2020 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying: Opposites Attract in the Third Round

Regional Qualifying for the 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer’s National Championship, continues this weekend with 12 third round qualification games across 10 states on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-24. Two-time Open Cup champions New York Pancyprian-Freedoms go to New England to take on Brockton FC United, while Michigan-based Livonia FC travels 1,180 miles south to take on Louisiana Krewe FC, and Oxnard Guerreros FC host Cal FC at Del Sol Stadium in Southern California.

EAST REGION: An Old Champ Up Against Boston’s New Challenger

Not so long ago, New York Pancyprian-Freedoms was the most prolific club in the United States. A legitimate North American power and the 1980, ’82 and ’83 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions, the Queens, N.Y.-based club has a history of attracting former professionals and have qualified, or attempted to qualify, for the Open Cup every year since 1975.

At Memorial Stadium in Everett, Ma. on Sunday, the Cosmopolitan League (USASA) co-founders take a step toward a return to the spotlight against Brockton FC United.

“We’re very proud of our history. We’re a well-known club, we travel well, and everybody knows us, so that means everyone is gunning for us. Everybody knows the club, and everybody comes ready to play,” said George Halkidis, general manager of New York Pancyprian Freedoms. “We like this competition. It’s tough getting out of New York but once we get out of New York we like to go as far as we can. I think we’ll be successful and be in the Lamar Hunt First Round come spring. We’re optimistic.”

Elsewhere in the East Region, Vereinigung Erzgebirge hosts high-scoring West Chester United on Sunday afternoon in Warminster, Pa., while on Sunday night Christos FC hosts Steel FC at North County High School in Glen Burnie, Md., and CD Huateras welcomes Virginia United to Woodbridge, Va.’s Howiston Homestead Soccer Complex.

East Region Schedule

* Time changed Nov. 19

CENTRAL REGION: Michigan’s Top Amateurs Make Another Big Trip

Livonia City FC may be the last amateur club from Michigan participating in local qualifying for the 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but “We’re the last team from the Midwest,” club president Craig Beebe said.

The reigning Michigan Premier Soccer League (USASA) open division champions, Livonia City FC continue their most successful calendar year to date when they travel to Louisiana Krewe FC at St. Thomas More Catholic High School on Saturday night.

“’Representing the Midwest, is what we keep saying because we don’t even know what happened in this region. After Michigan, the Midwest didn’t have anywhere else to go,” Beebe said. “We’re kind of unique in the sense that this is the seventh or eighth state we’ll have traveled to (since 2015). The guys just love soccer, so it’s not that hard to convince them to go here or there. We can travel anywhere to play. We don’t care about the travel.”

Livonia City FC advanced to the third round of qualifying last year and is currently 4-0-1 all-time in Open Cup qualifying round games.

The other three Central Region games are also on Saturday, with Nashville United traveling to play Soda City FC at Ben Lippen High School in Columbia, S.C., and a pair of unofficial state title games as Miami United FC U23 hosts Hurricane FC at Kendall Soccer Park in Miami, and NTX Rayados welcomes Celtic Cowboys Premier in Balch Springs, Texas.

Central Region Schedule

*Venue changed Nov. 22

WEST REGION: Oxnard Guerreros Embracing Long-Awaited Matchup

If you live anywhere close to ‘The 805’ – that’s mostly San Luis Obispo County – then you’ll have already seen the fliers for the biggest game in the history of Oxnard, Calif.’s Del Sol Stadium on Saturday night.

“This is the fans’ favorite tournament, so we’re expecting a big crowd and great game. We’ve advertised the heck out of it around town and done a lot of things to promote the game. We think the fans are going to come out in numbers,” said Ty Otto, Owner of Oxnard Guerreros FC. “Michael Friedman and I have spoken about making this a neighborhood rivalry, a cool rivalry, and this’ll be a great way to start it off. They’re definitely going to give us a run for our money but we’re not afraid of them. We’re ready for this challenge.”

Oxnard Guerreros FC is currently one point from fourth-place Cal FC through 10 games in the 12-game UPSL SoCal North Division 1 2019 Fall Season. Guerreros FC will against host Cal FC in the UPSL regular-season finale on Saturday, Nov. 30.

San Diego County hosts the other Southern California open qualifier as L.A. Monsters FC travels to play Chula Vista FC at Terra Nova Park.

In Colorado, San Francisco-based Olympic Club crosses the Rocky Mountains to play Azteca FC in Aurora, Colo. Public Schools Stadium on Saturday, while FC Boulder Harpos hosts Colorado Rovers at Boulder Fairview High School on Sunday.

West Region Schedule

* Time changed Oct. 31