Men's First Team to Play in U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Round

U.S. Soccer announced today that the Rooks were accepted into the Qualifying Rounds for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.  After being granted a Round 1 bye-week, The Men’s First Team are set to go head to head with Berber City in Round 2 on September 30th at 8:30 PM at the Fire Pitch.

In the Rooks’ previous bout with Berber City this year during the Midwest Premier League season, the Rooks won convincingly. Edgewater’s season opener at the Fire Pitch was a 3-0 win after forward Bardia Kimiavi, midfielder Roberto Cardano, and forward George Fallah each netted. The offensive display and the defensive measures put in place by the Rooks’ midfielders and defenders secured the clean sheet and started the Rooks’ MWPL season strong.

David Abidor, an Edgewater player-coach with previous professional experience in the tournament playing for teams such as Chicago House, is excited to get back into action as a Rooks defender.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Open Cup after a strong summer season. Players have bought into the way Coach Andriy [Berezovchuk] wants us to play and although a few results didn’t go our way at the end of the season, we showed we could compete and put together full team performances,” Abidor said. “Our group is looking forward to playing against Berber City. They are a talented side that could cause problems if we let them play their game.”

Also on the 30th, fellow MWPL opponent Chicago House AC will host Wisloka Chicago in their Open Cup qualifying match.

Both matches should be electric, so be sure to come out to support local soccer as these teams fight for a chance to participate in the tournament proper in Spring 2024.