Westchester Flames Look for First Open Cup Win

(New Rochelle, NY, May 13, 2004) - With last week's loss to Western Mass, the Westchester Flames seemed virtually out of contention for the U.S. Open Cup. However, a small glimmer of hope still remains. With a win on Saturday, 5:30 p.m. at City Park, New Rochelle, versus the Long Island Rough Riders, and a few other qualifying matches going their way, the Flames could advance into the tournament for the first time in team history. Qualifying for this tournament has always been a goal for this team, and 2004 is no exception.

Member of the 2001 Championship team, defender Frank Gizzo says, "We're due for a win, and what a better way than for it to count towards Open Cup qualifying. People don't realize the importance of this tournament. The opportunity to play a team in a higher division is a huge honor. We're all hoping the math works to our favor."

Dating back to 1914, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States, the annual U.S. Open Cup is an 89-year-old single-elimination tournament.

In a nutshell, the U.S. Open Cup is very similar to domestic cup competitions popular throughout Europe, South America and the rest of the world. Cup competitions, which usually run concurrent with a country's league season, are open in the early stages to any club that can qualify, giving local amateur teams a chance to compete against the best teams a country has to offer.

The winner of each country's domestic cup competition, in addition to taking home the prize money, is automatically placed into a tournament to compete against neighboring countries cup winners. In Europe this tournament is known as the Cup Winners' Cup competition, and in North and Central America it is the CONCACAF Cup Winners' Cup, which was first competed in 1992.

Making the task especially difficult on Saturday is the ankle injury to key midfielder Alex Tobon Villa. Taken down near the end of the Pioneers game, Tobon Villa was assisted off the field. It will be a game day decision if he will play. Gizzo received a knee contusion in the same game, but is ready to play.

In other news, defender Laurence Piturro was named to USL's Pro Soccer League Team of the Week for Week 4. This is the third consecutive week that a Flames' player has been so honored.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 16. Group rates are available. For more information, call 888-W-FLAMES (935-2637). Flames merchandise will be available for sale at the field.

05/13/2004