Fletcher Sharpe

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Lansing Ignite wins tournament debut over AFC Ann Arbor

May 9, 2019 by Fletcher Sharpe

Players from Lansing Ignite FC and AFC Ann Arbor battle for the ball in their First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Lansing Ignite FC

It was a monumental game for Lansing Ignite FC as they won their first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match in their young team history, holding off instate rival AFC Ann Arbor 2-1 behind a brace from Njeta Elma N’for to advance to the next round of the tournament. The Ignite made some history as the first professional team from Lansing to qualify for the US Open Cup and the first team of any kind to get in since Lansing United of the NPSL beat RWB Adria in penalty kicks in the opening round of the 2015 US Open Cup.

The game was delayed as Lansing Ignite had to change venues on the day of the game due to weather. It was moved from their normal home field of Thomas Cooley Law School Stadium, a downtown minor league baseball stadium to Lansing Catholic High School’s turf field. Kickoff was also pushed back two and a half hours to 9:30 p.m.

The first chance of the game would be for the Ignite as Rafa Mentzingan sent a through ball for a streaking N’for, but the Cameroonian’s shot would be deflected up and out by Marlon De Freitas. Ann Arbor’s first shot came in the 19th via Jordan Montoya but his curling effort drifted over the left side of the post. The first official shot of the game didn’t come until the 27th minute when Montoya’s second effort was deflected and then scooped up by Lansing’s Kyle Ihn.

Lansing almost took the lead in the 29th as Mentzingan found Ricky Lopez-Espin from the right wing, but the Creighton product’s one touch stab drifted just wide of the right side of the net.

Lansing would soon put a ball in the net, as Lansing found Ann Arbor’s defense in disarray and started a counter attack through the middle. Mentzingan found N’for dashing up the middle of the field. N’for received the pass and gently prodded it past Ann Arbor’s Spencer Ward to give Lansing a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute.

What a GAME!?@lansingignite takes the victory over @AFCAnnArbor 2-1 and will move on to the 2nd round to compete with @IndyEleven!?#USOC2019

Game Highlights ?⤵️ pic.twitter.com/zwb8rz5YkL

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 9, 2019

Lansing almost doubled their lead seven minutes later as Mentzingan picked off an errant back pass by the Ann Arbor defense, but his low shot was scooped up by Ward.

Alex Alexis would pick up a yellow card in the 40th minute for a rash tackle on Lansing’s Kevin Coiffic.

Ann Arbor had a chance to tie it up just before halftime but midfielder Jake Rufe’s volley in the box skied over the left side of the net.

Ann Arbor would tie the game up in the 67th minute as Rufe tracked a bad back pass to Lansing’s Ihn and took a shot that was deflected by Lansing’s Grant Stoneman. It fell to Alexis, who was at the top of the box, and the young Haitian winger calmly slotted the ball into Lansing’s open net. Ann Arbor tried to build on that pressure when recent sub Yuri Farkas came on and forced Ihn into another save.

Lansing would restore their lead, however. After a corner kick was deflected back into the run of play Lewis Jones lashed a cross into the box and found the head of N’for, standing all alone. N’for headed the ball in to give Lansing the 2-1 advantage in the 72nd minute.

Mentzigan had a chance to put the game on ice in the 76th minute when he found himself in acres of space, but his shot was kick saved by Ward of Ann Arbor.

Late in the game, AFC Ann Arbor’s final chance fell to Jack Hallahan who found space to make a run with the ball in the box, but Lansing’s Ihn was game as he cartwheel swiped the ball out of the air and to a Lansing player who cleared it.

Lansing advances the Second Round in its inaugural US Open Cup run. Next they will play on the road against Indy Eleven (USL Championship) on May 15. AFC Ann Arbor remains without a tournament win in three consecutive trips to the competition.

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: Welshman hat trick helps FC Cincinnati pull away from Detroit City FC in OT

May 20, 2018 by Fletcher Sharpe

Emery Welshman of FC Cincinnati battles for the ball with a Detroit City FC player in a Second Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Brett Hansbauer | 4th Floor Creative

Detroit City FC battled valiantly against FC Cincinnati for 90 minutes to a 1-1 draw in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Unfortunately, the Cup match went an additional 30 minutes, and the United Soccer League side rallied to score three goals in extra time to defeat the amateurs from the Motor City, 4-1.

It was an offensive explosion that was completely different from what FC Cincy fans enjoyed last year during the club’s historic run to the US Open Cup Semifinals. The club advanced in five straight games to reach the tournament’s final four by scoring just four goals over 510 minutes. On Wednesday, it took them 120 minutes to put four goals in the back of the net. Canadian striker Emery Welshman scored three of the team’s four goals, with two fo them coming in extra time.

Play started early with Cincinnati holding a lot of pressure over the Hamtramck,Mich.-based club culminating with Daniel Haber’s cross almost finding the head of Paddy Barrett in the 21st minute. As the ball bounced around in the box and almost squirted out, Barrett found the ball again and unleashed a shot that was deflected out for another corner.

Cinco threatened again in the 23rd when Welshman took a shot toward’s Detroit’s net that was deflected, but landed in the box. Detroit’s keeper Nate Steinwascher beat the onrushing Cincinnati player to the ball and smothered it.

Detroit broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with a goal that not only wowed the stadium, but also electrified the internet. Haber’s pass was intercepted by Detroit’s Elliot Bentley deep in their half. Bentley then found Deakin who paced down the field and found Bentley on the left side. Bentley played a one time pass to Rafa Mentzingan who played a short pass a full springing Deakin. Deakin carried the ball into Cincinnati’s box before sending a low pass to Shawn Lawson, who was in the middle of the box. Lawson waited patiently as two Cincy defenders went by before slotting home a low shot into the right corner for the 1-0 lead.

Here’s that @DetroitCityFC opener. Spectacular. #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/gKO0kfiXW3

— TheSoccerObserver (@SoccerObserver) May 17, 2018

The lead did not last long however, as Cincy tied it up three minutes later. A long cross came into Cincy’s box from the right to Detroit’s back post. The 6’6 Forrest Lasso was waiting and flicked a header back across the mouth of the goal, and the Guyanese international Welshman jumped and headed home the equalizer to make it 1-1. At halftime, Cincy had outshot Detroit (8-2), taken less fouls (0-5), and taken more corners (7-2) than Le Rouge. Cincy picked up their first foul as soon as the official blew his whistle to start the second half as a defender mowed down the back of Lawson’s leg.

FC Cincinnati fans cheer on their team during a Second Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup against Detroit City FC. Photo: Brett Hansbauer | 4th Floor Creative

Cincy injected some life into their wings when they inserted former FC Buffalo winger Russell Cicerone in the 60th. Detroit had a decent chance to put them up in front in the 79th minute as Detroit received a foul about 8 yards outside of the box, with Deakin and Omar Sinclair standing over the ball to take the free kick. Deakin quickly did and hooked it very wide of the net. Cinco got one last chance in regulation in stoppage time as Cicerone fired a corner into the box, but it was dealt with by the Detroit defense. Unfortunately for the NPSL side, dead legs kicked in as the players were exhausted, and it showed. Cincinnati scored in the 93rd when Welshman cut from the right side of the box, and found substitute Corben Bone who steadied the ball and slammed it home to make it 2-1. Six minutes later, it was 3-1 as Cicerone made an angling run from the right wing and took a shot. The ball deflected off of the defense, and Welshman was there to half volley it home. Welshman would complete the hat trick in the 111th minute after being in the right place at the right time, and poking home a goal.

See what @AlanKochYVR, @Esawelsh and @CorbenBone had to say after tonight’s U.S. Open Cup victory.#JoinTheMarch | #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/HIiUhh5XHK

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) May 17, 2018

City head coach had nothing but admiration for his team.

“We played hard. We could have done a few things differently, but we played hard. Dead legs set in, and there isn’t much you can do there. But we took the best team in (the Eastern Conference of) the USL to extra time. Can’t really ask for much more.”

When asked about whether it might be seen as some silver lining as Detroit had played three games in eight days (last Wednesday against the Bucks, Sunday against NPSL side AFC Ann Arbor, and Wednesday night), Pitman quickly replied shook his head.

“No. These guys want to win every game they come to play at. I want to win every came we line up and play.”

FC Cincinnati will move on to Highmark Stadium next Wednesday to play against USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who beat another NPSL side, the Erie Admirals.

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: Detroit City ousts Michigan Bucks in PKs for second year in a row

May 10, 2018 by Fletcher Sharpe

Detroit City FC fans celebrate a PK shootout win over the Michigan Bucks in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | DCFC

Roddy Green stepped up to the spot, and slammed a ball to his left. Michigan Bucks’ goalkeeper Jimmy Hague guessed correctly and dove to his right to get one hand on the ball. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t get two, and the ball slammed into the back of the net, giving Detroit City FC a penalty kcik shootout win and a trip into the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

It was second year in a row that the two rivals had to decide a US Open Cup game from the penalty spot and for the second year in a row, Le Rouge are headed to the Second Round to take on a professional team from the United Soccer League next week. Detroit managed to advance despite playing the majority of the 30 minutes of extra time shorthanded.

“I’m proud of this group,” said Detroit City head coach Ben Pirmann. “I thought we had it won earlier, and then some things happened that were out of our control.” Pirmann would soon elaborate. “That’s our main issue going forward, making sure to keep our emotions in check and focus on what we can control.”

The first shot on target of the chippy game came in the 45th minute, as former Lansing United player Rafa Mentzingen strode into the attacking third, before poking a ball towards the Bucks’ net. The Bucks goalkeeper, the reigning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year from Michigan State, calmly scooped it up. Mentzingen tried again, this time with a volley, and it gave Hague a little more trouble, but still resulted in a save.

Detroit City FC goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher makes a save in the PK shootout with the Michigan Bucks. Photo: Jon DeBoer | DCFC

The game got a little dicey in the 56th as Jared Timmer (formerly of Grand Rapids FC) got physical with Detroit’s Shawn Claud Lawson during run of play. Timmer, already on a yellow card, wrapped his hands around Lawson, and Lawson responded with a shove. The play was blown dead as a foul for Detroit much to the chagrin of the Bucks players.

“You expect some physicality.” Bucks head manager Paul Thomas said. “These guys played together in college, or against each other, or even just growing up with each other…eventually feistiness with show.”

That feistiness would pay off for Detroit as in the following minute a ball was crossed into the Bucks’ box. Mentzingen rose up to head the ball towards the Bucks’ net, and was dismayed as it clanged off the cross bar. That dismay quickly turned to joy as Lawson corralled the shot and fired it in, upper 90 to give Detroit a 1-0 lead. It was their first goal they scored against The Bucks in regulation.

It seemed like smooth sailing for Le Rouge until the 84th minute when Brad Ruhaak was fouled in the box. Subtitle Alfonso Pineirnho stepped up and sent Detroit’s Nate Steinwascher the wrong way, in front of the crowd of 3000+ to level it 1-1.

There was no change in score, so extra time was needed, and in extra time, things got worse for Detroit as sub Greg Janicki, who came on for Lawson, was shown a straight red for a challenge on Mitch Guitar of the Bucks.

Roddy Green of Detroit City FC celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in the PK shootout with the Michigan Bucks in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Jon DeBoer | DCFC

In the second half of overtime, Roddy Green would come on for Mentzingen, and show flashes of fresh legs when he could get on the ball.

With no goals scored in extra time, the game moved to penalty kicks. Bucks had their first PK saved, as did City. However, Bucks scored on their second when Franc Buhovac slotted the ball past Steinwascher. New recruit Brandon Bartel’s spot kick was saved, and it looked like Bucks would see this game out, especially after Giuseppe Barone converted his for Michigan. But Brad Centala scored for DCFC, and Brad Dunwell of the Bucks missed wide left. This left the door open for Omar Sinclair to power a shot to the right. Hague got a hand on it but could not push it out. Elliot Bentley (former of Midland-Odessa FC) stepped up and tied the score at 4-4. This left the door open for Steinwascher to come up with one more huge save before Green scored the winning kick.

With the win, Detroit moves on to play FC Cincinnati at Gettler Field on University of Cincinnati’s campus. Before that though, Le Rouge will travel to Skyline High School to take on AFC Ann Arbor, who crashed out in the first round of the US Open Cup by way of the Ocean City Noreasters.

“The biggest thing for us is health.” Pitman affirmed. “We need to make sure we are ready to go for Sunday, as well as next week. So we’re going to have to make some lineup movements to make that work.”

MADNESS!!! @DetroitCityFC wins it in PKs and the crowd. goes. WILD. pic.twitter.com/K5MncGjfb3

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 10, 2018

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: Michigan Bucks add NASL’s Indy Eleven to giant-killing resume

May 21, 2017 by Fletcher Sharpe

The main entrance of the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich., the home of the PDL’s Michigan Bucks.

The Michigan Bucks skated by the NASL’s Indy Eleven, 1-0, in Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup clash behind some stellar defense and a strike from University of Michigan star Francis Atuahene.

With the win, the Bucks earn the club’s 10th upset of a professional opponent, the most of any amateur team in the Modern Era (1995-present).

The second-round game started slowly, but it was broken open in the 11th when Atuahene seemed to have a clear path to the net after a gorgeous long ball. However, he ran into a stumbling Anthony Manning, and the ball bounced to Indy keeper Keith Cardona.

Former Michigan player David Goldsmith almost put his new team ahead in the 16th with a right-footed shot from the right wing, but it rattled off the post. The rebound was saved by Bucks keeper Drew Shepherd.

In the 22nd minute, Michigan’s Andre Landell flicked a cross into the box, but Indy’s Cardona got a hand on the ball to keep Grant Stoneman from heading it into the net

The Eleven almost took the lead behind a gorgeous curling ball from wing midfielder Justin Plumhoff, but his shot banged off the crossbar and back into play.

Michigan launched a counterattack, which ended with right back Jordan Snell feeding a gorgeous through ball to Atuahene, who calmly slotted a ball past Cardona to give the Bucks a 1-0 lead.

“The goal by Francis helped a lot.” Michigan coach Demir Muftari said with a smile. “It allowed us to keep with the flow of the game, and kind of press a little more.”

Indy Eleven pressed the rest of match with long shots. Current NASL leading scorer Justin Braun had a nice turn in the box, but his shot was turned away.

The Bucks were able to hold onto their slim lead, before celebrating before a crowd of at least 400 fans.

With the win, the Bucks improve to 15-11-2 (0-2 PKs) all-time in US Open Cup play, by far the most wins of any amateur team in the Modern Era. In fact, by defeating Indy Eleven, they improve their record against Division 2 pro teams to 4-1-0. They haven’t lost to a Division 2 team since a 3-2 extra time loss to the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1997.

Another milestone that was set was the Bucks earning a fourth clean sheet against a pro team. Only one amateur team in the country have more shutouts against pro teams (Ocean City Nor’easters of the PDL have six).

The win sends the Bucks to Round 3 where they will host Saint Louis FC of the USL on May 31.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: Michigan Bucks earn hard-fought 1-0 win over AFC Ann Arbor

May 14, 2017 by Fletcher Sharpe

The Michigan Bucks, a pillar of consistency in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, triumphed over the upstart AFC Ann Arbor 1-0 in a very tightly contested match, that had all the fans fully invested.

“That was a tough game,” said Bucks head coach Gary Parsons. “AFC, they’re a top club in the NPSL, so we had to come to play tonight.”

With the win, the Bucks win its 14th tournament win, which adds to the club’s Modern Era (1995-present) record for an amateur team. They will move on to host the NASL’s Indy Eleven in Round 2.

Play started in the fourth minute with AFC’s Tendai Jirira making a dangerous throw down the left line to Alec Lasinski, but Bucks center back Mo Kaba screened Lasinski off the ball.

The game turned in the 13th minute, when the Mighty Oak failed to clear a ball from the back, and it fell to the midfield. It was poked forward to Andre Landell, who rounded the keeper, and slipped the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 for the Bucks.

NPSL Midwestern Golden Boot winner Dario Suarez was fouled from outside the box in the 21st minute, and his ensuing free kick swerved just over the left crossbar.

From that point forward for the rest of the half, it was the Bucks setting up shop in Ann Arbor’s half, and preventing them from playing their high flying style people were accustomed to seeing.

“We started out with a more defensive approach,” said AFC Ann Arbor head coach Eric Rudland. “The second half we ended up inserting Yuri (Farkas) into the match to try and liven things up.”

Farkas’ substitution into the match did change things for Ann Arbor, as they became a lot more aggressive, getting the ball down the side, and working it through the seems.

The Bucks got lucky with a very hard foul on Suarez committed by Daniel de Oliviera in the 63rd minute. The Brazilian midfielder attempted to challenge the ball, and as the former Cuban international pulled away from him, de Oliviera threw his body into Suarez. The referee deliberated for a minute, but decided that a yellow was punishment enough.

Six minutes later, the Mighty Oak almost grabbed a goal back. As mentioned, Farkas’ inclusion to this match allowed for other players to press more. On one particular play, Suarez made a direct run down the left seam, and received the ball. He cut into the box, with a one on one situation with Bucks goalie Drew Shepherd but his finesse chip shot sailed just over the bar.

The Bucks tried to add another goal via Francis Atuahene. The Ghanaian forward unleashed a barrage from about 30 yards out. It beat the keeper but came off the crossbar.

Shouts for a penalty rang out in the 90th, as Nick Walker aggressively shouldered down Lasinski in the Bucks penalty area, but the head official waived play to continue.

With the win, the Bucks move to 14-11 (0-2 PKs) in US Open Cup play. Michigan’s next Open Cup game is at home against Indy Eleven. But Coach Parsons isn’t thinking about that.

“We have a game between now and next Wednesday against a very good team (K-W United), so we’re focused on that first. But Indy is a very good team, so we’re going to have to change how we played today. Maybe a little more conservative.”

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: RWB Adria advance for first time in Modern Pro Era, eliminate Detroit City FC in PKs

February 15, 2015 by Fletcher Sharpe

UPDATE: Vlad Baciu of RWB Adria earned TheCup.us Player of the Round

RWB Adria has had their share of heartbreaks in their US Open Cup history. Wednesday, they were the heartbreakers, as they eliminated Detroit City FC on penalty kicks after a full time score of 2-2.

“It was a great game. A great great game,” said Adria goalkeeper Igor Dimov. “A great atmosphere , surprising, but very enjoyable.”

Dimov had a lot to be cheering about as he and his club, who reached the semifinals in 1978 and 1991, advanced for the first time in the Modern Professional Era (1995-present), after going 0-3-1 (0-1 in PKs) in their last four appearances.

Play started in the 2nd minute, at the rainy Livonia Stevenson High School as Vlad Baciu looked to create a scoring opportunity for RWB but his through ball found no one. Detroit City looked to get on the board early as returning leading scorer Zach Myers, the 2012 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, was stopped after a stellar run down the middle of Adria’s defense in the 10th. A sliding tackle from an Adria defender robbed Myers of what would have surely been a goal.

Baciu was at it again in the 17th as he took his first shot of the game was it hit the left post and spun out of play. He was much more efficient three minutes later, when Judson McKinney’s long throw-in was knocked around DCFC’s box, only to find the bottom of Baciu’s foot, who put it past Detroit keeper Bret Mollon.

It nearly became 2-0 Adria as captain Semir Mesanovic launched a missile towards City’s net but it was off-target. The half continued with Detroit having numerous opportunities, but finding the cross bar or wide of the mark. Most notably with Wade Allen finding spaces in the defense but being just a touch off on his shot, twice.

After the half, DCFC made a change with Willian Mellors-Blair who promptly made his presence known with two shots within 15 minutes of joining the game. His second one was a goal that was ruled offside, which is something DCFC struggled with as a team throughout the evening.

Detroit City finally tied the match when Zach Myers crossed the ball to Tyler Arnone, who was standing at the top of the box. Arnone’s shot beat Adria’s Dimov who was out of position in the net to make it 1-1 in the 71st minute. Six minutes later, Detroit had the lead and all the momentum as Ryan Thelan’s corner kick found the dreaded hair of Kevin Taylor to make it 2-1. That goal was Taylor’s first in the US Open Cup since 2003 when he was a member of the Mid-Michigan Bucks against the Long Island Rough Riders in a 2-1 victory. Taylor’s 11-year gap in between Open Cup goals is a new Modern Pro Era record.

Adria snatched back all the momentum just before the game ended with another scrum goal. A DCFC clearance on the goal line didn’t escape danger as Baciu got his foot on the ball again to give him his second goal of the match. More tragedy struck for DCFC when Thelan was elbowed in the head going for a ball against Baciu in the 97th minute, and had to be helped off of the field. As DCFC had used all of their substitutes, they had to play a man down for the extra periods.

Adria would level the playing field in the 109th minute when Marin Vucemilovic-Grgic was sent off for a foolish challenge from behind on Arnone.

Soon after, in the 116th minute, the game began to unravel as two more red cards were issued after a tussle between Detroit defender Zeke Harris and Adria’s Dimov, which attracted RWB’s Derek Huffman into the mix, ending with Harris and Huffman both getting ejected to bring the game down to 9-on-9.

The game went to a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of play. Dimov stepped up and saved two of the first four attempts (Lochlan Savage and Kevin Taylor), with another attempt going wide. Arnone scored the lone PK for Detroit City.

Adria, however, was much more successful in their conversions as Bret Mollon was only able to come up with one save, on Josip Keran. Mesanovic, Johnny Morris and McKinney all converted to put the match decisively away 3-1.

“We were very lucky tonight,” Dimov said after the game. “Detroit played very hard, and we were lucky to get the victory tonight. We controlled the first half, but we knew Detroit being younger, would allow them to run for in the second half.” .

“When we scored our final goal, I think it took the life out of Detroit, and then we just used our experience and old man strength to finish the game,” laughed Dimov.

RWB general manager Ante Loncar weighed in as well: “It was a good game. Detroit has excellent fans. They’re a great team. Especially since both teams kind of just got together recently. In the end, I think our experience won us this match, as it could have gone either way.”

With the victory, RWB Adria will be back in Michigan next Wednesday, as they will be in Pontiac at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas to face Michigan’s other premier amateur club, the Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League.

“It will be an interesting match. They are a great team,” gushed Loncar. “We will see next week what happens, but it should be a great match.”

2014 US Open Cup Round 2: RWB Adria completes Detroit sweep, beats Michigan Bucks 1-0 in OT

May 15, 2014 by Fletcher Sharpe

Michigan Bucks hosted RWB Adria at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. Photo: Kelly Haapala — Michigan Bucks of the PDL hosted the USASA’s RWB Adria (Illinois) at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich. Photo: Kelly Haapala

Almost like a week before, Red, White, Blue Adria came to Michigan and played 120 minutes, and won. Except this time, they didn’t need Igor Dimov in the penalty kick shootout.

After defeating the NPSL’s Detroit City FC a week ago, RWB Adria returned to Metro Detroit and got a timely goal from Carlos Muños in the first overtime, and were able to hold on for a 1-0 win over the PDL’s Michigan Bucks.

It was the second year in a row that the Bucks have lost their opening round game, something rare for the team that has more wins and upsets than any amateur team in the country. For RWB, it was their second Open Cup win in a row, which is impressive considering they entered the tournament winless since 1995.

“We had a scout for the Bucks,” said RWB Adria general manager Ante Loncar. “We knew they were faster than us, and that their centerbacks were really good, so we hoped to attack them on the flanks to cause some trouble before coming back to the middle.”

The game was just as physical as last week’s match against Detroit City with the Bucks Stew Givens suffering a foul from behind shortly after the opening whistle.

The Bucks almost had a chance to go up early, but forward Anthony Grant was a hair too late getting in front of an Adria back pass in the 2nd minute. The first shot of the game came in the 5th minute as RWB defender Alex Rickett sent an outside shot toward the Bucks stalwart goalkeeper, Adam Grinwis.

Literally two minutes later, Adria was on the attack again. Vlad Baciu, the reigning TheCup.us Player of the Round, made his way in front of the net, but it took a desperation tackle by Ryan Keener to stop the big Romanian from adding to his tournament tally.

The Bucks first shot didn’t come until the 13th minute, when Givens, a throw-in specialist, looped a long throw onto the dreaded head of Gerald Ben, who headed the ball wide of the target. The entire half was defined by rough play and missed chances, as Baciu and and Bucks winger Anthony Grant traded missed opportunities. The most notable came in the 24th minute, when Adria defender Johnny Morris launched a hard shot at Grinwis, but the Bucks keeper was up for the challenge. Baciu was also there for the rebound but Grinwis parried that as well.

Adria had an indirect freekick in the Bucks penalty area as a Michigan defender played the ball while on the ground. The ensuing play saw Taylor Bond touch the ball to Rickett, who tapped it right back before Bond blasted it off of a defender.

In the 32nd minute, Grant broke free of the Adria defense, but must have mistimed how much time he had on the ball, because he promptly fired a missile off the glass about 20 feet high of the net. Baciu and Grinwis got well-acquainted again, as the University of Michigan goalie came out of his net to save a vicious shot from Baciu with his stomach.

In the second half, Grinwis was under assault again, as the RWB captain Semir Mesanovic blasted a shot off of Grinwis’ gloves. The ball fell to Baciu who, again, headed it on net, only to be saved by Grinwis, again.

Near the end of regulation, RWB’s Antonio Aguliar began to terrorize the right side of Michigan’s defense with sweeping runs down the field or in the 75th minute, when he fired a shot that just whistled wide of the post.

Michigan’s best chance of the game came in the 77th minute, when midfielder Ken Tribbett received a pass, made an impressive fake, before sliding a shot toward goal. It was saved by the 36-year-old Dimov.

The first booking of the match came in the 89th minute to Alex Rickett on an awful challenge on Brad Ruhaak from the side, which resulted in Ruhaak limping around the field for a minute until full time was called.

The first extra time period started with a bang, as Leljak slid on the ground in the 93rd minute, and found Muños just outside the box on the left side.

“Pretty much, Admir gave me the ball on top, and as soon as I took one touch, I had two defenders on me,” Muños recalled after the game. “They came at me, I made one move, they gave me enough room to take a shot, and luckily it went in.” rwb-adria

From that point forward, the Bucks would press for a goal. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t their night, as RWB parked the bus and countered every Bucks attacking run.

“It was a very physical game.” Muños continued. “Our team played awesome. They fought for every ball. Anyone can score a goal when you do that.”

Loncar agreed: “The Michigan Bucks are one of the premier clubs in the PDL, and in all of soccer. They are elite, so we knew it would be tough,” said Loncar. “We knew we had to defend, as we’re still older than them,” he said with a laugh.

RWB seemed just as happy to win this match as they were to hear who their next opponents will be. They will be given a revenge match against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds after getting word that the Riverhounds disposed of the New York Red Bulls U23s, 3-1.

“We’re very excited for this match-up. They eliminated us on penalty kicks last year,” grinned Loncar. “I don’t want to sound cocky or anything, but I like the way we are playing currently. We were missing two players to red cards tonight. So we’ll be looking a lot different come next Wednesday.”

2014 US Open Cup Round 1: RWB Adria advance for first time in Modern Pro Era, eliminate Detroit City FC in PKs

May 8, 2014 by Fletcher Sharpe

dcfc-supporters-vs-rwb-adria — Detroit City FC fans were out in full voice at Stevenson High School in Livonia, but RWB Adria emerged victorious in a penalty kick shootout. Photo: Jon DeBoer | Detroit City FC

UPDATE: Vlad Baciu of RWB Adria earned TheCup.us Player of the Round

RWB Adria has had their share of heartbreaks in their US Open Cup history. Wednesday, they were the heartbreakers, as they eliminated Detroit City FC on penalty kicks after a full time score of 2-2.

“It was a great game. A great great game,” said Adria goalkeeper Igor Dimov. “A great atmosphere , surprising, but very enjoyable.”

“When we scored our final goal, I think it took the life out of Detroit, and then we just used our experience and old man strength to finish the game,” laughed Dimov.

“It will be an interesting match. They are a great team,” gushed Loncar. “We will see next week what happens, but it should be a great match.”

SCORING SUMMARY

RWB: Baciu (McKinney) – 20th min.
DCFC – Arnone (Myers) – 71st min.
DCFC – Taylor (Thelan) – 77th min.
RWB – Baciu (Unassisted) – 90th+

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

DCFC:
Savage: Saved,
Edwardson: Wide left
Taylor: Saved
Arnone: Scored

RWB:
Mesanovic: Scored
Morris: Scored
Keran: Saved
McKinney: Scored

BOOKING SUMMARY

RWB – Mesanovic 44th – Yellow
RWB – Bond 52nd – Yellow
DCFC – Z. Harris 59th – Yellow
DCFC – Myers 90th+ – Yellow
RWB – Vucelilovic 109th – Red
RWB – Huffman 116th – Red
DCFC – Z. Harris 116th – Red

STARTING LINEUPS

DCFC: Mollon (GK); Z.Harris, Thelan, Lamb, Rogers (C); Saydee (Edwardson 88th), Thompson (Savage 63rd), Taylor, Arnone; Myers, Allan (Mellors-Blair 45th)

RWB Adria: Dimov (GK), McKinney, Keran, Vucemilovic-Grgic, Arapovic; Ljeljabk, Mesanovic (C), Stijepic, Khoshaba (Bond, 45th); Huffman, Baciu.