Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2012 Second Round

2012 TheCup.us Player of the Round: Cal FC’s Danny Barrera repeats with Round 2 honor

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Danny Barrera scored two in the First Round, added two more in the Second Round | Photo: PSA Elite

It is not often that clubs or players representing the USASA are involved with making history in the US Open Cup. On Tuesday night Cal FC will be 90 minutes away from immortalizing their 2012 tournament appearance, and it comes courtesy of Danny Barrera, who became only the third player in TheCup.us history to repeat as Player of the Round, and the first to do so in the first few rounds of the event.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by the staff of the definitive US Open Cup site TheCup.us and a selected panel of members of the North American Soccer Reporters, which also selects the MLS Player of the Week.

After knocking off the Premier Development League’s only professional side, Kitsap Pumas, with a pair of goals in a 3-1 win, Barrera led Cal FC in a stunning effort in the Second Round. He scored two goals, on assists from his brother Diego, in a shocking 4-0 victory on the opposite of the side of the country against USL Pro club Wilmington Hammerheads.

The four-goal win was the largest margin of victory in the Modern Pro Era (1995-present) by a USASA club against a team from a professional league, and it marked only the 10th time a team from the organization advanced against such opposition. Only two other matches previously were decided by two goals. In 2002, CASL Elite set the mark at three with a 5-2 win against the then third division Carolina Dynamo. In 2005, the Reggae Boyz of Indianapolis downed the third division Cincinnati Kings, 4-2.

The Cal FC victory set up a Third Round match with the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, marking only the fifth time in the Modern Pro Era in which a USASA club will play against an MLS side. Only once in the previous four matches has the amateur club advanced. Dallas Roma stunned Chivas USA in 2006 by taking Chivas USA all the way to penalties in a scoreless Third Round stalemate before prevailing in the tiebreaker. They were eliminated, 2-0, by the LA Galaxy in the Fourth Round. Uruguay SC of Florida is the only other club to have played MLS sides, falling to Tampa Bay Mutiny, 1-0 in golden goal overtime, in the 2000 Second Round and getting blanked by the Miami Fusion, 4-0, in the Second Round a year later.

Being on the doorstep of history is quite an achievement for Barrera and Cal FC, a club formed over the course of the past year, in part, by former US international striker and Fox Sports television star Eric Wynalda, the club’s coach.

The ‘second chance’ club is certainly doing just that for Barrera. The Second Round honor makes him just the third player since TheCup.us began recognizing players to earn Player of the Round honors in back-to-back rounds. Even rarer, he is the first to do so for the first two rounds of the tournament, a feat that is extremely improbable due to the number of games and teams involved.

He is in fine company with the other two repeat honorees being Pat Noonan of the New England Revolution and Nate Jaqua of the Seattle Sounders. Noonan was recognized in the 2007 Semifinals and Final while Jaqua was selected for the award in the Quarterfinals and Semifinals of the 2010 tournament. Both won tournament championships those years.

USASA Advancements vs Pro League Clubs

Bavarian SC 2000: 1-0 vs Reading Rage (third division – USL)
Bavarian SC 2007: 1-0 vs Cincinnati Kings (third division – USL)
Bridgeport Italians 1997: 3-2 vs Rhode Island Stingrays (third division – USL)
Cal FC 2012: 4-0 vs Wilmington Hammerheads (third division – USL)
CASL Elite 2002: 5-2 vs Carolina Dynamo (third division – USL)
Dallas Roma 2006: 1-0 vs Miami FC (second division – USL)
Dallas Roma 2006: 0-0 (4-2 pk) vs Chivas USA (first division – MLS)
Reggae Boyz 2005: 4-2 vs Cincinnati Kings (third division – USL)
San Jose Oaks 1996: 3-2 vs California Jaguars (third division – USL)
United German Hungarians 1999: 2-1 vs New Jersey Stallions (third division – USL)

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Charlotte Eagles win in El Paso thanks to own goal

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EL PASO, Texas – An own goal, or so it was explained, by an El Paso Patriots defender from in front of the goal mouth in the 72nd minute helped the Charlotte Eagles of USL Pro to a win 1-0 over the El Paso Patriots of the PDL in U.S. Open Cup second-round play on a hot night in west Texas Tuesday.

The Eagles’ Nate Thornton was originally awarded the goal, with an assist from defender Scott Jones, who sent in a ball to the box that was deflected into the net amid a lot of traffic.

But Thornton was the first to admit he didn’t score, and he credited midfielder Milton Blanco with making a strong run and whipping the ball in.

“I’ll take it.  I made the run, but it was definitely an own goal,” Thornton said with a grin. “Hard to deal with. The (El Paso) guy couldn’t clear it out and it just hit off the wrong side of his head.”

Charlotte won for the second time in Open Cup play history at El Paso in two meetings, and advanced to play at FC Dallas next week in the Third Round. The Eagles must fly home and then drive down to Orlando for a league match this weekend, then turn around and fly to Dallas-Fort Worth soon after that.

The key, Eagles coach Mark Steffens said, was his team going to a 4-4-2 from a 4-3-3 early in the second half. The Patriots had the majority of the scoring chances in the first half and looked poised to get a win at home, but the Eagles made the most of one of the few opportunities they had.

“I thought the two guys up front gave us a little bit more pressure on the other guys on El Paso,” Steffens said. “Created a few more chances for us. We really didn’t bring our ‘A’ game, but guys fought hard and pulled out a win.”

Edgar Mendoza’s shot in the 32nd minute was tipped away just in time by Charlotte goalkeeper Clint Irwin. That came after three other quality looks for the Patriots.

The Eagles were better in the second half. Forward Mauricio Salles had one of his two good shots hit the cross bar and roll away.

The Patriots tried to rally for an equalizer, but Irwin turned back headers by forward Michael Griego in the 86th and 89th minutes.

“We dominated in the first few minutes until the end,” midfielder Sergio Villasenor said. “It was a shame the way they scored. The ball came in from the side and it was an own goal. That was the only good play they had, but that’s soccer. Tough loss at home.”

The Eagles are hoping to get some injured starters back soon to bolster their lineup against FC Dallas.

“Against Dallas, we’ll get a scouting report and I think we’ll probably just sit in a little bit, defend, try to counterattack,” Steffens said.

SCORING:
CHAR- Daniel Campos (own goal) 72′

BOOKINGS:
CHAR- Milton Blanco 40′ (caution, tactical foul)
CHAR- Joe Kabwe 43′ (caution, rough play)
ELP- Adrian Moreno 75′ (caution, tactical foul)
ELP- Ernesto Bolivar 82′ (caution, rough play)
ELP- David Salas 84′ (tactical foul)

Referee: Mark DeClouet
Weather: 90 degrees, clear

Jose Romero is a freelance sports journalist from Phoenix who is always looking for a game of any kind to watch. He’s a former Seattle Sounders beat writer who has written about soccer regularly since late 2008. You can follow him on Twitter @RomeroJoseM

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Rochester Rhinos stay perfect against amateurs, blank Brooklyn Italians 3-0

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Photo: Rochester Rhinos

The Rochester Rhinos remain perfect against lower level clubs with their 10th victory over an amateur club in the completion, downing the Brooklyn Italians of the National Premier Soccer League at Sahlen’s Stadium, 3-0. They advance to a Third Round meeting with the Philadelphia Union.

Corner kicks were key in the contest. A corner from Danny Earls in the 25th minute opened the scoring with Troy Roberts flicking the ball onto Tom McManus for the first strike of the game. Two minutes before the break Roberts directed another Earls corner with a header to Conor Chinn for a seven-yard left-footer.

It marked only the second time in eight games this season Rochester had scored two goals in a game. The news got worse on the hour mark for Brooklyn, who lost Scarlet Kirk to a red card for a tackle that resulted in McManus leaving the contest.

Graciano Brito headed the ball forward to JC Banks, who beat goalkeeper Nathan Stockie in the 76th minute to give the Rhinos the biggest offensive night of the campaign thus far as goalkeeper Kristian Nicht registered his seventh shutout of the year.

Next week the Rhinos travel to PPL Park to face the Union, who will be making their tournament debut.

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Orlando City dominates in a 7-0 win over KC Athletics (video)

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Orlando City put on a great show before a great crowd that included two English Premier League coaches as they hosted the KC Athletics in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The reigning USL Pro champions showed no mercy against the USASA entry en route to a 7-0 victory with two goals each from Max Griffin and John Rooney to earn a Third Round meeting on the road versus Sporting Kansas City.

The match started with a goal for Orlando City in the 4th minute when a dangerous cross was knocked in by a KC Athletics defender. Athletics got their first shot off in the 23rd minute but it was well defended by goalkeeper Sean Kelley.

Unfortunately the first half did not get better for Kansas City. Campbell put a ball in the box to Griffin who collected it, turned, and buried into the net in the 25th minute. The first half continued with Orlando City creating many opportunities with good crosses from both sides. It was only a matter of time before crosses from Watson and Campbell were converted by Rooney and Griffin into goals in the 28th and 42nd minutes.

In the second half, Orlando City continued where they left off, pressing the ball forward and creating many opportunities. The Athletics had several opportunities on quick counters, but failed to convert them.

Orlando City scored 3 more goals in the 2nd half. In the 60th minute a curling shot by Jamie Watson went into the upper 90. Rooney scored a goal when he launched a a short corner in the 71st minute. The final goal was scored by Matt Luzunaris when he picked up a keeper deflection in hte 85th minute.

Earlier in the day Orlando City announced friendly matches against Stoke City and Nottingham Forest. Tony Pulis of Stoke City and Steve Cotterill of Nottingham watched the match with Orlando City owner Phil Rawlins. Pulis’s son, Anthony, plays for Orlando City.

Scoring Summary:
KCA – Coady Andrews (own goal) 4
OC – Max Griffin 1 (Charlie Campbell 1) 26
OC – John Rooney 1 (Jamie Watson 1) 28
OC – Max Griffin 2 (Charlie Campbell 2) 42
OC – Jamie Watson 1 (unassisted) 60
OC – John Rooney 2 (unassisted) 71
OC – Matt Luzunaris 1 (unassisted) 86

Lineups:
Orlando City – Sean Kelley, Jerome Mechack, Kieron Bernard (Wes Allen 77), Kyle Davies, Erik Ustruck, Ian Fuller, John Rooney, Charlie Campbell, Jamie Watson (Dennis Chin 75), Max Griffin (Kevin Molino 46), Matt Luzunaris

Substitutes not used: Miguel Gallardo, Anthony Pulis, James O’Connor

KC Athletics – Steven Grow, John Markey, Josh White, Oran Andrews, Coady Andrews, Kevin Shrout, Josh McDaniel, Jesse Baker, Martin Johnston, Garrett Webb, Kyle Perkins

Referees:
Referee – Ted Unkel
Referee’s Assistants – Edison Aragon, Abdel Kuttaineli
4th Official – Matthew Miscannon

Match Facts:
Time of Game – 7:30 pm
Weather – Clear, 90 degrees
Attendance – 946

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Fort Lauderdale Strikers run away with 7-2 win against Fresno Fuego

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Fort Lauderdale's Abel Gebor works past Fresno's Tyler Reinhart | Photo: Jon Van Woerden, Ft Lauderdale Strikers

The Premier Development League’s Fresno Fuego were doing well on the opposite of the country with a 1-1 scoreline early in the second half, but just before the hour mark things began to unravel. The North American Soccer League’s Fort Lauderdale Strikers scored four straight en route to a 7-2 victory in the Second Round, setting up a Third Round meeting with the San Jose Earthquakes in California.

Aly Hassan, who had not scored since the club’s fourth game of the season, put an end to his drought three minutes before the break and went on to notch his second hat-trick of the year. The striker won a scramble to a loose ball after a Darnell King cross to open the scoring.

Nine minutes into the second half Fresno equalized through Justin Finch, but Hassan fired right back three minutes later and the Strikers never looked back. He headed home a free kick from Scott Lorenz for his second of the night.

Another free kick led to the two-goal advantage in the 61st when Mark Anderson fired a 30-yard free kick past goalkeeper Gibert Vera at the near post, giving him goals in three consecutive games. Anderson’s chance at a second off a Nickardo Blake run in the 69th was unintentionally blocked by Hassan, who then turned to stab the ball into the goal to complete his hat-trick.

Walter Restrepo, who has had a goal or assist in four of the last five games for Fort Lauderdale, beat the keeper in the 78th minute to extend the lead to 5-1.

Fresno’s Tyler Reinhart tried to keep the score respectable with the club’s second goal four minutes from time, but Polo Morales ruined that sentiment with two goals in the dying minutes.

Fresno Fuego 2:7 Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Lockhart Stadium – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Scoring Summary:

FTL: Aly Hassan 42
FRE: Justin Finch 54
FTL: Aly Hassan (Scott Lorenz) 57
FTL: Mark Anderson 61
FTL: Aly Hassan 69
FTL: Walter Restrepo 78
FRE: Tyler Reinhart 86
FTL: Polo Morales (Walter Restrepo) 89
FTL: Polo Morales 90

Discipline:

Strikers: Jack Stewart (caution) 21′, Pecka (caution) 45′
Fuego: Abraham Campos (caution) 45′, TJ Grewal (caution) 56′, Eddie Gonzalez (caution) 60′

Starting Lineups:

Strikers: Dave Martin; Nickardo Blake, Jack Stewart, Toni Ståhl, Scott Lorenz; Abel Gebor, Pecka (Alfonso Motagalvan 69), Polo Morales; Mark Anderson, Darnell King (Walter Restrepo 59), Aly Hassan (Conor Shanosky 79′)

Fuego: Gilbert Vega; Araia Berhane, Eddie Gonzalez, TJ Grewal, Emmanuel Ochoa; Abraham Campos, Gaston Cignetti, Justin Finch (Fabricio Nazare 67), Andrew Campbell (Jesus Santiago 60); Paul Islas (Ivan Yanez 79), Tyler Reinhart

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Tampa Bay Rowdies score early, often, defeat Jacksonville United 3-0

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Photo: Tampa Bay Rowdies

After an hour-long lightning delay, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Jacksonville United FC kicked off in what was sure to be an exciting Floridian affair in the Second Round of the 2012 US Open Cup. However, the Rowdies made sure not to give Jacksonville the opportunity to pull off an upset, scoring early and often. Tampa Bay finished out winning the match 3-0.

The newly-rechristened Rowdies kicked off the match with a very early goal, as Mike Ambersley scored off a pass from Dan Antoniuk to give Tampa Bay the lead in just the second minute.

“It was a fantastic start with the early goal. After some nice work with Dizzy (Daniel Antoniuk),” said Tampa Bay manager Ricky Hill. “Mike Ambersley tucked it away expertly in the bottom corner. Like I have said before, these games are not easy. Everyone expects you to win but you have to earn the right to win. We were happy to get that first goal.”

Even after that first goal, the Rowdies did not let up. A shot by Matt Clare in the 13th minute sailed wide, while Stuart Campbell’s attempt in the 16th minute went over the crossbar. Their efforts would pay off again, though, in the 19th minute. Ambersley attempted a hard shot, which was saved by Jacksonville goalkeeper Stuart McCrory. He couldn’t hold onto it, though, and Antoniuk was in the right place, putting home the rebound to give the Rowdies the 2-0 lead.

“We had struggled with our consistency after the first goal. But it was a hard shot by Mike that the keeper could only deflect, and Daniel was there to put in the rebound,” said Hill.

Jacksonville United would see its best chance of the match in the 51st minute, as midfielder Tyler Williams hit the post. The Rowdies would get more chances to build on their lead in the second half, starting with a shot by Shane Hill in the 55th minute. The attempt was saved by McCrory, who pushed it out for an ultimately unsuccessful corner kick.

Tampa Bay wouldn’t quit, though, as substitute Keith Savage (who came in for Antoniuk just six minutes earlier) scored off an assist from Luke Mulholland to put the Rowdies up 3-0 in the 65th minute. Even with that comforting lead, it just wasn’t enough, as the Rowdies kept pressing for more. Hill, Mulholland, and Takuya Yamada all made attempts on frame that were directed wide.

With the win, the Rowdies move on to the Third Round of the US Open Cup, where they will host the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer on Tuesday, May 29, at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“We are delighted that we managed to come out with the victory tonight. All of the players and our fans will be excited to welcome Colorado to our home pitch next Tuesday,” Hill said after the game. “It will be a great occasion to test our skills and see where our level is compared to Major League Soccer. Our players are capable of playing with anyone at any given time, and that was proven last July in our victory over English Premier League side Bolton. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

Tampa Bay Rowdies 3:0 Jacksonville United FC

Patton Park, Jacksonville, FL

Goals:
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Mike Ambersley – 2nd minute (assisted by Daniel Antoniuk)
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Daniel Antoniuk – 19th minute
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Keith Savage – 65th minute (assisted by Luke Mulholland)

Cautions:
Jacksonville United: Hollis Donaldson – 51st minute

Lineups

Tampa Bay Rowdies
GK Jeff Attinella, D Frankie Sanfilippo (Captain), D Andres Arango, D Draymond Washington, D Takuya Yamada, M Stuart Campbell, M Shane Hill, M Luke Mulholland (Dan O’Brien 77′), F Mike Ambersley, F Daniel Antoniuk (Keith Savage 59′), F Matt Clare (Fafa Picault 58′)

Jacksonville United
GK Stuart McCrory, D Adam Allee, D Hollis Donaldson, D Mats Elmsater, D Jacobi Goodfellow, M Stefan Durr (Darko Karamatic 59′), M Jonathan Glenn (Ramak Safi 67′), M Enrique Haussler, M Jay Nelson, M Tyler Williams, F Tornislav Krizanovic

Attendance
925

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Silverbacks win Atlanta derby over Georgia Revolution, give up right to host Seattle Sounders in Round 3

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CONYERS, Ga. – In the first-ever meeting between two Atlanta-area teams, the Atlanta Silverbacks defeated the Georgia Revolution 1-0 in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Georgia came out on the back heel and withstood the early pressure from the Silverbacks. In the 3rd minute, Reinaldo Navia put a glancing header just wide of Zach Schultze’s far post. Despite controlling most of the possession early on, Atlanta could not put any shots on net until the 21st minute, when Nico Colaluca forced an easy save out of Schultze.

The Revolution slowly but surely made their way forward, and came close in the 25th minute, when Clarke Bentley’s free kick found Michael Nwiloh unmarked in the box, but the defender could only put his header over goal.

Immediately following this chance, the game was stopped due to lightning in the area. As both teams remained on the field, the referees conferred with the coaches and decided to continue the game without further delay.

Late in the first half, Bentley was fouled by Jordan Davis in the area to give Georgia a penalty kick. Kwado Poku stepped up, but Joe Nasco was up to the task for Atlanta, diving to his left to collect the shot and keep the game scoreless going into the half.

As the second half began, the Revolution dominated possession but the Atlanta defense stood strong.

With the game ripe for the taking by either side, it was one moment of brilliance from Raphael Cox that decided the game. Capitalizing on a poor clearance, Cox dribbled down the left side of the field and into the box, unleashing a shot to the far side of the net that Schultze could not stop.

It was the best chance for either team in the second half, as numerous fouls and cards killed any decent flow to the match. Georgia had one final chance in stoppage time, but Sean Grisham’s corner kick sailed just over Schultze’s head into Nasco’s hands as the final whistle blew.

Atlanta moves on to the Third Round of the Open Cup, where they will take on three-time defending champion Seattle Sounders. Originally, Atlanta had won the right to host the Sounders in Atlanta, but a financial agreement was made between the two clubs which resulted in the Silverbacks giving Seattle the right to host. Now Atlanta will head to Tukwila, Wash. on Wednesday, May 30, to play their Open Cup game at Starfire Sports Complex.

The win was the first of the season in any competition for the Silverbacks, who started their NASL campaign with four draws and four losses. Georgia suffered their first loss in any competition, following two wins in NPSL play and one win over the Mississippi Brilla in the 1st round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Scoring: ATL- Raphael Cox (unassisted) 61′

Bookings:
ATL- Nico Colaluca 24′ (caution)
ATL- Raphael Cox 47′ (caution)
ATL- Reinaldo Navia 85′ (caution)
GEO- Jamal Keene 86′ (caution)

2012 US Open Cup Round 2: Ventura County uses extra time to get revenge on LA Blues

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Players from Ventura County Fusion and the Los Angeles Blues battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2012 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Blues

Ventura County Fusion emerged from a wild game with local rivals LA Blues in the Second Round of the US Open Cup. The game at Sherbeck Field on the campus of Fullerton College required 120 minutes and featured two sendings off before the Fusion won 3-1. The victory avenges the Blues’ 1-0 triumph in the 2011 Open Cup and provides Ventura County with a match against Major League Soccer side Chivas USA on May 29 at Ventura College.

LA Blues entered the game without the services of newly arrived striker Bright Dike, who is on loan from the Portland Timbers. Dike traveled back to Portland to take part in a friendly against Valencia CF on Wednesday and was thus unavailable for his new team, for whom he has already scored and assisted in two games this season.

The scoring opened in the 14th minute when Ventura County’s Tim Pontius put a ball into his own net, ceding the lead to LA. The Premier Development League side responded through Frankie López, whose penalty in the 35th minute leveled the score at 1-1.

Ventura County nearly took the lead in the 50th minute when Kennedy Chongo’s header narrowly missed the target. The Fusion had repeated attempts on goal midway through the second half as López and Daniel Steres provided the shots.

Maykel Galindo came on for LA Blues in the 66th minute. The former Chivas USA and FC Dallas striker almost scored within moments of his entry, and gave the Blues a renewed attacking presence as they tried to win the game in regular time.

Perhaps the most important sequence in the second half came when Steres fouled LA midfielder Irving Garcia in the 83rd minute. Fusion goalkeeper Earl Edwards saved Allan Russell’s resulting penalty, keeping the score even at 1-1. Just two minutes later, the Blues had Cory Miller sent off for his second yellow card. Instead of taking the lead and keeping eleven men on the pitch, LA went a man down and remained on level terms.

Full-time saw the two sides retreat to their respective benches to regroup for two fifteen-minute overtime periods. In the 97th minute, Fusion manager Ole Mikkelsen was sent off for roaming beyond his appointed technical area. Without its manager and a man up, Ventura County attacked.

López had the best chance of the first overtime, firing just wide late in the period. Just two minutes into the second overtime, the 23-year old midfielder finally put the Fusion ahead with a 107th minute goal. That strike proved to be the match winner, but not the final action of the highly competitive affair.

Edwards survived late LA attempts an equalizer with a double save of Russell and George Davis. The Fusion finally got space enough to enjoy when Travis Bowen scored on a rebounded from a Chongo shot in the 116th minute. The 3-1 score line held in favor of eleven-man Ventura County and the Fusion celebrated advancing to the Third Round.

Bowen will get chance to oppose his brother Tristan when Chivas USA travel to the northwest next Tuesday. For their part, Chivas crashed out of the Open Cup in the first MLS qualifying round in 2011.

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Richmond Kickers defeat Aegean Hawks 4-0 to earn rematch with DC United

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They may not be saying, “Oh no, we have to play Richmond,” but D.C. United will know to be wary, and prepared, for a Kickers squad experienced at taking down Major League Soccer teams in the U.S. Open Cup.

United travels to Richmond next Tuesday for a Third Round match to face a Kickers squad that is similar to the one that in last year’s U.S. Open Cup took down the MLS’s Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City on the road, before falling 2-1 at Toyota Park against the Chicago Fire in the semifinals.

The Kickers advanced to host United by virtue of a convincing 4-0 win over Dulles Sportsplex Aegean Hawks FC of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association at the Maryland Soccerplex. The Kickers received two goals from Christopher Agorsor, as well as single goals from Gerson dos Santos and Nozomi Hiroyama to lock down the Hawks.

Agorsor opened the scoring in the 20th minute, as defender Henry Kalungi played a long ball from midfield toward forward Jason Yeisley, who flicked the ball into Agorsor’s path. The former University of Virginia standout made a quick turn and fired low into the left corner for the 1-0 lead.

The Kickers struck again before the half, this one coming off a Mike Callahan corner in the 28th minute. Callahan played the ball to defender Luke Vercollone, who took a touch and then hit an outswinging ball in the box to dos Santos, whose header went into the upper 90.

The Hawks had two quality chances before the half, but just missed. The Kickers then used the second half to seal the match, getting two more goals late.

In the 82nd minute, dos Santos put a free kick from 20 yards off of Agorsor’s heel and into the net at the near post to put the Kickers up 3-0. Two minutes later, Hiroyama took a pass from Bobby Foglesong near midfield and dribbled 45 yards through the Hawks defense before scoring from 14 yards.

The last time United played the Kickers in the U.S. Open Cup was in 2010, when United won 2-0 in a round of 16 game at George Mason University (highlights below).

In 2004, the Kickers defeated United in the Open Cup 2-1 in the third round before falling to the Chicago Fire.

In their history, besides winning the U.S. Open Cup in 1995, the Kickers have taken down the following MLS teams at various points–Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, L.A. Galaxy.

D.C. United, meanwhile, has won the U.S. Open Cup twice, in 1996 and 2008.

Kickers History vs. Major League Soccer

March 15, 1997 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 3 vs. Columbus Crew 1 (UR Stadium)
June 17, 1997 – Exhibition – D.C. United 4 vs. Richmond Kickers 2 (UR Stadium)
July 23, 1997 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – MetroStars 3 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (UR Stadium)
June 14, 2000 – U.S. Open Cup (2nd Rd) – Richmond Kickers 3 vs. Colorado Rapids 0 (UR Stadium)
July 25, 2000 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – San Jose Earthquakes 2 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (Spartan Stadium)
April 1, 2001 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 0 vs. Dallas Burn 0 (UR Stadium)
July 24, 2001 – U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) – D.C. United 2 vs. Richmond Kickers 1 (RFK Stadium)
April 13, 2002 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 0 vs. D.C. United 1 (UR Stadium)
July 17, 2002 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – Columbus Crew 3 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (Crew Stadium)
April 5, 2003 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 1 vs. D.C. United 1 (UR Stadium)
July 21, 2004 – U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) – Richmond Kickers 2 vs. D.C. United 1 (UR Stadium)
August 4, 2004 – U.S. Open Cup (Quarterfinals) – Chicago Fire 1 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (UR Stadium)
August 3, 2005 – U.S. Open Cup (4th Rd) – Richmond Kickers 1 vs. D.C. United 3 (UR Stadium)
July 10, 2007 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – Richmond Kickers 1 vs Los Angeles Galaxy 0 (UR Stadium)
March 22, 2008 – Exhibition – Richmond Kickers 3 vs. D.C. United 0 (UR Stadium)
June 30, 2010 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – D.C. United 2 vs. Richmond Kickers 0 (George Mason Stadium)
June 28, 2011 – U.S. Open Cup (3rd Rd) – Richmond Kickers 2 vs. Columbus Crew 1 (Crew Stadium)
July 12, 2011 – U.S. Open Cup (Quarterfinals) – Richmond Kickers 2 vs. Sporting Kansas City 0 (Livestrong Sporting Park)
August 30, 2011 – U.S. Open Cup (Semifinals) – Chicago Fire 2 vs. Richmond Kickers 1 (Toyota Park)

The Kickers return to regular season action May 26 when they host the Wilmington Hammerheads, who fell 4-0 to Eric Wynalda’s Cal FC.

Box Score             First Half         Second Half             Final

Aegean Hawks              0                              0                             0

Richmond                       2                              2                            4

Scoring Summary

Richmond: Christopher Agorsor (Jason Yeisley) 20

Richmond: Gerson Dos Santos (Luke Vercollone) 30

Richmond: Christopher Agorsor (Gerson Dos Santos) 82

Richmond: Nozomi Hiroyama (Bobby Foglesong) 84

Lineups

Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, William Yomby, Henry Kalungi, Sascha Görres, Shane Johnson, Gerson Dos Santos, Luke Vercollone, Mike Callahan, Ryan Heins, Christopher Agorsor, Jason Yeisley (Nozomi Hiroyama – 59’)

Cautions:

Richmond: Gerson Dos Santos (Richmond) 70

Ejections:

None

Referee: Charles Carson

Assistant Referees: Matthew Kreitzer, Alexander Luttmann

Fourth Official: Adrian Krell, III

Attendance: 150

Weather: Cloudy, 72º

2012 US Open Cup Second Round: Charleston Battery come back to defeat resilient Reading United 2-1

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Dane Kelly tallied Battery equalizer | Photo: Vin Duffy, Charleston Battery

The Charleston Battery survived a scare from PDL club Reading United AC and scored twice in the final 21 minutes to post a 2-1 win in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium. The Battery, one of just two non-MLS clubs to reach the Open Cup final since 1996, will host the New York Red Bulls in the Third Round next Tuesday.

Reading United acquitted itself well after a shaky first 20 minutes, and the amateur club made up mostly of rising college seniors took the lead in the 64th minute. Substitute Steve Neumann, a rising junior from Georgetown, whipped in a corner kick from the left, floating the ball over Charleston goalkeeper Brock Duckworth, starting in place of cup-tied Andrew Dykstra. Wake Forest defender Tolani Ibikunle arrived at the back post to head Neumann’s cross into the net and give Reading dreams of a spot in the third round.

At that point, Charleston had gone more than 40 minutes without a shot, but the Battery responded quickly by forcing Reading goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin to make his first save of the night from a soft Ryan Richter header. The Battery kept up the pressure and tied the game in the 69th minute, as substitute winger Navion Boyd fed fellow Jamaican Dane Kelly at the top of the penalty area, and Kelly turned to rifle a left-footed shot that skipped into the lower left corner.

Photo: Vin Duffy, Charleston Battery

Midfielder Nicki Paterson, a starter in all six of Charleston’s league games and one of the Battery’s leading scorers, had come on as a substitute just before Kelly’s goal, and he made the difference 10 minutes later. The gap between the clubs was illustrated perfectly, as Reading fired a free kick straight into the wall at one end of the field, only to see Paterson draw a free kick at the other end of the field. From just shy of 30 yards away, Paterson curled a right-footed shot over the wall and into the top left corner, finally giving Charleston the lead in the 79th minute.

From there, Reading threw numbers forward and Charleston repeatedly failed to extend its lead despite several great chances, notably Paterson’s lobbed try at an open net from 40 yards away after Martin had charged out to deny a Kelly breakaway chance. Reading got several late chances of its own from set pieces, but Duckworth punched away a Neumann corner in the 90th minute, and United’s attempt to play a short corner four minutes into stoppage time were broken up by the Battery.

Just two weeks into its season and having already produced the first Open Cup win in club history, Reading United can be proud of its brief tournament run, but the experienced Battery will now get the chance to continue their storied Open Cup history when they host New York next week.

Reading United vs. Charleston Battery

May 22, 2012 — Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, SC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Round 2

Scoring Summary:

RDU – Tolani Ibikunle 1 (Steve Neumann 1) 64
CHR – Dane Kelly 1 (Navion Boyd 1) 69
CHR – Nicki Paterson 1 (unassisted) 79

Reading United — Emmanuel Martin, Matthew Baker, Tolani Ibikunle, Ged Quinn (Leonardo Fernandes 85), Greg Cochrane, Stephen Okai, Jacob Barron (Steve Neumann 56), Paul Wyatt (Deshorn Brown 69), Sean Peckham, Pedro Ribeiro, Ryan Finley.
Substitutes Not Used: unavailable.

Charleston Battery — Brock Duckworth, Taylor Mueller, Cody Ellison, Colin Falvey, Sean Flatley, Charlie Romero (Navion Boyd 63), Mike Azira, Jose Cuevas, Zach Prince (Nicki Paterson 68), Ryan Richter, Dane Kelly (Sallieu Bundu 92+).
Substitutes Not Used: unavailable.

Misconduct Summary:

CHR — Taylor Mueller (caution; Reckless Foul) 35
RDU — Stephen Okai (caution; Reckless Tackle) 58
CHR — Mike Azira (caution; Reckless Tackle) 62

Referee: Scott Arthur Banning
Referee’s Assistants: Melanie Johnson; Howard Ash
4th official: unavailable

Attendance: TBA
Weather: Rainy-and-74 degrees

All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial


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