The Philadelphia Union are in the US Open Cup Final for the third time in franchise history. Philadelphia has looked very good in this tournament; over the four game stretch that made up this US Open Cup campaign, the Union have scored 11 goals and conceded just one. All four of those matches have been home games thanks to the luck of the draw. Now, Philadelphia travels to Houston for the chance to win their first ever trophy.
As you get ready for the game, Philly Sports Network has you covered with previews from our Union writers. Part 3 come’s from Tim Lovenguth, who takes a look at Philadelphia Union’s run to the 2018 US Open Cup Final.
US Open Cup Final Preview Part 1 | US Open Cup Final Preview Part 2
The Union have had a very interesting US Open Cup Campaign. The road to Houston was paved with four home victories. Tonight the Union take on the Dynamo in Houston for the chance to bring home their first trophy!
Since the anticipation and anxieties are building up, lets take a look back at how the Union made it to the US Open Cup Final!
Enjoy this compilation of articles recapping the Union’s run to the US Open Cup Final, including highlights videos!
The Final is tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN 2!
Fourth Round: 5-0 win over Richmond Kickers
Philadelphia find scoring boots, crush Richmond 5-0 in Fourth Round US Open Cup victory
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI:
John McCarthy, Matt Real, Mark McKenzie, Jack Elliot, Keegan Rosenberry, Derrick Jones, Haris Medunjanin, David Accam (Michee Ngalina 61’), Anthony Fontana (Auston Trusty 83’), Marcus Epps, Cory Burke (Jay Simpson 45’)
Substitutes: Andre Blake, Fabinho, Alejandro Bedoya, Ilsinho
RICHMOND KICKERS STARTING XI:
Trever Spangenberg, Alex Lee (Fred Owusu Sekyere 62’), Scott Thomsen, Mekeil Williams (Conor Shanosky 89’), Austin Yearwood, Oscar Umar, Brandon Eaton, Neil Hlavaty (Koby Osei-Wusu 74’), Matt Bolduc, Raul Gonzalez, Luiz Fernando
Substitutes: Eric Klenofsky, Heveil Cordoves, Yudai Imura, Brian Shriver
GOALS/ASSISTS
3’ PHI – Jack Elliot (Haris Medunjanin)
27’ PHI – David Accam (PK)
43’ PHI – Anthony Fontana (Unassisted)
45 +2’ PHI – Marcus Epps (Cory Burke)
49’ PHI – Jay Simpson (Derrick Jones)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
88’ PHI – Keegan Rosenberry (Unsporting Behavior)
https://youtu.be/7xOCL6odJq8
Round of 16: 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls
Union advance to Quarterfinal of US Open Cup on 2-1 win vs Red Bulls
Box Score
Philadelphia Union Starting XI:
Andre Blake; Keegan Rosenberry, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis; Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya; Ilsinho (Marcus Epps 64’), Borek Dockal (Warren Creavalle 83’), Fafa Picault; Cory Burke
Substitutes not used: John McCarthy; Jack Elliott, Fabinho, David Accam, Jay Simpson
New York Red Bulls Starting XI:
Luis Robles; Connor Lade, Hassan Ndam (Florian Valot 73’), Aurelien Collin, Tim Parker, Kemar Lawrence; Tyler Adams; Derrick Etienne (Daniel Royer 61’), Kaku, Marc Rzatkowski; Carlos Rivas (Bradley Wright-Phillips 60’)
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro; Aaron Long, Sean Davis, Alex Muyl
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI – Haris Medunjanin (Alejandro Bedoya) 52’
PHI – Cory Burke (Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin) 61’
NYRB – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Kaku) 78’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
None
https://youtu.be/g60klIVFZbQ
Quarterfinals: 1-0 Win over Orlando City SC
Union blank Orlando City SC 1-0, advance to U.S Open Cup semi-finals
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI:
Andre Blake, Ray Gaddis, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Keegan Rosenberry, Alejandro Bedoya, Haris, Medunjanin, Borek Dockal (84’ Warren Creavalle), Fafa Picault, David Accam (59’ Marcus Epps), Cory Burke (63’ C.J. Sapong)
Substitutes: John McCarthy, Fabian Herbers, Jack Elliot, Fabinho
ORLANDO CITY SC STARTING XI:
Earl Edwards Jr., Shane O’Neil, Mohammed El-Munir, Donny Toia, Amro Tarek, Josue Colman (62’ Stefano Pinho), Oriol Rosell (70’ Cameron Lindley), Chris Mueller (45’ Dillon Powers), Will Johnson, Sacha Klejstan, Dominic Dwyer
Substitutes: Tony Rocha, Joe Bendik, Chris Schuler, RJ Allen
GOALS/ASSISTS
4’ PHI – Alejandro Bedoya (Unassisted)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
85’ ORL – Donny Toia (Unsporting Behavior)
90+1’ ORL – Will Johnson (Unsporting Behavior)
https://youtu.be/5ouXoEjvyLk
Semifinals: 3-0 Win over Chicago Fire
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI:
Andre Blake; Ray Gaddis, Auston Trusty, Jack Elliot, Keegan Rosenberry; Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin, Fafa Picault, Borek Dockal (Derrick Jones 90’), David Accam (CJ Sapong 56’); Cory Burke (Fabian Herbers 81’)
Substitutes not used: John McCarthy; Richie Marquez, Fabinho, Warren Creavalle
CHICAGO FIRE: STARTING XI:
Richard Sanchez; Jorge Corrales (Kevin Ellis 74’), Brandon Vincent, Johan Kappelhof, Nicolas Hasler (Drew Conner 85’); Brandt Bronico (Alan Gordon 72’), Dax McCarty, Aleksandar Katai, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Raheem Edwards; Nemanja Nikolic
Substitutes not used: Stefan Cleveland; Jonathan Campbell, Grant Lillard, Daniel Johnson
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI – Cory Burke (Alejandro Bedoya, Borek Dočkal) 59’
PHI – Cory Burke (Alejandro Bedoya, CJ Sapong) 77’
PHI – CJ Sapong (Fafa Picault, Fabian Herbers) 86’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
CHI – Aleksandar Katai (caution) 62’
https://youtu.be/nOTyN6NVNUM
US Open Cup Final Houston vs Philadelphia tonight at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN 2
The Philadelphia Union have a chance to win their first ever trophy tonight! Tune in on ESPN 2. This is a huge opportunity where the Union could win their first championship in franchise history. They also get a good chunk of change for winning, and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League! The Union are the hotter team entering tonight’s final; Houston have nothing else to play for, as their league season is all but over.
Don’t forget to tune in to ESPN 2 at 8:00 p.m. for what could be a historic match for the Union!
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Peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports.
