Ocean City Nor'easters To Compete In Country's Most Prestigious Soccer Tournament

OCEAN CITY, NJ — For the first time since 2014, the Ocean City Nor’easters men’s soccer team will participate in the most prestigious soccer tournament in the United States.

The Nor’easters are one of a Modern Era record 99 teams that will compete in the 104th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the team announced Thursday morning.

Of the teams that qualified, 21 came from the Premier Development League (PDL). Ocean City was 9-5-0 in the regular season last year, and won the Eastern Conference championship, paving the way for their inclusion in this year’s competition.

Modeled after England's FA Cup, the US Open Cup is the second-oldest continually-operating soccer tournament in the world and has been the national championship for the United States since it launched in 1913. The tournament is open to professional and amateur teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) to Sunday beer league teams and everything in between.

The Nor’easters last competed in the tournament in 2014, when they lost in the first round to the New York Greek American Atlas SC, a club that has won the tournament four times (1967, 1968, 1969, 1974). It was the first time Ocean City lost a first round tournament match.

In fact, the Nor’easters have seen great success in this competition, winning eight games and upsetting five professional teams throughout its history. Only Michigan Bucks and the Des Moines Menace, both of the PDL, have seen greater success among the amateur teams that have participated.

In their five upsets, the Nor’easters defeated their professional opposition by a combined score of 10-0. All five shutouts came at home.

In 2005, Ocean City defeated the Long Island Rough Riders (USL-2), 4-0. In 2007 and 2009, they upset Crystal Palace Baltimore.

In 2009, the Nor’easters also upset the Real Maryland Monarchs (USL-2), 1-0, in extra time. The Nor’easters then traveled to face Major League Soccer (MLS) power D.C. United, falling 2-0 to the defending U.S. Open Cup champions.

In 2013, the Nor’easters upset the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 1-0. In the following round, the Nor’easters fell to MLS side the Philadelphia Union, but not before having a shot at scoring an upset.

In that game, Emmanuel Kollie scored a 90th minute equalizer for Ocean City at PPL Park, but their upset hopes were dashed when the Union scored the game-winner in second half stoppage time.

The tournament begins May 10, when the Nor’easters clash with another amateur team, likely from either New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virginia or Pennsylvania. First round matchups will be announced on April 12.

The championship game is scheduled for Sept. 20. FC Dallas, of MLS, is the defending champion, defeating the New England Revolution (MLS), 4-2, in last year’s final.

For the full list of teams, key dates, and matchup explanations, visit oceancityfc.com.

The attached image and information for this post was provided by the Ocean City Nor’easters