The Philadelphia Union advanced to their second consecutive Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Finals after beating the Chicago Fire 1-0 on Wednesday night at PPL Park.

“We talked about it after the Seattle game last year that we had to get back to the final because there was unfinished business,” Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin said in his post-game press conference. “As cliché as it sounds, it’s amazing to get back."

When the lineups first came out, Philadelphia Union right back Ray Gaddis was pitted against Chicago Fire’s leading scorer David Accam in a matchup the Union needed to win in order to advance. To his credit, Gaddis managed to keep the Ghanaian winger in check for the most part, while only allowing him only a couple dangerous touches. 

In the first half, despite seven corners and most of the possession, the Union were unable to open the scoring. In the 18th minute, Philadelphia Union number ten Cristian Maidana had a great opportunity to put the Union ahead from the top of the 18 but his shot went past the diving Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson and hit the post. After the deflection off the post, CJ Sapong could not hit it home as his shot went wide and into the side netting.

The key men of the match for the Union were easily CJ Sapong and Cristian Maidana. Maidana returned to the number ten role from his stint on the wing on Saturday to give this Union offense life. The Argentinian midfielder contributed to all aspects of the offense whether it was sending players on through with a great pass or putting the ball on frame. However, the Union’s overall man of the match was CJ Sapong. Sapong gave the Chicago backline problems all night with his quick pace but, more importantly, his physicality and hustle.

Then, in the 74th minute, the Union finally broke through with a game-winner as Sebastian Le Toux took a shot from the line of the box and beat Johnson near post. With his goal on Wednesday, Le Toux, the U.S. Open Cup leading overall goalscorer, brought his Open Cup goal total to 15 goals, two goals of ahead of second place Kenny Cooper with 13.

The Fire’s inability to create chances on net was not only a credit to Philadelphia’s backline of Gaddis, Maurice Edu, Richie Marquez and Fabinho but to, as well, holding midfielders Michael Lahoud and Brian Carroll. Lahoud and Carroll worked well as a tandem to clog passing lanes and not allow the Fire to get much going.

“It was very disappointing” Chicago Coach Frank Yallop said in his post-game press conference. “Aside from a couple spells in the first half and spaced out through the game, we were outplayed tonight; which is alarming.”

In the end, the Union controlled all aspects of this game from offense to defense and it showed on the field. For the Union, their final opponent in the U.S. Open Cup will be Sporting Kansas City at PPL Park on September 30th. For Chicago, with their Open Cup dreams dashed, their next game will be right back at PPL Park on Sunday where they will try to exact revenge for their loss Wednesday and put together a late playoff push.