Brooklyn bow out of US Open Cup
SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY - The Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club's mens team bows out of the US Open Cup following a 3-1 loss to the Long Island Rough Riders. The hosts stunned Brooklyn after Joe Holland buried a ball in the back of the net in the opening seconds of the match. The Brooklyn boys were caught off guard. Keeper Michael Bernardi was tested multiple times in the opening minutes and kept Brooklyn in the game. In the 38th minute of the match Brooklyn were awarded a penalty. Yvener Guerrier buried the ball in the side netting to level the match. Having tied the game, Brooklyn settled down and played their regular game. In the 54th minute Michael Bernardi made a spectacular save that helped to shift the momentum in Brooklyn's favor. A few minutes later Harry Odell gives a wonderful ball to put Diego Zuniga through the back line of the Rough Riders. Diego cut it back and with his left foot aimed to place it to the right of the keeper. The Rough Riders' keeper made a finger tip save to push the ball barely wide of the net. In the 65th minute the Rough Riders' were awarded a penalty following a Brooklyn handball in the box. Michael Bernardi once again steps up and makes the initial save and the follow up save to keep the match level. Minutes later the Rough Riders, on a lightening quick break, bury the ball in Brooklyn's net to make the game 2-1 for the hosts. Kareem Joachim of Brooklyn saw his effort saved in the 70th minute. Joachim was very unlucky to not have scored. In the 75th minute Long Island sealed the match with a stinging goal to make it 3-1.
After making three substitutions, Brooklyn could not respond to the Rough Riders and the game ended at 3-1.
While Brooklyn's cup run ended, the season is young and the side has much to look forward too. After the match Bernardi said, "it was an unlucky result, but we're ready to bounce back." Bernardi's game highlight video can be seen here
