Wednesday, June 14, 2000 - With Wednesday being billed as Elimination Wednesday, the Rhinos needed a win to move on to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Rhinos faced a Riverhounds team that had already defeated them in Pittsburgh once this season.
From the starting whistle, the Rhinos went on the offensive. At times it appeared as though the Rhinos were using a 3-5-2 formation instead of the standard 4-4-2. The Rhinos also had their entire squad with them, as Martin Nash returned from play with the Canadian National Team.
The Riverhounds were outplayed the first 15 minutes of the game but managed to keep the Rhinos from scoring. In the 15th minute Martin Nash took a free kick from about 20 yards out, and placed it beautifully into the back of the Riverhounds net. The crowd of just over 1,600 fans went quiet as the Rhinos drew first blood. Five minutes later the crowd would have much to cheer about as a misplayed ball by Lenin Steenkamp gave the Riverhounds the opening they were looking for, and they put one past Andracki to even the score at 1. The rest of the first half saw both teams play flat, with only a few chances created by either side.
Rejuvenated by the halftime rest, both teams came out strong. In this do-or-die match, the players were going to leave all their efforts on the field. Neither side made a substitution until later into the second half. Rochester sent in Onandi Lowe for Yari Allnutt. With this substitution, the Rhinos returned to their more traditional formation. This would prove to be the critical substitution. On another set play, Nash serviced a free kick into the box, which Lowe was able to reach and head past Riverhounds keeper Dedini.
With their Cup hopes on the line, the Riverhounds poured on the attack. They created some excellent chances and would have tied the game again, had it not been for the defensive play of Kirmse and Andracki.
Despite being counted out as a threat by USA Today and told that they have no chance by former Rhino Darren Tilley, the Rhinos proved that they can pour on the attack in the big games.
Inside Track:
· Rochester faces MLS's DC United on July 25, after United defeated the Charleston Battery, 4-0 last night. The match will most likely be played in our nation's capitol.
Scoring Summary
1 2 Final
PIT 1 0 1
ROC 1 1 2
Goals:
15' Nash 1-0 ROC
20' Karn 1-1
74' Lowe (Nash) 2-1 ROC
Rochester Lineup: Andracki, Demmin, Schweitzer, Hardy (Zavala 52'), Tanner, Allnutt (Lowe 57'), Kirmse, Ball, Nash, Steenkamp, Sebrango
