Tommy Heinemann scored a goal in the final minute to lift the San Francisco Deltas FC to a surprise victory on the road over Phoenix Rising FC in the US Open Cup 2-1. San Francisco advances to take on the MLS side San Jose Earthquakes in the fourth round of the US Open Cup.
The Deltas had the best chances on target in the game. In the fourth minute, midfielder Tyler Gibson found himself behind the Rising defense, but Phoenix keeper Josh Cohen saved the shot.
In the 81st minute, Kyle Bekker’s free kick deflected off the defensive Phoenix wall and hit the net.
Phoenix went on the attack after the goal and was awarded a free kick. The Deltas Nana Attakora committed a foul in the penalty box on the ensuing play. Rising FC’s Omar Bravo converted the penalty to tie the game up.
Just when it seemed as if the match was destined for extra time the Deltas responded. Kyle Bekker controlled a loose ball in the midfield. He found Danny Cruz streaming down the right side. Andrew Lubahn attempted to connect onto his low cross drawing out the keeper and a defender. The ball squeezed through them to and unmarked Tommy Heinemann at the back post. He tapped in the ball for the final score.
“I can’t say enough about our guys,” Heinemann told AZCentral.com. “I was hoping the ball would squeak through and sure enough, it did. You never know when you’re going to get your chance.”
.@sfdeltas moved on to the fourth round of the @opencup after a dramatic win over @PHXRisingFC. #PHXvSFD #USOC2017 pic.twitter.com/bdSeCV9epf
— NASL (@naslofficial) June 1, 2017
With the win, the Deltas advance to play the MLS’s San Jose Earthquakes in the fourth round of the US Open Cup. The game will take place at Avaya Stadium in San Jose on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.
San Francisco returns home to NASL play this Saturday night at 7 pm against Indy Eleven at Kezar Stadium.
