Going again: Edgewater Castle 1-3 Chicago House U.S. Open Cup 3rd round qualifying
Chicago House Athletic Club advanced to the 4th and final round of U.S. Open Cup qualifying on Saturday night as they defeated Edgewater Castle 3-1 at Taft High School.
The House came out the blocks hot, opening the scoring in the 4th minute thanks to striker Alejandro Mentasti. Edgewater went down a man soon after, and Chicago took advantage by scoring a second before the break. Castle pulled one back through former House man David Abidor, but it proved to be too little too late for them, with Chicago sealing the result with a final goal from Nico Williams.
What happened
Chicago opened the scoring early on when a cross from Bukola Abdulwahab picked out Alejandro Mentasti for a simple finish.
Things went from bad to worse for Edgewater as they were reduced to 10 men. It was unclear was happened, and either Gabe Cavelheiro elbowed a player in the area or he said something obscene to the referee. No matter the reason why, he was still forced off the field.
Despite being down a man, Edgewater were inches away from tying things up. Bardia Kimiavi broke free down the left wing, and he went for an audacious chip. It looked good, but it ended up bouncing off the post and out of play.
The House had a chance of their own seconds later. Some clever play led to Shannon Seymour being slipped through on goal, but he was denied by the goalkeeper.
Their second goal did come shortly after. A.R. Smith took the ball off his own player on the wing, and that decision proved to be the right one as he then slotted a shot through the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
It was nearly 3-0 right before the break. Ricardo Avalos broke free in the box and then chipped the goalkeeper, but his cheeky effort was cleared off the line.
The beginning of the second half came and went with little incident. The first highlight came in the 70th minute when Jhon Alzate unleashed a strike but hit it off the frame.
Just as it seemed like this contest was done and dusted, Edgewater struck. A corner found the run of David Abidor, and he headed home from close range to halve the deficit.
They continued to push forward in search of an equalizer, but that proved to cost them. The House hit on the counter, with AR Smith playing Nico Williams past the backline, and the forward then did the rest, cutting inside before slotting home past the goalkeeper.
That proved to be the end of the action on the night.
Chicago House advanced to the 4th and final round of Open Cup qualifying as a result, and that match will take place on either November 18th or November 19th.
Notes and takeaways
Every press box needs wifi, man.
The setting was very fitting for an Open Cup qualifier. The game took place at a high school stadium, which was right next to a packed highway. It was cold out, and it was drizzling too. Pure magic.
It was nice to see David Abidor get a goal. Not only did he used to play for the House, but he also recently got married. That’s how you mark the occasion.
Chicago’s experience proved to be vital in this contest. They were just that bit more calm and composed on the night, whether it was going forward, at the back, or how they approached things in general. They’ve been here before, and it showed.
The House have an incredible 1-2 punch at striker when it comes to Alejandro Mentasti and Nico Williams. The former is the bigger, more technical forward, and he’s the one who usually leads the line to start. Then, after he’s run himself into the ground, Williams comes in to torment the defense some more. He’s quicker and silky on the ball, which makes him an excellent option, either off the bench or in the starting lineup if need be. Both did their jobs here with a goal a piece.
It may not have come together for Edgewater here, but don’t be surprised to see them make the Open Cup next time around. They’re getting better and better every day, and they have some great people at the club who will make sure they keep progressing.
Man of the match - A.R. Smith
Chicago House are so lucky to have A.R. Smith
Their captain delivered once again, grabbing a crucial second goal in the first half. It was a well-taken effort, as he literally took the ball off a teammate before slotting home from a tight angle. He turned from scorer to provider on the third goal, finding Williams on the break with a smart pass to ultimately seal the victory.
At this point, Smith putting on a big performance for the House in a big game is like the sun coming up every morning. It is going to happen.
Expect more of the same in the next round.
Key quotes
Edgewater Castle defender David Abidor
“I thought that we were a little emotional from the start. We've never been this far as a club and we don't have many players that have been this far, so I think this was a good experience for us. Obviously the red card didn't help. We went down really early and then it's never easy playing against a very organized group like House down a man.”
“We talk all the time, me and some of the House guys, even off the field. It's always fun playing against them, and I'm happy that another Chicago team is moving forward in the Open Cup.”
Chicago House captain AR Smith
“The most important part of this game was sticking to our gameplan. Like I’ve said before, I'm never going into a game worried or scared. I feel like if we play our game then we’d be able to play with the best of 'em honestly. The best part about the game was that we followed the gameplan and took advantage of our chances. When we do that, we typically win.”
“On my goal I was trying to make a play. Sometimes it's easy to pass the ball back, pass it sideways, but sometimes you have to try and play it forward. I saw the space, and I made a run, not necessarily to get the ball, but when I make a run, I want the ball. Bookie took a touch, I told him to leave it, I saw the space, and I finished it.”
“That mentality has been the same for two, three years now from when we first started. And that mentality is going to remain and that's why we are able to bring in new players and keep the same results. That mentality stays the same. When it’s starting with Matt, starting with Junior, ending with me, we should be good.”
Chicago House head coach Junior González
“The good thing is we were scoring our opportunities, and it's good for us to get an experience where we're playing a man up for so long. Sometimes that could be more difficult, where you try doing too much and not simplifying the game.”
“Matt Poland and I talked either via text or on the phone these last few days. The main thing was just getting the understanding of his sub patterns, what he's done in the past, which players can play multiple positions, and that's about it. I've been around the group already for about a month now, so I'm pretty familiar with them. It is different when you're in an Open Cup match against a good local rival.
“There was a little bit of pressure on me because I've never coached a game with the group, but the guys have been really respectful and really open to how I've been teaching this week.”
Chicago House forward Nico Williams
“I cut inside, the defender bit. I gave the ball to AR, he gave it back to me, and I did what I wanted to do with the ball, putting it in the net. It was well overdue, and it feels great. I waited a long time for this, I’ve been here a year and it was my first goal. It meant a lot to me, and hopefully I can build on this.”
“There's a lot of trust between me and Ale. I trust him and he trusts me. We both feel like we should be in the game for the full 90 minutes, so for us to sacrifice so we both play, it means a lot. It shows that we come here to be a team and that we are a team and that's why we get most of our wins.”
“We’re excited for next month.”
