Matt Stigall

2013 US Open Cup Third Round: Real Salt Lake forced to OT by Atlanta Silverbacks, but prevail 3-2

May 30, 2013 by Matt Stigall

On a rainy, gloomy day at Rio Tinto Stadium, it appeared Real Salt Lake would avoid a repeat of last year’s upset loss to Minnesota with a 1-0 lead only to see the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks tally a late equalizer to send the contest to overtime where the MLS side would eventually prevail 3-2 to move onto the Fourth Round.

The game started off quickly with a clear RSL chance in the second minute. The Silverbacks back line had trouble clearing the ball and it came to wide-open Robbie Findley in front of goal, forcing Silverbacks keeper Joe Nasco to make a brilliant save that forced a corner.

On the resulting corner, Real Salt Lake took the early lead when an unmarked Kyle Beckerman finished at the near post. Javier Morales was credited with the assist.

After that early goal, the game slowed down a bit in the wet and rainy conditions. When there were chances, Real Salt Lake’s were the most threatening. Nasco made many quality saves to keep the underdogs in the match.

After a few great chances in the second half for Real Salt Lake were saved by Nasco, Atlanta turned on the pressure. For about 25 minutes, the Silverbacks were the team with the majority of the ball and chances. Still, with minutes left, the Silverbacks were looking for the equalizer.

That equalizer came in the 86th minute on a fast counter. Danny Barrera had the ball in midfield and slotted a gorgeous through ball to Ruben Luna on the wing. Luna found Kellen Gulley who chipped the ball over the stranded keeper for a nice goal that would force extra time.

As extra time began, both teams were showing signs of fatigue and frustration. Real Salt Lake scored in the 98th minute when Devon Sandoval scored on a dangerous cross through the box. Minutes later, Real Salt Lake would add another goal for insurance with an absolute rocket from Khari Stevenson from over 25 yards out. With the score now 3-1 in favor of Real Salt Lake, the Silverbacks were scrambling to get back into the game.

Atlanta looked to have a miracle of a chance when they scored in the 121st minute when Pablo Cruz made a nice finish in the box, but that wound up being the last kick of the game. With the 3-2 victory, Real Salt Lake will host the Charleston Battery of USL Pro in the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup on June 12.

RSL: Kyle Beckerman 3

ATL: Kellen Gulley 86

RSL: Devon Sandoval 98

RSL: Khari Stephenson 101

ATL: Pablo Cruz 121

Discipline

RSL: Yordany Alvarez (caution) 4

ATL: Daniel Barrera (caution) 44

ATL: Milton Blanco (caution) 65

RSL: Javier Morales (caution) 68

ATL: Borfor Carr (caution) 80

RSL: Ned Grabavoy (caution) 117

2013 US Open Cup Second Round: Atlanta Silverbacks top Georgia Revolution again in rematch

May 22, 2013 by Matt Stigall

On a gorgeous Tuesday night in Conyers, Georgia, the Georgia Revolution hosted the Atlanta Silverbacks in the Second Round U.S. Open Cup matchup. Dubbed the “Battle for Atlanta,” the Atlanta Silverbacks advanced to the Third Round of the US Open Cup with a 3-2 win in a game of many chances and drama.

The contest was a rematch from the Second Round a year ago in which the Silverbacks also prevailed by a single goal, moving on with a 1-0 road victory courtesy of Raphael Cox strike in the 61st minute.

The visiting Silverbacks couldn’t have started Tuesday’s “Battle For Atlanta” any better, going up 1-0 in the fourth minute. After a poor headed clearance by Revolution defender Michael Nwiloh, Silverbacks forward Ruben Luna capitalized with a strong volley into the corner of the net from 20 yards out.

The Revolution came back and equalized in the 16th minute with a quick counter attack when forward Kwadwo Poku, who tallied a hat-trick last week, played Iain Smith through on goal. The midfielder converted beautifully, sneaking a shot inside the near post to tie the game at 1-1.

The Silverbacks had a disallowed goal in the 29th minute when a tap-in from Silverbacks midfielder Horace James was called back for offside. Minutes later, the Silverbacks would have another chance to retake the lead when Mike Randolph was pulled down in the penalty area, earning a kick from the spot.

Ruben Luna was chosen to take the penalty and he blasted it into the right corner to make it 2-1 in the 31st minute.

The Revolution came out for the second half with a renewed focus on the attack in an attempt to find the tying goal, but the Silverbacks doubled their advantage. Pablo Cruz connected on a pass from midfielder Milton Blanco from over 20 yards out to make it 3-1 in the 57th minute.

In the 61st drama unfolded when the Silverbacks bench was warned for dissent. A few seconds later, a Silverbacks assistant coach was ejected from the game.

After play continued, the Revolution would immediately strike a surprising goal as midfielder Rene Enang converted on a low shot through traffic. With about 30 minutes left, the Revolution were looking to equalize while the Silverbacks were doing everything to deny scoring chances.

The best chance to equalize came in stoppage time when Revolution substitute midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko saw a ball fall to his feet at the top of the box, but he blasted the wide open shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

The Silverbacks will face a tougher challenge next week as they will travel to play Real Salt Lake, who are sitting near the top of the Major League Soccer table. Last year, the Silverbacks were embarrassed by the Seattle Sounders in the Third Round, 5-1, and will be looking to show some improvement on that result.

SILVERBACKS LINEUP: GK Nasco, D Bloom, D Navarro, D Reiss, D Randolph, M Menjivar, M Blanco, M Barrera, M James (Willis 67’), M Cruz (Uribe 80’), F Luna (Gulley 61’)

REVOLUTION LINEUP: GK Kramer, D Davis (Redding 85’), D Nicholson, D Nwiloh, D Papanikolopoulos, M DeBoer (Landberg 61’), M Enang, M Smith (Sissoko 74’), F Poku, F Sumpter, F Maduka

2013 US Open Cup First Round: Georgia Revolution holds off Real Colorado Foxes rally, escapes with 4-3 win

May 15, 2013 by Matt Stigall

It was a game of two halves as the Georgia Revolution held off a thrilling comeback from the Real Colorado Foxes and advanced to the next round of the US Open Cup with a 4-3 win. The Revolution will host the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2nd year in a row in the 100th edition of the tournament.

The Revolution held a 3-0 lead at halftime following a standout performance from Ghanian forward Kwadwo Poku with two goals an an assist.

His first goal came in the 15th minute with a strike in the top right corner and it was assisted by Rene Enang.

In the 40th minute, Poku assisted an Emeka Maduka goal slotted in the bottom right corner.

Minutes later, Poku put the Revs up 3-0 in the 43rd minute on an unassisted goal where he stole the ball from the Foxes back line and slotted through on a breakaway.

In the second half, the Revs were on the scoreboard first and it was yet another unassisted Poku goal. The hat trick was complete as he put the Revs up 4-0 in the 56th minute and they looked set to cruise.

The Foxes would have other plans, and Alex Tarnoczi made the score 4-1 in the 63rd minute on a shot that was deflected in.

One minute later, the game was on with yet another Colorado goal, this time scored by Chris Salvaggione assisted by Aaron Skipworth and that cut the lead to two.

The comeback continued with another Foxes goal, this time Skipworth converted on a headed cross from Luigi Clendening in the 79th minute. Now the score was 4-3 and the Foxes had 11 minutes plus 3 minutes of injury time to equalize.

The neutral fan would have loved some extra time, but the final whistle ended the match with the Revolution edging out the Foxes, 4-3.

The player of the match was undoubtedly Poku, who contributed to all four goals. For the Foxes, the substitute combination of Skipworth and Clendening in the 56th minute changed the match as they combined for a goal and two assists.

Stats:

Revs- Foxes

Shots: 11-8
Corners: 5-0
Saves: 2-3
Fouls: 5-5
Offsides: 3-3