Amateur
West Chester United close in on another USLPA title after 5-1 win over VE
A week after they wrapped up the regular season title in the American Premier Soccer League, West Chester United rolled past rivals Vereinigung Erzgebirge with a 5-1 victory on Tuesday night to close in on another league championship in the United Soccer League of Pennsylvania.
Ethan Birch had a brace and Funsia Donzo, Jake Weaver and Ayoub Mouhou all scored for the Predators to avenge a loss earlier in the season to VE.
August Axtman played Mouhou into the box in the 12th minute and Mouhou did well to play the bounce on the ball, beat the defender and calmly finish to make it 1-0. Five minutes later Jacob Weaver went up high inside the six to head home a Troy Amspacher corner kick and make it 2-0.
“Once we have the momentum and are a goal or two ahead, it gives us even more control of the game,” Weaver said. “And they have to chase after us. That’s the best when you’re an attacking team and you can keep going at them, just have the control of the game and set the pace.”
On the defensive side, Weaver, who previously starred at APSL rivals Philadelphia SC, had the challenging task of marking VE target man Derek Antonini, who had a hat trick in a recent Region 1 Amateur Cup game against Christos FC but was frustrated on the night trying to find his way through the Predators back line.
VE did find a way back into the game in the 33rd minute when Alonso Rodriguez finished a ball spilled by West Chester goalkeeper Tino Kneis to make it 2-1 but the Predators quickly retook the two-goal advantage when Ethan Birch jumped the passing lane on a ball played out by VE goalkeeper Eoin Gawronski.
“Our goal every year is to win the USLPA majors and reserves and we’re in the driver’s seat for both,” West Chester head coach Blaise Santangelo said.
West Chester last won both the Major and Major II divisions in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and is seeking their fourth straight majors title. VE last won the major division in 2021-2022 and the Major II title last season. VE will need to win out and get help from Ukrainian Nationals in their game against West Chester to win the majors title and is two points behind West Chester in Majors II.
“We’re always going to play VE hard and they’re always going to play us hard.” Santangelo said, noting the importance of VE’s upcoming Region 1 Amateur Cup semifinal against Los Toros, which knocked the defending Region 1 and national champions West Chester out of the competition. “They’re using this midweek games to get ready for the Amateur Cup and they have a real opportunity so we want to see them do well.”
VE visits Los Toros in Virginia on May 16 and has four games left in the majors with their last game coming against West Chester. VE won in the fall so the rubber match could ultimately decide the league.
