Sometimes all it takes is a really good substitute to make the difference. In the Third Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at City Stadium, the Richmond Kickers certainly had that. Thanks to second-half substitute Emiliano Terzaghi’s late strike in extra time, the USL League One side staved off an upset by outlasting North Carolina Fusion U-23s, 1-0.
The 2020 USL League One MVP scored in the 118th minute to avoid penalty kicks and send the 1995 US Open Cup champions to the Fourth Round.
— Richmond Kickers 🦘 (@RichmondKickers) April 21, 2022
While one might expect the Kickers to use their experience and home-field advantage to dominate in the first half, it was the Fusion who had the lion’s share of attacking chances. Using their speed and quick passing, the USL-2 side moved the ball effortlessly through the Kickers defense creating some of the attacking chances in the first half.
In the 27th minute, Tom Marriott zigged and zagged through the Kickers defense, clubbing a powerful chance on target that hit off of the post.
In the 33rd minute, Fusion’s Jaime DiLuzio connected on a cross into the box and delivered a strong header on target. However, Kickers goalkeeper Will Palmquist palmed it away.
Attacking chances might have been few and far between in the first half but foul play was not. The two sides combined for five yellow cards in the first 45 minutes with Fusion’s Luis Neto paying the price, having to be subbed off in the 17th minute.
Business picked up in the second half with both sides looking to gain the advantage and hopefully a ticket into the Round of 32. The Kickers led things off in the 67th minute with Stuart Ritchie smashing a shot from just inside the 18-yard box. Perryman had to make a leaping effort but his fingertip save was just enough to keep things level.
The Fusion very nearly played spoilers with Tom Marriott breaking free of the Kickers backline in the 88th minute. However, Palmquist made an excellent read and made a clever diving stop to prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Things seemed to switch in the Kickers favor in extra time with the more seasoned side using their experience to stretch the field. Although they were denied on multiple occasions thanks to the stout Fusion back-line, Richmond would not be denied.
Terzaghi used his fresh legs to put his side ahead in the final two minutes of extra time. A Richmond free kick was taken near midfield and driven high in the air into the Fusion six yard box. The ball was knocked away toward right side of the field, near the end line where a North Carolina defender attempted to clear it. Richmond’s Dakota Barnathan ran up behind the defender and stole the ball and immediately played the ball in front of goal where Terzaghi snuck the ball just inside the post and beyond the goal line to score the game’s only goal.
It would prove to be, at a minimum, a goal that denied the Fusion $12,500. North Carolina and FC Motown (NPSL) were the last two remaining Open Division amateur teams in the tournament and the team that advanced the farthest would receive $25,000. FC Motown were also eliminated, but they lost in penalty kicks to Rochester New York FC (MLS Next Pro), which is officially listed as a draw. Had North Carolina reached a penalty kick shootout with Richmond, even if they would have lost that shootout, they would have tied with FC Motown and split the prize money. However, since they lost in extra time, FC Motown received the entire $25,000.
For Richmond, their reward is a spot in the Fourth Round where they will host MLS expansion side Charlotte FC. The Kickers have upset five MLS teams in their history and will attempt to earn a sixth on May 11 at City Stadium.
