The US Open Cup begins tomorrow, Wednesday May 9, with a battle of Arizona’s top semi-professional teams. Upstart SportingAZ FC faces a formerly dominant FC Arizona in its sophomore campaign at John D. Riggs Stadium on the campus of Mesa Community College at 7 pm.
Officially known as the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, this nationwide tournament is an officially sanctioned event of the United States Soccer Federation, and has been played since 1914. The 2018 edition will consist of 94 teams from all levels of US Soccer. Early round participants qualify through success within their leagues or through qualifying matches. This year, a special rule was instituted in order to include qualifying teams who have transitioned from the defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) to other leagues.
FC Arizona, owned by Scott Taylor, by virtue of winning the Soutwest Division of the NPSL Western Conference, is an automatic qualifier. The 2017 Red Lions went undefeated in regular season play, but were finally stopped in a round 2 playoff loss against the Orange County Soccer Club.
The 2018 squad has not been quite as dominant, and arrives at the US Open Cup with a 2-3-2 record, with a -2 goal differential in league play. The squad is led by Arizona native Cesar Mexia*. The forward garnered national honors this season when he was named National Player of the Week after scoring a hat-trick on March 24 against ASC San Diego. Mexia was the team scoring leader in 2017, and has continued his prolific play in 2018. Mexia also played a key role in the open qualifying round for Sporting AZ FC before re-signing with FC Arizona. Look also for Irish midfielder Lee Lynch. The 26-year-old footballer played at the highest level of Irish soccer for the famed Limerick Football Club.
*Updated: Cesar Mexia, and three other FC Arizona players, are ‘Cup Tied,’ and are therefore ineligible to participate in the US Open Cup for FC Arizona.
Formerly the Arizona Sahuaros of the MPSL (now NPSL), the team was revived and rebranded as Sporting AZ FC just in time to earn a spot in this year’s US Open Cup by winning the local qualifying tournament. Sporting AZ FC currently sits at the top of the USPL Southwestern Conference with a 4-1-0 record.
The team, also known as the Griffins, is captained by former San Jose Earthquake keeper Andrew Weber. At the top of the formation, Costa Rican striker Alejandro Aguilar is coming off a two-goal performance against divisional rival, MSC United. Adding intrigue to the match, Weber, and several other Sporting AZ players, were part of the undefeated 2017 FC Arizona squad. The players followed former FCAZ coach Aidan Davidson to the team at the conclusion of the FC Arizona inaugural season.
When asked about the upcoming match with his former club, Weber said “I think everyone’s starting to gel. Everyone did what they’re good at. (Jon) Guse and Mo (Salama) are both very good on the ball with their feet, Noel (Castillo) was doing well switching the ball, Alejandro (Aguilar). Everyone was playing together.”
Tomorrow’s match is a huge step forward for Arizona soccer. The winner not only gets bragging rights within the semi-pro leagues, but will play host to the 2nd round match against Phoenix Rising FC on Wednesday, May 16.
US Open Cup – Round 1
Location: John D. Riggs Stadium – Mesa Community College – 1833 W Southern Avenue, Mesa AZ (Click for Map)
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: $17 (At gate)
Watch: MyCujoo.tv
