The Rochester Rhinos escaped the clutches of the upset-minded RWB Adria, needing an extra time goal from Hamed Diallo to overcome the Chicago-based USASA club 2-1. The match marked the first time that the Rhinos, competing in their 13th US Open Cup competition, had faced a club from the USASA.
The teams played to a scoreless tie for 73 minutes, when Diallo was brought down in the penalty area. Tiger Fitzpatrick stepped up and converted the spot kick for a 1-0 lead. Just as Rochester seemed ready to book their Second Round ticket, RWB Adria proved why the game is 90 minutes long. Joey Carver found a wide-open Awadallah Morad, who buried the ball into an open net with just four minutes remaining.
The Rhinos took the lead back for good six minutes into the first extra period, when Diallo received a header from Matthew Delicate, dribbled past RWB Adria defender Justin Dugena and scored. Scott Vallow preserved the Rhinos’ win with a kick save on a wide-open shot by Carver with just five minutes remaining.