By Tim Busch, Veterans Cup Chairman
The 12th annual USASA Veterans Cup was held July 7-12, 2009 at Citizens Bank Fields at Progin Park in Lancaster, Massachusetts. A record 105 teams competed for titles in 14 Women's and Men's divisions. This year’s total number of teams was two higher than the previous record of 103 teams in Wilmington, North Carolina in 2005.
In the Men’s Over-55 division, the Texas Wanderers of North Texas won their first ever division title by downing O55 North Carolina United by a score of 3-2. During this decade the club has won three Over-50 titles. Port City Soccer Club of North Carolina defeated the Shake Shake Soccer Club of Massachusetts 5-2 in overtime to claim the Men's Over-40 1st division title. The Dallas Legends of North Texas won their fifth straight Men's Over-60 title by defeating NC United 5-2.
2009 saw the introduction of a Men's Over-65 division, where Boston Matuse of Massachusetts defeated Golden State Quicksilver of Cal North 2 to 1 for the first ever division title. In the Men's Over-50 division, Connecticut United defeated the Golden State Oldies of Cal North, 2-0.
MPS of Massachusetts won two titles as their Over-30 Men's team defeated International Toons of PA West 2-0 and their Over-40 Men's Premier team defeated their Massachusetts rivals World Soccer International 1-0. In another Massachusetts derby, Belmont Masters downed Concord United Masters in overtime 1-0 to claim the Men's Over-45 division title.
In the Women's Over-30 division, SEVWSA of Metro DC/Virginia downed the Houston Challengers by a score of 1-0. San Francisco of Cal North defeated Virginia OMB 5-0 for the Women's Over-40 Premier title. In the Women's Over-40 1st division, Indagoal Girls of Massachusetts topped the Austin Allies of South Texas by a score of 2-1.
In a final featuring two strong cross-country rivals, Leahi of Hawaii defeated Camp Spring Soccer Club of Maryland 3-0 to capture the Women's Over-50 championship.
The Women's Over-55 title went to NOVA WFC of Metro DC/Virginia as they defeated the Lone Star Strikers of North Texas by a score of 1-0. The San Diego Celtics won their third straight Women's Over-60 title the hard way by downing Virginia Spirit of Metro DC/Virginia on penalty kicks, 3-1, for a 1-0 victory.
The Veterans Cup was founded by the United States Adult Soccer Association in 1998 to provide the highest level of competition for players that are 30 years older and above. Throughout the years the tournament has been held in Bellingham, Washington, Nashua, New Hampshire, Beckley, West Virginia. Honolulu, Hawaii, and Wilmington, North Carolina. 189 teams participated in the Veterans Cup over the past two years.
Many thanks to Cezar Wislocki-Wasecki, Mass Soccer President, Julian Dunlop, President of the New England Over-the-Hill Soccer League, Lois Kessin, the Eastern Massachusetts Women's Soccer League, John Motta, Andy Weiss, Betty Schmeck and all of the volunteers from Massachusetts hosting committee for making the 2009 Veterans Cup such a success. A special thanks to all of the referees who donated their time to officiate matches. And finally, thanks for the efforts of Robin Gordon and Cheryl Brown of the Washington State Soccer Association Office, the Veterans Cup Committee, and mostly importantly our wives who committed so much of their time to our success.
The 2010 Veterans Cup will again be held in Lancaster, Massachusetts. The event is tentatively scheduled for July 13-18, 2010
