New England Soccer Today

USOC: Southie FC, GPS Omens Set for 2nd Rd. Clash

Photo credit: Southie FC

Photo credit: Southie FC

Bragging rights on the Greater Boston amateur scene will be at stake when Southie FC and GPS Omens meet at Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium in Sunday’s second qualifying round of the Open Division of the U.S. Open Cup tournament. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm.

How they got here: Southie booked its ticket for Sunday’s qualifier after beating Battery Park Gunners 2-0 in the first round on Oct. 18. Omens claimed its spot thanks to a 5-0 thrashing of Boston Olympiakos in their first round match on Oct. 18.

What happens next: The winner of Sunday’s second qualifying round match will advance to the third qualifying round, which is set for the weekend of Apr. 2-3, 2016. After Worcester FC was eliminated in their second round qualifying match on Saturday, the winner of Sunday’s match will be the sole New England-based side to advance to the third qualifying round after seven regional outfits were awarded Open Division spots.

Twelve of the 14 Second Qualifying Round winners in closest proximity to each other will compete in the third qualifying round. The remaining two winners will be awarded the first two slots into the 2016 U.S. Open Cup from the Open Division local qualifying track and will be joined by the six victors from the third qualifying round.

The exact matchups for the third qualifying round will be determined on Jan. 7, 2016.

Fast facts: Omens enters the match fresh off its 2015 McKenzie Cup extra time win over Battery Park Gunners on Thursday…Southie won the 2015 MSSL North Division with a 9-0-1 record…GPS Omens was formerly monikered GPS Massachusetts…Southie and Omens will meet again on Wednesday for third round action of the USASA National Amateur Cup tournament…

Weather forecast: 54 degrees and partly cloudy

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