see international players like Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios competing against their favorite players from Orlando, right here in the Citrus Bowl. This shows the drawing power of having a club like Orlando City based here in the region.” 

Nottingham Forest is one of the most historic clubs in English soccer.  Forest are one of just two English clubs to have won back-to-back European Cups (now known as the Champions League), having won in 1979 and 1980. The July 21st Match will kick off at 7:30pm. 

Following the Forest match, Orlando City will clash with partner club Stoke City on Saturday, July 28.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.  The Lions were originally scheduled to play Charleston Battery on July 28 but that match has been moved to Friday, July 27, with a 7:30 kickoff as well. Stoke City is the second-oldest professional soccer team in the world, and is celebrating their 150th anniversary next season. 

Tickets start from $25.00. Call 1-855-ORL-CITY or email tickets@orlandocitysoccer.com to reserve your tickets today!

Match Recap: vs Antigua Barracuda

 Posted by on May 17, 2012 at 4:36 am  Orlando City, USL Pro
May 172012
 
Orlando City were in Antigua over the weekend to face the Barracudas on Friday and Sunday evening.
On Friday, Orlando City were victorious over the Barracudas after nearly 90 minutes without a single goal. What was thought to have been Max Griffins first goal of the season has actually been credited as a Troy Dublin own goal.
The lions started the match in control, and dominated possession for much of the opening frame. Super-Sub, Dennis “Chinny” started for the first time this season. Three of his shots in the first half were either saved by the goalkeeper or cleared off the line by a Barracudas defender.
The Barracudas spent much of the half on the defensive, but did create some chances of their own. They had a chance late in the first half but were otherwise unable to test Miguel Gallardo in the net.
The second half was much of the same, but even fewer chances for the Barracudas going forward. Orlando City struggled to connect through the middle in the second half, largely due to the patchy field conditions. Chinny, Watson and Kieron Bernard, playing in his first match of the 2012 campaign, had shots saved in the second half.
Round 2 of the weekend ended in victory for Orlando. The lions came back to beat Antigua 2-1. This win keeps Orlando undefeated on the season.
City fell behind early on, and played from behind for the first time all season. The Barracudas lead was short-lived, as the Lions equalized just six minutes later. Orlando controlled the game from that point on, pressing forward repeatedly heading into the halftime break.
The Barracudas struck first in the 20th minute. Kieron Bernard brought down Stefan Smith inside the box for a penalty. Quinton Griffith, the fourth Barracuda to attempt a penalty this season, beat City Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo for the 1-0 lead.
Friday night’s last-minute maestro got his goal early tonight, as John Rooney found Griffin flying down the right side of the pitch unmarked. Griffin again went far-post, but beat the keeper on his own, with the shot going untouched into the upper 90. From that point on, City controlled the match.
Wes Allen scored the game winner shortly after halftime resumed. Allen rose
over the crowd on Anthony Pulis’ corner kick in the 49th minute and delivered a snap header before the Barracuda defense could even react.
Though the Lions took the lead for good early in the half, they never took their foot off the gas. Kevin Molino added a spark to the lineup, coming on in the 62nd minute. Molino regularly found space near the top of the box, and nearly struck gold in the 72nd minute. His shot was deflected, but fell just wide of the post. Both Dennis Chin and Jamie Watson had goals called off for offsides and a foul respectively.
Orlando City gets a chance to rest this week, with the team having a rare weekend off. The break comes at the perfect time as City faces the potential for four games in eight days starting Tuesday, May 22, when the Lions start Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play against K.C. Athletics. The match will be played at the Seminole Soccer Complex. A win advances the Lions to the third round on May 29, where City will face a team from Major League Soccer.
The next league match for the Lions is on May 24. LA Blues make their first-ever trip to Orlando for the match. The Thursday match is also Military Night, featuring a swearing-in ceremony of recruits from all five branches of the U.S. military at halftime. Tickets for the match start at just $15 are available by calling 855-ORL-CITY or by visiting www.orlandocitysoccer.com. 

Defending the Title the Right Way

 Posted by on May 8, 2012 at 9:54 pm  Orlando City, USL Pro
May 082012
 
Orlando City have started off the 2012 season strong. They are currently undefeated with a 4-0-1 record and are showing why they are the 2011 Champions. They opened up the 2012 season with a 2-0 win against the Charlotte Eagles. “Super Sub” Dennis Chin and Kevin Molino got on the score sheet to give us the three points.
Sean Kelley, who was starting the game in place of the suspended Miguel Gallardo. For those that dont remember Gallardo was sent off in the Championship Final and the suspension carried onto this season. Just like in the Final, Kelley came out on top and saved a penalty late in the first half to keep the Lions in the lead.
Next the Lions had their first home game of the seaons against the Wilmington Hammerheads. In front of 8,421 fans, Orlando defeated the Hammerheads 4-1. John Rooney scored two goals to put the Lions up just before half time. In the 54th minute, Rob Valentino jumped over everyone and to give them a 3-0 lead from a Rooney corner kick. Wilmington responded two minutes later when Hagop Chirishian found Bryce Taylor from a corner kick. Nine minutes later Kevin Molino found Chin who scored the last goal of the night.
Orlando next defeated the Richmond Kickers next. Richmond were the first team to defeat the Lions last season before Orlando went on a 12 games undefeated. Ian Fuller finally broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, putting in Jamie Watson’s service from another corner kick. In the last minute of the game Chinny was brought down in the penalty kick and Anthony Pulis was able to put and a few moments later the final whistle was blown.
Richmond then followed the team back to Orlando to face them at the Citrus Bowl. Unfortunately this time the Lions drew for the first time this season. By halftime the Kickers had out shot Orlando by a mark of 8-3 and even though both teams had multiple chances neither side could put one in the back of the net to get the three points.
Next for Orlando were the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The first half was all about deefense. Neither side was letting the other in. They were both fighting to keep the ball in the middle and both keepers did very little, expect for the occasional Goalkicks. The second half was very different.
In the 68th Minute Chin, in a superb solo effort, scored the first goal for Orlando after receiving a pass from Mechack Jerome, Chin proceeded to take on Pittsburgh’s defense by himself. The Oviedo native sold a run to the left toward midfield, turning the Riverhounds defender around and out of his way. Chin then slotted the ball past Pittsburgh Goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, giving Orlando the 1-0 lead. In the 79th minute, Defender Wes Allen knocked in an own goal after a cross attempted by Pittsburgh Forward Agustin Nunez. It marked the first time in Orlando City history that an own goal was allowed.
Just a minute later, Orlando responded with a strike of its own. Ian Fuller, who came on as a substitute for Matt Luzunaris earlier in the second half, led a streaking Charlie Campbell, who then notched the second goal for Orlando. Pittsburgh didn’t go down without a fight, though, as Matt Kassel scored a goal for the Riverhounds in the 85th minute to equalize the match 2-2. It wasnt over yet.
Kevin Molino found Ian Fuller alone in the box in the 88th minute as the player/coach had a clear lane in front of him to score the Lions’ third and final of the match.
The game turned even more sour for Puttsburge when head coach Justin Evans was given a red card due to approaching the referees with foulr and abusive language. He had to be seperated from teh officials and will now be suspectedned for their next game.
Next week, the Lions travel over the Atlantic to face Antigua Barracuda FC in a back-to-back series held on Friday May 11 and Sunday, May 13.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST on Friday and 4:30 p.m. EST on Sunday. Orlando City holds a 2-1-0 record all-time against Barracuda FC, with the two wins occurring in a back-to-back series held in Antigua in late June of 2011. 

They are back!!

 Posted by on April 9, 2012 at 3:00 pm  Orlando City, USL Pro
Apr 092012
 

Orlando City Soccer Club has returned to league play on Saturday night. They opened the 2012 season with a 2-0 road victory over the Charlotte Eagles.  Dennis Chin put the Lions up early with a goal in the third minute and Sean Kelley, playing in place of the suspended Miguel Gallardo, saved a penalty kick late in the first half to preserve the victory.  Kevin Molino added an insurance goal just before the final whistle.
“Chinny” started the game off quickly for the lions. He slotted home the game’s first goal in the third minute from 15 yards out.  Chin was excpected to start on the bench but instead started in place of the injured Max Griffin.
The moment of the match came late in the first half.  Jorge Herrera was pulled down in the box, bringing City and goalkeeper Sean Kelley into a familiar position – a penalty kick.  As he did in the 2011 USL PRO Championship Game, Kelley stood firm and denied the strike by Herrera to keep the Lions ahead at the break.
The Orlando defense continued to hold its ground in the second half, fighting off attacks while sparking their own through the flank play of Luke Boden and Jerome Mechack.  Kevin Molino gave Orlando the insurance goal they were looking for, placing a low distance shot past Eagles Goalkeeper Eric Reed just before the final whistle.
The 2-0 victory puts City at the top of the USL PRO table after Week 1, based on goal differential.  Rival Charleston Battery is right behind Orlando on the strength of their 2-1 defeat of Richmond Kickers earlier in the evening.
Orlando City returns next week for the 2012 Home Opener on Sunday, April 15, against Wilmington Hammerheads.  Kickoff at the Florida Citrus Bowl is set for 6:00 p.m.  For tickets, call 855-ORL-CITY (855-675-2489) or visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com