Union, Fire meet in U.S. Open Cup semifinal
For one night, the two bottom dwellers in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference will compete like contenders when the Union host the Chicago Fire in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal Wednesday night at PPL Park.
For one night, the two bottom dwellers in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference will compete like contenders when the Union host the Chicago Fire in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal Wednesday night at PPL Park.
Chicago (6-12-4) is in last place in the 10-team Eastern Conference. The Fire have two games in hand on the Union (6-13-5), who are ninth.
Real Salt Lake will visit Sporting Kansas City in the other U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday. The championship will be Sept. 30.
The Union earned a berth in last year's U.S. Open Cup final, only to lose to visiting Seattle, 3-1 in extra time.
This a chance for the Union to capture the first trophy in the franchise's six-year history. Winning the title also earns a berth in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions League, would begin next August for the U.S. Open Cup champion.
"What I do want is our guys to have the feeling of winning a trophy," Union coach Jim Curtin said Tuesday at a news conference. "That is something I can't teach. I can't coach it, but once you have it, though, with a group of guys, it is permanent, it is forever."
In their only MLS meeting this year, the Union lost to the host Fire, 1-0, on March 29.
The Union are battling key injuries. In addition, there is a rule that a team can use only five international players in U.S. Open Cup competition, so there could be roster maneuvering.
Forward Fernando Aristeguieta, midfielder Cristian Maidana and defender Fabinho appear to be three of the internationals who will play. Midfielder Vincent Nogueira, who has been out with a quadriceps injury, returned to practice on Monday.
"I don't know if can play tomorrow and will see how I feel," Nogueira said. "It' not perfect, so we will see."
After sitting out the Orlando City game with a groin injury, center back Maurice Edu returned to practice on Tuesday and said he was still feeling a little pain. "It will be a game-time decision," he said.
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