Continuing its progression up the rungs of American soccer, D.C. United advanced to a second straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Rochester in front of 2,457 at Maryland SoccerPlex.
The Rhinos, members of second-tier United Soccer Leagues first division and the last non-Major League Soccer team to win the tournament (1996), fell in succession following United’s defeat of Harrisburg of USL2 in the quarterfinals and a third-round win over Ocean City (N.J.) of the USL Premier Development League.
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D.C.’s journey, fittingly, will be completed against an MLS side, Seattle or Houston, at RFK Stadium on September 2.
Tuesday’s passage into the championship wasn’t secured until the 83rd minute, when Boyzzz Khumalo followed up on Chris Pontius’ failed breakaway bid. Fifteen minutes earlier, Rochester erased United’s first-half advantage when Tai Atieno finished a free kick by Andrew Gregor.
After a stagnant opening half hour, United found its way onto the scoresheet via a sequence that began with a stellar play on the defensive end. Facing Rochester’s second corner kick of the evening in the 40th minute, D.C. goalkeeper Milos Kocic made a reaction save on Kenney Bertz’s header and United quickly went on the counterattack.
The ball found its way to Fred on the right side, who sent it across the box. Devon McTavish got a soft touch on the ball, but so did Rochester defender Ty Harden with his hand, according to referee Abbey Okulaja, who blew his whistle.
Jaime Moreno calmly chipped the ball into the right side of the net for a 1-0 lead as Rhinos goalkeeper Tim Melia dove the other way.
Rhinos midfielder Darren Kenton was taken away by ambulance after suffering a serious leg injury on a tackle by John DiRaimondo in the 70th minute.
D.C. United utilized nearly the same reserve-heavy lineup it had used in its quarterfinal win over Harrisburg. Moreno and Rodney Wallace started in place of DiRaimondo and Brandon Barklage — the latter who had suffered a season-ending knee injury against the City Islanders.
Khumalo suffered a serious wrist injury late in the match.
Bertz, the Rhinos captain, was a member of the Maryland Terrapins’ 2005 national championship-winning team, as well as a fourth-round United draft pick in 2006. Harden, on loan from Colorado, had played for the Rapids in a 3-1 loss to D.C. on Saturday.
