With their easy 4-0 victory over San Diego Saturday, the Utah Blitzz officially clinched a spot in the U.S. Open Cup. It's a good thing too, because the Blitzz desperately need some better competition.
In thrashing their division rivals, the Blitzz improved to 6-1-2 and left little doubt they're the top team out West in the Pro Select League.
"Failure any more for us is a tie," said Utah coach Chris Agnello. "That's the difference between us and many of the other franchises out there."
That's why qualifying for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was so important. Except for the occasional bad performance, the Blitzz are far superior to the teams on their schedule. By qualifying for the Open Cup, now Utah can prove itself against some elite competition.
The pairings for the Open Cup won't be announced until Tuesday, but the Blitzz are optimistic they'll be hosting an A-League team in the opening round. Considering the Blitzz want to make the jump to the A-League next year, facing an upper division team will be a good gauge to see if they're ready.
Ariel Bravo is sure ready.
The Blitzz's first-year import from Chile poured in a hat-trick to lead the Utah romp. It was Bravo's third career hat trick in over a decade of playing professional soccer — all of them in Chile.
"I always have felt comfortable," said Bravo through an interpreter after the game. "The whole team is starting to gel together."
Bravo opened the scoring in the 26th minute by rifling a shot off the keeper's mitts and into the back of the net. Bravo struck again in 61st minute on a shot that was eerily similar to his first-half tally.
"Ariel was really the man of the match. We really have to take our hats off to him," said Agnello.
Up until the 90th minute mark, it appeared Bravo's two goals would be the difference. It would've been had San Diego remembered about stoppage time.
Utah's Ventura Bautista caught San Diego's keeper daydreaming as he blasted a 40-yard shot over the stunned keeper and into the back of the net. Less than a minute later, Bravo embarrassed the Gauchos' defense one last time after teammate Rich Breza threaded him a perfect pass in the box.
"We were trying to make up for the last game," said Bravo, referring to Utah's 2-2 tie with Southern California last weekend.
That disappointing stalemate may actually become a positive for the Blitzz. In that game, Southern California midfielder Matt West caught the eye of Agnello with his brilliant play.
When the Blitzz head to Southern California to play the Seahorses next weekend, Agnello is hoping to persuade West to switch teams. Southern California participates in the Premiere Development League, a league of mostly college players a level below Utah's PSL.
"Lower division teams are encouraged to push people up," said Agnello. "I hope the kid decides to join us."
If he did, he could be wearing a Blitzz uniform next weekend.
ENDLINES: Utah defender Shawn Cassella, who had been nursing a leg injury, saw action for the first time in nearly a month as a second-half substitute. Most of the game was played under a light drizzle of rain.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com