Jim Curtin praises Union for character win

HARRISON, NJ — Union coach Jim Curtin knows his soccer history and felt he saw some during his team's dramatic penalty kick shootout win over the New York Red Bulls in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal at Red Bull Arena. The Union won the penalty kick segment, 4-3 after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes of regulation and extra time.

The Union won despite playing a man down after Conor Casey received a red card in the 40^th minute for a "violent foul."

Also factor in that the Union lost 2-1 on Saturday in Toronto (and in fairness, the Red Bulls played Saturday in Orlando). In addition, the game began at 4 p.m. in the heat of the afternoon.

Playing a man down just added to the exhaustion, which is why Curtin, when asked if this was one of the most impressive wins in the franchise's six-year history, didn't hesitate with his response.

"I would say it is No. 1, all things considered, going down a man that early, we played Saturday in a tough game, had tired legs, had four starters either injured or suspended," Curtin said. "To overcome that, to take the lead, to concede one and still have the guts to fight, I couldn't be prouder of the group."

For the longest time it appeared as if the Union's goal in the 55^th minute by Erik Ayuk would stand up.

The Red Bulls scored the equalizer by Lloyd Sam in the second half stoppage time, the 94^th minute. (There was a surprising five minutes of stoppage time added, which the Union weren't thrilled about).

This was the time where it appeared the Union might become unglued.

"When we gave up the goal in stoppage time we knew we had another 30 minutes and had to do the job," defender Ray Gaddis said. "We had to erase the memory and that is what everybody did."

Having a short memory was the key.
"From top to bottom everybody was encouraging and we stuck together, no matter what," Gaddis said.

The Union received successful penalty kicks from Sheanon Williams, Vincent Nogueira, Maurice Edu and the game winner from Fernando Aristeguieta.

Nogueira said he was running on fumes, even when he had to take the penalty kick.

"I wasn't very fresh," Nogueira said in the understatement of the day. "We played 120 minutes so we were very tired, especially me and it was hard to take the penalty kick but it was OK because we won."

The Union now advanced to the semifinals which will be either Aug. 11 or 12. Of immediate concern is Sunday's Major League Soccer game at Eastern Conference leader D.C. United. Before getting ready for United, the Union could take pride in a true gut-check win.

"To go 120 (minutes and being) a man down is something special and something you live for as a player and team," said keeper John McCarthy, who blocked a penalty kick by Sam and also had several big saves in regulation and extra time. "Everybody came together and grinded it out for each other and that is what we needed to do."