Oyster Bay United defeated Westchester United, 4-1, to earn a spot in final match of the Northeast Division Local Qualifying Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Sunday.

The victory meant Oyster Bay will play in the Open Cup proper when it commences in March.

Eleven slots in the Open Cup, set to open March 22-23, are available to the local amateur squads left standing after four qualifying rounds. The tournament, holding its 107th edition, is the only high-profile event in American team sports that grants amateur sides the opportunity, should they advance far enough, to face professionals in meaningful competition.

More details coming.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.