Philadelphia Lone Star FC

EPSA Open Cup Final Preview: West Chester United vs. Junior Lone Star

Competition: Eastern Pennsylvania State Open Cup Final
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2014
Time: 2 pm
Venue: West Chester United SC Turf Field (601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19382)
Text Commentary: Follow the action on Junior Lone Star’s Twitter ( @Juniorlonestar ) or Facebook page.
Video Highlights: Match Highlights of the game are available from midnight on match day. You can watch highlights of the game by subscribing to Junior Lone Star’s YouTube channel.
Website: Check Junior Lone Star’s website for in-depth coverage after the game which includes match report, player stats, and a gallery of photos.

Form guide

West Chester United have had a very poor run in the First Phase of the 2014/2015 United Soccer League of Pennsylvania (USLPA) season. United presently sit second from the bottom in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania standings with only six points in nine league games. United’s only win of the league season came in the season opener in early September at home to Danubia SC with a 4-3 score line. United’s most recent match in the league was a 2-2 tie away to Danubia SC on November 9.

However, United have been impressive in the EPSA Open Cup competition thus far.

Junior Lone Star FC, on the other hand, finished as runners-up in the just ended Philadelphia Sierra Soccer League (PSSL) season. In the title match on November 19, the Stars lost to eventual champions Intare FC 6-2 in Philadelphia.

However, like West Chester, the Stars have so far been impressive in the EPSA Open Cup competition.

Previous Meeting

While the Stars and United have never met in a senior competitive match, they met at the U-23 level in 2008 when the Stars U23s defeated United U23s 2-0 in the 2008 USASA Region I U-23 semifinals. The Stars U-23s went on to be crowned the USASA Region I U-23 Champions after defeating FC Delco 5-3 in penalties in the final. The Stars U-23s then went on to represent USASA Region I at the 2008 USASA U23 Nationals in Seattle where they lost to eventual U-23 National Champions Ela Elite, 3-0, in the semifinals.

Trivia

Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s match, history will definitely be made.

Junior Lone Star FC have never won the EPSA Open Cup. The Stars’ first entry into the EPSA Open Cup was during the 2010-2011 season when they were eliminated in the first qualifying round, losing 1-0 away to Vereinigung Erzgebirge Majors. The Stars were eliminated again in the first qualifying round during the 2011-2012 season when they lost 1-0 away to West Chester U-30s. The Stars improved in the 2012-2013 season when they reached the quarterfinals where they were defeated 3-0 by the United German Hungarians. The Stars then took a break from Cup competitions last season before returning this season.

West Chester United will be looking for their fourth successive EPSA Open Cup title, and a win on Sunday will see United equal the record set by the United German Hungarians during the 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000 EPSA Open Cups. United won their first EPSA Open Cup title during the 2011-2012 season when they defeated Salone FC, 1-0. In the 2012-2013 season, they defeated the United German HungariansMajors 3-1, while last season, they defeated Vereinigung Erzgebirge Majors 4-2 to earn their three-peat.

Road to the 2014/2015 EPSA Open Cup Final

EPSA Open Cup Fixtures — First Round — Sunday, October 19, 2 pm
Quakertown FC (ICSL) 0-3 Junior Lone Star FC (PSSL)
*West Chester United SC had a first round bye as reigning champions

EPSA Open Cup Fixtures — Quarter Finals — Sunday, November 2, 2 pm
West Chester United SC (USLPA) 4-1 UGH Reserves (ICSL)
VE Majors (USLPA) 2-3 Junior Lone Star FC (PSSL)

EPSA Open Cup Fixtures — Semi Finals — Sunday, November 16,  2 pm
West Chester United SC (USLPA) 1-0 (AET) UGH Majors (USLPA)
Ukrainian Nationals (USLPA) 1-2 Junior Lone Star FC (PSSL)

EPSA Open Cup Fixtures — Final — Sunday, December 7, 2 pm
West Chester United SC (USLPA) vs. Junior Lone Star FC (PSSL)

The winner from Sunday’s final will go on to represent the EPSA at the 2014-2015 USASA Region I Competition which starts in the Spring. The champions from the USASA Region I Final automatically qualify for the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Past Eastern PA Open Cup champions:
1996/1997: United German Hungarians
1997/1998: United German Hungarians
1998/1999: United German Hungarians*
1999/2000: United German Hungarians
2000/2001: DiPasquale’s
2001/2002: Vereinigung Erzgebirge*
2002/2003: Ukrainian Nationals
2003/2004: Lighthouse SC
2004/2005: Ukrainian Nationals
2005/2006: Ukrainian Nationals
2006/2007: Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Runner-up Ukrainian Nationals also qualified for Region I Finals)
2007/2008: United German Hungarians
2008/2009: Vereinigung Erzgebirge
2009/2010: Phoenix SC
2010/2011: Phoenix SC*
2011/2012: West Chester United Predators
2012/2013: West Chester United Predators
2013/2014: West Chester United Predators

* Qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

2 Comments

  1. nice little club in West Philly………Good luck JLS!

    • Lone Star play quick. Interesting to see/hear how WCU copes with the upstarts.
      .
      Take a 3,4,6,8 year old to watch them play and your kids are starry eyed chasing down a ball out of bounds. Up close. Build the dream any way imaginable.

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