Massachusetts Adult Soccer

November 23, 2024: Our Amateur Cup Final returned to Roberto Clemente Field in the Back Bay in an epic Bay State Soccer League battle between two D1 powerhouse clubs, Atletico Boston and the Loco Gunners 

Atletico Boston entered the match on a Cup-streak as they are the 2024 Werner Fricker Open Cup State Champion and the reigning 2024 Massachusetts Champions Cup Champions. However, Loco Gunners is no stranger to big wins as they hold the 2023 Werner Fricker Cup title and are the only existing modern-day Massachusetts team to win the US National Amateur Cup. (National Champions in 2012 as the Battery Park Gunners.) 

In a cool, damp day, overlooking the Boston skyline this game got off to a quick start with Loco Gunners scoring first in the 14th minute. On a Gunners counter, Trevor Davock slid a beautiful pass across to Drew Stephans who knocked it in putting the Gunners up 1-nil.  Click here for Loco Gunners Drew Stephans Goal

Despite several opportunities on both sides of the field, the game remained 1-0 into the second half of play. In the 69th minute, Atletico equalized. Atletico's Peguy Ngatcha entered the attacking third and slid the ball cross to the left to Alex Shterenberg.  Alex took his player to the endline and the executed what looked like a promising centering pass. The sliding Gunner's defender just got a foot on it, causing the ball to spin and it curled towards the back post and into the side netting, as seen here: Atletico Equalizer

In the 89th minute, Gunner's keeper, Luke Citriniti made a clutch save to keep Gunners alive as Alexander Ainscough almost wins it for Atletico at the death as seen here:  Citriniti Save

The drama of this match continued. In 94th minute, it was John Bavota who created a qualify opportunity on a well served ball to Tim Ritter.  Ritter was able to get a head on it, but it just went wide, as seen here:  Last Opportunity in Regulation

Into PK rounds, Atletico kicked first and both teams netted goals for both sides.  It was Citriniti for the Gunners that made the first PK save as seen here: Gunners PK Save

However, the next PK for the Gunners sailed just high above the crossbar, keeping Atletico alive.

We continued into the 6th round of PKs. It was the Atletico's keeper, Tristan Stephani's turn to make a save and seal the deal for his team. Stephani guessing correctly, dove to his left, and blocked the ball that stopped the Gunners in their tracks and awarded the 2024 State Amateur Cup to his team, as seen here: Atletico Game Winning Save

We wish to congratulate both teams on a fantastic tournament and a match worthy of a Massachusetts State Soccer Final.

We also congratulate Atletico Boston on their third state title of the year.  They become the first team ever in Massachusetts to win all three state championships in one year. Congratulations from all of us with Mass Soccer.

The 2025 National Men's Amateur Cup will pick up again in the first weekend of April in the USASA regional rounds.  More information to come soon...

October 28th-November 3rd:  Opening Round 

• Praia Kapital (9) vs Mid Cape United (0)
• Atletico Worcester (1)* vs Boston FC (1): Atletico wins in PKs 8-7
• Bad Boys (6) vs MIT FC (2) 

November 4th - November 10th:  Quarterfinal Round

• Atletico Boston (1) vs Praia Kapital (0) at West Roxbury Stadium
• Brockton FC (2)*  vs FC Omens (2) : Brockton wins in PKs 4-3
• Sete (6) vs Atletico Worcester(3) 
• Loco Gunners (1)* vs Bad Boys FC (1): Gunners win in PKs  

November 11th - November 17th: Semifinal Round

• Saturday, November 16th 2:30pm: Sete (1) vs Loco Gunners (1) - Loco Gunners win in PKs 4-2
• Sunday, November 17th 6pm: Atletico Boston (4) vs Brockton FC (2) 

1. Teams are scheduled by a draw that is held by the State Registrar and verified by the Cup Commissioner. 

2. Champions Cup Winner is awarded the #1 in the Draw.

3. Games will follow the published bracket. Mass Soccer will provide a field for the state finals. 

4. In the opening rounds of the competition, the team scheduled as home team, must provide a field. 

a)  When scheduling your games, keep in mind that: 

• Saturday games must kickoff at 10am or later. 

• Sunday games must kickoff at noon or later. 

• For games starting at 3pm or later, the field must have lights. 

• Consent from your opponent is needed for games kicking off after 6pm. 

• Mid-week games are welcomed and encouraged if both teams agree. 

b) The home team must confirm the game details to the Commissioners no less than 7 days prior to the scheduled game date. (Referees are provided by Mass Soccer, so it is very important you send these fixture details asap, so we can assign your referee crew.)

Massachusetts State Cup Rules

It is the responsibility of all competing team to please review.

The State Amateur Cup will take place from mid-October to the weekend before Thanksgiving each year.

Qualifications:

• Players that compete must be registered with Mass Soccer.
• Teams must play in a MASS or USASA affiliated league.
  • Unfortunately, UPSL teams do not qualify to play in this Cup.

The US Amateur Cup also known as the USASA Amateur Cup, is a soccer competition open to all amateur teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation.  For more information see:  US Amateur Cup Tournament Information

Mass Soccer runs a State Cup each fall.  We support our state champion with paid entry into USASA Region 1 competition and a stipend to represent Massachusetts at the regional and national level games. Winner of the national championship is granted a birth in the USSF Open Cup and USASA Steinbrecher's Cup in the following year.

The last MASS team to win the National Amateur Cup title was the 2012 Battery Park Gunners!!