Tomorrow is the day. Another date with destiny.
After two weeks of solid preparation, Doxa head to Seattle to play the Sounders U23 team in round #1 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It has been a year of highs for this Doxa team, who went into Regional qualifiers on a 12 month unbeaten streak. An unbeaten CSL season coupled with a run to the final of the CSL cup had an air of confidence in the squad. Thanks to a solid 2-1 win over Cal FC and a dominating 7-0 win over San Fransisco FC, Doxa secured a spot in the prestigious tournament.
Of the starting squad that played in Doxa’s only previous US Open cup game (in 2011 vs Ventura County Fusion), 9 players are still involved in the current 22 man squad. Bryan Byrne was the goal scorer on that day, and he currently leads the team in goals for the 2013 season with 28 in 17 games and got both goals in the vital win vs Cal FC.
“What separates us from other amateur teams is our ability to play as a unit. We don’t have a stand out player, it is simply a combination that sticks together and works for each other.” said Byrne. “We have been given the unique opportunity to again play in the US Open Cup and you really don’t if you will ever get that again – it is win or go home time!” Byrne is the one player currently on the squad with US Open Cup experience, having been part of the New England Revolution that won the tournament in 2007.
Sounders FC U-23 (PDL) vs Doxa Italia (USASA) 7pm at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium. Those interested in updates, we will have them on our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.
