Union Falls on Penalty Kicks in U.S. Open Quarters

Report From Philadelphia Union 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (July 20, 2016) – Philadelphia Union fell to New England Revolution in penalties 1(4)-1(2) in front of a sold out crowd at Jordan Field on the campus of Harvard University. The Union’s run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ends in the quarterfinal round. Philadelphia returns to MLS action Saturday when they travel north of the border to take on Montreal Impact. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on The Comcast Network.

 

Andre Blake was the star of the match for Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The former No. 1 pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft gave the Union a lot of momentum with multiple saves on Kei Kamara. The biggest threat came in the 27th minute. New England’s Diego Fagundez sent in a chip to the near post that found Kamara alone. The 2016 MLS All-Star Blake was able to make a brilliant save out of pure reflex to keep the match scoreless.

 

The Revolution were able to break the scoreless just before the half ended. New England earned a free-kick from just outside the box. The ball was sent in towards a wide open Je-Vaughn Watson, catching the Union off guard. Watson was able to sneak his shot just past the out-stretched arms of Blake to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute.

 

The Union were able to keep the match within reach after it was Blake yet again denying Kamara. In the 69th minute Kamara found himself in a 1v1 position, he then shifted towards his right and sent an absolute missile towards the net. Blake leaped and was able to pushed the ball over the net. Two minutes later it was Kamara again who sent a shot towards the far post, but it was Blake who again kept Kamara off the scoresheet.

 

Philadelphia was able to tie the match in regulation in dramatic fashion. After a furious late attack, Sebastien Le Toux found rookie Fabian Herbers in the box. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 draft sent a shot that went bouncing off the turn and into the back of the net in the 90th minute of play, sending the match to extra time.

 

Philadelphia had their best opportunity in the 95th minute when Leo Fernandes found himself alone in the box. His shot was denied from point blank range, thanks to an excellent save from Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton. New England had their own close range shot stopped and match ended tied after extra time.

 

In penalties Lee Nguyen started New England off on the right foot, beating Blake. The Union fell behind after Le Toux missed his chance. Scott Caldwell gave the Union life after his attempt went wide, but Knighton stood tall and stopped C.J. Sapong’s shot. Ultimately the man who started the scoring finished it, as Watson buried home the game-winner.

 

The Union will return to action this weekend when they travel to Montreal to take on the Impact. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on The Comcast Network.

 

 

MATCH RECAP

New England Revolution 1 (4), Philadelphia Union 1 (2)

Jordan Field

Cambridge, Mass.

 

POST MATCH AUDIO

Union head coach Jim Curtin

 

FINAL MATCH STATS

Shots: 18-11 Revolution

Shots on Target: 8-5 Revolution

Possession: 51.8-48.2 Revolution

Passing Accuracy: 73-67 Revolution

Fouls: 25-15 Revolution

Corners: 6-5 Revolution

Duels won: 89-67 Union

Tackles won: 22-8 Union

 

SCORING SUMMARY

NER – Je-Vaughn Watson (Diego Fagundez) 44’

PHI – Fabian Herbers (Sebastien Le Toux) 90’

 

PENALTY SUMMARY

NER – Lee Nguyen (scored)

PHI – Sebastien Le Toux (saved)

NER – Chris Tierney (scored)

PHI – Ilsinho (scored)

NER – Scott Caldwell (missed)

PHI – C.J. Sapong (saved)

NER – Jose Goncalves (scored)

PHI – Fabian Herbers (scored)

NER – Je-Vaughn Watson (scored)

 

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

NER – Samba (Yellow) 13’

PHI – Warren Creavalle (Yellow) 28’

NER – Je-Vaughn Watson (Yellow) 109’

 

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI

Andre Blake; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Ray Gaddis; Warren Creavalle, Tranquillo Barnetta © (Leo Fernandes 76’); Chris Pontius (Sebastien Le Toux 66’), Roland Alberg (Fabian Herbers 66’), Ilsinho; C.J. Sapong

 

Substitutes not used: John McCarthy, Keegan Rosenberry, Josh Yaro, Brian Carroll

 

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION STARTING XI

Brad Knighton; Je-Vaughn Watson, Samba, Jose Goncalves, Andrew Farrell; Scott Caldwell, (Daigo Kobayashi 70’); Diego Fagundez, Kelyn Rowe, Steve Neumann (Chris Tierney 76’); Kei Kamara (Zachary Herivaux 83’)

 

Substitutes not used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Darrius Barnes, London Woodberry, Femi Hollinger-Janzen.

 

OFFICIALS

Sorin Stoica (referee), Claudia Badea (assistant referee), Tom Felice (assistant referee) Michael Dee (fourth)

 

 

TEAM NOTES

• The Union went to penalty kicks for the first time this season and for the sixth time in franchise history.
• With the loss, they fell to 3-3 in matches decided by penalty kicks.
• They defeated FC Dallas (2014 Semifinals), Rochester Rhinos (2015 Fourth Round), New York Red Bulls (2015 Quarterfinals). They’ve now lost to D.C. United (2011 qualification), Sporting Kansas City (2015 Final), New England Revolution (2016 Quarterfinals).
• With the loss, the Union’s all-time record in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fell to 14-7.
• Jim Curtin’s record is now 12-3.