NY Pancyprian Freedoms (USASA) 0:2 Long Island Rough Riders (PDL)
Cy Donnelly Stadium; South Huntington, N.Y.
The Long Island Rough Riders earned a rare US Open Cup victory, 2-0 against the USASA’s New York Pancyprian Freedoms. The Rough Riders, making their fifth Open Cup appearance in their 17-year club history, picked up their first tournament win since 1997 when they upset the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer back when they were a member of the A-League (now USSF 2nd Division). Now the Rough Riders compete in the Premier Development League and brought an unbeaten league record (4-0-2) into their match with the Freedoms, a 3-time Open Cup champion (1980, 1982, 1983).
Long Island opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Ben Arikian sent a cross to former USL pro Danny Kramer who put it past the Freedoms’ goalkeeper. After halftime, the PDL side would add a second when former Columbus Crew player Alex Grendi fired home a loose ball in front of the Freedoms’ goal. The ball found it’s way into the box thanks to a cross by Kramer.
Long Island will move on to the second round where they will travel to City Island to take on the Harrisburg City Islanders on June 22.
Scoring Summary
22nd minute – LI: Danny Kramer (Ben Arikian)
65th minute – LI: Alex Grendi (Danny Kramer)
Team Shots Saves Fouls Corners
Freedoms 6 8 11 3
Rough Riders 19 6 14 3
Cautions
16th: Hole (LI)
40th: Pafitis (NY)
42nd: Todd (LI)
43rd: Matteo (NY)
68th: Gustafsson (NY)
78th: Gatti (LI)
Ejections
N/A
Referee: Richard Sanchez
Asst. Referees: Ayo Obesesian, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Alber Calise
Attendance: 250
Weather: Clear, 75 degrees