Union beat Rhinos on penalty kicks in U.S. Open Cup

Union goalkeeper John McCarthy had a memorable reunion with his former Rochester Rhinos team Tuesday night.

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, McCarthy blocked three penalty kicks as the Union outscored Rochester, 3-1, in the shootout segment of the fourth-round U.S. Open Cup game at PPL Park.

The Union and the other Major League Soccer teams received Open Cup byes until the fourth round. The draw for the Round of 16 matchups will take place Thursday and those games will be played June 30 or July 1.

Last year, the Union won their first Open Cup match, 3-1, in extra time against their United Soccer League affiliate, Harrisburg. Rochester was another USL team that seriously challenged the Union this time.

Maurice Edu, Vincent Nogueira and Cristiana Maidana scored on penalty kicks for the Union. C.J. Sapong missed on the third kick.

It didn't matter because McCarthy made three diving saves of penalty kicks.

"I was hoping to save a couple and that is all I was hoping for," McCarthy said.

All game, there were several close calls for both teams. In second-half stoppage time, Rochester's Jonny Mendoza chipped a ball over a sliding McCarthy toward the goal, but Union defender Ray Gaddis ran the ball down.

McCarthy made a fine save on a wicked volley from Julian Ringhof in the 83d minute.

In the 72d minute, Nogueira fired a shot from 30 yards that keeper Brandon Miller blocked but couldn't control. Edu couldn't control the rebound.

This was expected to be a difficult game. The Rhinos are 8-0-4 and in first place in the USL Eastern Conference. Last year, Rochester earned a 1-0 Open Cup win over the MLS's D.C. United.

McCarthy was USL Goalkeeper of the Year for Rochester and said the familiarity with his former teammates was beneficial.

"You know where a couple of the shooters go, but it meant a lot to play against a great group of guys who helped me my first year," McCarthy said.

@sjnard