The Carolina Dynamo were eliminated from the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup last night by a score of 3-1 to the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Pro League.  The match started off seeing the Dynamo with a few solid scoring opportunities including a header that bounced off the cross bar by Sebastien Ilbeagha (Duke).  Charlotte got on the scoreboard first in the 23rd minute off a goal from Darren Toby.  Just three minutes later Charlotte was awarded a penalty kick in the 26th minute.  Jorge Herrara stepped up to take the kick but was denied off a great diving save by the Dynamo GK Scott Goodwin (Unc Chapel Hill).  The Dynamo were able to equalize shortly before half-time (38th minute) off a goal from Robbie Lovejoy (UNC Chapel Hill).  Lovejoy streaked down the left flank, stepped over the ball to get past his defender then sent a rocket into the far post side netting, tieing the game at 1-1.  Charlotte scored just four minutes into the 2nd half in the off a goal from Diego Martinez giving the Eagles a 2-1 advantage.  The Dynamo continued to press forward creating some scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalize.  Charlotte iced the game in the 84th minute off a goal by Alan Sanchez, earning the Eagles a 3-1 win.  The Eagles now advance to play the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) in the 2nd round of the Cup.

The Dynamo are back home this weekend for a pair of matches.  Friday night the Dynamo face the Fredricksburg Hotspurs.  West Virginia returns to Greensboro to take on the Dynamo Saturday night.  Both games will be at Macpherson Stadium and kick-off at 7:00 PM.  For ticket information please visit www.carolinadynamo.com or call the Dynamo front office at (336) 316-1266

This past Thursday the Carolina Dynamo earned their 5th win of the season with a 3-2 come from behind victory at West Virginia.  The Dynamo trailing 1-0 at half-time and 2-0 with just 16 minutes left in the match scored three goals for the come from behind win.  Dynamo forward Andy Lubahn (Wake Forest) was pulled down in the box giving the Dynamo their first penalty kick of the season.  Robbie Lovejoy (UNC Chapel Hill) stepped up to take the kick sending a rocket past the WV goal keeper to give the Dynamo their first goal of the evening in the 74th minute.  The Dynamo continued to pressure the Chaos when Freddy Gomez (Guilford College) redirected  a cross from Nick Butterly (Elon) in the 88th minute to bring the Dynamo level.  The game looked like it would end in a tie  before Sebastian Ilbeagha (Duke) cleared a ball down the field to relieve pressure.  A streaking Robbie Lovejoy scored his second goal of the night off a deflection as the West Virginia GK tried to clear the ball in extra time, giving the Dynamo a 3-2 road victory. 

The next Dynamo home game is Tuesday, June 14th as the Charlotte Eagles come to Greensboro for a 1st round U.S. Open Cup match.  Kick-off is 7:00 PM at Macpherson Stadium.

The Carolina Dynamo (4-1) defeated the Northern Virginia Royals this past Saturday, June 4th by a score of 3-0 nothing.   The Dynamo took a 1-0 lead into the half off a goal from Karo Okiomah (High Point) in the 42nd minute off an assist from Sebeastien Ilbeagha (Duke).  The Dynamo took a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute off a tremendous solor effort and goal by Freddy Gomez (Guilford).  The Dynamo rounded out the scoring in the 75 minute from Hakan Ilhan (UNC Greensboro) assisted by Karo Okiomah.  Scott Goodwin recorded his League leading 4th shutout of the season, and is yet to give up a goal. 

With 65 teams in the PDL your Carolina Dynamo are just one of nine teams to qualify for the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  The Dynamo host the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Pro League in the 1st round at Macpherson Stadium on Tuesday, June 14th. Kick-off is 7:00 PM.  The winner of the Dynamo match faces off with the winner of the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL Pro) & Central Florida Kraze game.  Host site is TBD with the match taking place the following Tuesday, June 21st.

Tickets for the Charlotte Open Cup game will go on sale Friday and can be purchased by calling the Dynamo front office at (336) 316-1266 or by visiting the clubs website www.carolinadynamo.com All tickets for the match are just $5.  Remember Battleground members receive free tickets to all Open Cup & Play-off matches.  Be sure to come out and support the Dynamo!

Spring Garden Pizzeria will be serving $1 slices & $8 Large pizzas so come on out and check out the oldest open tournament in the country and enjoy Greensboro’s best pizza!

For a compete listing of 1st & 2nd round match ups please click on the link below:

http://thecup.us/ussf-unveils-2011-us-open-cup-first-round-matchups/

About the Open Cup:

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an American soccer competition open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer The competition dates back to 1914.

2011 Open Cup

The United States Soccer Federation has unveiled the first round pairings for the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The 98th edition of the tournament kicks off on Tuesday, June 14 with all 32 lower division teams competing.

The draw was determined by dividing the teams geographically into eight groups of four in an effort to limit travel costs. Once the groups were determined, a blind draw determined the match-ups. The first three rounds will take place in consecutive weeks, with the Second Round scheduled for June 21, followed by the Third Round on June 28. The eight lower division teams that advance beyond the first and second rounds, will each play one of the eight qualified teams from Major League Soccer in Round 3, scheduled for June 28.

By winning 3-0 over Virginia Beach this past Saturday, May 28th the Carolina Dynamo earned a spot in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  The Dynamo got on the scoreboard early off a break away goal by #17 Karo Okiomah (High Point-pictured below), off an assist from Sam Redmond (Wake Forest) in the 12th minute.  Just six minutes later Hakan Ilhan (UNC Greensboro) & Freddy Gomez (Guilford College), linked up for a great goal from short range, giving the Dynamo a 2-0 lead.  The Dynamo rounded out the scoring in the 40th minute off yest another goal from Hakan Ilhan (His fourth of the year) off an assist from Karo Okiomah.

U.S. Soccer will hold the Open Cup draw on Tuesday, May 31st.  At that time the Dynamo will find out their opponent and venue for the 1st round of the Cup, with game being played on Tuesday, June 14th.

The Carolina Dynamo return home this weekend for an all important match up Vs. The Virginia Beach Piranhas.  A win will secure the Dynamo a spot in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  A win would see the Dynamo qualify for the Open Cup for the 1st time since the 2006 season when the Dynamo advanced to the 4th round of the Cup before losing to the Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo 4-2.  By qualifying the Dynamo would be one of just 9 of the PDL’s 64 teams to do so.  The 1st round of the Open Cup kicks-off on June 14th with NPSL, USASA, PDL & USL Pro Teams entering the Tournament.  MLS Clubs join the Tournament in the third round (June 28th).  The Seattle Sounders defeated the Columbus Crew by a score of 2-1 to claim the 2010 Cup.

Tickets for the match are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Dynamo front office at (336) 316-1266 or by visiting the clubs website www.carolinadynamo.com Tickets start at just $7 for adults and $5 for kids (18 & Under).

About the Open Cup:

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an American soccer competition open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer The competition dates back to 1914.

The Carolina Dynamo traveled to Real Maryland and Northern Virginia for back to back Open Cup qualifying matches this past weekend.  On Saturday night the Dynamo defeated Real Maryland by a score of 2-0.  The Dynamo scored two goals in a three minute span to secure the victory.  The 1st goal of the match came in the 65th minute from #19 Freddy Gomez (Guilford College-pictured above) assisted by #17 Karo Okiomah (High Point University-pictured above).  The Dynamo then scored just three minutes later off a goal by #11 Hakan Ilhan (UNC Greensboro-pictured above), assisted by Page Alum, Robbie Lovejoy (UNC Chapel Hill).  The Dynamo held tough defensively late in the game to earn GK Scott Goodwin (UNC Chapel Hill) is second consecutive shut out.

Goodwin was honored last week as the PDL GK of the week for the shut out on opening night against West Virginia.  Dynamo forward Hakan Ilhan was named honorable mention on that Same PDL Team of the Week, after scoring the game winning goal opening night.

On Sunday, the Dynamo found themselves playing a very familiar opponent the Northern Virginia Royals.  The Dynamo had numerous chances early but were unable to find the back of the net.  Northern Virginia found the back of the net in the 66th minute for the games lone goal.  The Dynamo pushed numbers forward late in the game creating a plethora of scoring opportunities but still were unable to score.

The Dynamo travel this weekend fora pair of matches.  Saturday, May 21st the Dynamo face Real Maryland, then take on the Northern Virginia Royals on Sunday.  Both matches are also Open Cup qualifiers.

Tampa, FL:  Today United Soccer Leagues released the 2011 PDL divisional alignment and schedule.  The Dynamo will compete in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.  Other teams in the South Atlantic division include, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, Real Maryland, Virginia Beach & West Virginia.  The Dynamos schedule features seven Saturday and one Friday home dates.  All home games are slated for Macpherson Stadium at the Bryan Park Soccer Complex.  The Dynamo have also moved the start time of each game up 30 minutes and will now kick-off at 7:00 PM.

2011 Carolina Dynamo Schedule

May

14 (Sat)           WEST VIRGINIA     OC         7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

21 (Sat)           @ Real Maryland        OC       6:30                 Richard Montgomery HS

22 (Sun)          @ Northern Virginia   OC     7:00                 Hellwig Memorial

28 (Sat)           HAMPTON ROADS OC           7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

June

4 (Sat)             NORTHERN VIRGINIA         7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

9 (Thurs)          @ West Virginia                     7:30                 Schoenbaum Stadium

17 (Fri)            FREDERICKSBURG                 7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

18 (Sat)           WEST VIRGINIA                      7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

25 (Sat)           REAL MARYLAND                  7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

29 (Wed)         @ Hampton Roads                 7:00                 VA Beach Sportsplex

July

2 (Sat)             HAMPTON ROADS                 7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

9 (Sat)             @ Fredericksburg                   5:00                 Mary Washington University

10 (Sun)          @ Northern Virginia              7:00                 Hellwig Memorial

16 (Sat)           @ Fredericksburg                   2:00                 Mary Washington University

21 (Thurs)        @ West Virginia                     7:30                 Schoenbaum Stadium

23 (Sat)           REAL MARYLAND                7:00                 Macpherson Stadium

OC- Denotes US Open Cup Matches

ALL CAPS ARE HOME GAMES

Greensboro, NC:  Today the Carolina Dynamo announced Marc Nicholls as the clubs new Head Coach.  Marc becomes the sixth head coach in the clubs 19 year history.  “I’m very excited to have a coach of Marc’s caliber lead the Dynamo in the next chapter of the Dynamo’s storied history.  Marc is a proven leader on and off the field, and has an extensive history of working with high level players”, says Dynamo GM Scott Zapko.

Marc also joins the Dynamo staff for his second stint having served as an assistant coach for two seasons. Marc joined Greensboro Youth Soccer as Technical Director in 2005 and is also the Director of Coaching for the US Soccer Developmental Academy with North Carolina Fusion.  Prior to coming to Greensboro Nicholls spent six years with New Orleans Soccer Academy (NOSA) and three years with the Roanoke Star as their Director of Coaching. NOSA enjoyed unprecedented success during his tenure, achieving multiple State and Regional titles. The foundation he developed in Roanoke continues today with the growth of the club and development of many players who have gone on to achieve success at the collegiate and national team level.

Marc has been involved in youth soccer for over 15 years, including a stretch in England, before arriving in the USA in 1997. He has since worked with the Louisiana, Virginia and North Carolina Olympic Development Programs as well as being a Coach Educator with the various State Associations. On the upcoming season with the Dynamo Nicholls stated, “I am very excited to being the Dynamo Head Coach and being part of a new era with the club. The Dynamo has a long and storied history and with the nearby college resources and the emerging local talent we have the potential to be very good. Our fans want to see entertaining soccer and that is what we will be looking to provide”.

Marc graduated from Liverpool JM University with a BA Honors degree in History. He played soccer at both the County and University level in England before embarking on a career in coaching. Marc holds the FA of England Preliminary Badge, the National Soccer Coaches of America Association Premier Diploma and the United States Soccer Federation “A” License. Marc has won numerous coach of the year awards including being named US Soccer Developmental Academy Coach of the Year in 2010, and was recently selected as one of 30 coaches nationwide to attend the prestigious FIFA Futuro III coaching course in Casa Grande, AZ.