Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos were eliminated from the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by their Major League Soccer affiliates, the New England Revolution, 2-1 in the Fifth Round at Stevenson Field on the campus of Brown University on Wednesday night. Saër Sène and Kelyn Rowe scored first-half goals for the Revolution before Colin Rolfe got a goal back for the visitors in the second half. It was the fifth time that New England eliminated the Rhinos from the U.S. Open Cup in six all-time meetings.
The Revolution opened the scoring in the 11th minute when midfielder Lee Nguyen settled a loose ball 25 yards out from the Rhinos' goal. Nguyen moved right to left across the top of the penalty area before using a combination play with Sène to create time and space. As Nguyen slowed play down, Sène slipped into the penalty area, and Nguyen picked him out with a perfectly-weighted pass to his left. Sène received the ball on the left side of the Rochester penalty area, took a touch, and hit his shot past Rhinos goalkeeper John McCarthy into the lower-right corner of the net.
New England doubled its advantage in the 33rd minute. Central midfielder Steve Neumann played the ball wide to Nguyen on the left flank, and he took a couple of touches in space before playing an early ball into the Rhinos' penalty area from 30 yards out. Nguyen perfectly placed his service between the six-yard area and the penalty spot where it found Kelyn Rowe, who shot, only for McCarthy to make a spectacular reflex save from point blank range. Rowe kept his composure, however, and walked the rebound into the Rhinos' empty net for his sixth career U.S. Open Cup goal.
The Rhinos got a goal back in the 55th minute when attacking midfielder Jonny Mendoza tried to cross a ball into the box from the left flank after a well-worked move by the visitors. The ball popped up on Mendoza as he attempted to cross it, but he kept his composure and volleyed the ball into the box. His impromptu service found Rolfe on the penalty spot, and he dove and met Mendoza's cross with a spectacular header that glanced into the upper-right corner of the net. It was Rolfe's second goal in as many matches against an MLS opponent, and his third goal in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The assist was Mendoza's second in the 2014 tournament.
Rochester Rhinos center back Babacar Diallo was sent off for serious foul play in the 89th minute leaving the USL PRO side to try to find the equalizer with only 10 men during the last minute of the match and stoppage time, but their efforts came up short as the Revolution moved on to face the Philadelphia Union in the quarterfinals.
The Rhinos next home match is this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Charlotte Eagles. Tickets for any match on the Rhinos home schedule will be available by by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are also currently available.