Union Survive Open Cup Challenge from Upstart Rochester Rhinos, will Face DC United Next

from blogs.soccer.com

English football fans always talk about “the magic of the FA Cup” and the US Open Cup is becoming similar.

The Union almost fell victim to that sort of magic when they found themselves deadlocked and held by a third-tier USL side, the Rochester Rhinos.

The Rhinos were organized and comfortable playing the defensive game and even looked the better team for stretches but the Union had the better of the chances.

The best Union chance came in the 52nd minute when a 3 vs. 1 opportunity but the final ball wasn’t there.

The Rhinos nearly had a goal in the 83d minute when now second-choice keeper John McCarthy was called upon to make a save on a ball that was poorly cleared after a corner.

McCarthy turned in a man of the match performance coming up with several big saves and he was massive the the shootout – McCarthy made 2 saves to give Union the win in PKs.

The reward for winning is a date next week with MLS’s DC United as New York Cosmos and Charlotte Independence are the only remaining lower-division teams.