August 8, 2007
It was a little harder for the USL 1st Division Carolina RailHawks to dismiss the USL 2nd Division Richmond Kickers in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals than it was for the USL 1st Division's Seattle Sounders to advance past the Colorado Rapids of MLS last night.
Carolina defeated Richmond 1-0 thanks to a 64th minute goal from ex-Rhino Connally Edozien. Edozien's goal was set up by another ex-Rhino as Jonny Steele got the assist on the lone goal of the match.
Carolina awaits the result from tonight's match between the New England Revolution of MLS and the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL 2nd Division.
Seattle on the other hand breezed to a 5-0 home win over the Rapids. With three goals in the first half and Colorado defender Facundo Erpen getting sent off early in the second half, the match was lopsided from beginning to end.
Former USL 1st Division Defender of the Year Taylor Graham got the game opening and game winning goal in the 24th minute off of a Josh Gardner corner kick. Fellow Sounder defender Zach Scott scored off a header of his own only two minutes later off of a Leighton O'Brien free kick. In the 41st minute, a Roger Levesque shot was deflected by Rapids goalkeeper Zach Thornton. The rebound hit Rapids defender Ugo Ihemelu and into the Rapids net for an own goal.
Sebastien LeToux set up Josh Gardner in the 56th minute and scored the final goal of the match in the 68th minute for the final score line.
In the other US Open Cup Quarterfinal played last evening, FC Dallas advanced past the Charleston Battery of the USL 1st Division by a 2-1 score in Extra Time. Charleston got a 17th minute goal from Stephen Armstrong, but couldn't make the early lead hold up. Clarence Goodson tied the score at one merely five minutes later. Arturo Alvarez got the 95th minute Extra Time goal for the visitors as the Battery fans left Blackbaud Stadium disappointed.
Seattle will host FC Dallas of MLS on September 4th with a berth in the US Open Cup Finals on the line.
Other News & Notes:
- Steven Goff and Ives Galarcep are reporting that NY Red Bulls midfielder Dema Kovalenko was in a minor auto accident over the weekend. Thankfully the extent of the injuries appear to me some stitches in Dema's face. I guess there goes his modeling career..........
- Real Salt Lake is looking to three Argentines to try and turn around their season. I wonder if this is essentially Freddy Adu for three foreigners?
- Speaking of Freddy, it appears he will be wearing the #30 for Benfica. I guess he doesn't have enough coin to buy #11 from Miguelito.
- US National Soccer Players.com have a little article on Tony Sanneh's comeback from injury and his time with the Thunder.
- Another good article bashing the soccer-haters in the US.
- Apparently the New England Revolution have done a good job blocking a potential MLS team that would be based in Hartford. I wonder if Toronto FC would have a similiar reaction if Rochester ever got close to getting an MSL team?
- Perhaps moving from the EPL to the SPL wasn't the greatest move in the world for Demarcus Beasley? Or maybe the move to the rougher league is just what the small and speedy winger needs right now.
- Big Apple Soccer.com is reporting that Red Bull Park's opening is getting pushed back due to unforeseen concretet clean up that will need to take place on the site. Does this sound like the saga of getting PAETEC Park built or what?
- Yanks Abroad has a nice Q&A with Preston Zimmerman.
- Yanks Abroad and Ives Galarcep are both reporting that Columbus Crew and US U-20 midfielder Danny Szetela could be moving to AS Roma. Szetela's contract with MLS runs out after the season and he has been eyeing a move to Europe following the 2007 MLS season for quite some time.
- While Derby County was unable to land USMNT forward Eddie Johnson, they may be on the verge of adding USMNT midfielder Benny Feilhaber according to Yanks Abroad. While it may not be good for MLS, I do think it's really cool that teams in the best leagues in the world are now actively pursuing American talent. 15 years ago American soccer players were looked down upon and that is no longer the case.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
