Match Reports: DC United | Rochester | Washington Post | Democrat & Chronicle
MLSnet.com Matchtracker
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1 | FT | 2 |
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| Tai Atieno (Unassisted) 68’ | 41’ Jamie Moreno (PK) 82’ Boyzzz Khumalo (Unassisted) |
Defending US Open Cup champion DC United, who had to qualify just to get into the 2009 tournament, is one win away from defending their title after a 2-1 Semifinal victory over the Rochester Rhinos. Boyzzz Khumalo’s 82nd minute goal spoiled the Rhinos’ attempt to return to the Open Cup Final for the first time since their historic title run in 1999 and earned DC a chance to win their second straight championship on their home field.
DC United will host the Seattle Sounders at RFK Stadium on September 2. For United it is their fourth Final appearance and will host the championship game for the third time. In the two previous title games at RFK, they have won both of them (1996, 2008).
United held the majority of the possession in the first half and was awarded a penalty kick in the 41st minute. Rhinos defender Ty Harden was called for a handball in the box and Jaime Moreno stepped up to score his 12th career Open Cup goal, which moved him into a tie with current Rhino Johnny Menyongar for the most goals in the Professional Era (1995-present).
With DC continuing to put on the pressure, Rochester fought back and tied the game up in the 68th minute when Tai Atieno put the ball into the back of the net after the ball pinballed around the box after a Rochester free kick from the right wing.
The home team would find the game-winner in the 82nd minute when Chris Pontius, who replaced Moreno as a sub in the second half, found himself on a breakaway with the Rochester goalkeeper. Mella saved Pontius’ attempt, but the ball fell to Khumalo, who put the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the tournament.
Rochester’s struggles with DC United in the Open Cup continue with their fourth loss in as many tries. DC has also defeated them in the 1996 Final as well as the Third Round of the 2000 and 2008 tournaments. DC United are the first club since the Chicago Fire in 2004 to make back-to-back appearance in the Final, and like the Fire failed to do in 2004, losing to Kansas City, they will try to repeat as Open Cup champions. There has not been a back-to-back champion of the tournament since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won the 1982 and 1983 titles.