Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Philadelphia Union

2018 US Open Cup: Draw reveals Semifinal hosts, hosting priority for Final

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On Monday, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) performed the draw to determine which teams would host the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals. The USSF also determined the hosting priorities for the 105th US Open Cup Final.

The draw was originally scheduled for Thursday, July 19 but the Portland Timbers filed a protest against Los Angeles FC following LAFC’s 3-2 Quarterfinal win. The Disciplinary Committee was set to meet on Saturday, but before they could convene, the Timbers withdrew their protest.

The draw determined that Philadelphia Union would host Chicago Fire in the Semifinals and, in the other half of the bracket, the Houston Dynamo will host Los Angeles FC. Both games will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 8.

Houston and LAFC will kick off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, while Philadelphia-Chicago will kick off at 7 p.m.

The winners will meet in the 105th edition of the US Open Cup on either Sept. 26 or Oct. 3, depending on the host.

The method for determining the host starts with the eligible teams applying to host and if the teams both meet the minimum venue standards the home team is determined by random draw.

If the Chicago Fire advances, they will host the Final on Oct. 3. If Chicago falls, the Houston Dynamo would be next up to host if they win. If both Chicago and Houston lose, LAFC will host a final against Philadelphia Union. If Chicago is not involved in the Final, the game will be held on Sept. 26. No kickoff times have been announced.

The Fire, who are seeking a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title, have hosted the Final three times (1998, 2000, 2006), but haven’t lifted the trophy since 2006.

LAFC are an expansion team but head coach Bob Bradley has won the tournament twice with the Fire, including in 1998 when they were an expansion team. The Open Cup Final hasn’t been held in Southern California since 2005 when the Galaxy won their second USOC title.

Houston have never reached the Final and a South Texas team has never won the US Open Cup. The Open Cup Final has been held in South Texas twice. The New York Pancyprian Freedoms won their third USOC title in Houston when they defeated Kutis SC (St. Louis) in 1983 and the El Paso Patriots lost in penalty kicks at home against the Richmond Kickers in 1995.

The city of Philadelphia hasn’t had a team win the tournament since 1966 (Ukrainian Nationals) but the Union had two cracks at it when they hosted the Final in 2014 and 2015. They lost to the Seattle Sounders in extra time (2014) and lost to Sporting Kansas City in PKs (2015).

In the Modern Era (1995-present), the home team is 13-5-2 (1-1 PKs) in the championship game and has won the last two.

2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

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thecup-us-social-logoThere were several exceptional individual performances in the Quarterfinals of the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This should make for a challenge when the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters cast their votes for TheCup.us Player of the Round.

While the votes are being tallied up, check out the list of nominees below (in alphabetical order) and tell us who YOU think deserves to win on Facebook or Twitter:

MORE: 2018 TheCup.us Player of the Round winners (so far)

Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union, MLS): Bedoya scored the lone goal of the game in the 4th minute and played a great overall game in a 1-0 home win over Orlando City SC (MLS)

Aleksandar Katia (Chicago Fire, MLS): Katai assisted on the opening goal and scored the second in Chicago’s 4-0 home win over Louisville City FC.

Mauro Manotas (Houston Dynamo, MLS): Manotas scored what would prove to be the game-winning (third) goal in the 69th minute and put the game away with the final goal in the 88th minute in a 4-2 home win over Sporting Kansas City (MLS).

Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union, MLS): McKenzie was the star of the Philadelphia defense in a 1-0 home win over Orlando City SC (MLS). The Union defender snuffed out numerous attacks from Orlando, holding them to just 10 total shots with only four of them ending up on net. McKenzie also headed the shot that forced a save from the goalkeeper that led directly to Bedoya’s goal in the 4th minute.

Romell Quioto (Houston Dynamo, MLS): Quioto’s free kick from 22 yards out in the 35th minute tied the match at 1-1 for the Houston Dynamo against Sporting Kansas City (MLS). Quioto then put the Dynamo ahead in the 66th minute when he chested down a long pass and hit a one-timer to put Houston up 2-1. Houston won the game at home, 4-2.

Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC, MLS): Vela scored the second goal of the game and delivered the ball that led to Portland’s own goal in LAFC’s 3-2 home win over the Portland Timbers (MLS).

 

2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Bedoya’s early goal holds up as Philadelphia Union edge Orlando City

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Alejandro Bedoya of the Philadelphia Union celebrates his goal against Orlando City in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Greg Carroccio, Philadelphia Union
Alejandro Bedoya of the Philadelphia Union celebrates his goal against Orlando City in the 2018 US Open Cup Quarterfinals. Photo: Greg Carroccio, Philadelphia Union

Alejandro Bedoya scored in the fourth minute, and that is all it took for the Philadelphia Union to sneak past Orlando City SC in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals for a 1-0 victory. With the win, the Union advance to the Semifinals for the fourth time in the club’s seven US Open Cup appearances. 

The Union capitalized on some early pressure when Borek Dockal hit a short corner to Haris Medunjanin. The Bosnian midfielder crossed into the box, and Mark McKenzie put it on net. After Earl Edwards Jr. made the initial save, Bedoya headed in the rebound to give his team the lead.

“ has been playing at his highest level,” said Union head coach Jim Curtin. “He is a professional and leader as a captain. He does everything that does not show up on the stat sheet… He is playing exceptionally well.”

It was the second-fastest US Open Cup goal in Philadelphia team history, falling just short of Walter Restrepo’s 3rd minute goal in the 2012 Quarterfinals against the Harrisburg City Islanders (now Penn FC).

From that point, both teams squandered chances. Will Johnson had two great opportunities, hitting a long shot high in the 13th minute, then a point-blank header was tipped over the bar by Union goalie Andre Blake in the 37th minute.

Philadelphia also missed out on some opportunities. In total, the home side put six of its nine shots on targets, yet scoring just once. Orlando had three shots on goal with seven total shots, none of which found the back of the net.

“The first 45 was excellent. We had Orlando pinned back quite a bit,” Curtin said.

In the second half, neither team could seem to get its footing. Numerous giveaways led to a disjointed pace to the game. Despite sloppy passing, the Union did get more good shots off, including a Cory Burke shot saved in the 52nd, and a Bedoya laser parried away in the 90th.

PUOrlando City suffered from the same problem, giving the ball away just when it would move forward. Then, it struggled to get the ball back when Philadelphia wasted time in the corners in the late stages of the game.

“We gave them a bit of life to start the second half,” Curtin said. “We were organized, but not our sharpest in front of the goal. We knew that our fitness would play a big role over the course of 90 minutes.

“The last 10 minutes we looked like ourselves again, making them run and chase. It wasn’t our best night, but to win 1-0 and grind with a young back line is important.”

The win pushed the Union’s Open Cup unbeaten streak to 13 games (8-0-5, 2-3 PKs), the second-longest in the Modern Era. (NOTE: Matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws.) It was the first time Philadelphia and Orlando have met in this competition.

With the win, the Union make the Semifinals for the first time since falling in consecutive Open Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015. Orlando still has not been able to advance past the Quarterfinals, losing at that stage three times.

 

2018 US Open Cup Round 5: Alejandro Bedoya helps Philadelphia Union beat New York Red Bulls, advance to Quarterfinals

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Cory Burke of the Philadelphia Union celebrates his goal against the New York Red Bulls in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us
Cory Burke of the Philadelphia Union celebrates his goal against the New York Red Bulls in the Fifth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson | TheCup.us

For the fourth straight year of US Open Cup action, the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls faced off. This time around, the Union defeated their MLS rivals, 2-1. With the win, and move on to the Quarterfinals for the fifth time in seven years where they will host either D.C. United or Orlando City SC on July 18.

Cory Burke and Haris Medunjanin each scored for the Union with US international Alejandro Bedoya assisting on both goals to lead the way.

Philadelphia held an 11-6 shots advantage including many prime opportunities within striking distance. Cory Burke headed Fabrice-Jean Picault‘s cross just wide in the 31st minute as the young forward was wide open inside the box. Moments later, Picault’s shot forced Robles to his left to keep the game scoreless. In total, six of the Union’s 11 shots missed the frame in the first half as the home side could have easily taken a lead into the locker room.

After the intermission, the Red Bulls came out with their own opportunities. Connor Lade’s shot from outside the box was blocked a minute after New York earned a free kick that didn’t lead to any threatening chance on goal. Two minutes later, in the 49th minute, Andre Blake was forced to save Kemar Lawrence’s shot before Marc Rzatkowski left-footed shot was blocked in the box. New York threatened with a header that went wide.

The Union finally opened the scoring on Medunjanin’s impressive strike from outside the box. The 52nd-minute goal was Medujanin’s first career Open Cup goal and gave the Union the lead. Bedoya brought the ball up the right wing before finding Medujanin in the center of the field where the midfielder dribbled to his left from about 25 yards out and sent a rocket into the back of the net.

Philadelphia didn’t let up after the much-needed score and doubled their lead less than nine minutes later. Burke, who frustrated the Red Bulls’ defensive unit regularly, capped off a quality team effort as Medunjanin fed Bedoya who sent a through ball to a wide-open Burke in the box.

Each team traded missed chances later in the second half as the Red Bulls attempted to make a comeback. Bradley Wright-Phillips cut the deficit to one as Kaku slotted the ball to the dangerous forward who finished accurately to score his fifth career US Open Cup goal. With that tally, Wright-Phillips ties Amado Guevara for the most tournament goals in club history.

While New York had a few more plays towards goal, the Union’s defensive unit hunkered down and held on for the 2-1 victory over their MLS foes. With the win, the Union remain undefeated against the Red Bulls in Open Cup play (2-0-2, 1-1 PKs). This marked the first time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that two teams have met in four consecutive tournaments.

The win also extends the Union’s tournament unbeaten streak to 12 games (7-0-5, 2-3 PKs), the second-longest in the Modern Era. (NOTE: Matches that end in penalty kicks are officially listed as draws)

2018 US Open Cup Round 5 preview: Round of 16 continues with two Saturday MLS games (video)

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2018 US Open Cup bracketThe Portland Timbers became the first team to punch their ticket to the 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Friday night. Two more Round of 16 matchups are on the schedule for Saturday night with a pair of MLS vs. MLS games.

At 7 p.m. the Philadelphia Union will host the New York Red Bulls followed by the defending champion Sporting Kansas City welcoming FC Dallas to Children’s Mercy Park.

This is just the ninth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a Major League Soccer team has played in a US Open Cup game on a Saturday. The last time it happened was during another World Cup break in 2014 when there were three games on the same night involving MLS teams. In fact, all three of those MLS teams (Chivas USA, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake) were all eliminated by teams from the North American Soccer League (NASL). The two most notable Saturday games of the Modern Era were championship games as the Chicago Fire lifted the trophy in 2000 and the Los Angeles Galaxy won their first US Open Cup title.

Check out a preview of each Saturday game below, including links to tonight’s live video feed.

#USOC2018 coverage:
* 2018 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup schedule, results
* 2018 US Open Cup statistical leaders
* 2018 US Open Cup Player of the Round winners
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 1 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 2 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 3 review
* 2018 US Open Cup qualifying Round 4 review

MORE: How amateurs Dallas Roma FC beat World Cup champs, an MLS team and it cost $75,000

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2018 US Open Cup Fourth Round

 

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New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Talen Energy Stadium – Chester, PA
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: New York Red Bulls at Philadelphia Union

By Phil Naegely

For the first time in the Modern Era (1995-present) two teams will meet for the fourth tournament in a row when the Philadelphia Union take on the New York Red Bulls in US Open Cup play on Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium. If you include Open Cup qualifying, this will be the fifth meeting with the first match coming in the now-defunct 2010 MLS qualifying tournament. It was one of the first official games at the newly-opened Red Bull Arena and hometown Red Bulls prevailed 2-1 on April 27, 2010.

While the Union have struggled in league play this year, the Philadelphia heads into Saturday’s match riding an 11-game unbeaten streak in Open Cup play,  the second-longest unbeaten streak in the Modern Era (matches that go to penalty kicks are officially listed as a draw). Their last US Open Cup loss was a 3-1 result against the Seattle Sounders in the 2014 Final. In this year’s edition, the Union advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating the Richmond Kickers, 5-0 in the previous round. Five different scorers tallied a goal for Philadelphia in June 6 match.

The New York Red Bulls travel to Chester, PA on short rest after defeating the Seattle Sounders, 2-1 in league play on Wednesday night. New York advanced to face the Union after defeating New York City FC, 4-0 in front of its home crowd.

HISTORY

Philadelphia Union (MLS)
7th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 13-3-6 (3-3 PK)
Home: 12-2-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 5-3-5 (2-3 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2014, 2015)

After falling in consecutive finals matches in 2014 and 2015 to the Sounders and Sporting Kansas City, respectively, the Union have yet to return to the Semifinals. In the 2016 Quarterfinals, the New England Revolution advanced on a 4-2 decision in penalty kicks after the Union scored an equalizer in the 90th minute to tie the game at 1-1. In 2017, the Red Bulls ousted the Union 5-3 in penalties.

With the Union last playing on Friday, June 8 against Toronto FC, Philadelphia most likely will play its regular players. Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Medunjanin served red-card suspensions during this match, so both of these players should see the field during Saturday’s US Open Cup match.

New York Red Bulls (MLS)
20th US Open Cup appearance

Overall: 22-18-3 (2-1 PK)
Away: 11-12-1 (1-0 PK)
vs. MLS: 8-10-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: Runner-Up (2003, 2017)

Just like the Union, the Red Bulls’ best US Open Cup finish is runner-up. And they have done it twice. In last year’s tournament, the Red Bulls lost 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City. It was their first trip to the Final since 2003 when the Red Bulls (then the Metrostars) lost 1-0 to the Chicago Fire at Giants Stadium.

It wouldn’t be shocking if the Red Bulls rest some of their regular starters after playing a league match on Wednesday. However, nothing is officially confirmed at this time.

2018 US Open Cup Fifth Round Round

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FC Dallas (MLS) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 9 p.m.
LIVE VIDEO: FC Dallas at Sporting Kansas City

By Alan Hainkel

At Children’s Mercy Park, two of the best clubs in the MLS Western Conference, Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas, will meet in a Round of 16 clash in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, named after the original owner of both clubs. The weather is expected to be a factor in the match with a heat advisory predicting temperatures in the upper 90s and heat index readings between 100 and 105 degrees.

FC Dallas picked up a 1-0 win on the road in the Fourth Round over USL side San Antonio FC, while Sporting KC defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 at Rio Tinto.

Both clubs are in good form of late. Sporting KC is on a seven match unbeaten streak across all competitions, their last loss a 1-0 road defeat to the New England Revolution on April 28. FC Dallas is on an eight match unbeaten streak and have won their last five. Their last loss was on April 29 to NYCFC in a 3-1 match at Yankee Stadium.

This will be the fourth meeting between these two clubs in the US Open Cup and the fourth time that the match has been played in Kansas. In 2004, the then-Kansas City Wizards defeated the then-Dallas Burn 4-0 in a quarterfinal match played at the Blue Valley District Activity Center. In 2015, Sporting KC dismantled FC Dallas 6-2 in a Round of 16 clash, behind four goals from Dom Dwyer and a brace from Krisztián Németh. The 2017 match-up in the quarterfinals saw three red cards as 10-man Sporting KC defeated 9-man FC Dallas 3-0 on three goals in extra time from Latif Blessing (2) and Daniel Salloi.

FC Dallas has two players with six goals each in league play in Roland Lamah and Maxi Urruti. Mauro Diaz leads the club in assists with eight. Sporting KC’s top scorer is Johnny Russell who has six goals across all competitions. Roger Espinoza has a career-high six assists in league play so far in this campaign.

HISTORY

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
20th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 27-13-6 (4-2 PK)
Home: 19-7-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. MLS teams: 13-8-3 (3-0 PK)
Best finish: 2004, 2012, 2015, 2017 champions

FC Dallas (MLS)
21st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 34-17-6 (5-1 PK)
Away: 14-11-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. MLS teams: 13-12-3 (2-1 PK)
Best finish: 1997, 2016 champions

The matchup is also a meeting of the last three US Open Cups championships. FC Dallas have won the Open Cup twice, in 1997 and 2016. They also reached the final in 2005 and 2007. Sporting KC are the reigning titleholders and have won the Open Cup four times: 2004, 2012, 2015, 2017. If Sporting wins one more title, they will tie the all-time record for most Open Cup championships.

FC Dallas can make history with a win tonight. If they advance, it will be the 17th Quarterfinal appearance for the club, which would tie the all-time tournament record, held by Kutis Soccer Club (St. Louis).

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Philadelphia Union extend unbeaten streak, 5-0 over Richmond Kickers

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Philadelphia Union celebrate a goal against the Richmond Kickers in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Carroccio - Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union celebrate a goal against the Richmond Kickers in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Carroccio – Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union are used to crazy Lamar Hunt US Open Cup matches. The only crazy aspect of Tuesday’s Fourth Round victory against the Richmond Kickers ended up being the 5-0 scoreline.

The Union are one of the few teams in MLS who have never lost their opening round game. It was their seventh straight opening round win, dating back to their US Open Cup debut in 2012. It also extended their tournament unbeaten streak to 11 games (6-0-5, 2-3 PKs), the second-longest in the Modern Era (1995-present) of the competition. (Penalty kicks are officially listed as draws)

In the midst of a busy stretch of games, the Union blended a group of young players with regular starters. One of those regulars, Haris Medunjanin, sparked the scoring in the 4th minute. His corner kick found the feet of defender Jack Elliott, who easily snuck the ball past Richmond goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg to give the Union a 1-0 lead.

Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin said, “Getting the goal early in these kinds of games settles things down.”

The Union did indeed settle into a rhythm and dominated possession in the early stages. However, Spangenberg seemed determined to keep his team in the game, making several point-blank saves to keep his MLS opponents from going up by two goals.

Despite Spangenberg’s heroics, the USL side could only hold out until the 27th minute. Union forward Cory Burke got in behind the Richmond defense and was taken down by Spangenberg in the penalty box. His teammate David Accam scored his first-ever Union goal by converting the penalty kick. For Accam, it was his sixth career US Open Cup goal. His previous five all came in the 2016 tournament for the Chicago Fire when he was tied for the tournament lead in goals with La Maquina FC’s Edwin Borboa.

The home side was not done there, scoring twice more at the end of the first half to put the game out of reach. First, Union homegrown player Anthony Fontana stole the ball at the top of the Richmond box and fired it home for a 3-0 lead.

Marcus Epps of the Philadelphia Union battles for the ball with the Richmond Kickers in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Carroccio - Philadelphia Union
Marcus Epps of the Philadelphia Union battles for the ball with the Richmond Kickers in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Greg Carroccio – Philadelphia Union

Then, as first half stoppage time was winding down, Burke made a beautiful flick pass from near midfield to Marcus Epps. The Union midfielder blazed past Richmond’s defense and struck the ball past Spangenberg to put his team up 4-0.

At halftime, the Union subbed Jay Simpson in for Burke, and he made an immediate impact. Three minutes into the half, Derrick Jones entered the Richmond penalty area from the right, faked out one defender, then played it on the ground to Simpson. The Englishman made no mistake and scored an easy goal — his first since March 2017.

From there, Philadelphia took its foot off the gas and calmly saw out the match. Union keeper John McCarthy was finally called into action in the 88th minute, when Richmond hit the post, then fired another shot that he was able to save — the only save he was required to make all game.

“I’m very happy with the professionalism of the group, even with young face on the field,” Curtin said. “Credit to our players–there were a bunch of homegrown players out there. It’s a special night to reflect back on.”

The five goals scored by the Union ties a club record set back in the 2012 Quarterfinals when they beat the Harrisburg City Islanders (now Penn FC), 5-2. The victory was also the team’s first against the Kickers, who they were playing for the first time.

Philadelphia now advance to the Round of 16 of the Open Cup. They will find out their opponent on Thursday, June 7 at 11 a.m. ET.

2017 US Open Cup Round 5: Third time’s the charm for NY Red Bulls as they oust Union in PKs

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The New York Red Bulls celebrate the club's 5-3 PK win over the Philadelphia Union (after a 1-1 draw) in the Round of 16 in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
The New York Red Bulls celebrate the club’s 5-3 PK win over the Philadelphia Union (after a 1-1 draw) in the Round of 16 in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

After being eliminated two years in a row in the US Open Cup by one of their rivals, the New York Red Bulls were finally able to move past the Philadelphia Union. For the second time in three years 120 minutes would not be enough to decide the winner on Wednesday in a 5-3 penalty kick win following a 1-1 draw.

Red Bulls keeper Ryan Meara came up big during the Union’s third penalty kick when he saved Fafa Picault’s kick. After New York’s Sacha Kljestan and Philly’s Marcus Epps each scored, Felipe was the fifth and final penalty kicker for the Red Bulls and he did not disappoint, putting his shot past John McCarthy, to book the Red Bulls’ spot in the Quarterfinals as New York will head to rival New England Revolution.

The first 45 minutes of the game was all about Red Bulls. The team completely dominated the Union, constantly making their defense work. McCarthy came up big in the ninth minute when he was able to save Sean Davis’ shot in front of goal. The Union’s best chance at scoring in the first half came in the 18th minute when Picault went 1-on-1 with Meara after getting past the Red Bulls defense. Meara came up big saving Picault’s shot and the rebound header that came after. The deadlock was finally broken in the 42nd minute when Kljestan was able to beat McCarthy in the box after receiving a pass from Bradley Wright-Philips.

During the second half Philadelphia was a different team, pressing forward during the entire half. The Union came close to tying the game in the 74th when CJ Sapong’s shot hit the post. Pressing paid off in the 86th minute when Roland Alberg’s shot went past Meara to tie the game. The final minutes of the half were some of the most intense as both teams looked to go ahead and avoid having to go into extra time. However, neither team was able to capitalize on opportunities.

Felipe of the New York Red Bulls scores the winning penalty kick in the shootout against the Philadelphia Union in the Round of 16 of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson
Felipe of the New York Red Bulls scores the winning penalty kick in the shootout against the Philadelphia Union in the Round of 16 of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Bob Larson

The Union continued to press during the first 15 minutes of extra time. They were the more dangerous team and looked more likely to score. The Red Bulls were visibly more tired, with many players cramping up around the field. In the second half of extra time it looked like the Union were once again going to eliminate their New York rivals. Chris Pontius forced Meara to make a beautiful save in the 103rd minute. Three minutes later Picault’s shot hit the post and just minutes later he scored a goal that was called back for offside. Just like in 2015 the Red Bulls and the Union would have to decide the game in a penalty shootout.

When asked if it was going to be deja vu all over again once he saw how Philly was playing, Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch said that he “wasn’t too focused on that, I was just trying to help the guys understand how to play in the formation and how to now continue to get an edge in the game.”

Meara, who is the backup goalkeeper for Luis Robles, said that the length of the game didn’t bother him.

“Once the game gets going you’re in the moment you’re in the zone. For me, as a goalie, I never mind going to penalties, all the pressure is on the shooter, if you can make a save or two you’re the man.”

A small silver lining for the record book is that since matches that are decided by penalty kicks are officially listed as a draw, the Union kept their lengthy US Open Cup unbeaten streak alive. With last night’s draw, the Union are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches, which is the second-longest streak in the Modern Era (Record is 22 games by Seattle Sounders).

The Red Bulls will look to continue their Open Cup run to put some poor form in recent years behind them. By eliminating the Union, the Red Bulls have now won back-to-back games in the tournament for just the second time in the last 14 years. The last time they won more than two games in a single tournament was when they finished as the runner-up in the 2003 US Open Cup.

2017 US Open Cup Round 4: Philadelphia Union continue USOC dominance of Harrisburg City Islanders

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Philadelphia Union rookie Marcus Epps dribbles through the Harrisburg City Islanders defense in a Fourth Round match in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph
Philadelphia Union rookie Marcus Epps dribbles through the Harrisburg City Islanders defense in a Fourth Round match in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph

Rookie Marcus Epps’ first professional goal restored a two-goal lead two minutes after halftime to help the Philadelphia Union (MLS) knock off the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) for the fourth time in US Open Cup play at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pa. on Wednesday night.

Epps, drafted out of the University of South Florida in January, made his first start in a Union uniform and was a handful for the City Islanders early in the game as Harrisburg was looking to avenge a 3-2 loss in the same building a year ago. In the early going, Epps set up a dangerous free kick when he was taken down just outside the 18 and nearly got onto the end of a long pass in the box that would have spelled trouble.

In the 18th minute, it was the Mississippi native’s strong run and layoff in the box that eventually set up a pass from Jay Simpson to Derrick Jones for a goal off a low liner from 25 yards out. The goal was the first for Jones in an official first team match.

After Simpson was denied by a fine save from Sean Lewis in the 28th minute, his hold-up play and a switch of the flanks between Epps and CJ Sapong led to a second goal off the left foot of Sapong that beat Lewis to the far post for Simpson’s second assist of the night.

Firmly in control of possession and momentum, it appeared as though the Union might run away with a rare easy victory over their former USL affiliate before Paul Wilson connected with Jonathan Mendoza to cut the lead in half in the 37th minute.

The goal sparked the City Islanders’ offense and the visitors had a chance to go into the break on level terms when Rasheed Olabiyi’s free header off a corner kick flashed just wide of the post.

The momentum carried into halftime didn’t last long in the second half thanks to a beautiful ball Haris Mendunjanin sent down the right flank that Epps caught up before beating his defender and the keeper for the first non-preseason goal of his young career.

“Haris played a great ball,” Epps said of the goal. “It was tough, the keeper did well, but I saw the little gap and so you know a slow roller I thought would work best.”

Back in command, the Union were content to keep the ball and run down the clock but Harrisburg had another surge left in them as Pedro Ribeiro made things interesting for his former team in the 69th minute when he forced Union goalkeeper John McCarthy into a save that fell to Shawn McLaws for a rebound opportunity that hit the cross bar and bounced out. Ribeiro, Mendoza, Jake Bond and Lee Nishanian all had additional shot attempts stopped by McCarthy in the final half hour.

“Unfortunately, we gave up a goal early in the second half but I thought from that point on we were pretty good,” City Islanders head coach Bill Becher said. “The game was back and forth. We had all of the chances in the second half; I don’t remember them having any outside of the goal.”

McCarthy finished the night with six saves, his counterpart with two on vital interventions that easily could have made the final score a lopsided one. With the win, the Union extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament against non-MLS teams to seven dating back to a 2012 win over Rochester Rhinos, their first in the club’s Open Cup history after going one-and-done against MLS opponents in the first two years. Harrisburg’s record against MLS teams in the competition fell to 5-7 with the loss.

“It’s harder than people think because these games are tricky,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said. “We’re expected to win, we’re expected to be the team that just takes care of business. The only time it gets really talked about is if we lose a game like tonight.”

2016 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Brad Knighton stands tall for New England Revolution in PK win over Philadelphia Union

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The New England Revolution celebrate after their PK shootout win over the Philadelphia Union. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution
The New England Revolution celebrate after their PK shootout win over the Philadelphia Union. Photo: David Silverman | New England Revolution

Penalty kick shootouts generally turn into a battle of the goalkeepers. After 120 minutes of dazzling saves, Brad Knighton of the New England Revolution came out the winner, leading his team to a 4-2 penalty kick victory over the Philadelphia Union.

After making four saves en route to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes, Knighton turned it on during penalty kicks. He stopped two of the Union’s four attempts, while his Revolution teammates only missed one.

The victory sends the Revolution to the US Open Cup semifinals for the first time since 2008 as they will play the Chicago Fire. The Union were looking to play in their third straight Open Cup final and fourth semifinal in five years.

New England and Philadelphia were meeting for the second-ever time in Open Cup play. The first matchup also came at the quarterfinal stage, with the Union winning 2-0 in 2014. That game was played in Philadelphia’s home stadium; this one was played at Harvard University.

Playing US Open Cup games away from their home at Gillette Stadium is nothing new for the Revs. Midweek Open Cup crowds are tough to justify the cost of opening the nearly 70,000-seat NFL stadium, so the team often finds locations in and around New England to host their cup matches. This was the club’s third trip to Harvard.

Harvard’s turf field seemed to give both teams some trouble, with the first good chance not coming until a powerful shot from the Revolution’s Kei Kamara in the 27th minute, saved well by Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.

However, Blake could not do anything about the goal the Revs scored in the 44th minute. Diego Fagundez quickly took a free kick, and an unorganized Union defense left Je-Vaughn Watson wide open to easily slot the ball past Blake to give the Revolution the 1-0 lead.

Knighton and Blake stood strong and blocked away plenty of good chances in the second half. But just when it seemed as if New England had the game sewn up, the Union equalized at the stroke of 90 minutes.

Ray Gaddis made a run down the right side and passed it into the box to Sebastian Le Toux. The Open Cup’s modern era leading goalscorer, Le Toux set up Fabian Herbers for his first Open Cup goal to tie the game.

In the 104th minute, the crossbar helped Knighton out by stopping Ilsinho’s shot. A minute later, Blake made a spectacular double save that kept the game level. Not to be outdone, Knighton stopped a Herbers shot in the 110th minute that seemed destined for the net. At the end of extra time, the game was tied at one. Knighton had four saves and Blake had seven.

Knighton was stellar in penalty kicks, saving the first shot he faced against Le Toux and the third shot against CJ Sapong. Blake had no answers, and Watson bagged the final goal to keep the Revolution alive for its first Open Cup title since 2007.

FULL MATCH REPLAY: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION VS. PHILADELPHIA UNION

2016 US Open Cup Round 5: Philadelphia Union survive first half, overcome New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Chris Pontius brace

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Chris Pontius scored two goals for the Philadelphia Union, his second and third of his US Open Cup career. Photo: Bob Larson
Chris Pontius scored two goals for the Philadelphia Union, his second and third of his US Open Cup career. Photo: Bob Larson

The two halves of the Fifth Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game between the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls could not have been any different. But after getting dominated in the first half, the Union came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory.

The visiting Red Bulls outshot their MLS counterparts 13-1 in a first half display that was demoralizing for the home supporters. Capitalizing on numerous Union mistakes, New York’s high-pressure also stifled most Philadelphia attacks. The home side came out with a new energy in the second half, however, two goals in the span of five minutes sent the Union into the Quarterfinals.

“We whipped their butts in the first half,” New York coach Jesse Marsch said. “They came out and whipped our butts in the second half.”

New York, which was looking for revenge for a Quarterfinal loss to the Union last year, started the game on fire. Only some heroic goalkeeping from Andre Blake kept the Red Bulls off the scoresheet early on.

In the 17th minute, it was one mistake too many however. Union defender Richie Marquez couldn’t clear a ball into the box, and Mike Grella capitalized with an easy shot to the bottom left corner of the net.

It did not get any better for the two-time Open Cup runners-up for the remainder of the half. The Red Bulls ended with a 13-1 shots advantage and a 6-1 shots on goal advantage. The Union could consider themselves lucky to only be down by one goal.

Union coach Jim Curtain said, “It was a tale of two halves. That wasn’t us in the first half. Maybe and Yaro were good, but the rest of the guys — it wasn’t them.”

The Union were a completely different team to start the second half. And it was the connection between two players who had forgettable first halves that led to both Philadelphia goals.

In the 55th minute, Ilsinho was played into space down the right side of the field. He picked out Chris Pontius making a diagonal run into the box, and Pontius made no mistake, scoring a goal to Ryan Meara’s left.

Just five minutes later, the two combined again. Ilsinho chipped a cross to Pontius, who hit it first-time into the back of the net.

With a 2-1 lead, Philadelphia made defensive substitutions and aimed to see out the game. As time went on, instead of the players getting testy in the heat of the moment, it was the coaches.

In second half added time, a ball was played out of bounds. The ball made its way back onto the field. Regardless of whether Union assistant coach Mike Sorber meant to kick it back, or if it bounced off him, he was ejected from the game.

A few minutes later, angry with the officiating, Marsch was ejected. Before leaving the field, he spiked two balls at the Union sideline.

“I had to try to induce change in the ref somehow. They were basically calling every foul for the Union,” Marsch said.

The Red Bulls had a few more flurries in them, but when the whistle sounded, the Union came out 2-1 victors. Philadelphia extends its Open Cup unbeaten streak to seven games, a mark that only nine teams in the Modern Era have ever reached.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

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