New England PDL Trio Grabs USOC Berths
- Updated: February 4, 2015
Photo credit: David Henry/sweetdogphotos.com
Three New England-based PDL sides were granted berths to the 2015 U.S. Open Cup tournament after U.S. Soccer revealed the 91-club field on Wednesday.
Seacoast United Phantoms secured a division winner berth by claiming the Northeast Division title last year, while A.C. Connecticut (formerly CFC Azul) and the Western Mass Pioneers received at-large spots.
The Phantoms went 11-1-2 (35 points) in 2014 and booked a ticket to the Eastern Conference semi-final. A.C. Connecticut, who finished in second place, also earned at spot at the Conference semi-final, and boasted a 9-2-3 (30 points) mark. The Pioneers put together a 8-4-2 (26 points) record, finishing third in the division.
Last year, the Pioneers, GPS Portland Phoenix and the Vermont Voltage received berths to the historic tournament.
The 91 teams competing in the tournament mark the largest field in the modern era (1995-present) and the fourth consecutive year where a record has been set. This year also marks the fourth consecutive competition in which all U.S.-based Division I, II and III professional teams will participate in the tournament proper: 17 from Major League Soccer (entering in the fourth round), nine from the North American Soccer League (starting in Round 3) and 21 from USL PRO (whose first matches will be in the second round).
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