In a game where the underdog was expected to prevail, a game where the Union were expected to field a side that shows the resting of top players ahead of this weekends MLS game, a game where their opposition carried with them a hugely intimidating defence…the opposite happened. The Rochester Rhinos lost on penalties 3-1 against the Union after being tied 0-0 after extra time. It was keeper John McCarthy who stunted the progress of his former club, and accelerated that of his current..saving three shots in the shootout.
Last season, the former Rhino earned both USL Rookie of the Year and USL Goalkeeper of the Year honors. He made his return to the Union alongside three other players who made the start. Notable absences from the start were Le Toux and obviously Nando, but the former would enter the game late on to defeat the Rhinos in a test of endurance.
Philadelphia were in firm control in the first half. With three corners and two misguided free kicks, the pressure was piling in what ultimately was a very slow moving game. The Union were forced to think outside the box and play the long ball to try and catch the Rhinos defence off guard. CJ Sapong was through one-on-one against Rhinos keeper Brandon Miller early on, but his pass to Cristian Maidana gave the keeper time to clear the strike off of the line.
Andrew Wenger’scross to Sapong in the late stages of the opening 45 got a lot of people off of their seats, but Miller got down well and blocked the shot. Jonny Menzoda was the first to make McCarthy work hard with a rifle that forced the Union rookie into kicking it to safety. The Rhinos did ramp up the pressure, but never enough to stampede a very tight defensive effort.
For The Union, it was important that started the second half where they left off and they did just that. A break in the 52nd minute with a great 3v1 chance seemed almost destined for a goal but the final pass from Wenger to Maidana was misplaced. The pressure began to build with corners and free kicks edging ever closer, but to no avail.
Late in the second half, the Rhinos seemed to rise from the ashes and could have taken the lead if not for the tremendous ability of McCarthy. The Union failed to halt the pressure as The Rhinos started to create chance after chance but all prevented. A last gasp effort from Mendoza in added time beat both McCarthy and defender Raymon Gaddis but Gaddis got back in time to save the game.
Both teams slowed down the pace considerably In the extra 30 minutes, as it became a battle of endurance. Could the Union outlast the Rhinos and pick apart the pieces when they fall? Short passing around the back in an attempt to draw the defence forward saw a real tense atmosphere rise at PPL Park as the thought of penalties became more and more looming. Volesky had actually found the net in the 104th minute but the goal was disallowed due to a foul.
So onto penalties we went and it was Union captain Maurice Edu who converted on the first penalty, beating Miller to his right, but the ever dangerous Mendoza tied the shootout almost instantly. Nogueira scored for Union before McCarthy turned into a human brick wall.. diving to his right to stop Vasilios Apostolopolous.
Sapong let his penalty go wayward but McCarthy came up big once again before Maidana slotted home a perfect spot kick for a 3-1 Philadelphia lead. Volesky went left..but so did McCarthy. The Keeper saved three shots in a row and in return handed the Union the win in the shootout, promoting them to the fifth round of the Championship.
The team played with great character and considering the players fielded were in rotation to try and save energy for the Galaxy game, you couldn’t tell. Another goalkeeping masterclass from McCarthy, great midfield work and a solid work ethic sees the impressive run of form continue as they go into Saturdays fixture.
