The Rochester Rhinos remain perfect against lower level clubs with their 10th victory over an amateur club in the completion, downing the Brooklyn Italians of the National Premier Soccer League at Sahlen’s Stadium, 3-0. They advance to a Third Round meeting with the Philadelphia Union.
Corner kicks were key in the contest. A corner from Danny Earls in the 25th minute opened the scoring with Troy Roberts flicking the ball onto Tom McManus for the first strike of the game. Two minutes before the break Roberts directed another Earls corner with a header to Conor Chinn for a seven-yard left-footer.
It marked only the second time in eight games this season Rochester had scored two goals in a game. The news got worse on the hour mark for Brooklyn, who lost Scarlet Kirk to a red card for a tackle that resulted in McManus leaving the contest.
Graciano Brito headed the ball forward to JC Banks, who beat goalkeeper Nathan Stockie in the 76th minute to give the Rhinos the biggest offensive night of the campaign thus far as goalkeeper Kristian Nicht registered his seventh shutout of the year.
Next week the Rhinos travel to PPL Park to face the Union, who will be making their tournament debut.
