Wisconsin Soccer Central

On one hand, the Madison 56ers head into their U.S. Open Cup first-round match against Chicago's AAC Eagles on Tuesday night with a little bit of information about the side from the Polish club.

The teams played in the U.S. Adult Soccer Association Region II Amateur Cup in 2009, with the 56ers winning 5-3. And 56ers coach Jim Launder checked in with one of his coaching friends in the Chicago area to get a scouting report on the AAC Eagles.

But on the other hand, amateur soccer rosters are seemingly in a constant state of flux – so the team the Illinois state champions bring to Breese Stevens Field could be a little different than the one they've fielded during their spring matches in the Metropolitan Soccer League, let alone from the one that faced Madison two years ago.

More than likely, though, the historic stadium won't be new for several AAC Eagles players.

Midfielders Michael Kapusta and Mathew Kochanowski and goalkeeper Piotr Sliwa all starred for NCAA Division III powerhouse Dominican (Ill.), which faces Edgewood College in Northern Athletics Conference matches at Breese Stevens every other year.

Jakub "Kuba" Piotrowski has been a consistent scorer up front for AAC Eagles, scoring 12 goals in Region II qualifying over the past two years, while midfielder Piotr Kolasinski had a hat trick in a 4-1 win over RWB Adria that gave them their fifth Open Cup berth since 1995.

Former Illinois-Chicago standout Pawel Otachel also plays a key role in the midfield, and his college teammate, Eric Cervantes, is another of what Launder expects to be a quick group of forwards for AAC Eagles.

Veteran central defender Mirek Modzelewski anchors the AAC Eagles backline. The 41-year-old Modzelewski played for Legia Warszawa in Poland's top league in the early 1990s, and was a member of the team's 1990-91 squad that lost to Manchester United in the semifinals of the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Going from old to young, the 56ers could well have a recent high school graduate in their starting lineup.

University of Wisconsin incoming freshman Carl Schneider (Madison La Follette) was the likely starter at left back, Launder said after his team's 1-1 draw with the Quad City Eagles in a National Premier Soccer League Midwest Division match on Sunday afternoon in Moline, Ill.

"Every time he's gone on the field for us, he's played very well," Launder said of Schneider. "I've got no qualms about him."

As of Sunday night, Launder was expecting to start Aaron Nichols (UW) at right back, with veteran Sean Ronnekleiv-Kelly – back from a groin injury – and the University of Wisconsin's Colin Mani (Madison Edgewood) as center backs in front of UW goalkeeper Max Jentsch (Hartland Arrowhead).

Veteran Henry Aiyenero, 37, who had been playing as an emergency center back, figured to replace Trevor Banks (Madison Memorial) – he had previous personal commitments – and team with Keenan Newallo in the deeper midfield roles in the 56ers' 4-2-3-1 formation.

Andrew Wiedabach (Mequon Homestead) likely will spearhead the middle three in an attacking spot, with Marquette's Adam Lysak (Milton) on one flank. The other side wasn't as clear, with several players potentially fitting in – including Tenzin Rampa (Madison West/UW-Milwaukee), a Milwaukee Wave player who had his amateur status reinstated, and David Kommavang (Madison Memorial).

Jed Hohlbein (Middleton/UW), the team's leading scorer both this season and since the NPSL team formed in 2005, will hold down his customary spot as the target striker in the first U.S. Open Cup match in Madison since 1991.

More stories

Wisconsin Soccer Central: 56ers to host AAC Eagles in Open Cup

Wisconsin State Journal: Madison 56ers have eyes on the big prize

TheCup.us: Meet the AAC Eagles

USSoccer.com: Complete first-round pairings