The team has built partnerships with several local youth organizations, including Buffalo Stampeders and Lake United FC. Those relationships are paying off in more than just fan support, with the team finding on-field talent through such outreach. “Some of the players who will be on our Open Cup roster are local,” coach Chaltry said, “including a few seniors from local high school teams who came up through our youth programs.”
The players on the roster are excited about the matchup with a pro team and see the Open Cup as a chance to shine in front of a larger audience. For center-back Joao Camargos, the match is an opportunity to get ready for the club’s 2024 USL League Two season.
OPEN CUP OPPORTUNITY
“I see the Open Cup as a big opportunity for us players to get on the map, to play against a professional team. It’s a big opportunity for us to play on a high level, be competing and get prepared for USL League Two.” added Micah Folker, goalkeeper for Brave SC “There’s no other tournament where amateurs get the chance to play against top professionals.
“Being able to play with players from all over the world and the U.S., it’s not the same players you grew up with,” said Folker, touching on the essence of the tournament. “You learn more and much about different styles of soccer.”
Of course, learning from a win is more fun than learning from a loss.
If you’re looking for a potential great matchup in the First Round, Brave SC hosting Savannah Clovers has all the makings of a potential early-round classic. And while it might be easy for an amateur side to feel outmatched, the Buffaloes are undaunted.
Certainly, Coach DaSilva is a believer: “At no point, just because we’re playing a professional side, are we going to think defensively. We want to put on a good game for our community and fans and continue to prepare our players for the next level and, to do that, we have to play our style.”
That approach just might lead to an historic run in the Open Cup, this time under the new and telling banner of Brave SC.
Dan Vaughn is a veteran soccer journalist and the founder and editor of Protagonist Soccer. Follow him at @TheDanVaughn on Twitter/X.
