During their 30-year history, the Long Island Rough Riders have competed in several Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournaments.
With the Rough Riders preparing to host the Charlotte Independence in a first-round game at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale, N.Y. on March 20 at 7 p.m., here is a look back at the USL League Two’s Open Cup encounters through the years:
1997
Rough Riders 1, Bridgeport Italians 0
In his first game as a Rough Rider, Ernest Inneh scored in the first half against the Bridgeport Italians to lift LI to a 1-0 triumph at Adelphi University on June 20, setting up an Aug. 1 confrontation with the New England Revolution, only two days after their emotional victory over the MetroStars, in New Britain, Conn. In a friendly that was nicknamed the Grapple for the Apple, Long Island produced a 2-1 victory on July 30.
Rough Riders 4, New England Revolution 3
In one of the most storied matches in the club’s history, the Rough Riders rallied from a 3-1 second-half deficit. U.S. international Joe-Max Moore, who had a hand in all three Revolution goals, was taken out by head coach Thomas Rongen early in the second half. That’s when the visiting side began its comeback as Rooney took center stage. He smacked a 25-yard free kick past goalkeeper Jeff Causey and scored the equalizer off a Saul Martinez feed in the 81st minute. In the second extra-time period, defender Mohammed Dahir headed in a Rooney corner kick to climax the incredible comeback and a 4-3 triumph.
NY/NJ MetroStars 1, Rough Riders 0
The Rough Riders were drawn as the quarterfinal hosts, and they were pitted against the MetroStars. The visitors rejected several viable Long Island sites, including Hofstra and its artificial turf, even though they played on it at Giants Stadium, before settling for a day game at Stony Brook University on Aug. 26.
It looked like a mismatch. The MetroStars boasted nine internationals: Tab Ramos, Brian Bliss, Mike Sorber and Tony Meola (U.S.), Roberto Donadoni (Italy), Branco (Brazil), Antony de Avila (Colombia), Shaun Bartlett (South Africa) and Savarese (Venezuela). The goalkeepers, Manuel Carou and Meola, matched each other with some spectacular saves, as the latter twice denied Saul Martinez. With a minute remaining in the first extra time, MetroStars defender Rhett Hardy headed home Donadoni’s free kick to settle matters with a Golden Goal.
2005
Ocean City Barons 4, Rough Riders 0
The Ocean City Barons, a Premier Development League squad, defeated Long Island in a second-round game on June 29.
2012
Rough Riders 2, FC Sonic Lehigh Valley 0
Thomas Wharf and Shaun Higgins scored first-half goals three minutes apart to lead the Rough Riders (Premier Development League) over FC Sonic Lehigh Valley (National Premier Soccer League) in a first-round game in Whitehall, Pa. on May 15. Wharf found the net in the 19th minute, and Higgins duplicated the effort three minutes later.
Instead of being held at the normal home field of FC Sonic at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., strong rains forced the game to be moved to a turf field at Whitehall High School.
Harrisburg City Islanders 2, Rough Riders 0
The Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) scored twice in the second half at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., on May 22. Yann Ekra recorded a goal in the 48th minute, and Brian Ombiji added an insurance tally in the 77th minute.
2015
Rough Riders 3, Brooklyn Italians 1
Joe Holland scored two goals, including a first-minute tally, and assisted on a third in a first-round game at home on May 13. Ben Wignall also tallied. Yvener Guerrier recorded the Italians’ lone goal.
Real Monarchs 1, Rough Riders 0
Ricardo Velazco took advantage of a miscommunication between a Long Island defender and goalkeeper in the 76th minute to score the lone goal of the second-round match at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, N.Y., on May 20.
2016
Lansdowne Bhoys 2, Rough Riders 1
Lansdowne Bhoys missed a late penalty, but Ciaran McGuigan converted his own rebound and held off Long Island 2-1 in a hard-fought and hotly contested first-round game in May. After a Lansdowne player was fouled in the box, McGuigan’s attempt was saved by goalkeeper Richard Trench. McGuigan then put away the rebound to give Lansdowne the 2-1 lead. Forward Ovan Oakley lifted Lansdowne Bhoys into a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. Rough Riders midfielder Anthony “Nino” Alfonso equalized early in the second half.
2018
Rough Riders 6, Kingston Stockade 3
Of the 26 first-round games of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, perhaps no confrontation was more wild or crazy than the Long Island Rough Riders-Kingston Stockade FC matchup. Nine goals, five scored in extra time. A two-goal comeback in the second half.
Four yellow cards and two reds, leaving both sides with 10 men at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa Park, N.Y.
The Rough Riders survived the physical encounter, recording a 6-3 victory that was played in a mist that bordered on a fog by the time the game ended around 10:30 p.m.
“Wild is correct,” Rough Riders head coach Stephen Roche said. “It was a great game, I’m sure very good for the neutrals to watch. Not so much from the coaches’ point of view.”
Definitely not very good for Stockade FC, which had enjoyed a two-goal lead early in the second half before Long Island rallied to force extra time. Kingston was hurt when Bernardo Mattos was awarded his second yellow card of the match in the 90th minute, forcing the National Premier Soccer League side to start the first extra period with 10 players.
The Rough Riders had many heroes. Charlie Ladula struck twice in the second extra time. Tyler Botte had a goal in regulation and added an insurance goal in ET after he had to come out of the match due to a cut eye.
Louisville City FC 5, Rough Riders 0
Five players scored for Louisville City FC, which recorded the win in a second-round contest in Louisville, Ky., on May 16. Ilija Ilic, Kyle Smith, Luke Spencer, Brian Ownby, and Cameron Lancaster found the net for the USL Championship side.
Even though LI surrendered five goals, Danny Vitiello stood out in the net for the visitors.
Keep following www.LIRoughRiders.com for the latest details about the Open Cup game, their regular season schedule, and other news and updates.
Written by Michael Lewis