The Kansas City Wizards traveled to Cary, North Carolina to meet the Carolina Railhawks in what proved to be an evenly fought game with the fans getting their money’s worth.
The Wizards started strong but it was the Railhawks that took control of the first half and got on the board first with a 43rd minute goal by Santiago Fusilier after a nice volley by Ryan Solle. Matthew Watson added to their lead at 57 minutes with a fine strike to beat goalkeeper Eric Kronberg.
Pat Noonan’s goal in the fourth minute of extra time was enough to earn the New England Revolution their second trip to the U.S. Open Cup final with a 2-1 win over the Carolina RailHawks. The visitors struck first in the 6th minute when Anthony Maher scored on a pass from Johnny Steele. New England would equalize in first-half stoppage time, as Jeff Larentowicz tallied on a diving header on an assist from Noonan.
Connally Edozien celebrated his 29th birthday with a goal, then turned provider as the Carolina RailHawks of the USL First Division ousted the final USASA team in the competition, Milwaukee’s Bavarian SC.
The RailHawks dominated play throughout, limiting Bavarian to just a few scoring opportunities in a match delayed nearly an hour at the start because of lightning in the area. The amateur team stood strong until the final eight minutes of the first half, when the duo of Edozien and Anthony Maher put Carolina in charge.
