Rochester 2 Pittsburgh 1
U.S. Open Cup - Second Round
Bethel Park Stadium - Bethel Park, PA
Attendance: 1,626
Rochester prevails at Bethel Park with a 2-1 victory over the Hounds as they continue their quest to defend the U.S. Open Cup. Martin Nash got Rochester on the board first as he nailed a direct kick just underneath the crossbar in the 15'. Five minutes later, a sloppy ball handling play by Lenin Steenkamp would shake Phil Karn loose as he put it past Rhinos keeper Billy Andracki. Steenkamp and Allnutt combined on a picture perfect passing play but failed to connect shortly before the half. The teams played to a 1-1 tie at the break.
The hot humid weather began to take a toll on the players as the game progressed, but the Rhinos began to put the pressure on the Riverhounds early in the 2nd half as Mike Kirmse put a header off the crossbar, and Eddy Sebrango and Yari Allnutt failed in their attempts to put away the go-ahead goal. As they approached the 72' Phil Karn beat Craig Demmin and couldn't get the shot away as Mike Kirmse saved the day by streaking back to break up the play and the potential game winning goal. The deciding goal came in the 74' on a service from Martin Nash as Onandi Lowe went upper deck to pick the pass out of mid air and nailed it away in the upper left corner. Rochester would hang on for the win.
Rochester returns to A-league play with back to back matches Friday and Saturday in Boston and Long Island and then return home Friday June 23rd to face the Seattle Sounders (7:35 PM EST - Empire Sports Network).
Scoring Summary:
ROC:
15' - Nash
74' - Lowe(Nash)
PIT:
20' - Karn
Rochester Substitutions
OUT Hardy IN Zavala
OUT Allnutt IN Lowe
-Mark Pallo
www.rhinopit.com
