2009 Quarterfinals

2009 Quarterfinal recap: Rochester Rhinos last USL team standing

July 22, 2009 by

2009 US Open Cup Quarterfinals
(Home team listed on right)

July 7
Wilmington Hammerheads 1:2 Rochester Rhinos
Harrisburg City Islanders 1:2 DC United
Houston Dynamo 4:0 Charleston Battery
Kansas City Wizards 0:1 Seattle Sounders

Player of the Round: Geoff Cameron (HOU)
Notable upsets in Quarterfinal history
Things you should know about the Quarterfinals

The Rochester Rhinos may be the only USL team left in the tournament, but they have been here before. The Rhinos will make their third appearance in the Semifinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a 2-1 victory over the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division. For the Rhinos, it will be their first appearance in the final four since 1999, the year they won the Open Cup.

They will travel to Boyds, Md. on July 21 to face DC United, the club that beat them in the 1996 Open Cup Final. United got past a USL Second Division club of their own, knocking off the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-1.

In the other Semifinal, the Houston Dynamo will make their way to the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila, WA on July 21 where they will face the Seattle Sounders. The Dynamo exorcized some demons on Tuesday night, eliminating the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium, something they have been unable to do in the 2007 and 2008 tournaments. The difference in Seattle’s 1-0 win over Kansas City was an 89th minute penalty kick that Sebastien Le Toux converted for the game’s only goal.

2009 Quarterfinals: Geoff Cameron unanimous choice as Player of the Round

July 21, 2009 by

Houston Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron’s two goal performance for his club earned him the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. Just four days shy of his 24th birthday, Cameron netted the game-winning header 16 minutes into the match, and rounded out the scoring on another header in the 73rd minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated the Charleston Battery 4-0 to move onto the Semifinals against the Seattle Sounders.

Voters rewarded Cameron’s stand out performance with a unanimous vote for Player of the Round, while Charleston Battery’s Mike Ambersely earned runner-up honors in an almost unanimous vote, losing one vote to Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who finished in third.

Cameron joined the Houston Dynamo in 2008 as a third round draft pick (42nd overall) and quickly developed into a pivotal member of Houston’s defense. He saw action in 23 matches in 2008 – with eight starts – and was nominated for the 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. Along with the Rookie of the Year nomination, his consistent play earned him a call-up to the U.S. Mens National Team Training Camp in January 2009, where he unfortunately sustained a hamstring injury on the second day. In 2009, Cameron has started all 17 matches he has played in, and has one assist.

The Player of the Round is selected by the staff of TheCup.us and members of the North American Soccer Reporters, a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information about the NASR can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

2009 Quarterfinals: DC United gets revenge, survives battle from shorthanded City Islanders

July 7, 2009 by

Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, Md.
Match Reports: DC United | Washington Post | Patriot-News

	2	FT	1
Boyzzz Khumalo (McTavish) 8’ Andrew Jacobsen (Fred) 18’				50’ Mo Odour – SENT OFF 65’ Nicki Paterson (Unassisted)

MLS Eastern Conference leaders and US Open Cup holders DC United took a step closer to repeating as champions by defeating USL-2 front runners Harrisburg City Islanders in a closely contested Quarterfinal matchup seen by over 2000 fans at the Maryland Soccerplex.

DC, trying to avoid a repeat of the 2007 match between the two clubs that saw Harrisburg eliminate them 1-0, took an early lead in the game through an 8th minute goal by Boyzzz Khumalo. Devon McTavish served up the cross from the right side and the South Africa native headed it home.

Ten minutes later, United added some insurance when Andrew Jacobson repeated the feat with his head off a corner kick delivered by Fred. DC would hang on to the two-goal advantage into halftime.

The second half should have been smooth sailing with the sending off of Harrisburg’s Mo Oduor nine minutes in, but the City Islanders put up a fight and kept the hosts on the defensive. Even with a man down, Harrisburg got on the board in the 64th minute thanks to Nicki Paterson’s shot after recovering a loose ball in the box.

With Harrisburg having the momentum and the pressure mounting for DC, play intensified. The City Islanders continued to create chances while drawing two late cautions by Ange N’Silu and Christian Gomez. DC fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as the equalizer was not realized when regulation ended 2-1 in favor of United who now face the Rochester Rhinos in the Semifinals.

History is on the defending champions’ side as they have beaten the Rhinos all three times they have played them in Open Cup play, including the 1996 Open Cup Final.

2009 Quarterfinals: Dynamo purge two years of Open Cup frustration; thrash Charleston 4-0

July 7, 2009 by

Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, SC
Match Reports: Charleston | Houston | Post and Courier | Houston Chronicle

	0	FT	4
				16’ Geoff Cameron (Hayden) 47’ Bobby Boswell (Hayden) 52’ Dominic Oduro (Unassisted) 73’ Geoff Cameron (Mullan)

After defeating the Austin Aztex 2-0 at Nelson Field in Austin last week, the Dynamo travelled again to face another USL First Division opponent in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, this time going up against the Charleston Battery. For the second straight week, the Dynamo would win by a shutout. This time, doubling their output from the previous round, beating the Battery 4-0 in a Quarterfinal match at a rain-soaked Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.

It was a bit of revenge for the Dynamo, who have been eliminated from the tournament by the Battery in each of the last two years, with both games being played at Blackbaud Stadium. In 2007, Stephen Armstrong scored a goal in extra time to sink Houston and last year, the Dynamo scored a late equalizer, but were knocked out in penalty kicks by the hosts. The 2009 edition

For the Dynamo it only took 16 minutes to put a goal on the board as Geoff Cameron would score on a header off a John Michael Hayden corner kick to put the Dynamo up 1-0. The Battery nearly drew level in the 37th minute when Randi Patterson’s pass played Chris Williams into the box, but Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall came off his line to smother the shot.

But any momentum the Battery may have been carrying into the second half was quickly snuffed out when Houston’s John Michael Hayden played a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box to the far post that Bobby Boswell knocked home to put the Dynamo up 2-0 just two minutes into the second half. Fifteen minutes later, the Dynamo would widen the lead when Dominic Oduro’s blast from 20 yards out slipped just inside the far post past diving goalkeeper Dusty Hudock, to make it 3-0. Geoff Cameron would complete the scoring with his second goal when he headed in a Brian Mullen cross in the 73rd minute to give the Dynamo a 4-0 victory.

With the win, the Dynamo advance to the Semifinals for the first time since their inaugural season in 2006. There they will travel to Tukwila, WA to face the Seattle Sounders on July 21 with a spot in the championship game on the line. Seattle defeated the Kansas City Wizards in the Quarterfinals on a Sebastian Le Toux penalty kick in the 89th minute.

2009 Quarterfinals: A decade later, Rhinos back in Semifinals; beating the Hammerheads 2-1

July 7, 2009 by

Highlights courtesy of USLLive.com
Marina Auto Stadium – Rochester, N.Y.
Match Reports: Rochester | Wilmington | Democrat & Chronicle | Star News

	2	FT	1
Atieno (Ambersley) 54’ Andrew Gregor (PK) 67’				72’ Jamie Watson (Unassisted)

For the first time in the 2009 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Rochester Rhinos advanced to the following round without the need of extra time, defeating the Wilmington Hammerheads 2-1 in regulation at Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester, NY.

A crowd of 3,598 were on hand to watch Rochester continue their run in the Open Cup, thanks to an impressive header from Tai Atieno and a penalty kick by Andrew Gregor, both in the second half. Wilmington fought back to one goal down with a superb individual effort from Jamie Watson, but it was too little, too late for the Hammerheads.

The Rhinos, who are currently celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their historic 1999 Open Cup championship, will advance to the Semifinals for the first time since they made that Cinderella run a decade ago.

Hammerheads goalkeeper Kyle Polak made his first start of the season and only his second appearance after Daryl Sattler was injured in a July 2 league match against the Charlotte Eagles.

Early in the match, Rochester were the attacking squad, as Wilmintgon played in a defensive shell, content on letting Rochester dictate the pace.

Rochester had their first opportunity of the match on 11 minutes, as Nano Short’s bicycle kick sailed wide of the net. Five minutes later, Andrew Gregor was given a free kick from 20 yards out, but his attempt sailed just wide of the crossbar.

The best chance of the first half would come from Rhinos’ midfielder Ryan Heins. Mike Ambersley caught up to a cross and headed the ball down to Heins on the six yard box, who caught the ball on a short hop, and sent his volley high over the crossbar.

Wilmington were next to create in the 24th, with Phil Hufstader sending a cross far post, beating Tim Melia, but just out of the reach of several Hammerhead players.

Rochester maintained possession for a majority of the first half, but could not convert on their opportunities, leaving the score 0-0 at the half.

Only three minutes into the second half, Rochester looked poised to go up 1-0, but second half substitution Tiger Fitzpatrick could not find the back of the net as his header was cleared off the line by two Hammerhead defenders.

In the 54th minute, Tai Atieno would end the scoreless draw, heading home a cross from Ambersley to put Rochester up 1-0. Atieno found himself alone in the six yard box, and his header left Polak with no chance for a save.

Johnny Menyongar almost put Rochester up 2-0 as his diving header glanced just wide of the near post. Menyongar holds the record for most goals scored in the Professional Era of the US Open Cup (since 1995), with 12 to his name.

Ambersley continued his superb night in the 64th minute, drawing a penalty after a quick cut inside the Hammerhead box. Andrew Gregor stepped up and calmly slotted the ball to the right of the keeper, giving the Rhinos a 2-0 lead.

Wilmington would fight back, as Jamie Watson’s superb individual effort in the 77th minute put the score at 2-1, and gave life to the visiting USL-2 side.

The last fifteen minutes saw a rejuvinated Hammerheads side attacking Rochester, pinning the Rhinos in their defensive third. Goalkeeper Tim Melia made several strong saves down the stretch, and the Rochester defense remained strong in the air, securing the victory for the Rhinos.

With the win, the Rochester Rhinos claim $10,000 for being the furthest advancing USL-1 side in this year’s Open Cup.

Next up for the Rhinos in the Open Cup is a Semifinal matchup against DC United on July 21 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Rochester has never defeated DC United, posting a 0-3 record against the MLS club, including a loss in the 1996 Open Cup Final. Kickoff for the Semifinals is at 7:30 p.m.

2009 Quarterfinals: Late penalty helps Sounders overcome Kansas City (again)

July 7, 2009 by

Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, Wash.
Match Reports: Seattle | Kansas City | Seattle Times | Kansas City Star

	1	FT	0
Sebastien Le Toux (PK) 89’				90’ Santiago Hirsig – SENT OFF

It took a penalty kick once again for the Seattle Sounders to eliminate the Kansas City Wizards in the Quarterfinals, but this year, instead of settling the game after extra time like in 2008, it was taken at the end of regulation. Sebastien Le Toux scored on an 89th minute spot kick to give the Sounders a 1-0 win, which booked them a spot in the Semifinals. It marks the third year in a row that a Sounders team has advanced to the final four, the last two years it was the USL First Division version of the Seattle-based club.

Both clubs came out with their heavy hitters for this matchup. Kansas City’s lineup included Kevin Hartman, Santiago Hirsig, and Josh Wolff, while Seattle countered with Kasey Keller, Steve Zakuani, and Fredy Montero. The Sounders came out the stronger side, creating many chances in the first half. However, nothing would come of it, and the teams would enter the break scoreless.

The teams would continue their battle with plenty of opportunities for both sides in the second half. As it had appeared that nothing would come to Seattle without some fresh legs, they brought in the familiar Sounder tandem that has been around since 2007: the French Connection. With Sebastien Le Toux coming on in the 70th minute, and Roger Levesque entering in the 78th, the Sounders had new life.

It all culminated in the 89th minute as Kevin Hartman took down Montero in the box, earning a penalty for Seattle. Le Toux stepped up to the spot to take the kick and delivered for the home team. The goal was his 11th career Open Cup goal, putting him in a tie for second place with DC United’s Jamie Moreno in the Professional Era’s goalscoring leaders. He only trails Rochester’s Johnny Menyongar, who has 12. Impressively enough, Le Toux has reached the 11-goal mark in less than three tournaments, while becoming the first Professional Era player to lead the tournament in scoring in two consecutive years (2007, 2008).

The Sounders will return to the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. for their Semifinal date with the Houston Dynamo on July 21.

2009 Third Round: Randi Patterson’s brace earns him Player of the Round

July 7, 2009 by

With a 3-1 victory over Chivas USA of Major League Soccer in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Charleston Battery became the first USL team to advance to the Quarterfinals three years in a row. The main reason they were able to do that was Randi Patterson, who scored two goals in the match, and for his efforts, he has been voted as TheCup.us Player of the Round.

In a more decisive vote than the previous two rounds, Patterson beat out the Houston Dynamo’s Corey Ashe (1 goal, 1 assist in 2-0 win at Austin Aztex), and the Wilmington duo of goalkeeper Daryl Sattler and last round’s top player, Kenny Bundy, who helped the Hammerheads beat the Chicago Fire 1-0.

The former UNC-Greensboro star took time to talk to TheCup.us about his Open Cup experience and the difference between playing in MLS and the USL.

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TheCup.us: With your great start to this year’s tournament and your appearance in the final last year, not to mention your form in league play, your club’s confidence must be at an all-time high right now.

Patterson: We have been playing very well this season we had a rough start in the beginning scoring goals but we finally picked that up. Our defense has been excellent; without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.

TheCup.us: Tell us about the Third Round match against Chivas USA and the two goals that you scored.

Patterson: The Chivas game was really intense. They are a great team and to be honest they had most of the possession throught the game but we finished our chances. The first goal I scored I knew Kenji had a long throw-in so I made sure I was on the back post to clean up anything that came through. The second goal was because of an excellent pass by Spicer which gave me space to take a shot.

TheCup.us: You’ve had some Open Cup experience prior to turning pro when you were with the Carolina Dynamo in the PDL. You had a tremendous run through the tournament (defeating the Seattle Sounders along the way), advancing all the way to the Fourth Round. What was that experience like?

Patterson: It was a great experience during the PDL season playing in the Open Cup. We had a great team that year and it showed advancing that far. It was a great opportunity to show what we could do before the MLS draft took place.

TheCup.us: In the Fourth Round that year, your Carolina Dynamo faced the Houston Dynamo. What was the team/organization’s reaction when Houston chose a team name that you guys already had?

Patterson: It was kind of weird that an MLS team chose the name that we had. I heard some other things about that situation but I can’t go into that.

TheCup.us: You spent some time with the New York Red Bulls, but later moved on to Charleston. What has been the difference between the two places and how has your experience been in Charleston? What have been the differences between MLS and USL-1?

Patterson: The difference is that playing near New York City was that you always had something to do. I lived in Teaneck all my life which is 10 minutes from New York City so there was always something for me to do. In Charleston, it’s a nice place but it’s not like New York City. Charleston has the beach and the downtown area which is beautiful and also the people are really nice. There isn’t a big difference just maybe the speed of play. Obviously it’s a lot faster in MLS but other than that I don’t see a difference.