US Open Cup: Carolina RailHawks Beat Chivas USA On Penalties
Jun 14, 2014; Cary, NC, USA; Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy (1) after overtime of the US Open Cup fourth round at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
It was just another victory for Colin Clarke’s Carolina RailHawks over an MLS side in the U.S. Open Cup. However, the MLS side in question was Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA, and they had to strain just to get a chance to take on either the Los Angeles Galaxy (another team they have had success against) or Arizona United (a team they have yet to face in the Open Cup). After a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes, the Carolina RailHawks defeated Chivas USA 3-2 on penalties to advance to the Fifth Round at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
In the 29th minute, Carolina forward Zach Schilawski continued his scoring hotstreak, thanks to a feed from midfielder Nazmi Albadawi to make it 1-0 RailHawks. But in the 40th minute, Chivas forward Ryan Finley scored on a header from defender Tony Lochhead to put the match on level terms.
Carolina defender Toni Stahl was cautioned in the 53rd minute for a challenge in the second half. The RailHawks applied a great deal of pressure this half, with midfielder Cesar Elizondo missing wide right in the 55th minute and Albadawi sending a shot high and out in the 63rd. Meanwhile, Finley looked for a brace in the 59th minute but hit the woodwork. Daniel Jackson came in for Ty Shipalane in the 71st mihute for Carolina, while one of the top goalscorers in MLS, Erick Torres, came in to relieve Finley in the 77th,
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RailHawks goalkeeper Scott Goodwin, who got the start over Akira Fitzgerald, showed his class with a stop on Chivas midfielder Leandro Barrera in the 80th minute of play and that was the last big opportunity for both teams as the match went into extra time.
Chivas midfielder Martin Rivero came in for Carlos Alvarez at the start of the first period of extra time, while Carolina’s Enzo Martinez came in for Elizondo. But despite the waves of fresh bodies for Chivas (Kristopher Tyrpak relived Barrera in the 103rd minute) and Carolina (Aaron King filled in for Mike Grella in the 113rd minute), all signs were pointing to the match decided on penalties.
In the first round of penalties, Chivas USA’s Agustin Pelletieri converted, while Albadawi hit the post. Torres converted in the second round, as did RailHawks defender Connor Tobin. Both teams missed in the third round, with Eriq Zavaleta’s shot sailing to high for Chivas and a shot from Carolina’s Kupono Low saved by goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. In the fourth round, Schilawski converted, while Kennedy saw his conversion attempt saved.
Both teams came up empty in the fifth round, with Eric Avila denied by Goodwin, and Martinez missing to the right. In the sixth round, Carolina’s Aaron King saw his penalty saved and Tyrpak’s attempt sailed high. It all came down to the seventh round of spot kicks. Chivas’s Marco Delgado saw his penalty saved and Jackson converted the winner to win it for the RailHawks