Revolution kick into gear in US Open Cup
Jeff Larentowicz clinched the Revolution's first-ever penalty-kick victory, a 5-4 decision over the Rochester Raging Rhinos after the teams played to a scoreless tie in a US Open Cup match last night in Rochester, N.Y.
The Revolution will meet the Chicago Fire or Kansas City Wizards in the quarterfinals Aug. 23.
The Revolution, who visit Chivas USA in a regular-season game Sunday, appeared on the verge of elimination after Rochester's Mike Ambersley and John Ball converted and shots by Shalrie Joseph and Andy Dorman had been denied by Scott Vallow. But scores by the next five Revolution shooters -- Jose Cancela, Steve Ralston, James Riley, goalkeeper Matt Reis, and Larentowicz -- provided the difference. Reis did not make a save, but Matthew Delicate (high), Tenywa Bonseu (crossbar), and Frankie Sanfilippo (high) missed penalty tries.
The Revolution lost on penalty kicks to D.C. United in the 2004 Eastern Conference final and to Rochester in the 2004 US Open Cup.
Larentowicz, starting in midfield in place of Clint Dempsey (ankle), had the best chances for the Revolution in the first half, both shots saved by Vallow. The Revolution pressured in the second half, the best opportunities going to Willie Sims, who replaced Taylor Twellman in the 69th minute.
Sims missed an open net seconds after replacing Twellman. Then Dorman created a chance, his 25-yard drive blocked by Vallow, and his back-post cross barely missed by Sims. Cancela's close-in shot was knocked out for a corner, followed by a Dorman cross through the goal area.
But after surviving against the Revolution's pressure, the Rhinos retaliated, and Reis tipped away what would have been an own goal from Dorman. In extra time, Ralston rolled a chance barely wide in the opening minutes and Sims shot high on a breakaway. Rochester threatened late in the first extra period as former Revolution striker Connally Edozien crossed to Jonny Steele, earning a corner kick off a Reis save. Reis again made a stop on Rochester's Aaran Lines early in the second OT. Sims had a goal disallowed for offside in the 119th minute.
