Tim Melia’s performance in net for the Charleston Battery in their upset of the Chicago Fire in round 3 was enough to get the votes for the award.
Tim Melia
2010 US Open Cup Third Round: Charleston advances in PKs as Chicago can’t find net
After a scoreless two hours, the Chicago Fire’s scoreless woes continued as USL-2’s Charleston won the penalty shootout 3-0. Battery goalkeeper Tim Melia, on loan from MLS’s Real Salt Lake, was the star of the night, stopping all 8 of the Fire’s shots on goal, and adding a save in the shootout.
2009 Third Round: Rhinos need PKs to knock out defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew
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.
2007 First Round: Rhinos make early goal stand up, beat Rough Riders 1-0
The Rhinos needed only one goal to defeat the PDL Long Island Rough Riders, and advance to the Second Round of the US Open Cup. For Long Island, it was their first appearance in the tournament since they moved down to the PDL from the Second Division.
Matthew Delicâte’s goal came in the 20th minute, heading in a cross from Stephen Shirley-Black.