PDL U.S. Open Cup Round-Up
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
FULLERTON, Calif. – For the second consecutive week, the Ventura County Fusion needed overtime, but they again advanced in the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 victory against USL PRO’s Los Angeles Blues at Fullerton College’s Hal Shurbeck Field on Tuesday night. Frankie Lopez scored twice, including what proved to be the game-winner in the 107th minute, giving the Fusion a home game against Major League Soccer’s CD Chivas USA in next Tuesday’s third round.
The Blues opened the stronger of the two teams, and took the lead in the 14th minute as Fusion defender Tim Pontius scored an own goal after a good piece of hustle by Matt Fondy. Los Angeles could have added to its lead, but missed a number of opportunities, before the tide Lopez got his side on even terms from the penalty spot in the 35th minute.
Los Angeles had the chance to retake the lead five minutes from the end as they were awarded a penalty of their own, but Fusion goalkeeper Earl Edwards saved Allan Russell’s spot kick to keep his side level. The Blues were then reduced to 10 men a minute later as Cory Miller received his second yellow card.
The Fusion were able to take their man-advantage count in overtime, Lopez giving his side the lead two minutes into the second extra session. Travis Bowen then put the game away in the 116th minute, setting up a contest against his older brother, Tristan, who currently plays for Chivas USA.
“You have to single out Earl for stopping the penalty and keeping us in the game,” Fusion coach Ole Mikkelsen told the Ventura County Star. “[Rodrigo Lopez] continued to control the game when we were a man up. Kennedy Chongo was dangerous the whole day. [Bowen] came in and gave us a breath of fresh air.”
The Fusion will meet Chivas USA at Ventura College at 7 p.m. PT next Tuesday for a place in the fourth round.
MICHIGAN 1, PITTSBURGH 0: The Michigan Bucks continued their remarkable success against higher-level opposition as captain Stewart Givens’ 90th-minute penalty gave his side victory against USL PRO’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Chartiers Valley Stadium.
Both sides had chances to break the deadlock before Givens’ goal, with Bucks goalkeeper Adam Grinwas keeping his side ahead with four minutes to go on a fine double-save from a Riverhounds corner kick. Minutes later, the Bucks got their chance from the penalty spot as Nermin Crnkic was able to turn his marker and was brought down in the penalty area. Givens tucked away the kick, earning his side a match with the Chicago Fire in the third round.
The Bucks will host the Fire at Ultimate Soccer Arenas on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. as they aim to continue their impressive Open Cup record.
SAN ANTONIO 2, LAREDO 0: The Laredo Heat battled, but ultimately fell to the San Antonio Scorpions as a pair of second-half goals by Pablo Campos and Kevin Harmse sent the professional side through at the Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio.
The Heat were able to get to the halftime break even, and got a break as Scorpions midfielder Walter Ramirez was sent off in the 25th minute. But the Heat’s advantage disappeared in the first minute of the second half as Adan Villavicencio was sent off, making it 10-on-10. The Scorpions broke the deadlock in the 67th minute as Campos finished off a cross by Wes Knights, and they put the game away seven minutes later as Harmse put home a finish.
MINNESOTA 2, DES MOINES 0: A goal in either half sent the Des Moines Menace out of the Open Cup as the Minnesota Stars advanced to the third round through goals by Simone Bracalello and Miguel Ibarra have their side victory at Valley Stadium in Des Moines.
Bracalello opened the scoring in the 19th minute, but the Menace got a man-advantage in the 40th minute after Cristiano Dias was sent off for the Stars. Des Moines pressed for an equalizer, but the Stars defense was able to withstand their pressure before Ibarra added a second for Minnesota with six minutes to go.
FORT LAUDERDALE 7, FRESNO 2: The Fresno Fuego’s Open Cup run came to an end as Aly Hassan had a hat trick for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers to lead his side to victory at Lockhart Stadium.
Justin Finch and Tyler Reinhart had second-half goals from the Fuego, but it wasn’t enough to prevent their professional counterparts from advancing.