July 11, 2007 – Rochester Raging Rhinos 2:4 Revolution, U.S. Open Cup at PAETEC Park (Att.: 8,551)
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
The New England Revolution began competing in the U.S Open Cup in 1997 but did not take their first regulation-time away win in the competition until this match.
This was the fourth meeting between the teams and the first time the victory margin exceeded one goal. The Revolution took a two-goal lead on a 19th-minute Steve Ralston free kick and a Taylor Twellman 67th-minute finish off a James Riley pass. The Rhinos equalized on Hamed Diallo goals in the 76th and 86th minutes. Matt Reis started the sequence as the Revolution broke the deadlock, making a 60-yard throw to Khano Smith, who drew a foul, Twellman then heading in Ralston’s 90th-minute free kick. Ralston added an injury time penalty kick after Twellman had been taken down.
Steve Nicol’s post-game quote came right to the point and was on the verge of censorship (not unusual for Nicol): “We have to do a far better job of defending when we are ahead. It wasn’t professional, and we almost paid for it, but we showed plenty of heart and you know whats.”
The Revolution went on to capture the 2007 U.S. Open Cup.
After taking a 3-0 win over the Rhinos in Providence June 14, 2017, the Revolution have a 5W-0L-2D record against the Rhinos, who eliminated the Revolution on penalty kicks in 2004.
TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY