Union look for another electric night in Open Cup final
Players, coaches and executives agree that last year's U.S Open Cup final at PPL Park was the most electric atmosphere in the six-year history of the Union.
Players, coaches and executives agree that last year's U.S Open Cup final at PPL Park was the most electric atmosphere in the six-year history of the Union.
The Union hope more of the same occurs on Wednesday with one exception - a different final result.
In last year's U.S. Open Cup final, the Union dropped a 3-1 decision in extra time to the Seattle Sounders, in a game the home team missed cashing in on a few scoring chances late in regulation.
Now the Union return to the title game by hosting Sporting Kansas City in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final. Sporting Kansas City beat the visiting Union, 3-2, April 5 in their only Major League Soccer meeting this year.
"We talked about getting back to the final and it's very easy to talk about things but it's a whole other thing to actually do it," Union coach Jim Curtin said.
Last year's final attracted a crowd of 15,256, which was below a sellout of 18,500, but the noise level was unlike any other heard at PPL Park.
"It was incredible with how the stadium came together," said midfielder Sebastien Le Toux, who recently became the 16th player in Major League soccer history to accumulate at least 50 goals and 50 assists. "The fans were really pushing us to win and it was an incredible feeling on the field."
Curtin agreed.
"That night was special," Curtin said. "The fans really made it a very intimidating atmosphere for Seattle."
And the fans should be a factor again, something that Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes, the Delran product and former U.S. national team star, readily acknowledges.
"We understand that we're going into the lion's den in Philadelphia," Vermes said Monday in a conference call. "It's not going to be easy."
The winner of the U.S. Open Cup earns a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League tournament, which would begin in August. While that is a huge selling point, along with the $250,000 that the winning players will split, the chance to win the first championship of any sort for the Union remains a driving force.
Sporting Kansas City knows a thing or two about winning championships, having captured the Open Cup title in 2012 and the MLS Cup in 2013.
Curtin has the most interesting decision - who to play in goal. John McCarthy has won the Union's four U.S. Open Cup games. On Saturday Andre Blake played what is considered the best game in club history when he made a team-record 10 saves in a 1-1 draw at New England. The lone goal was scored on a penalty kick.
"There is a big decision to make there and I'm confident that both of them can get us a win, whichever one I decide," Curtin said.
When: Wednesday at 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 and Univision Deportes Network
MLS records: K.C. (12-9-9, 45 points) Union (9-15-7, 34 points)
How they got there
K.C.: 1-0 over St. Louis FC; 6-2 over FC Dallas; 3-1 against the Houston Dynamo; 3-1 vs. Real Salt Lake.
Union: Won a penalty kick shootout over the Rochester Rhinos, 3-1, after a scoreless draw; 2-1 over D.C United; 4-3 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls; 1-0 over the Chicago Fire.
Open Cup titles: K.C. (1) in 2012; Union (0), lost in last year's final, 3-1 in extra time to Seattle.
K.C. on the road in MLS: 3-8-4.
Union at home in MLS: 6-7-3.
This year: Sporting K.C. beat the Union, 3-2, at home on April 5
Outlook: After going through an 0-4-1 stretch, K.C. is 1-1-1 in its last three MLS games. . . . K.C. is guided by Peter Vermes, the former U.S. national team star from Delran. . . . The Union are 3-2-3 in their last eight MLS games. . . . Forward C.J. Sapong, who was acquired by the Union in the offseason from Sporting Kansas City, has a team-high nine MLS goals. . . . Midfielder Cristian Maidana is tied for second in MLS with 14 assists. . . .John McCarthy was the Union's keeper in all four Union Open Cup wins, but Andre Blake had arguably the best game in club history when he set a club record with 10 saves Saturday in a 1-1 draw at New England, so coach Jim Curtin has an interesting decision in goal.
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