From: archer@hsi.com (Garry Archer)
Subject: "America's FA Cup Final" REPORT
Keywords: USSF Open Cup, Vasco Da Gama, San Jose Oaks
Organization: 3M Health Information Systems, Wallingford CT
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1992 05:19:56 GMT


U.S.S.F. National Open Cup Final, 14 July 1992, Indianapolis:
								(HT)
	San Jose Oaks (San Jose, California)		2	(1)

	Vasco Da Gama (Bridgeport, Connecticut)		1	(0)


As I expected, I didn't see the score mentioned _anywhere_.  One person
did e-mail a day or so after the game to say the Oaks won, but didn't
know the score or any other details.

As promised, I had to wait for my July 1992 issue of "Soccer Connecticut" to
arrive before posting a result and match report.


--- The following are edited excerpts taken from "Soccer Connecticut" 
    (without permission):


Vasco Da Gama continued its improbable climb through the 1992 USSF Open Cup
all the way to the national final before finally losing to the San Jose 
Elks (sic) in Indianapolis.  [Elks? This is the first time I've seen the
San Jose team referred to as such.  I wonder if this was an error by the
newspaper?  Until now I've only seen the Oaks name.  I'll continue to use
the "Oaks" reference. -- Garry A.]

Vasco reached the 1992 national final after beating superclub Dallas Rockets
2-0 in the semifinal in Dallas, Texas behind two Zoltan Lovrity goals on 
19 June 1992.

The 14 July matchup against San Jose was a game that Vasco might have won
on another day [How about that for a cliche?!! -- GA], but badly needed
scoring chances became near misses on too many occasions.

Former Southern Connecticut State University standout Joe Barrosa missed
on an early one-on-one situation with the San Jose goalkeeper that would
have given Vasco the important first goal.  Barrosa was denied again at
the 30 minute mark when his free-kick was deflected off the crossbar by
the San Jose goalkeeper to keep the score 0-0.

The strong San Jose team boasted a lineup of professionals of English,
Scottish and Irish decent and were the dominant team throughout most of
the match.  After holding Vasco off in the early going San Jose broke for
one goal just before half-time and again early in the second half to carry
a 2-0 lead late into the game.

The older team from San Jose tired somewhat late in the second half and Vasco's
youthful team tried to turn the game around.  Sheldon Neal cut the deficit in
half with 15 minutes remaining when he received a pass behind the San Jose
defence and chipped the goalkeeper to score.  The remaining time belonged to
Vasco.  Vasco's desperate pressure almost produced the equaliser when Julio
Liconia's shot was blasted just over the San Jose goal with four minutes to go.

Vasco's performance could not be denied.  On another day the near misses may
have found their mark but today the final score would remain 2-1 in favour
of San Jose.

Vasco Roster:
Starters:
	GK Joe Didimizio
	D  Armindo Gomes (Sweeper)
	D  Steve Stoud
	D  Fernando Quieroz
	D  Albert Portela
	M  Julio Liconia
	M  Joe Barrosa
	M  Mark Price
	M  Josh Muscandin
	F  Sheldon Neal
	F  Zoltan Lovrity
Substitutes:
	GK Ilidio Malheiro
	   Jose Morgado
	   Joe Quieroz
	   Del Nunes
	   Carlos Nasciemento
	   Denis Gomes

--- End of Soccer Connecticut excerpts


Notes:
	Vasco Da Gama play in the New Jersey based LISA League, finishing
third after a poor start to the season, but only losing once in the second half.
(Sorry, don't know what LISA stands for.  I'm speculating that its something
like Luisitanian (sp?) International Soccer Association.)

	Vasco Da Gama lost 4-3 to Virginia in the 1978 USSF Open Cup Final.

	Dallas Rockets are currently challenging for the American Airlines Cup,
which according to "Soccer Connecticut" determines the top club in North and
Central America.


-- 
Garry Archer Esq.	archer@hsi.com
3M Health Information Systems,	Wallingford, Connecticut, U.S.A.

"An Englishman never enjoys himself, except for a noble purpose." - A.P.Herbert