Minnesota has 2 Teams in USASA Region II Draw to Gain Entry to US Open Cup
Eric Anderson of Madison Soccer Central and writing for the US Open Cup site The Cup.us is reporting that the draw for the USASA Region II Open Cup tournament is set. Anderson reports that eight amateur sides will be looking to win 2 berths into the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Newcomer Fire SC ‘00 is playing as the Minnesota representative, and travels to AAC Eagles, who ended RWB Adria’s three-year run as Illinois state champion. AAC Eagles, however, qualified for the 2008 Open Cup — along with Adria — after being the state runners-up. The Fire, as the name would suggest, were founded in 2000 and compete in the Minnesota Amateur Soccer League where they are the two-time defending league champions.
One interesting first-round game pits the St. Paul Twin Stars, the two-time defending National Premier Soccer League Midwest Region champions, but a first-time entry in this tournament, against 402 Academy. The Nebraska team advanced to the Open Cup last year in its first attempt, falling to the Minnesota Thunder 3-2 in the first round.
Fans from last year’s US Open Cup will remember that the team from Nebraska didn’t have a name so they uniquely named themselves after their telephone area code. Last year’s 402 gave the Thunder a difficult time even though the pro team dominated the game. A former Minnesota Thunder and MPL player Johnny Torres played for 402 as did a current Stars player Andrei Gotsmanov. Torres gave the back line of the Thunder fits all night. In the end the Thunder prevailed with a win.
Scheduled games for Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifications for Region II
Saturday, May 1
(All games at 2 p.m. CT)
Detroit United or Ann Arbor United (Michigan) at Milwaukee Kickers (Wisconsin)
Fire SC ‘00 (Minnesota) at AAC Eagles (Illinois)
St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL Midwest) at 402 Academy (Nebraska)
KS Athletics (Kansas) at Des Moines Menace USASA (Iowa)
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