Philadelphia Union 0-2 Sporting Kansas City: KC will host the U.S. Open Cup final

CHESTER, Pa. – Sporting Kansas City advanced to -- and will host -- the U.S. Open Cup final after beating the Philadelphia Union 2-0 in PPL Park Wednesday night.

Jacob Peterson’s 64th minute goal was all the visitors needed as they won a spot against either Chivas USA or the Seattle Sounders. Midfielder Graham Zusi tacked on one more just before the final whistle to squash any hopes of a miraculous comeback.

The teams spent much of the first half trading possession and body blows. Attacking intent fell by the wayside as each team racked up eight first-half fouls.

With the Union’s offense failing to replicate the 4-0 drubbing they put on Sporting on June 23, Kansas City managed to tally. Following a restart, after yet another foul, Graham Zusi’s free kick met Peterson’s head, and the ball found its way into the net, just outside of Union keeper Zac MacMath’s extended reach.

Despite playing at a frenetic pace in the final minutes, Philadelphia could not crack Kansas City’s staunch defense, and constant fouls on both sides prevented the home team from gaining anything resembling a consistent attacking rhythm. As MacMath pushed forward offensively in stoppage time, Zusi took a turnover at the midfield line and blasted the ball past the stranded keeper.

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