Union's late score beats Harrisburg in U.S. Open Cup
The wild, wacky feel of the U.S. Open Cup resurfaced Wednesday night for the Union, who fought off a late charge by the Harrisburg City Islanders to earn a 3-2 win at Talen Energy Stadium.
The wild, wacky feel of the U.S. Open Cup resurfaced Wednesday night for the Union, who fought off a late charge by the Harrisburg City Islanders to earn a 3-2 win at Talen Energy Stadium.
Roland Alberg scored on a free kick late in second-half stoppage time to provide the game-winner. That goal was his second of the game and came after the Islanders, the former United Soccer League affiliate of the Union, tied the score earlier in stoppage time.
"The name of the game is surviving and advancing in this competition. We've done that," a relieved Union coach Jim Curtin said.
The Union, who lost in the last two U.S. Open Cup finals, advanced to the Round of 16 on June 29. The opponent won't be known until Thursday, when the draw takes place.
Dating back to 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States. Major League Soccer teams receive byes until the fourth round.
The Union appeared to be coasting with a 2-0 halftime lead. Fans got a little nervous when Harrisburg cut the deficit to 2-1 on turnaround shot by Craig Foster from the top of the box in the 79th minute.
In the 88th minute, Harrisburg's Jose Barril received a red card for leveling Leo Fernandes, but, down a man, the Islanders tied the score on a stoppage time goal by Bobby Warshaw.
Overtime appeared imminent until Alberg scored his game-winner, saving the Union 30 minutes of extra time.
"I was going to kick it in the corner, but the last minute I thought I would flip it over the wall and it went in, and the feeling is amazing," Alberg said.
The Union had been idle since a 3-2 win over visiting Columbus on June 1. MLS took a break during the first part of Copa America. Trying to stay sharp, the Union scrimmaged against the U.S. national team's reserves Sunday.
Just as the national team's reserves got needed minutes Sunday, the Union's did on Wednesday. Walter Restrepo, who had not appeared in an MLS game this season, scored the Union's first goal in the third minute.
Rookie Fabian Herbers sent a cross from near the right end line that Harrisburg City keeper Nick Noble batted down, but Restrepo cleaned up the rebound.
"I am happy to score, but the most important part is the winning," Restrepo said.
Herbers, who scored his first MLS goal against Columbus, has played only 179 minutes this year but has shown an ability to create chances.
He did exactly that in first-half stoppage time, finding Alberg deep in the box. Alberg patiently waited for Noble to make a move and then pushed it by the Islanders keeper to give the Union a 2-0 lead.
C.J. Sapong, who is tied for the team lead with five goals, wasn't on the Union's 18-man game roster because of a right ankle sprain.
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