The United States Adult Soccer Association concluded its National Cup Finals with winners declared for the 2013 Men’s US Open, Amateur, Over-30 & Under-23 Cups.
The competition took part at the STAR Complex in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend of 19 July. More than 200 teams from among member state associations of the four USASA regions around the country qualified through state and regional rounds to reach the final.
In the US Over-30 Cup, Christos FC of Maryland (Region I) successfully kept possession of the Gerhard Mengel Cup. It started with a 4-2 semifinal win over FC Corona of Kansas (Region II) despite falling behind on an early goal. In the other semifinal, the Region IV’s Nomads FC (California South) easily defeated Kickers FC O-30 (Florida/Region III) 4-1.
Christos started the title match in the same fashion, giving up an early goal to the Nomads but finished once again with a 4-2 victory to become the fifth side to repeat in the Over-30 championship.
RWB Adria of Illinois (Region II) showed their nine lives over the weekend in its attempt to take home the cup double in the US Open & Amateur Cups.
In the Amateur semifinal against NY Greek American Atlas (Eastern New York/Region I), Adria took a first half lead to only give it up in the final minutes. A 2-1 edge in extra time put them into the final against the ASC New Stars of Texas South (Region III), who advanced in penalty rounds after drawing 2-2 against Lazio FC (California North/Region IV).
The final saw the Stars take the lead 1-0, which they held to the final minutes. A penalty call in favor of the Chicago side put the match into extra time. It appeared to be ready to go to a penalty kick shootout, but another last minute penalty call gave Adria the Amateur title.
Adria looked to repeat their good fortune in the US Open Cup. If successful, Adria would become the fifth side in US Soccer history to accomplish this unique double.
The semifinal against New Jersey’s Icon FC (Region I) was settled in regular time, 5-2. In the other semifinal, Rayados (North Texas/Region III) battled PSA Elite of California South (Region IV) 2-2 and won on a shootout.
The final was a back and forth affair ending in another 2-2 tie. In the first extra time period, Rayados spoiled Adria’s attempt at the double and were able to hold on 3-2 to take the US Open Cup.
The US Under-23 Cup final was won by the 2012 defending champion Railhawks of North Carolina (Region III).
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