Union blank Fire to reach U.S. Open Cup final
The Philadelphia Union, who lost in both of their previous appearances in the U.S. Open Cup final, will get another crack at the title.
Behind three second-half goals, the Union beat the Chicago Fire 3-0 on Wednesday in a semifinal matchup at Chester, Pa. Cory Burke scored in the 59th and 77th minutes, and C.J. Sapong sealed the result with an 86th-minute goal.
The Union dropped the U.S. Open Cup final to the Seattle Sounders in 2014 and to Sporting Kansas City in 2015, both times in Chester. Philadelphia will be on the road for the title match this time, against the winner of the late semifinal Wednesday night. Major League Soccer expansion club Los Angeles FC was facing off against the Dynamo in Houston.
Alejandro Bedoya assisted on both of Burke's goals, and Sapong had an assist in addition to his goal. Union goalie Andre Blake was called upon to make just one save in the shutout win.
The U.S. Open Cup winner automatically qualifies for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.
--Field Level Media
