May 22, 2012
ELIMINATED
Italians ousted in 2nd round of Open Cup

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Brooklyn Italians were eliminated from the Lamar Hunt/U.S. Open Cup, dropping a 3-0 second-round decision to the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Rhinos (USL PRO) will travel to play the Philadelphia Union in the third round at PPL Park on Tuesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Rhino forward Tom McManus scored his first goal for the club in the 25th minute while former Red Bulls forward Conor Chinn and JC Banks added insurance goals to send the Rhinos through to the third round.

The Rhinos came out playing aggressively. In the sixth minute Andrew Hoxie missed the first shot of the game after a long cross from McManus. The Rhinos dominated the first half, outshooting Brooklyn, 11-2.

Troy Roberts earned two assists off two Danny Earls corner kicks for the Rhinos. The first in the 25th minute when he headed a pass to McManus, who deflected the ball in off his head. The second came in the 43rd minute when he headed the ball to Chinn, who buried the goal on a first time shot off his left foot from seven yards.

In the 60th minute, the Italians' Scarlet Kirk was given a red card after a hard tackle to the shin of McManus. Graciano Brito replaced McManus, who needed to be helped off the field by two trainers.

In the 76th minute Banks beat goalkeeper Nathan Stockie, slotting a goal off a forward header from Graciano Brito.

Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht made one save to earn his first victory and his first clean sheet in the Open Cup. It is Nicht’s seventh shutout of the season in all competitions.

“I was happy that we came out, we competed, and we were finally able to score some goals.” Rochester coach Jesse Myers said. “Now we’ve got a challenge with two matches in two days this weekend before we travel to Philly for the next round.”