TAMPA, FL -- The Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup has concluded with no inter-league upsets as all of the higher division clubs advanced to the Third Round. Harrisburg and Richmond of USL-2 are the lone lower division clubs remaining as they join six USL-1 teams who advanced as seven of the eight games were decided by one goal.
The Close Calls
Rhinos escape first-ever upset 2-1 in OT against Pioneers
The Rochester Raging Rhinos have made headlines playing the role of David in the Cup and in 12 years in the tournament, the club has never been eliminated by a lower division club. The run nearly came to an end as a 43rd minute strike from Western Mass Pioneer Jeff Deren stood until Matthew Delicate equalized in the 84th to force 30 minutes of overtime. Aaran Lines, who set up Delicate’s equalizer, found the back of the net himself at the close of the first session of overtime in the 105th minute for what proved the winner over the Pioneers (3-4-4 in league play) as the USL-1 club advanced.
Battery beat PDL Patriots 1-0
After playing Miami FC of USL-1 to a 2-2 draw in the First Round and advancing in penalties, the El Paso Patriots looked poised to repeat the feat as they held off the host Battery in Charleston. Defender Anthony Catalano proved the difference, however, as he buried a Lazo Alavanja free kick for the Battery in the 74th minute.
Harrisburg rallies past Barons 2-1
The six minutes surrounding halftime proved eventful as the host Ocean City Barons of the PDL took the initial lead in the match on a strike from Leon Brown in the 42nd. Within two minutes, Chad Severs put the USL-2 City Islanders on level terms. Three minutes into the second half David Schofield provided the winning strike for the visitors.
Atlanta holds back Charlotte 1-0
The USL-1 Silverbacks, in the midst of a six-game winless run in league play, avoided upset to the USL-2 leading Charlotte Eagles. Four minutes into the second half Warren Ukah tallied what proved the game-winner on a corner although the hosts had a scare near the hour mark when a foul by defender Omar Jarun sent two-time league scoring champion and current leading scorer Jacob Coggins to the spot. Reserve goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh made his second brilliant save of the match to preserve the shutout and the win.
Fiesty First Division Fixtures
California clips Minnesota 1-0
Two days after falling 1-0 to the Thunder in league play, the Victory avenged the loss in a wild affair that saw four players sent off in a scoreless match decided in overtime. A player from each side were sent off in regulation for two cautions and goal scorer Ricardo Sanchez was shown a second yellow for his celebration after hitting the winner five minutes into extra time, but the Thunder were unable to use the advantage to equalize before seeing Ansu Toure ejected in the 107th, leaving both sides with nine for the final 13 minutes.
Seattle slips by Portland 2-1
The northwest rivals added another classic to the book. The visiting Timbers opened the scoring in the 19th minute when defender Justin Thompson put away a free kick from former Sounder Andrew Gregor. Fellow defender Cameron Knowles, however, was sent off three minutes before the break for an elbow, however, and the resulting penalty was converted by former Timber Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar. Keeping on the defender trend, Jake Besagno headed home the winner in the 70th on a long ball from Greg Howes.
USL Second Division Showdown
Richmond edges Cleveland 2-1
Up until Saturday’s 1-0 loss in Charlotte, the Cleveland City Stars, along with the defending champion Richmond Kickers, were the lone unbeatens in US professional soccer. In the first match ever between the two, the Kickers kept their status in tact over all competitions with a 2-1 decision over the expansion club. Matt Watson and Robert Ssejjemba put the hosts up 2-0 at the break and Clevelan’s Nigel Codrington put the visitor’s back in the match with a tally in the 64th, but the Stars were unable to find the equalizer.
The Battle of Brothers
Carolina cruises to 4-0 win
The USASA’s Milwaukee Bavarians were hoping Scott Dombrowski could help lead them to a second upset after beating USL-2 Cincinnati in the First Round as they visited the Carolina RailHawks featuring his brother Chad. The RailHawks proved too much as the match moved on as Connally Edozien opened the scoring in the 37th and Anthony Maher made it 2-0 right before halftime. Maher added a second in the 56th and Marco Leite closed the scoring in the 79th.
Complete Scoreboard
Visitor :: Home
Harrisburg City Islanders 2 :: 1 Ocean City Barons
Western Mass Pioneers 1 :: OT :: 2 Rochester Rhinos
Cleveland City Stars 1 :: 2 Richmond Kickers
Milwaukee Bavarians 0 :: 4 Carolina RailHawks
Charlotte Eagles 0 :: 1 Atlanta Silverbacks
El Paso Patriots 0 :: 1 Charleston Battery
California Victory 1 :: OT :: 0 Minnesota Thunder
Portland Timbers 1 :: 2 Seattle Sounders
US Open Cup Third Round Schedule
Date - Teams - Venue; City - Time
July 10 - N.E. Revolution (MLS) at Rochester Rhinos (USL-1 PAETEC Park; Rochester, N.Y. - 7:35 p.m. ET
July 10 - Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) at Richmond Kickers (USL-2) University of Richmond Stadium; Richmond, Va. - 7 p.m. ET
July 10 - Atlanta Silverbacks (USL-1) at FC Dallas (MLS) Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas - 7:30 p.m. CT
July 10 - Houston Dynamo (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-1) Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C. - 7:30 p.m. ET
July 10 - California Victory (USL-1) at Colorado Rapids (MLS) Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; Commerce City, Colo. - 7 p.m. MT
TBD - CD Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders (USL-1) Location TBD
July 11 - D.C. United (MLS) at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) Hempfield High School Stadium; Greensburg, Pa. - 7:30 p.m. ET
July 15 - Chicago Fire (MLS) at Carolina RailHawks (USL-1) SAS Soccer Park; Cary, N.C. - 5 p.m. ET
