EPSA Cup champs

Phoenix SC scored in overtime Sunday to defeat United German Hungarians 2-1 and claim the EPSA Open Cup. 

Kamara Freebolle and Jack Pocorobba both netted for Phoenix, which now lays claim to the title of best amateur soccer team in eastern Pennsylvania. Tim O’Neill scored UGH’s lone goal. 

The two teams played despite an afternoon downpour in 40-degree weather that slicked the field in Plymouth Meeting. (They were originally scheduled to play Dec. 6, but that was postponed due to snow.) That may have driven away some fans, but it didn’t drive away the two storied local soccer clubs that were competing for the right to move on into the U.S. Open Cup qualifiers. 

UGH has made it to the U.S. Open Cup finals twice, in 1977 and 1993 (prior to Major League Soccer teams joining the tourney), but Phoenix SC never has. The climb is tougher these days due to the presence of professional teams from MLS and the United Soccer Leagues, but amateur teams are guaranteed spots in the cup and have progressed far enough to make an impact. Locally, the amateur Ocean City Barons of the USL Premier Development League made it to the third round last year before losing to eventual finalist D.C. United. 

Thanks to Matt, one of our readers, for the heads-up on the game result. I know I wanted to watch the game, but that weather today was just nasty so I let myself get dragged away for other things in Center City. (My Brazilian wife preferred brunch at an Irish restaurant, while this Irish-American wanted soccer in freezing rain. Go figure.) Knowing the match went to overtime, I’m kind of annoyed at myself for not heading over to catch a close finish like this one had.