Region I Finals this Weekend
SEVEN CHAMPIONS TO BE CROWNED
Region I will once again be hosted at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham, Pennsylvania with 19 sides competing for seven titles. Along with the five men finals, the weekend includes tournaments for the Women’s and Under-23 Championships.
Some teams started their journey to the finals as early as last September playing state qualifiers. In April the various state champions started at the quarterfinal rounds divided north and south in the Region. A few of our winners will advance to the USASA National Finals scheduled at the TBK Bank Complex in Bettendorf, Iowa between 4-6 August.
Our first title match features the Manhattan Celtic Masters of Eastern New York against Christos FC of Maryland for the Over-40 Cup. The Celtic arrived to the final defeating 2021 champion Fairfield GAC FC (CT) and Kel Kau Masters (MA) in penalty rounds. Christos went through 12 rounds of penalties to get by two-time finalist Renegades (MDCVA) and then edged Phoenix SC (EPA) 1:0 in the semifinal. The two sides meet Saturday evening at 5:00.
The second leg of our Saturday doubleheader will be the Amateur Cup for the Fritz Marth Trophy. Last season’s finalist and 2019 national champion Newtown Pride FC of Connecticut look continue their TST success of two weeks ago against newcomer Sure Sports FC of Maryland. Newtown made its way getting by NY Pancyprian Freedoms (ENY) and FC Omens (MA) in their norther bracket. Sure Sports upset veteran side West Chester United (EPA) in the quarters and then overcame last season’s Region champion NOVA FC (MDCVA). The winner receives a berth to the National Finals and a shot for an automatic place in the US Open Cup.
Sunday morning will be the inaugural championship in the Over-50 Cup for the Giacomo Testani Trophy. True Soccer of Massachusetts will battle it out against the Philly Bucks of Eastern Pennsylvania. The Region lost its Cup Director, Jack Testani, in April after battling cancer for many years. Jack was a stalwart in our soccer community serving not only the Region but for many decades in the Connecticut. This newest trophy is named in his honor.
We continue the tradition of the Werner Fricker Cup, the Amateur Open Championship that stemmed from the US Open Cup. National and Regional cup holder West Chester United of Eastern Pennsylvania after lifting the Hank Steinbrecher Trophy will face former champion Lansdowne Yonkers FC of Eastern New York. United beat Christos in their semifinal encounter while the Bhoys went through Loco Gunners (MA) and Vistula Garfield SC (NJ) to reach the final. The match will be at noon.
The last of our men’s finals will be the Gerhard Mengel Cup for the Over-30 Championship featuring NY Greek American of Eastern New York against Vereinigung Erzgebirge of Eastern Pennsylvania. The Greeks advanced by defeating Safira SC (MA) and Sportfriends Polonia SC (NJ) while VE posted victories against NOVA FC (MDCVA) and Tartan Devils (PAW).
Once again, the Region is hosting the Women’s Championship. Two-time defending champion Sidekicks FC of Massachusetts will battle it out against HVAA Pride of Eastern Pennsylvania and Rochester Lazers of Western New York. After group play on Saturday, the final will take pace Sunday morning at 10:00.
We also will conduct our successful Men Under-23 Championship for the Gus Xikis Trophy that features nine teams that will seek semifinal places for Sunday morning. The final will be at 1:00 on Sunday.
All our finals can be seen live on the New Logical YouTube channel. Go to our link for finals.
