Neither gloomy weather nor a change in venue could keep the visiting Long Island Rough Riders of the PDL from earning a comfortable 2-0 victory over FC Sonic Lehigh Valley of the NPSL in the opening round of the 2012 US Open Cup.

The match started off cautiously as both teams were feeling out the skills of one another. The score line changed in the 19^th minute when Ben Arikian curled a wonderful free kick in front of goal from just outside the 18-yard box on the right wing where it met the head of Tom Wharf. The Rough Riders celebrated and took the lead 1-0 in this important US Open Cup match.
 
Three short minutes after in the 22^nd minute midfielder James Mulligan sent in a low cross from the right flank placed perfectly onto the right foot of Rough Riders veteran Shaun Higgins for the second goal of the game. This gave Long Island a commanding 2-0 lead early on in the game. After the game Higgins said, “The team had great pace tonight, there is plenty of work to do, but we are satisfied with the result and excited to play next week in the second round of the cup." 

With neither team being able to make a breakthrough in the second half, both coaches decided on a change of emphasis. FC Sonic coach Dave Weitzman opted for a more attacking approach, bringing in two forwards in for two defenders. Long Island coach Paul Roderick, on the other hand, brought on two defenders in exchange for a forward and a midfielder.

In the end, the changes made little difference, and FC Sonic could muster only one real chance toward the end of the game. Long Island earned its fourth Open Cup victory and are set to face the Harrisburg City Islanders in the second round of the US Open Cup in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 22nd.

"This was a great result considering this was our 1st game of the season," said Long Island Rough Riders Vice President Flavio Ferri, "We are looking forward to matching up against the Harrisburg City Islanders in the 2nd Round."

Although absent from last seasons US Open Cup, the Long Island Rough Riders achieved success in the 2010 edition of the tournament. In 2010 the Rough Riders defeated New York Pancyprians-Freedoms 2-0 in the first round of the cup. In the second round they lost to Harrisburg City Islanders
1-0. The winner of this years 2nd Round game will go on to face an MLS franchise in the third round of the competition. Much is at stake in this game and both teams will come well prepared.

About The US Open Cup:
The US Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States beginning in 1914. The tournament is open to all amateur and professional teams in the country including Major League Soccer clubs. The current champions are Seattle Sounders FC who currently play in Major League Soccer.

About the Long Island Rough Riders
The Rough Riders, Long Island’s hometown soccer team since 1994. In 1995 both the Rough Riders Men’s and Women’s teams won their first United Soccer League (USL) National Championship. Since their initial success, the Rough Riders Men’s team has gone on to win the 2nd Division National Championship in 2002 while the Rough Riders Women’s team qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008.

Courtesy of TheCup.Us
Contributor Daniel Weberman