2015 U.S. Open Cup: Philadelphia Union Overcome Sending Off To Beat D.C. United

The Philadelphia Union took on D.C United in the Round of 16 U.S. Open Cup and came away with a 2-1 victory. The victory was not without adversity for the Union as not only was there severe weather that delayed the game but they also lost Forward CJ Sapong in the 25th minute to a very questionable straight red card.

“We went through a lot of adversity tonight. To play shorthanded from the 25th minute is very challenging.” Philadelphia Coach Jim Curtin commented in his post-game press conference.

Tonight's Starting XI: McCarthy; Gaddis, Edu, Marquez, Williams; Nogueira, Carroll, Ayuk, Maidana, Wenger; Sapong. pic.twitter.com/CyV5l7E5hQ
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 30, 2015

Substitutes: Blake, Fabinho, White, Pfeffer, Fred, Hoppenot, McLaughlin. #PHIvDC Watch live: http://t.co/Z2qebNJhHd
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 30, 2015

Starting XI: Dykstra; Mishu, Opare, Birnbaum, Robinson; Doyle, Jeffrey, Halsti, Aguilar; Arrieta, Coria #PHIvDC pic.twitter.com/i6ghGJFEXZ
— D.C. United (@dcunited) June 30, 2015

Available Subs: Worra, Rolfe, Kitchen, Korb, Kemp, Silva #PHIvDC #USOC2015
— D.C. United (@dcunited) June 30, 2015

The game started off with the Union looking like the much more confident team in attack but unfortunately they were unable to put one in the back of the net. Fifteen minutes into the game, referee Fotis Bazakos suspended play for severe rain and lightning storms in the area.

The game would then resume 45 minutes later. Eight minutes into the restart, United would have a great chance on net. Off of a United free kick by Facundo Coria, defender Steve Birnbaum managed to get a head on the ball which was earmarked for the back of the net. Luckily, Union goalkeeper John McCarthy reacted quick enough to tip the ball onto the post and keep the Union from going down 1-0.

In the 24th minute, Bazakos made his first big call of the night as he sent off Union Forward CJ Sapong for elbowing a D.C. United player when both when up to head the ball. On replay of the foul, it was not clear what the referee saw in Sapong’s challenge as there was no intent or swinging of the elbow into the United defenders face. Bazako’s decision, whether correct or incorrect, caused Curtin to have to readjust the lineup without their in-form striker. Curtin would opt to not make any subs and put midfielder Cristian Maidana into a false nine role.

“When your star striker goes out. there’s a couple things we could have done…I could have sacrificed someone and brought in Antoine. At that point, it was just so early to burn a sub on a night where you have to at least consider, in the back, deep part, of your mind, the possibility of 120 minutes with three subs. So we decided to let that group ride it and, to their credit, with Chaco in that false nine, I thought he did a good job.” Curtin said on his thought process after Sapong was sent off.

D.C. would capitalize on the man advantage only three minutes later as Miguel Aguilar's low cross would squirt pass United midfielder Jared Jeffrey and to the wide open Jairo Arrieta, who blasted home the easy goal from six yards out.

Bazakos would continue to play a large role in this game, as he would whistle approximately fifteen fouls in the first half as well as handing out five cards with Maidana, Jeffrey. Birnbaum and Mishu receiving yellow cards and Sapong receiving a straight red card. Overall, Bazakos did a poor job in this game.

The Union would go into the locker room down 1-0, but still, very much in the game. In the 50th minute, midfielder Andrew Wenger would manage to hit posts on his shot. It has been that kind of season for Wenger, who has still yet to score a goal this season.

In second half especially, the Union would continue to burn D.C. down the flanks, which was the key to their two second half goals. The combination play of Gaddis and Ayuk on the right, along with Sheanon Williams and, later on, Fabinho on the left, would prove deadly to United. The Union would find their equalizer in the 55th minute as Maidana played a world class floated through ball for Williams, who found a wide open Ayuk for the easy tap-in goal.

Nearly 25 minutes later in the 79th minute, the Union would find the game-winning goal, when a great give and go between Maidana and Fabinho led the Brazilian free in the left side of the box. Fabinho then roofed his shot past United goalkeeper Dykstra near post for the Union lead, 2-1.

From there, the Union would bunker down and hold onto their lead to advance to the quarterfinals versus the winner of the New York Derby between the Cosmos and Red Bulls.

In cannot be put into words how much Maidana means to this team. His lack of speed aside, Maidana is able to deliver pinpoint accurate passes to his teammates, which was evident tonight with his two assists. Despite the fact that D.C. did throw what some consider their B team against the Union in this game, it is nice to see the Union battled back and win despite being a man down.

The Union are off until July 11th when the face Portland Timbers FC at PPL Park. D.C. United has a game cross country with Seattle Sounders on Friday July 3rd.

Subsitutes:

PHI 67': Andrew Wenger out, Fabinho in

PHI 80': Cristian Maidana out, Zach Pfeffer in

DCU 83': Jared Jeffrey out, Chris Rolfe in

DCU 84': Facundo Coria out, Luis Silva in

Scoring:

DCU: Jairo Arrieta (Jared Jeffrey, Miguel Aguilar) – 27’

PHI: Eric Ayuk (Sheanon Williams, Chaco Maidana) — 55’

PHI: Fabinho (Chaco Maidana)— 79’

Disciplinary:

DCU: Jared Jeffrey — 23’

DCU: Steve Birnbaum — 30’