Union beat Fire to reach U.S. Open Cup final

Sebastien Le Toux continued his U.S. Open Cup mastery Wednesday night and helped the Union earn a second straight appearance in the championship game.

Le Toux's goal in the 74th minute gave the Union a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire in a semifinal at PPL Park.

It was his 15th U.S. Open Cup goal, increasing his career lead in the modern era.

On the goal, Le Toux did a great job of keeping the ball in the offensive zone and eventually fired from near the top of the box with his left foot into the bottom right corner.

"It went to left and I took a crack at it and luckily it went in," Le Toux said.

He has done more than just come up big in the U.S. Open Cup. Le Toux also has 50 career Major League Soccer goals.

"It's a great feeling," Le Toux said of returning to the final. "One more to go and we can have what we want for a trophy."

The Union will host Sporting Kansas City in the Open Cup final on Sept. 30. Sporting K.C. beat Real Salt Lake, 3-1, in the other semifinal Wednesday night.

Last year, the Union lost in the Open Cup final, 3-1, in extra time to the visiting Seattle Sounders.

After Le Toux's goal, Chicago had one strong chance, but keeper John McCarthy turned away a sharp bicycle kick by Kennedy Igboananike in the 83d minute.

The Fire are in last place and the Union are in ninth in the 10-team MLS Eastern Conference. On this night the standings were forgotten.

Both teams put out their best lineups.

Recently acquired Brazilian designated player Gilberto, playing his first game for the Fire, lasted just 21 minutes before leaving with a thigh contusion.

For the longest time, it appeared as if it would be another game in which the Union controlled play but could not capitalize.

Union midfielder Cristian Maidana was the best player on the field in the first half, and he forced Chicago keeper Sean Johnson to make two diving saves on shots from just outside the box.

The Union pressed the action all game and outshot the Fire, 11-3.

The two teams will play again Sunday in an MLS game at PPL Park.

@sjnard