Union extends unbeaten run to 8 games with win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds to reach Open Cup quarterfinals

On a rainy Wednesday night at Subaru Park, the shower of goals stole the headlines, as Philadelphia Union defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4-1 in the round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This win sets Philly against the New York Red Bulls at Subaru Park in July, as they join D.C. United and Nashville SC are the four East-bracketed teams. Minnesota United, San Jose Earthquakes, Austin FC, and Chicago Fire comprise the West-bracketed teams.

Union put up four on cross-state rivals in their first-ever meeting

If the Pittsburgh Riverhounds had their way, they would have loved to beat Philly and get one up on MLS for the USL as the last lower division team left in the tournament. Unfortunately, goals from Bruno Damiani, Indiana Vassilev, Danley Jean Jacques, and Jovan Lukic ensured that its wish remained an illusion.

The starting lineup for Union was similar to the one that played the last USOC game, with Bedoya and Uhre being the only absentees. The team began the game with a clear intention and confidence that it could be won, aiming to avoid the occurrences in the previous round, which saw the team win narrowly against Indy Eleven after 120 minutes of play and a penalty shootout.

The first goal was from a 14th-minute penalty by Bruno Damiani, who made no mistake in slotting it home, after a Philly free kick forced a handball in the box. The Union was in control for the remainder of the first half. Still, the Riverhounds also posed some threats, forcing Philadelphia goalkeeper Andy Rick into a diving double save in the 43rd minute. However, in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, a series of one-touch passes ended with Sullivan releasing a ball through a defender’s legs to Vassilev, whose fine finish extended the Union’s lead to 2-0.

The rain came, and so did more goals in the 2nd half

Philadelphia began the second half almost like they ended the first, with a goal from Danley nine minutes into the second half, in the 54th minute, putting the game further out of the reach of the Riverhounds. However, the visitors were not to leave without a consolation goal, at least, for being the last surviving lower division side in the tournament. That goal came in the 63rd minute from a substitute, Jorge Garcia, who wrapped up his first touches of the night with a curling strike, a bending rocket from distance, to give the Riverhounds a moment of jubilation.

Sadly for the visitors, it was in the Philadelphia Union’s backyard, and they would never have the last laugh. Substitute Jovan Lukic drove through and split the opposition’s defense before sending in the fourth goal of the night in the 86th minute to seal the game for the Eastern Conference and League leaders.

Union continues its dominance in May as they await Messi & Miami on the weekend

The game was the first fixture between the Philadelphia Union and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and there was no better way to write the script than how it was written last night, as all four Union goal scorers scored their first U.S. Open Cup goals.

The scoreline brought joy to the Union fans, especially head coach Bradley Carnell, who couldn’t contain his praise for the team’s terrific performance.

“We wanted to set ourselves up with a chance to make sure that we’re in to get the job done in 90. There was a real professionalism about the way we went about the game. Happy to see four different goal scorers on the goal scoring sheet. We got a couple of guys, some different looks, and some different runs.”

Next, Philadelphia Union will host Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami side, who have just one win in their last seven games in all competitions. The game will be played on Sunday evening at Subaru Park.