U.S. Open Cup, Sporting Kansas City and London Olympic Artifacts at I.S.A.

The 99th Edition of the U.S. Open Cup was won by Sporting Kansas City as they dethroned the 3-time Champions Seattle Sounders. The battle at Livestrong Sporting Park was physical and it took a penalty shoot-out to stop Seattle from winning an unprecedented 4th straight Cup Final.

Jubilant Kansas City players (above) sport their winner's medals and hold the Open Cup Trophy.

The 99th winners medal which has been added to the I.S.A. Collection.

The seldom seen reverse of the U.S. Open Cup winners medal (above).

American International GRAHAM ZUSI (above) earned his first medal in the 2012 Final.

The match-worn GRAHAM ZUSI jersey, complete with blood and grass strains. The hallmark patch on the inside collar is for LAMAR HUNT, founder of Sporting Kansas City. Hunt's name also appears on the Open Cup competition and trophy.

The reverse of the midfielder's # 8 jersey

 The first Champagne cork (above) from Sporting Kansas City's 2012 victory

Among the celebration was a well traveled ROGER ESPINOSA (far left).

 ESPINOSA starred with HONDURAS in their remarkable run through the 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS

Only days after returning from London, ESPINOSA played in the Cup Final (playing against Brazil above).

The OLYMPIC worn shoes (above) that ESPINOSA wore in the Cup Final.

Another look at the OLYMPIC worn shoes (above and below)

The ticket for the 2012 U.S. OPEN CUP FINAL

The International Soccer Archives has one of the largest collections of U.S. Open Cup memorabilia in the world.

Richmond Kickers - 20 Professional Years

Several leagues and hundreds of clubs in American soccer history have called themselves professional.

 For the RICHMOND KICKERS it has actually been 20 years this season.

The 1993 Team posing in their original green shirts.

With a modern record of 77 wins in U.S. Open Cup history, the club has weathered the storm of re-organization, folding franchises and rebranding of their perspective leagues.  

They have played Cup Giant Killers since the onset of Major League Soccer, now two divisions above them.   They are the club that began the modern era by winning the 1995 U.S. Open Cup.

The 1995 National Champions

The Kickers are a club from top to bottom with tremendous local support both with fans and businesses. The Kickers are identified through several levels of youth teams, all wearing their red jerseys worn ever since their cup triumph. 

This year the club celebrated its 20th anniversary by wearing a specially made green shirt tops which reflect the inaugural season.

The Special jerseys made for the 20th Anniversary

David Bulow returned to the Kickers in 201 for his third tour of duty. After scoring against Sporting Kansas City in last year's Open Cup tournament, he became the sole record holder of the most goals in the 99 year competition.

David Bulow in Action

Bulow's 14 tallies surpassed Johnny Menyongar and 100-goal MLS legend Jamie Moreno who are tied at 13 goals each.

The Kickers have been a solid competitor in the American professional ranks but also the stepping stone for top notch players like Dwayne DeRosario and Richie Williams. 

David Bulow's 20th Anniversary Richmond Kickers jersey has been kindly donated to the International Soccer Archives. (Thanks to Shelley Sowers)

CANADA ... 100 Years of Soccer

Congratulations to the CANADIAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION in celebrating their 100th anniversary.

The foundation of the Dominion of Canada Football Association began in May 1912 and culminated in joining F.I.F.A. in December of that year.

Here are some of those artifacts from the ISA Collection:

1996 Team signed jersey 

Canada's 1st major trophy came as the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup Winners.

The Panini Mexico86 issue (above) marked the first appearance of Canada in the famed World Cup collectable sticker set. 

An official match program from 1976 featuring Pele.

Pele and the North American Soccer League (NASL)  helped developed the Canadian talent in the 1970's with professional teams in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

A rare keepsake medal from the 1980 Tour of Canada by Irish Football League XI.

The British sides were just one of many touring teams that crossed the Dominion of Canada. The earliest being the English amateurs "Pilgrims" in 1905. 

A rare 1910 England v. Scotland medal

The British influence on Canadian Soccer is marked by this 1910 International match (above) representing England vs. Scotland under the direction of Montreal Association Football.

Other Ethnic influences such as the NASL Toronto Metro-Croatia won the NASL title in 1976. Vancouver Whitecaps followed with a Championship in 1979. 

Frank Yallop's # 4 Canada jersey

FRANK YALLOP was born in Canada, but played the majority of his professional career with Ipswich Town in England. He has represented Canada both as a National Team player and their manager.

A rare Gold medal from Toronto Scottish F.C.

Toronto Scottish F.C. were National Champions as well as regional Champions in  the 1920's. 

Regional Associations had great power and influence when Canada was still in its infancy. 

Today, Canada has 3 professional clubs in Major League Soccer and 2 in the North American Soccer League. The National Team is currently qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.