Union to begin U.S. Open Cup quest on Wednesday night
The Union struggled in Major League Soccer play the previous two seasons but enjoyed success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, losing in the championship game each year.
The Union struggled in Major League Soccer play the previous two seasons but enjoyed success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, losing in the championship game each year.
Now, as the Union prepare for this year's U.S. Open Cup, they find themselves at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference with a 6-3-5 record for 23 points.
The Union treated the U.S. Open Cup as their Super Bowl the last two years, and even though they now occupy first place their mind-set remains the same.
All MLS teams receive a bye until the fourth round, and the Union will begin U.S. Open Cup play by hosting their former United Soccer League affiliate, the Harrisburg City Islanders, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Islanders, who are 4-8-1 in USL play, have already won two Open Cup games this season and won't need much motivation in facing the Union.
Harrisburg had been the Union's USL affiliate from the Union's inception in 2010 through last year. The Union now own their USL team, the Bethlehem Steel FC.
Union center back Richie Marquez, a former player for the Islanders, said the motivation remains strong to win the U.S. Open Cup regardless of the team's place in the MLS standings.
"The players are hungry and greedy, and we want to win as much as we can, Marquez said. "It doesn't matter what tournament. Winning is our mentality."
Dating back to 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States. The cup winner earns $250,000 and a berth in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions' League.
In 2014, the Union lost to Seattle, 3-1, in extra time in the U.S. Open Cup final at home.
Last season in the championship game, the Union lost in penalty kicks to visiting Sporting Kansas City, 7-6, after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime.
"There are two major trophies you can win - the MLS Cup and the Open Cup - and we try to win both of them," said Union coach Jim Curtin, whose team prepped for the Open Cup by hosting the U.S. men's national team's reserves in a scrimmage Sunday morning.
"It is a little different this year because we are at the top of the standings. But it is still two trophies to win, an important competition, and we will take it seriously."
Curtin wouldn't say whether he would play all of his starters, although he did hint that some seldom-used reserves could see some time.
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