Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Rochester Rhinos

2011 US Open Cup First Round: Rochester survives Phoenix rally to win 2-1

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The Rochester Rhinos jumped out to a 2-0 lead just after halftime, and held off a furious comeback attempt by USASA side Phoenix SC to hold on for a 2-1 victory at Sahlen’s Stadium in the First Round of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup.

The Rhinos came close to scoring early in the contest when Phoenix SC defender Jack Pocorobba cleared a Tyler Bellamy header off the line. Midway through the first half Rochester did take the lead on a goal from JC Banks in the 27th minute. Max Ferdinand fed a pass to Banks, who proceeded to beat Phoenix goalkeeper Tony Praticio for the goal.

Just after halftime the Rhinos were awarded a penalty kick after Ferdinand was fouled in the area by Praticio. Anthony Hamilton stepped up to convert the spot kick and give the Rhinos a 2-0 lead. Michael Tanke nearly made it 3-0 a few minutes later, but his shot went just wide of the post.

In the 71st minute Phoenix pulled themselves back into the game when Scott Rowling fired a low shot past the diving Rhinos GK Ryan Kenny.Phoenix kept up the pressure and nearly tied the game minutes later, but Kenny came off line to clear the ball out of the penalty area and thwart the threat.

Hamilton nearly added an insurance goal late in the game, but his shot was stopped by Praticio, and the rebound bounced off the crossbar.

The Rhinos will take on the Harrisburg City Islanders in the second round on June 21, at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg.

Postgame interview with Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley

RECAP: Rochester | Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester)

Scoring:
Rochester: JC Banks 27’
Rochester: Anthony Hamilton (PK) 54’
Phoenix SC: Scott Rowling 71′

2011 Meet the USASA: Phoenix SC from Feasterville, Pa.

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Welcome to our continuing series of Meet the USASA features where we annually profile the clubs representing the United States Adult Soccer Association in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Advancing from the four regional tournaments, these often unknown clubs have great stories to tell and each year, our goal is to allow fans to get to know them as they attempt to become this year’s Cinderella story. Click here for more Meet the USASA stories.

Playing its inaugural season in 2010, the Philadelphia Union is one of Major League Soccer’s newest franchises. But just about 40 miles northeast of the Union’s PPL Park Chester-based home exists the overlooked Phoenix SC, one of the nation’s oldest soccer clubs. It is a sports club that has survived hardship over and over throughout much of the past century to find its way into the national spotlight.

The full name of the club as it was founded is First German Sport Club Phoenix, and while the team commonly referred to as simply Phoenix SC may be making its first appearance in the US Open Cup in the Pro Era, the club has a rich history that dates back 85 years. Playing as the oldest among the field in 2011, the USASA Region I finalists have become the third oldest club to participate in the U.S. Open Cup in the Pro Era. The only clubs that are older are fellow Philadelphia-area club United German Hungarians (founded in 1910) and the Croatian Eagles of Milwaukee (1922).

The club’s roots date back to the early 1920s, when a group of German immigrants formed the German American Soccer Club. After a disagreement within the club caused some officers and members to leave, the group decided to form their own club. On April 9, 1926, the First German Sport Club Phoenix was formed.

Despite being born out of strife, the team found success almost immediately, winning the German-Pennsylvania Cup League in 1931, 1933 and 1934. When housing expansion began in Philadelphia in 1938, the club lost all of its regular playing fields. But instead of throwing in the towel, the management of the club made another great decision. The club purchased 38 acres of land 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia in Feasterville, a location the club has remained at ever since.

Soon after wining the Philadelphia Soccer League title in 1941, the club fell on hard times. A combination of members serving in World War II in addition to an embargo on German immigration during the war left Phoenix struggling to field teams. Following the return of club members from the war German immigration bans were eventually lifted and the club began to rise from tumult yet again for a third time.

Their first known match in the US Open Cup was on October 18, 1936, defeating the German Hungarian SC 4-1. While Phoenix were not always the most successful team in Open Cup play, year after year you can find their name among the results of both the Open and Amateur Cups in the archives.

Fast forward about 60-70 years and you will find the modern version of Phoenix SC has compiled an impressive list of achievements in the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association. Since 2008 they have won Philadelphia’s United Soccer League three times (2008, 2010 & 2011) and finished just four points out of the top spot in 2009. Phoenix has also represented the EPSA in the USASA Region I Amateur Cup tournament the last three years as well as in 2007 and 2003.

The Sunday after their Open Cup game against the Rochester Rhinos, Phoenix SC will be playing in the Region I final of the USASA Open Cup against the New York Pancyprian Freedoms for the chance to be one of four regional champions that will play for the USASA Open Cup championship in July in Bowling Green, KY.

The Freedoms are one of the other few clubs among the Open Cup field in 2011 and recent years that are twice the age of MLS having been founded in 1974. In their first round match they play the second-oldest team in the tournament this year, the Brooklyn Italians of a 1949 birth. Unlike their older counterpart Phoenix SC, the two New York sides have both won the tournament in the past, a total of three each to be more precise.

Phoenix, though, has its own marquee first round contest at hand facing a Rhinos franchise that is the only lower division club to win the US Open Cup since the birth of MLS in 1996, downing four from the top flight in a row to win the 1999 championship. Although Rochester is the lower division’s best at giant-killing by eliminating MLS teams on nine occasions, the USASA side does have some hope as the Rhinos have a habit of letting their guard down against lower level teams in the early rounds of the tournament, including the fact they needed overtime to oust the then PDL Freedoms in the first round in 1999.

And if Phoenix performs a miracle in western New York, they’ll be guaranteed a return to the Keystone State for a second round match against fellow Pennsylvania sides Reading United AC (PDL) or Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro), both of whom are, ironically, affiliates of the Union.

Fre Kamara, Dan Murtagh and Virgis Anusaukas were the teams leading scorers during the league 12-1-1 campaign in league play while Bobby Francis and Ryan Soroka were among the leaders setting up the goals.

In the Region I Tournament, it was Murtagh and Francis that were regularly on the scoresheet, guiding Phoenix SC to the berth and a spot in regional final.

The club opened the Region I tournament with a dramatic affair with goals from Scott Rowling and Danny Murtagh to take a two-goal lead against the Maryland Bays only to see the lead disappear at home in the second half, forcing overtime. A Bobby Francis penalty seven minutes into extra time gave Phoenix the 3-2 Quarterfinal win. The Semifinal match proved much easier with Murtagh giving the side a 1-0 lead in the 41st and Francis a two-goal lead from the spot in the 51st. An own goal from Go Soccer FC sealed the opponent’s fate in the 70th, sending Phoenix to the US Open Cup with a 3-0 win.

Phoenix SC are the third team from Eastern Pennsylvania to advance to the tournament from Region I, following in the footsteps of Vereinigung Erzgebirge (1999) and United German Hungarians (2002) after a nine-year absence. Prior to the Pro Era, clubs from Eastern PA were quite successful, winning nine US Open Cup championships in 16 appearances. The Bethlehem Steel, in fact, have more championships than any other club having won five (1915, 16, 18, 19, 26) in addition to finishing runners-up in 1917. The Ukrainian Nationals won four championships in the 1960s (1960, 61, 62, 66, runners-up 64), part of a quartet tied for second-most that includes Greek American Atlas (NY), Fall River Marksmen (MA) and the Chicago Fire, who are among the field this year. Finishing as runners-up previously in the tournament were United German Hungarians (1977, 93), Philadelphia Nationals (1949, 52) and German American SC (1936).

Oldest teams to qualify in US Open Cup
Professional Era (1995-present)*
1910 – United German Hungarians (Oakford, PA)
1922 – Croatian Eagles (Milwaukee, WI)
1926 – Phoenix SC (Feasterville, PA)
1927 – SAC Wisla (Chicago, IL)
1929 – Bavarian SC (Milwaukee, WI)
1931 – Vereinigung Erzgebirge (Warminster, PA)
1940 – AAC Eagles (Chicago, IL)
1941 – Greek American Atlas (Queens, NY)
1959 – RWB Adria (Chicago, IL)
*Year club was founded, not their first USOC appearance


2010 US Open Cup Third Round: Crew advance on stoppage time goal

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Columbus Crew forward Steven Lenhart broke a 1-1 tie with a goal four minutes into stoppage time to send the Crew into the quarterfinals over the Rochester Rhinos of the USSF Second Division.

Columbus took control early on, and broke through first. Eddie Gaven crossed a corner into position, and Andy Iro headed the ball past Scott Vallow for a 1-0 lead. The Crew couldn’t capitalize on their dominance any further, and took the single goal into the half.

Rochester got going in the second half thanks to Darren Spicer, who subbed in for Ryan Heins at 62′. Spicer sparked the Rhinos immediately, and scored 7 minutes after coming in on a rocket from the edge off the box to tie the score at 1. The match continued evenly across the board until 84′ in, when Felix Motagalvan of the Rhinos tackled the Crew’s Emilio Renteria with his studs up, drawing a straight red card. This let Columbus take back control, and they pressed ahead hoping to avoid extra time. Four minutes of stoppage time were added, however it seemed that for all the Crew’s pressure, they were headed for extra time. That changed in an instant, as Eric Brunner’s long pass bounced off a Rhino defender and right to Lenhart, who capped the heroics with an edge-of-the-box shot that went through the right side of the net.

The Crew will host the Charleston Battery of USL-2 on Tuesday, July 6, attempting to avoid becoming the Battery’s second straight MLS victim.

SCORING:
CLB- Iro (Gaven) 30′
ROC- Spicer 69′
CLB- Lenhart 90+4′

DISCIPLINE:
ROC- Motagalvan 84′ (straight red, Serious foul)

SUBSTITUTIONS:
ROC- Spicer for Heins, 62′
CLB- O’Rourke for Ekpo, 64′
CLB- Renteria for Duka, 70′
ROC- Kissi for Franks, 91′

Notable upsets in the Quarterfinals of the US Open Cup

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Shane Watkins of the San Francisco Bay Seals eludes San Jose Clash defender John Doyle during the Seals’ 2-1 Quarterfinal upset at Spartan Stadium on August 20, 1997. Photo: San Francisco Bay Seals

MORE: Things you should know about the Quarterfinals (Modern Era)

There have only been nine upsets in the Quarterfinal round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup since 1995, therefore all of them are, in fact, “notable.”

There have been one amateur team (albeit before MLS was launched) and two third division clubs to win a Quarterfinal games in the Modern Era (1995-present), and the rest are second division pro teams (A-League, USL First Division) knocking off Major League Soccer clubs.

Atlanta Ruckus (A-League) 1:2 Richmond Kickers (USISL Premier)
July 12, 1995
University of Richmond Stadium – Richmond, Virginia

The Richmond Kickers, the lone amateur team remaining in the tournament upset the A-League’s Atlanta Ruckus 2-1 to reach the semifinals. The Kickers took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a 13th minute goal by Rob Ukrop, but US international John Doyle answered for the Ruckus in the 52nd minute. The game-winning goal would be scored by Richmond’s Scott Snyder in the 62nd minute with Ben Crawley picking up his second assist of the game. Side note: While the Kickers were an amateur team, they featured a strong roster for future professional players including Richie Williams, Mike Clark, Brian Bates, Todd Yeagley, Brian Kamler and goalkeeper Jeff Causey.

Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS) 3 : 4 (ASDET) Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
September 7, 1996
Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

In front of more than 12,000 fans at Frontier Field, the Rochester Raging Rhinos knocked off Major League Soccer’s best team, the Tampa Bay Mutiny, in sudden death overtime. It’s known as one of the most exciting Open Cup games in the Modern Era. Henry Gutierrez and Doug Miller put the Rhinos up 2-0 at the half, but it was Roy Lassiter who began one of the most thrilling 10 minutes in modern Open Cup history. Lassiter’s goal in the 80th minute brought the Mutiny to within one goal, but two minutes later, Miller would score his second to make it 3-1.

The home crowd thought the game was over, but Tampa Bay would score two goals in two minutes (Carlos Valderamma PK in the 85th and Evans Wise in the 86th on an assist from Lassiter) to send the game into overtime. 23 minutes of sudden death overtime saw the Rochester crowd whipped into a frenzy when substitute, and Rochester native, Chris Kennell scored the game-winner in the 113th minute. The first-year franchise would advance to the Open Cup Final that year, falling to DC United in the championship game.

San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro League) 2 : 1 San Jose Clash (MLS)
August 20, 1997
Spartan Stadium – San Jose, CA

Ronald Cerritos converted an early first half penalty kick to put the San Jose Clash up 1-0, but the Bay Seals, the darlings of the 1997 tournament, got a pair of late goals from Shani Simpson (77th minute) and Shane Watkins (86th minute) to put them in the Semifinals. San Francisco was the first third division club to reach the Semifinals during the Modern Era. It was an achievement that wasn’t matched until 2011.

Dallas Burn (MLS) 1 : 2 (ASDET) Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League)
August 11, 1999
Frontier Field – Rochester, NY

After a 71st minute goal by Mauro Biello put Rochester in front 1-0, the Rhinos were five minutes away from pulling off the upset in regulation when Jason Kreis tied the game up thanks to an assist by Paul Broome. After 20 minutes of extra time, Michael Kirmse scored the golden goal (assisted by Darren Tilley) to send the Rhinos to the Semifinals, on their way to winning the tournament.

Minnesota Thunder (USL-1) 3 : 1 Kansas City Wizards (MLS)
August 24, 2005
Julian Field – Parkville, Missouri

In the midst of a disappointing run of league form, the Minnesota Thunder continued their run in the US Open Cup with a road win over the Kansas City Wizards. It was the third MLS team Minnesota had eliminated in a row (Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids). Johnny Menyongar scored two goals and was a part of the third when his shot was re-directed by the Wizards’ Shavar Thomas and past goalkeeper Will Hesmer.

Colorado Rapids (MLS) 0 : 5 Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
August 7, 2007
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

Chris Eylander stops a penalty kick against the Kansas City Wizards during the 2008 US Open Cup. Photo: George Holland

Seattle completely dominated the Colorado Rapids in the worst loss ever suffered by a MLS team in the Open Cup. After two goals by Sounder defenders midway through the first half, Colorado’s Ugo Ihemelu put the ball into his own net to make it 3-0 Seattle at the half. The game was all but over, but when Colorado defender Facundo Erpen was sent off in the 49th minute, the Sounders poured it on in the second half to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1995.

Charleston Battery (USL-1) 3 : 1 FC Dallas (MLS)
July 8, 2008
Pizza Hut Park – Frisco, Texas

After a weather delay, the Charleston Battery eliminated FC Dallas 3-1 in front of the Dallas faithful. Former Dallas player Lazo Alavanja opened the scoring, followed by Ian Fuller and Randi Patterson. Kenny Cooper added a score in second half stoppage time but it was too little, too late. The Battery got their revenge after being knocked out of the tournament by Dallas the last two years in a row.

Kansas City Wizards (MLS) 0:0 (5:6 PKs) Seattle Sounders (USL-1)
July 8, 2008
Qwest Field – Seattle, Washington

David Bulow of the Richmond Kickers tied the Modern Era record for most US Open Cup goals in a career with 13. Photo: Richmond Kickers / Suz Kitsteiner

After playing 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Kansas City’s Eric Kronberg and Seattle Chris Eylander found themselves facing a penalty kick shootout. Both goalkeepers had played well in regulation and extra time, but Eylander had been busier, stopping 12 shots to Kronberg’s four. Eylander would get the best of Kronberg in the shootout, 6-5, saving attempts by Jimmy Conrad and Tyson Wahl to send the Sounders to the final four.

Richmond Kickers (USL Pro) 2:0 Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
July 12, 2011
LiveStrong Sporting Park – Kansas City, Kansas

The Richmond Kickers continued their Cinderella run through the 2011 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-0 upset of Sporting Kansas City at LiveStrong Sporting Park. After a lengthy lightning delay sent the players into the locker rooms in the 66th minute, once they emerged,  Shaka Bangura scored less than 30 seconds after play re-started to give the Kickers the lead. David Bulow would add a history-making penalty kick in the 83rd minute to seal the deal. Bulow’s goal gave him a tournament-high six tallies and put him on top of the Modern Era’s goalscoring chart with 13 in his career. He was tied with Jaime Moreno and Johnny Menyongar. With the win, Richmond became only the second Third Division team to reach the Semifinals. The only other team to do it was the San Francisco Bay Seals in 1997.

2009 Quarterfinal recap: Rochester Rhinos last USL team standing

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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 US Open Cup: Semifinal recap

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2009 US Open Cup Semifinals
(Home team listed on right)
July 21
Rochester Rhinos 1:2 DC United
 Houston Dynamo 1:2 (aet) Seattle Sounders FC

Player of the Round: Sebastien Le Toux (SEA)
Notable matches in Semifinal history
Things you should know about the Semifinals

The two home teams held serve in the 2009 Semifinals with DC United advancing to their fourth Open Cup Final, while the Seattle Sounders will attempt to become the first MLS expansion team to win the title since the Chicago Fire did it in 1998.

Jamie Moreno put United up 1-0 by adding to his Open Cup goalscoring total with a penalty kick in the 41st minute, his 12th all-time goal, tying him for the most in the Professional Era (1995-present). Rochester’s Tai Atieno tied it up in the 68th minute, but it was Boyzzz Khumalo who kept United’s hopes alive for a second straight tournament championship with a goal in the 82nd minute. DC will attempt to become the first team to repeat as champions since 1983 when the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won back-to-back titles. The trip to the Final is even more impressive for the defending champs, considering they had to win two qualifying games just to get into the tournament.

The Seattle Sounders advanced to the Final in dramatic fashion. Houston’s Ade Akinbiyi put the Dynamo up in the 32nd minute, but the home team wasn’t able to equalize until the 89th minute when Nate Jaqua sent the game into extra time. With all the momentum and the home crowd behind them at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., Stephen King scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 95th minute on an assist from Sebastien Le Toux and the club would hold on to the 2-1 lead throughout extra time, despite defender Jhon Hurtado being sent off in the 110th minute. The Sounders become the first Seattle-based team to reach the Open Cup Final since the Mitre Eagles did it in 1987.

DC United will host the championship game on September 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington DC.

2009 Semifinals: DC United still has Rochester’s number, advance to Open Cup Final

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Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, Md.
Match Reports: DC United | Rochester | Washington Post | Democrat & Chronicle
MLSnet.com Matchtracker

 1 FT 2
Tai Atieno (Unassisted) 68’       41’ Jamie Moreno (PK)
82’ Boyzzz Khumalo (Unassisted)

Defending US Open Cup champion DC United, who had to qualify just to get into the 2009 tournament, is one win away from defending their title after a 2-1 Semifinal victory over the Rochester Rhinos. Boyzzz Khumalo’s 82nd minute goal spoiled the Rhinos’ attempt to return to the Open Cup Final for the first time since their historic title run in 1999 and earned DC a chance to win their second straight championship on their home field.

DC United will host the Seattle Sounders at RFK Stadium on September 2. For United it is their fourth Final appearance and will host the championship game for the third time. In the two previous title games at RFK, they have won both of them (1996, 2008).

United held the majority of the possession in the first half and was awarded a penalty kick in the 41st minute. Rhinos defender Ty Harden was called for a handball in the box and Jaime Moreno stepped up to score his 12th career Open Cup goal, which moved him into a tie with current Rhino Johnny Menyongar for the most goals in the Professional Era (1995-present).

With DC continuing to put on the pressure, Rochester fought back and tied the game up in the 68th minute when Tai Atieno put the ball into the back of the net after the ball pinballed around the box after a Rochester free kick from the right wing.

The home team would find the game-winner in the 82nd minute when Chris Pontius, who replaced Moreno as a sub in the second half, found himself on a breakaway with the Rochester goalkeeper. Mella saved Pontius’ attempt, but the ball fell to Khumalo, who put the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the tournament.

Rochester’s struggles with DC United in the Open Cup continue with their fourth loss in as many tries. DC has also defeated them in the 1996 Final as well as the Third Round of the 2000 and 2008 tournaments. DC United are the first club since the Chicago Fire in 2004 to make back-to-back appearance in the Final, and like the Fire failed to do in 2004, losing to Kansas City, they will try to repeat as Open Cup champions. There has not been a back-to-back champion of the tournament since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won the 1982 and 1983 titles.

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

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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 Third Round recap: Portland, Seattle renew rivalry, Houston face Battery (again)

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2009 US Open Cup Third Round
(Home team listed on right)
June 30
Columbus Crew 1:1 Rochester Rhinos
Rochester advance on PKs 5-3
Chicago Fire 0:1 Wilmington Hammerheads
Harrisburg City Islanders 2:1 (aet) New England Revolution
Ocean City Barons 0:2 DC United
Chivas USA 1:3 Charleston Battery
Kansas City Wizards 3:3 Minnesota Thunder
Kansas City advance on PKs 4-2
July 1
Houston Dynamo 2:0 Austin Aztex
Seattle Sounders 2:1 Portland Timbers

Player of the Round: Randi Patterson
Notable upsets in Third Round history
Things you should know about the Third Round

The underdogs of the United Soccer Leagues ruled on day one of the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, but the Seattle Sounders and the Houston Dynamo each earned wins on Wednesday to level the tournament with four MLS teams and four USL teams in the Quarterfinals. The draw for the next round dictates that for the second year in a row, the USL will have at least one team in the Semifinals.

The Houston Dynamo defeated the Austin Aztex 2-0 on Wednesday to set up a date with the Charleston Battery next Tuesday at Blackbaud Stadium. This will be the third year in a row that the Battery and the Dynamo square off in the Open Cup with Charleston eliminating Houston in both years.

Later that night, the Portland Timbers and the Seattle Sounders renewed their rivalry in front of a sold-out PGE Park in Portland, Ore. The more than 16,000 fans in attendance was the fourth largest attendance (Source: Kenn.com) during the Professional Era (1995 – present) and a modern era first for the Timbers.

The biggest upsets of the night came from USL Second Division clubs. In New Britain, Conn., the Harrisburg City Islanders defeated the New England Revolution 2-1 in extra time. Ahead 1-0, the Revs allowed the game-tying goal after losing a player to injury after having used all of its substitutions. Another New England player left near the end of full time due to injury, leaving the MLS side with just nine men. The City Isles took advantage and scored the game-winning goal in extra time.

In Wilmington, the USL-2 Hammerheads edged out the four-time Cup champion Chicago Fire 1-0. TheCup.us Player of the Second Round Kenny Bundy scored the deciding goal in the 37th minute to give Wilmington just their second win over an MLS foe in Open Cup play. With Rochester winning their penalty kick tiebreaker over the Columbus Crew after a 1-1 draw, the two clubs will meet in the quarterfinals, assuring the USL of at least one club in the Semifinals for the third year in a row.

2009 Third Round: Rhinos need PKs to knock out defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew

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Marina Auto Stadium – Rochester, N.Y. | 7 p.m.
1
AET
 1
Rochester advances on PKs 5-3
Ty Harden 32’
       37’ Duncan Oughton
Penalty Kick Summary
Darren Kenton – GOAL      
GOAL – Emmanuel Ekpo
Mauricio Salles – GOAL       GOAL – Alejandro Moreno
Andrew Gregor – GOAL       SAVED – Duncan Oughton
Kenney Bertz – GOAL       GOAL – Jason Garey
Ryan Heins – GOAL        

It took an extra hour to kick off the game due to lightning, but it was worth the wait. The Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division defeated Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew 5-3 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw in regulation.

In the third all-time meeting (1-1-1) between the clubs in the US Open Cup, Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum was tested early and often as the Rhinos bombarded him with shots in the first half. In the 32nd minute, Rochester would finally break through as Ty Harden, on a month-long loan from the Colorado Rapids, received a cross from Johnny Menyongar and put home the opening goal of the match. Just 5 minutes later, Columbus would respond. Veteran and New Zealand native Duncan Oughton put in a volley through two defenders and past Rhinos keeper Tim Melia to tie the game at one.

In the 55th minute, the Rhinos got a huge break as Ryan Heins was fouled in the box, earning a penalty kick for Rochester. Andrew Gregor took the kick, but Gruenebaum was up to the task and made the crucial save for Columbus. No one would break the tie through the rest of regulation and both extra time periods, sending the game into a penalty kick tiebreaker.

Rochester would make their first three penalty kicks, but then the Crew’s third wouldn’t end so well. Duncan Oughton’s shot was deflected, then recovered on the rebound, by Melia. Ryan Heins would go on to put home the winning goal for the Rhinos, who now move on to host the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Second Division in the Quarterfinals.

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