Another Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tie with the Rochester Raging Rhinos brought another scare for the New England Revolution, but the MLS side escaped with a 4-2 victory on Tuesday night at Paetec Park.
Taylor Twellman scored the winner in the 90th minute from a Steve Ralston free kick and Ralston added a penalty kick in injury time after Twellman was fouled in the penalty area.
Ralston pushed the Revolution in front in the 19th minute with a curling 24-yard free kick over the Rhinos' wall before Taylor Twellman extended the advantage on 67 minutes from a James Riley cross.
But Rochester rushed back to equalize as New England failed to finish off the final quarter-hour as Hamed Diallo scored twice to set the match on course for overtime before Twellman and Ralston sealed the Revolution's passage into the quarterfinals.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol gave Marshall Leonard his first senior team start of the season at left midfield and recalled Gary Flood to the starting 11. Shalrie Joseph (quadriceps) was left at home and James Riley dropped to the bench.
Rochester handed a debut to recently signed Portuguese goalkeeper Nuno Santos, while head coach Laurie Calloway was able to name leading scorer Hamed Diallo in the starting lineup after the striker pushed off a meeting in Paris regarding his visa situation.
Both teams struggled to establish possession in the early stages as the teams cagily tried to assess each others strengths and failed to create any genuine scoring opportunities.
New England hopped in front on its first clear cut chance of the game on 19 minutes. Twellman was attempting to cut inside the penalty area and was felled by Rhinos defender Kenney Bertz. From the ensuing free kick, Ralston nestled his strike into the upper left hand corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal gave the Revolution its first lead in the competition since 2004.
Twellman spurned in the 28th minute an intricate passing movement as Twellman, Ralston and Leonard connected a series of passes inside and around the penalty area to free the U.S. national team striker. Twellman sidefooted just over the upper right corner from 16 yards.
Noonan provided Twellman with a breakaway opportunity in the 40th minute after the ball deflected off his leg and sprung Twellman behind the Rhinos' backline. Twellman bore down on Santos, but the veteran Portuguese 'keeper came out to cut down the angle and deflect Twellman's far-post effort away from danger.
It was more of the same after halftime as Twellman saw his goalbound shot deflected away by the lunge of Chris Aloisi on 47 minutes after Noonan flicked the ball into his path with his heel.
New Zealand international midfielder Aaran Lines blasted just over the bar from 16 yards after New England failed to clear its lines from a Rochester corner kick on 52 minutes.
Noonan had a breakaway attempt of his own in the 55th minute after Andy Dorman played him through and Aloisi held him onside, but Noonan's touch failed him and the ball trickled into the grateful arms of Santos.
Rochester had a great chance in the 61st minute as Rey Angel Martinez's cross found the John Ball's head at the far post. Only a lunging save from Matt Reis denied Rochester an equalizer.
The save would prove crucial as New England extended its lead six minutes later. Twellman, who had proven dangerous all night, finally received his reward after another comprehensive buildup found James Riley on the byline. Riley's cross found Twellman, who turned and slotted home from six yards.
Noonan nearly made it three in the 74th minute after Khano Smith's bending cross found the striker's head. Noonan's header clipped off the crossbar and deflected over the net for a goal kick.
But Rochester was not done and staged a furious comeback to knot the score in the last quarter of an hour courtesy of Diallo's double.
Diallo finished a Ball header across the face of goal in the 76th minute before smashing home a Menyongar feed in the 85th minute before Twellman and Ralston sent the Revolution through to the quarterfinals in the waning moments.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Third Round
New England Revolution at Rochester Rhinos
July 7, 2007 - PAETEC Park (Rochester, N.Y.)
Scoring Summary
NE - Steve Ralston (unassisted) 19
NE - Taylor Twellman (James Riley) 67
ROCH - Hamed Diallo (John Ball) 76
ROCH - Hamed Diallo (Johnny Menyongar) 85
NE - Taylor Twellman (Steve Ralston) 90
NE - Steve Ralston (penalty kick) 93+
New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Avery John, Michael Parkhurst, Jay Heaps, Marshall Leonard (Khano Smith 61), Andy Dorman (James Riley 57), Gary Flood (Kyle Helton 84), Wells Thompson, Steve Ralston ©, Pat Noonan, Taylor Twellman
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Adam Cristman, Bryan Byrne, Chris Loftus
Rochester Rhinos: Nuno Santos, Scott Palguta, Kenney Bertz ©, Jason Perry (John Bolton 46), Chris Aloisi (PJ Scheufele 75), Tanywa Boneu, Aaran Lines, Stephen Shirley Black (Rey Martinez 50), John Ball, Johnny Menyongar, Hamed Diallo
Substitutes Not Used: Chase Harrison (GK), Ryan Wileman, Kevin Burns, Danny Kramer
Misconduct Summary:
ROCH - P.J. Scheufele (caution) 92+
Referee: Richard Sanchez
Referee's Assistants: Jeffrey Mellen (SAR), Jason Krnac (JAR)
Fourth Official: Franco Bevilacqua
Time of Game: 1:58
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 91 degrees
Attendance: 8,551
