April 15 (1987)

Paul Dueker’s stellar performance in goal is not enough as defending U.S. Open Cup champion Kutis loses to Monterrey of Mexico, 1-0, in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the Soccer Park. Dueker comes up big again and again to keep Monterrey off the scoreboard. Among Dueker’s many saves are two spectacular stops on Francisco “Abuelo” Cruz, a veteran of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup team. Two minutes before halftime, Dueker punches aside Cruz’s half-volley. In the 47th minute, Dueker’s kick save frustrates Cruz again.  Cruz finally breaks through in the 68th minute when he scores on a header off a Monterrey corner kick. Kutis, meanwhile, mounts few offensive attacks. Perhaps the home side’s best chance comes midway through the second half on a shot by Ted Hantak from in front of the net that goes wide. Afterward, Dueker says modestly, “I was just lucky on all the stops I made. I tried to play my normal game.” Teammate Terry Brown is more to the point: “Dueker kept us in the game.” Kutis will go on to lose 3-0 to Monterrey in Mexico to be eliminated from the tournament. Dueker, an NJCAA All-American at Meramec in St. Louis who played professionally for the Cleveland Force in the MISL, will help Kutis to an over-30 national championship and will be named to the U.S. Adult Soccer Association Hall of Fame.