Two of the best amateur sides in the country meet in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup final, in search of their first ever Region I Amateur Cup silverware.
Hopefully Lansdowne Bhoys F.C. saved some champagne after winning their league, the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, last Sunday in case they triumph over Christos F.C. in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup this Sunday at the Ukrainian American Sports Center in Horsham, Philadelphia.
The Bhoys defeated Southie F.C. 4-1 in the semifinal at home on April 30th. To add to their Amateur Cup prowess, Austin Friel's went undefeated in the CSL this season and made it to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Irish-based club's midfielder Ovan Oakley expresses that Lansdowne is reminiscing on their recent success to build confidence against Christos.
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| Lansdowne Bhoys during the CSL final last Sunday. Lansdowne Bhoys Images |
"We're definitely looking for the win [against Christos F.C.]," Oakley said after the CSL championship game last Sunday, "the guys are buzzing right now, we had an extremely positive season so we're just going to build of that confidence going into that game."
Although the CSL side is one of the most prolific amateur club in the country, they never won the Region I Amateur Cup. The furthest they've made it is the semifinal in 2013-14.
Christos F.C. might want to go double when they purchase the champagne, as they're scheduled for two finals on Sunday: the Werner Fricker Open Cup against FC Motown at 11 a.m. and the US Amateur Cup five hours later.
It's not the first time Christos manager Bryan Bugarin has two finals in one day. "Yes, two games is definitely tough," coach Bugarin admitted, "but I actually have a little experience with it from two years ago when I coached my Maryland Bays team in both finals as well.
"We actually won the Werner Fricker Open Cup National title that year in Salt Lake City."
Some of the Maryland Bays players from then are current Christos players. Together with coach Bugarin, they competed in three national titles, winning one, the Werner Fricker Open Cup in 2014.
With such an experienced and familiar lineup, coach Bugarin is poised that his team will overcome the Irish giants, unless something goes wrong in the earlier final.
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| Christos F.C. after winning the Mayland Major Soccer League in the Fall. Christos F.C. Images |
"I think the key to success is just to get through our Open Cup final in the morning with as little fatigue factor as possible and hopefully with no injuries as well," the manager said.
As well as their opponents, this is Christos' first appearance in the final.
Christos F.C. vs Lansdowne Bhoys stats:
- Christos FC hasn't played a game in 49 days, Lansdowne played seven games since then.
- Christos has a 24-0-1 overall record this season. Lansdowne has a 28-3-3 overall record this season.
- The Bohys haven't conceded a goal in their last three games against amateur teams. Christos conceded five.
- Both teams won and went undefeated in their leagues.
Region I Amateur Cup stats:
Christos F.C. (6 games)
Goals scored: 24
Goals conceded: 10
Lansdowne Bhoys (5 games)
Goals scored: 13
Goals conceded: 2
Last five matches:
Christos FC (W,W,W,W,W)
3-23-16: Christos FC 2-0 ASA Charm City
4-3-16: Christos FC 2-1 Jersey Shore Boca
4-10-16: FC Yemen 0-3 Christos FC
4-17-16: Dulles Cannons 2-7 Christos FC
5-1-16: Phoenix Sport Club 2-3 Christos FC
Lansdowne Bhoys (W,W,L,W,W)
5-22-16: Everton FC Westchester Eagles 1-5 Lansdowne Bhoys
5-26-16: NY Pancyprian Freedoms 0-2 Lansdowne Bhoys
6-1-16: Rochester Rhinos 2-0 Lansdowne Bhoys
6-5-16: Lansdowne Bhoys 4-0 NY Athletic Club
6-12-16: Lansdowne Bhoys 3-0 Everton FC Westchester Eagles
Players to watch:
Lansdowne Bhoys
Ovan Oakley scored two goals in the CSL final last Sunday. Goalkeeper Danso Abdoukarim haven't conceded a goal in three games.
Christos FC
Forward Pete Caringi III played in the United Soccer League with the Oklahoma City Energy in 2014. Zach Bowman is a former Major Arena Soccer League player with the Detroit Waza Flow.
Sources: Maryland Major League Soccer Archive.
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