Richmond Kickers News Release -- www.richmondkickers.com
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. – The Richmond Kickers' historic run in the U.S. Open Cup came to an end Tuesday night as the Chicago Fire advanced to the final, 2-1. The Fire took an early lead, when Sebastian Grazzini converted a first-half penalty. Former Richmond Kickers Future (PDL) standout Dominic Oduro added to the scoreline in the second half before Kickers defender William Yomby pulled a goal back seven minutes later. The Kickers persevered for the equalizer but could not capitalize, sending the Fire through to an Open Cup Final against the Seattle Sounders, which defeated FC Dallas 1-0 at the Starfire Sports Complex in the other semifinal.
The Kickers caught the Fire off guard directly out of the gates, applying a steady stream of pressure in their offensive third and attempting several shots inside the first 10 minutes.
First, Edson Elcock gathered the ball deep in Kickers territory and was off to the races on the left wing in the eighth minute. The speedy midfielder switched the ball across the pitch to Mike Callahan who played it back to a wide open Matthew Delicate. With one touch, Delicate swiftly played a well-placed ball to Ryan Heins who settled the ball and rocketed a strike from distance, but his shot soared skyward.
Then, Kickers defender Sascha Goerres played a long ball to midfielder Vercollone who attempted a shot from the top of the penalty area but goalkeeper Sean Johnston was able to smother the ball.
Despite the early pressure, it was the Fire who broke the ice in the 32nd minute when Hertel was called for a rash tackle against forward Patrick Nyarko, inside a crowded Kickers box. Argentinean midfielder Sebastian Grazzini stepped up to the penalty spot and buried a low ball into the right corner to give the home side the early advantage.
Just before the first half whistle, the Fire came close to a second goal when Nyarko battled Kickers defender Dave Hertel for the ball on the left flank. The physical skirmish ended when Nyarko dispossessed Hertel of the ball and fed it inside to an onrushing Dominic Oduro, who played it wide to an awaiting Grazzini on the right corner of the box. Under pressure, Grazzini unleashed a strike from 12 yards out but squandered the opportunity by sending it over the woodwork.
Gaining momentum with a one-goal lead, the Fire pressed forward and nearly doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. Former VCU hitman, Oduro, won the ball on the left side of the box and sliced it across to Nyarko on the far touchline. Nyarko’s miss-hit rebound to Logan Pause at the top of the box, who turned and struck a low ball on target but Pascale was able to scoop up the dangerous ball.
Not to be denied a second time, the Fire registered a second tally three minutes later when an unstoppable Oduro beat his mark down the left wing. Measuring his shot perfectly, he lofted a brilliant ball into the top-right corner of the net, rendering Pascale helpless.
With the match far from over, an offensive substitution shook up the Chicago defense and allowed the Kickers to pull a goal back in the 68th minute. Kickers defender Goerres whipped a freekick from the left side behind the Fire backline. An onrushing Yomby muscled his way through traffic and headed the ball against the underside of the crossbar from point blank range.
In a last minute effort to push the game into overtime, Goerres lined up a free kick from the right, a few feet from the penalty area. His inswinger found Nozomi Hiroyama positioned at the far post but his header was cleared over the crossbar.
The Kickers 2011 season came to an end at Toyota Park as Chicago advanced to the U.S. Open Cup final. Stay tuned to RichmondKickers.com for 2012 season ticket information.