PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Saer Sene and Kelyn Rowe scored first-half goals to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 win over the Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO) tonight at Brown University’s Stevenson Field in the teams’ fifth-round match in the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The win sent the Revs on to the quarterfinals, where they’ll travel to face the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park on Tuesday, July 8.
Lee Nguyen’s play sparked both of the Revolution’s goals.
Sene got the Revolution on the board in the 11th minute when he beat Rhinos goalkeeper John McCarthy with a low shot across and inside the far post. Nguyen found the Frenchman streaking in on the left side to start the play.
Rowe, who is the Revs’ active leading Open Cup scorer despite playing in just five USOC matches, recorded his sixth-career Open Cup goal in the 33rd minute. Nguyen found Rowe in front of the goal alone with McCarthy, but Rowe’s hard shot was saved. However, McCarthy left the rebound sitting and Rowe powered it home from two yards out for the 2-0 score.
The first-half goals were the first of the season in any competition for both Sene and Rowe.
Rochester pulled one back in the 55th minute, pushing the score to 2-1. Johnny Mendoza volleyed the ball off the end line and sent it back toward the penalty spot. Colin Rolfe made a run into the area and placed a diving header in the top corner, past a helpless Brad Knighton.
Neither team had a quality chance the remainder of the game, although Charlie Davies appeared clear in on goal twice – once courtesy of a Steve Neumann pass, the other from Daigo Kobayashi – but was whistled offside on both occasions during his 30-minute substitute appearance.
The game ended with the Revs playing up a man for stoppage time as Rhinos defender Babacar Diallo was shown a straight red card for kicking at Patrick Mullins’ head while he was on the ground after the two tangled near midfield.
Knighton made four saves in the win, while McCarthy had three saves in the loss.
This is the second year in a row the Revolution has met the Rhinos – the Revs’ USL PRO affiliate club – in the U.S. Open Cup, and the sixth time overall in the tournament.
With the win, the Revolution is now 15-11-4 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup. This is the seventh time in club history the team has advanced to the quarterfinals, and the second year in a row.
2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Fifth Round
New England Revolution vs. Rochester Rhinos (USL PRO)
June 25, 2014 – Stevenson Field at Brown University (Providence, R.I.)
New England Revolution 2, Rochester Rhinos 1
Scoring Summary:
NE – Saer Sene (Lee Nguyen) 11
NE – Kelyn Rowe (unassisted) 33
ROC – Colin Rolfe (Johnny Mendoza) 55
New England Revolution: Brad Knighton, Donnie Smith, Jose Goncalves ©, Stephen McCarthy, Darrius Barnes, Steve Neumann, Lee Nguyen (Daigo Kobayashi 45), Scott Caldwell, Alec Sundly, Kelyn Rowe (Charlie Davies 60), Saer Sene (Patrick Mullins 79)
Substitutes Not Used: Larry Jackson, Andrew Farrell, Chris Tierney, Teal Bunbury
STATS: Shots 7, Shots on target 5, Saves 4, Corner kicks 4, Offsides 2, Fouls 14
Rochester Rhinos: John McCarthy, Babacar Diallo, Kyle Hoffer, Onua Thomas Obasi, Pat McMahon, Alex Dixon (Minh Vu 78), Tyler Rosenlund © (Levi Houapeu 81), JC Banks, Tony Walls, Colin Rolfe, Johnny Mendoza
Substitutes Not Used: Luis Soffner, Jossimar Sanchez, Patrick Slogic, Michael Garzi, Lance Rosenboom
STATS: Shots 9, Shots on target 5, Saves 3, Corner kicks 2, Offsides 5, Fouls 26
Misconduct Summary:
ROC – Kyle Hoffer (caution) 23
ROC – Tony Walls (caution) 76
ROC – Colin Rolfe (caution) 82
NE – Jose Goncalves (caution) 85
ROC – Babacar Diallo (ejection) 90
Referee: Younes Marrakchi
Assistant Referees: Greg Barkey (AR1), Matthew Kreitzer (AR2)
Fourth Official: Kevin Terry, Jr.
Weather: Partly cloudy and 79 degrees
Attendance: 1,570
