South Jersey Soccer: Barons Open Cup Opponents The NY Greek Americans (Atlas) Part of the History of the US Open Cup Monday, June 13, 2005 By Paul O'Donnell Ocean City Barons Correspondent On Wednesday, June 15, the Barons travel to Jamaica, NY to face the NY Greek Americans in US Open Cup 1st Round action. A Barons victory over the USASA side would likely see a higher division opponent come to Ocean City for the 2nd round which is to be played on June 29. “New York City teams have appeared in 37 finals and have come away with 25 victories.” “In the 1950s New York teams won three finals and dropped one, while they were a perfect 5-for-5 in the 1960s. The great run in the 1960s was capped by the New York Greek-Americans who won three consecutive titles from 1967 to 1969.” (from USOpenCup.com) Well done to the NY Greek-Americans! Three consecutive US Open Cups. Terrific stuff. Few clubs have won it more than once let alone three in a row. That being the case, it is also true that no US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) team has done very well since the inception of United Soccer Leagues and Major League Soccer. In fact, only one non-MLS team has won the Open Cup since MLS began in 1996, and that was the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1999. Last season the USL Div I Charleston Battery advanced to the semi-finals (losing in double OT 1-0 to the MLS Chicago Fire). The last USASA club to win the US Open Cup was the San Francisco Greek-Americans in 1994. The Ocean City Barons also have history on their side in Open Cup action versus USASA sides. In 2004, the Barons defeated the USASA regional winner (Allied SC from Baltimore) handily, 5-0 at Winslow. It really wasn't that close. And, the NY Greek Americans also were disposed of readily in the 1st round in 2004 by Cape Cod 4-1. In 2002, the Barons also shutout their USASA opponents (Vereinigung Erzgebirge from Doylestown, Pa) this time by a 4-0 scoreline. In US Open Cup action, the Barons have never conceded a goal to a USASA team. The Barons enter the 1st round in good form being undefeated in their last four (3-0-1) and are on top of the division. The wins have also been against their primary challengers for the division lead; Vermont, Cape Cod, and Reading and last night's draw also with the Rage. The Barons back line has been solid throughout and also contribute to the attack with overlapping runs from Brocker and Greenawalt as well as the long balls out of the back on a timely basis by Williams and Thompson. The middies have been terrific in the gritty battle and step into the attack when the opportunity presents itself to add numbers in the final third. Up front the play of Mingo and Carmichael keeps the opponents defense under constant pressure and both are among the leading scorers in the PDL. The strength in the attack has been made even more threatening to the opposition with the play of Donatelli, Todd, Williamson, Heins, Sternberger and Franks. On the road or not, the Barons have been in good form over the last month. We look forward to seeing that continue on Wednesday in the Open Cup.