USL-1 Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos US Open Cup run ends in DC

Published on July 22, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


TAMPA, FL -- The USL First Division's Rochester Rhinos saw their run in the US Open Cup come to an end in dramatic fashion Tuesday evening in the Semifinals, falling 2-1 on the road to DC United at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Former USL-1 and USL-2 standouts were at the forefront of DC United and Seattle Sounders victories on the night.

Four minutes before the break DC veteran Jaime Moreno put a penalty kick past starting keeper Tim Melia when Ty Harden was called for a controversial hand ball in the box. The play came on a counter that came after Kenney Bertz forced a reaction save with a header on a corner. The rebound went to Thabiso Khumalo, who led the quick counterattack that concluded with Fred sending a cross in to Devin McTavish, who sent the ball off Harden's arm.

The Rhinos would level the match at 1-1 in the 68th minute on the aftermath of a free kick that came deep into the box and bounced around the area before Taiwo Atieno knocked it home for his third goal of the tournament.

For the Rhinos, it looked as though they were headed to a fourth overtime contest in five matches, but in an ironic twist, the former USL Second Division standout Khumalo spoiled a potential third trip to the tournament final.

Khumalo joined DC United midseason last year after impressing while on loan from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the club who took Rochester to penalties in the first round of the tournament this year.

After a good performance so far through the match, Bertz misjudged a bouncing ball on the wet surface and saw it go over his head, giving Chris Pontius a clear shot at goal. Melia stopped the attempt, but the rebound came to Khumalo for any easy finish into the empty net with eight minutes remaining. It was his second of the tournament.

In the other semifinal, the visiting Houston Dynamo took the initial lead 32 minutes in on a strike from Ade Akinbiyi.

It looked as though the Sounders were going to see elimination for the third consecutive year in the Semifinals after reaching the final four the previous two years as a member of the USL First Division. But USL-1 standouts Roger Levesque and Osvaldo Alonso came into the match in the second half and helped turn the tide.

In the 89th minute Levesque and former USL-1 Most Valuable Player Sebastien Le Toux set up former Premier Development League standout Nate Jaqua for the equalizer at the Starfire Sports Complex to force overtime.

Then in the 95th minute, Le Toux set up Stephen King's go-ahead goal and the Sounders held on to move onto their first final as an MLS club. Seattle will travel to the nation's capital to face defending tournament champion DC United at RFK Stadium a year after falling to USL-1 side Charleston in the Semifinals.

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USL First Division Stories from July 22, 2009


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