Eagles look to outwork Reading in Open Cup opener

By Ralph Chery

May 9th, 2017

Clarkstown SC Eagles defensive midfielder Panayiotis Onisiforou. Clakstown SC Eagles Images

Clarkstown Eagles start their 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup with a trip to Pennsylvania to take on PDL side Reading United on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Exeter Township Senior High School.

Reading currently holds the record for the most consecutive Open Cup appearances as an amateur side, having qualified for the competition from 2009 to now; when this year is the Eagles’ second appearance in the tournament.

2016 All-NPSL defender Christopher Riordan understands how strong their opponents are and shares what it will take to defeat them.

“I’d imagine they are a good team, having qualified for the U.S open cup. So it will most likely be a challenging game,” Riordan said. “To win the game, we will have to play hard and outwork them tactically, stay attentive and not make any costly errors, finish the chances we get on goal, and also hopefully have a little bit of luck.”

Former professional Greek side AEK Athens signing, Andreas Chronis, finds delight in the opportunity the team has to compete against the prominent clubs the Open Cup has to offer.

“On a personal note, competing in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup is an opportunity to face some of the toughest opponents I have faced in a long time,” Chronis said.

“I stopped playing professional soccer close to 6 years ago, and because I am still extremely competitive, getting a chance to play against the best players on a national level is something that I look forward to and welcome.”

He later added: “For many of us older players that have played professionally, this is a chance to reminisce; for many of our younger players, an opportunity to showcase their talent.”

Clarkstown qualified for the Open Cup by topping the Keystone Conference in the NPSL last season with a 10-1-1 record. 

Clarkstown Eagles defending in the NPSL last season. Clarkstown SC Eagles Images

They were eliminated in the first round last year as they fell to Jersey Express 2-1. Express netted two spot kicks in 22^nd and the 55^th minute before Clarkstown reduced their lead through Bljedi Bardic.

“Last year is all in the past and we’re not really dwelling on it,” Riordan said. “This is a new team and a new year and we hope to write a new chapter in our history. So hopefully this year we will advance past the first round and potentially well beyond that.”

Clarkstown enters this edition of the Open Cup with a revitalized roster made of F.C Motown, Cedar Stars Academy and NY Greek Americans players.

Head coach Oliver Papraniku noted that despite bringing players from different teams together it won’t be hard to build chemistry. Indeed the rejuvenated team won its last game against Long Island Rough Riders 3-2.

NY Greeks are fighting Cedar Stars in the CSL for the last playoff position. Chronis, who plays for CSA, expressed that the Cedar and the NY Greeks players teaming up together is not a troublesome matter.

“Playing with players from NYGA is not a problem because we have been teammates before, as we will be opponents again,” the midfielder said. “There is no awkwardness or tension during practice from anyone.

“Actually, signing players from NYGA while they fight for our playoff spot makes some interesting banter during practice, but all the players know that a good turnout in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup is at the top of our agenda, along with winning the CSL.” 

Reading qualified for the Open Cup by winning the PDL Mid-Atlantic division with a 10-1-3 record.

They were knocked out of the tournament in the second round last year by NPSL team Chattanooga FC 4-1 in penalty kicks (0-0 FT). Reading’s best run the Open Cup was in 2013 when they lost to the New York Red Bulls 2-0 in the third round.

The Pennsylvanian club owns a 5-2 record at home in the Open Cup and hasn’t lost an opening game in five years.  

"We are playing a great organization [Reading United] at their home so it will be a tough game,” coach Papraniku said. “We will work hard to win and show that we belong in this prestigious cup." 

Players to watch

Clarkstown Eagles-- Stephen Roche (CM/ FWD): played professionally in Ireland with U.C.D from 2009 to 2010. Captained CSL side Lansdowne Bhoys when they made it to the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup last year.

Reading United-- Frantzdy Pierrot (FWD): member of the Haiti international team. Made the 2016 All-Sun Belt first team with Coastal University. Netted four goals and racked four assists in 13 games last year.

Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup all-time record

Clarkstown Eagles: 0-0-1

Reading United: 6-9-1