D.C. United end Rhinos Open Cup hopes
The Rochester Rhinos came back from a halftime deficit to tie the match in the 68th minute, but a goal in the 83rd minute goal by Thabiso Khumalo gave D.C. United a 2-1 win in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.
D.C. will play another Major League Soccer team, Seattle or Houston, in the final. Rochester was trying to get back to the Cup final for the third time in franchise history and first time since winnin the national tournament in 1999.
The Rhinos had been shut out in three previous Cup losses to United, the most decorated team in MLS, but Tai Atieno’s goal tied it at 1 in the 68th minute. However, a high bouncing ball over the head of Rochester defender Kenney Bertz sent Chris Pontius in on an 83rd-minute breakaway.
Rhinos goalie Tim Melia sprinted to make the save on Pontius’ shot, but Khumalo, one of United’s regular starters, converted on the rebound for the winner.
Rhinos defender Ty Harden, back from his last match with Rochester to finish his loan from Colorado (MLS), was whistled for a handball in the penalty area after D.C.’s Devon McTavish headed a ball into the box on a counter attack.
Jaime Moreno buried the ensuing penalty kick in the 41st minute. It was the third time in four Cup matches against Rochester that the Bolivian star and all-time leader in MLS goals (128) has scored.
The Rhinos also lost 3-0 to United in the 1996 final, 2-0 in the second round in 2000 when as the defending champion and 2-0 last year in a third-round match also in Boyds.
United coach Tom Soehn with about half of his regular lineup. One of his backups, goalie Milos Kocic, came up big. The counterattack that led to D.C.’s goal came after Kocic made a diving stop to prevent Bertz from scoring on a header off a corner kick.
