The Georgia Revolution clinched a spot in the First Round of the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by eliminating the Colorado Rovers 5-3 in a penalty kick shootout at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch, CO. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, but an early save in the shootout proved to be key as the Revolution earned themselves a home game in Round 1.
The Revolution, taking part in their second straight US Open Cup, opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a goal from Ghana native Kwadwo Poku.
The Rovers would find an equalizer in the 76th minute when former Colorado Rapids academy player Marc Herschberger connected on a header that found it’s way across the line to level the match at 1-1.
The match would remain tied through both periods of extra time, sending the match to penalty kicks and it was Georgia’s Zachary Schultze who help send the Revs back to Georgia as winners. He stopped the Rovers first attempt, which ended up being the difference as everyone else converted their spot kicks, leaving the result at 5-3.
The Revs will now return home to Georgia to take on another Colorado team, this time in front of their own fans. The Revolution will host the PDL’s Real Colorado Foxes on May 14 at the RYSA Soccerplex in Conyers, Ga. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The winner of that match will take on the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks, the team that eliminated the Revolution in Round 2 last year.
#USOC100