Playing in only its third competitive match, Rochester New York FC recorded a 1-0 victory over Lansdowne Yonkers in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on a rainy, windy Thursday afternoon.
Gibran Rayo scored the deciding goal five minutes into first-half stoppage to boost Rochester to the win at John L. DiMarco Field at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y.
RNYFC, which is competing in MLS NEXT Pro, dominated the opening half with many corner and free kicks but had nothing to show for its efforts until added time. That’s when Rayo completed an impressive give-and-go with Pedro Dolabella, beating goalkeeper Kabo Danso from seven yards to the near left corner.
Lansdowne pushed for the equalizer in the final half, but rochester held steady as goalkeeper Phillip Ejimadu made a diving save on Kyle Parrish’s free kick in the 62nd minute.
RNYFC became the second Rochester pro side to secure a third-round berth after Flower City Union (National Independent Soccer Association) edged the host Western Mass Pioneers (USL League Two) in extratime, 1-0, on Wednesday night.
It would be intriguing to see if those two sides will meet in the third round, although with 17 Major League Soccer teams entering the fray, it could be a longshot.
The third round draw is set for noon ET on Friday.
