This Saturday, Minneapolis City will host fellow Premier League of America side Oakland County in the second qualifying round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Both clubs are competing in Open Cup qualifying for the first time in their young histories.
Premier League of America
The two teams did not face one another this summer, as only the top-two teams from the PLA’s East and West divisions meet in the playoffs. Both teams made use of college players to build their rosters this past summer — college players who have since returned to school ― and while each team’s Open Cup rosters have seen some turnover, it is worth noting Saturday’s opponents turned in very comparable PLA campaigns this past season.
| Club | Finish | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
| OCFC | 4th (East) | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 14 |
| MCSC | 3rd (West) | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 15 | Even | 13 |
Roster Construction
Efforts to fill their Open Cup rosters led both clubs to look towards their respective PLA divisional opponents for players. Oakland Country recruited midfielder/forward Kyle Breitmeyer from Toledo United and midfielder Joey Tinnion from Carpathia FC, both of whom were selected to the PLA East Division Team of the Year this past season.
Minneapolis City brought in a number of players from local rival Minnesota United Reserves’ 2016 PLA roster: defender Charlie Adams, winger Abbai Habte, midfielder Miles Stockman-Willis, midfielder Martin Browne, and midfielder/forward Whitney Browne (related).
County retained the services of all three of its East Division Team of the Year members with goal keeper Nathan Steinwascher, and midfielders Danny Dragoi and Shawn Sloan all on its Open Cup roster.
Familiar faces for City fans include a pair of PLA West Division Team of the Year members in goal keeper Matt Elder and creative midfielder Ben Wexler. Holding midfielder A.J. Albers, forward Tim Willis, defender Emmanuel Brown and defender Brian Chapman (who also spent time with Minnesota United Reserves last season) are also back in the fold for the Crows.
Sporting director Jon Bisswurm — handling head coaching duties for City’s Open Cup run — shared his thoughts about building a roster for the single-elimination tournament with FiftyFive.One last month. Bisswurm identified defender Joey Gustafson — who played with FC Duluth in the American Primer League this past summer — and the aforementioned Martin Browne as two newly-added City players for whom to pay attention.
Path to the Second Round
City was awarded a bye and did not take part in the first qualifying round. County advanced by defeating men’s amateur side Ann Arbor FC 3-1 on September 18th.
County made use of a 4-3-2-1 “Christmas tree” formation. Steinwascher started in goal behind right back Mike Pugh, the center back pairing of Jamie Foxwell and Jeremy Stoychoff, and left back Ryan Messick. Theo Foutris sat in front of County’s back line, with the captain Sloan to his right and Mikel Alia to his left. Dragoi and Julian Birge operated as dual attacking midfielders behind center forward Joey Tinnion.
County made use of a high press in the early going against Ann Arbor. Bridge opened the scoring in the 21st minute, volleying a cross from Dragoi. That 1-0 scoreline held for the remainder of the first half.
Substitutes Kevin Pinkos (65′) and Breitmeyer (71′) kept fresh legs on County’s wings, and Breitmeyer would double County’s lead shortly after his introduction, flicking a cross from Tinnon into Ann Arbor’s goal.
Ann Arbor managed to get on the scoreboard in the 75th minute thanks to a deflected shot that went wide of an outstretched Steinwascher. County countered by introducing defender Kevin Gill in the 76th minute to help protect its lead.
County put the game to bed eight minutes later, as Tinnon played Sloan in on goal and the captain finished his one-on-one.
Details
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM this Saturday at the National Sports Center’s main stadium, in Blaine. Tickets are available via Minneapolis City’s website, as well at the gate.
Minneapolis City’s supporters group the Citizens are encouraging those in attendance to Class Up the Cup, and wear their finest attire to the game.
The winner of Saturday’s game will progress to the third qualifying round and will play either on November 19th or 20th against an opponent to be determined.
Gameday Rosters
Minneapolis City
| Player | Pos. | Recent Club |
| Matt Elder | G | Minneapolis City |
| James Neher | G | Stegman’s |
| Evan Wright | D | Stegman’s |
| Charlie Adams | D | MNUFC Reserves |
| Joey Gustafson | D | FC Duluth |
| Emmanuel Brown | D | Minneapolis City |
| Landy Mattison | D | Stegman’s |
| Brian Chapman | D | MNUFC Reserves |
| Miles Stockman-Willis | M | MNUFC Reserves |
| Ben Wexler | M | Minneapolis City |
| A.J. Albers | M | Minneapolis City |
| Tom Corcoran | M | FC Duluth |
| Chase Carey | M | Cardinals FC |
| Martin Browne | M | MNUFC Reserves |
| Whitney Browne | M | MNUFC Reserves |
| Abbai Habte | M | MNUFC Reserves |
| K.P. Toure | F | Persik Kediri |
| Tim Willis | F | Minneapolis City |
Oakland County (Provisional)
| Player | Pos. | Recent Club |
| Vito Lonigro | G | Oakland County |
| Nathan Steinwascher | G | Oakland County |
| Mike Pugh | D | Oakland County |
| Jamie Foxwell | D | Oakland County |
| Jacob Prud’homme | D | Lansing United |
| Ryan Messick | D | Oakland County |
| Jeremy Stoychoff | D | Michigan Sporting |
| Kevin Gill | D | Oakland County |
| Moussa Diallo | D | Oakland County |
| Nicolino Morana | D | Oakland County |
| Brent Schmid | M | Oakland County |
| Theo Foutris | M | Oakland County |
| George Chomakov | M | Detroit City |
| Danny Dragoi | M | Oakland County |
| Joe Beshara | M | Oakland County |
| Shawn Sloan | M | Oakland County |
| Kevin Pinkos | M | Oakland County |
| Mikel Alia | M | San Marino |
| Julian Birge | M | San Marino |
| Kyle Breitmeyer | M | Toledo United |
| Joey Tinnion | F | Carpathia FC |
| Nik Djokic | F | Michigan Sporting |
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