Shorthanded Revs fall in extra time
Reduced to nine players, New England exits U.S. Open Cup in third round
Geoff Bloes capitalized when Revs goalkeeper Brad Knighton fumbled David Schofield's corner kick right on the goal line in the 105th minute. The City Islanders now advance to play D.C. United on July 7.
Jeff Larentowicz handed the Revolution the lead from a free kick in the 38th minute. The Revs looked in control until Kheli Dube limped off injured, reducing the Revs to 10 players. Harrisburg then equalized in the 67th minute when Mo Oduor headed home a Jason Pelletier free kick. Mike Videira departed with an injury with 10 minutes to play, but the Revs managed to force an extra stanza.
Revolution head coach Steve Nicol made four changes to the side that defeated Atlas 1-0 in SuperLiga play on Sunday. Michael Videira returned from suspension to replace Pat Phelan in central midfield. Chris Tierney came in for Jay Heaps, who departed on Tuesday to link up with the United States national team ahead of the Gold Cup. Stephane Assengue made his first start in a Revolution uniform up top as Sainey Nyassi dropped to the bench. Brad Knighton came in for Matt Reis. Gabriel Badilla was named to the bench in anticipation of his first appearance of 2009.
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Harrisburg played two matches in North Carolina over the weekend, but the USL Second Division leaders named their first-choice lineup for the chance to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in their history. Joint USL-2 leading scorer Chad Severs (seven goals) and former Columbus trialist Ty Shipalane (five goals) were among the notables in the lineup for the City Islanders.
New England started the better of the two sides, pressing forward early in search of the early goal that would make their task considerably easier. Chris Tierney's long-distance drive went narrowly over the bar after just three minutes, while Kenny Mansally flashed a shot wide of the far post minutes later.
After a tentative start, Harrisburg came into the match gradually by conceding possession, maintaining its defensive shape and pressing forward when possible. Jason Pelletier's crossed asked a few questions of Revs goalkeeper Knighton, but he rushed smartly off his line to nip in front of Severs.
Even with Harrisburg pushing forward occasionally, the Revs held most of the play and enjoyed the better of the chances. Mansally's burst inside from the left side allowed him to slip a little through ball into Assengue. City Islanders goalkeeper Chase Harrison rushed out to block Assengue's effort. The ball squirted out to Mansally, but he had his shot charged down by Anthony Calvano before Harrisburg finally hacked clear.
New England had done enough to earn the lead and it arrived on 38 minutes. Mansally drew a foul from Nate Baker at the left edge of the restraining arc. Larentowicz stepped up and fired home to the lower left corner to give the Revolution the advantage.
The heavens wrought havoc upon Veterans Stadium as the match entered halftime, delaying the second half kickoff for 16 minutes. With the extra time and one eye on Saturday's trip to Los Angeles, Nicol sent Badilla, Nyassi and Phelan on at halftime for Barnes, Larentowicz and Mansally.
Harrisburg tried to mount an early push with Jay Fisher wriggling free in the penalty area four minutes after the break, but his cross was cut out at the far post by Amaechi Igwe.
New England picked up the pace soon afterwards with a good buildup moving the ball from left to right to set up Nico Colaluca for a cross. Colaluca's service found Nyassi at the far post, but the Gambian headed wide.
Nyassi then created another opportunity for Assengue minutes later with a timely burst into the box. Assengue managed to chip the onrushing Harrison, but saw his goalbound effort cleared off the line by Bloes. Dube limped off soon afterwards to reduce the Revolution to 10 men.
Bloes' intervention would prove critical in the 67th minute after Nyassi tracked back and gave away a foul on the right wing. Pelletier's curled in service found Oduor towering in the middle and the veteran Harrisburg captain headed home at the far post.
Up a man and tied, Harrisburg had the momentum and the advantage heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation time. Despite having those perks, the City Islanders couldn't break down the Revolution back four, even when Mike Videira went off injured in the 81st minute to reduce New England to nine men.
Both sides looked beleaguered heading into extra time with chances at a premium despite the circumstances. Knighton did well to beat away a header by substitute Kai Kasiguran before Pat Phelan headed a Chris Tierney corner kick over the bar.
Harrisburg found its winner in the 105th minute after Knighton couldn't handle Schofield's corner kick. Bloes tapped in the loose ball right on the goal line to give the City Islanders all they would need to go through.
Colaluca ended the night on a sour note with a reckless tackle on Severs to ensure the Revs would end the night with just eight men on the field and with their Open Cup hopes extinguished.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
