Union Advances to Round of 16 in U.S. Open Cup

Report From Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. – Rolando Alberg recorded a brace, including the game-winning goal in stoppage time to lead the Union past City Islanders FC, 3-2. With the win, the Union advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the third consecutive year. Their opponent will be determined Thursday, June 16.

 

The Union wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Walter Restrepo delivered an excellent shot that found the back of the net in the 3rd minute. His goal was the fastest in Philadelphia Union history in U.S. Open Cup competition.

 

Restrepo found himself in the right place at the right time as Vincent Nogueira sent a pass into the box that was intended for Fabian Herbers. Isalnders’ keeper Nick Noble cleared the pass right to Restrepo who took care of the rest to give the Union the early 1-0 lead.

 

Philadelphia controlled the tempo for the entire first half, earning 62 percent of the possession, while attempting eight shots. The Union held the Islanders without a shot on target through the first 45. The Union then received a late contribution from Alberg, to put the Union up 2-0 in stoppage time of the first half.

 

Ilsinho set up the goal with magnificent defense, stealing the ball away and sending a pass to Herbers. Herbers then set up Alberg in the box, finishing off the flawless attack.

 

The second half proved to be a fight as Craig Foster got the Islanders on the board in the 79th minute to put the opposition within one goal. Just 10 minutes later, Jose Barrill was sent off with a red card after a reckless challenge on Leo Fernades. But despite being a man down, the Islanders tied the match at two with a goal in stoppage time from Bobby Warshaw.

 

Moments later Sebastien Le Toux drew a foul just outside the box, setting up the moment of the night. Alberg saved the match for the Union with a world class free-kick from just outside the box to give the Union the 3-2 victory.

 

The win sends the Union to the Round of 16 in the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup where their opponent will be determined Thursday. Philadelphia will return to MLS action on Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m. at Yankee Stadium when they travel to the Bronx to take on Eastern Conference foe NYCFC. The game will be televised on The Comcast Network.

 

MATCH RECAP

Philadelphia Union 3, City Islanders FC 2

Talen Energy Stadium

Chester, Pa

 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

https://mlssoccer.box.com/s/tkpjlgzf326kwyykfphrwet3ljpuetxu

 

POST MATCH AUDIO

Union head coach Jim Curtin

Union midfielder Roland Alberg

Union midfielder Walter Restrepo

 

FINAL MATCH STATS

Shots: 15-12 Union

Shots on Target: 6-5 Islanders

Possession: 62-38 Union

Passing Accuracy: 59-41 Union

Fouls: 17-12 Islanders

Corners: 4-2 Islanders

Duels won: 41-40 Islanders

Tackles won: 14-9 Islanders

 

SCORING SUMMARY

PHI –  Walter Restrepo 3’

PHI – Roland Alberg 45+1’

HAR – Craig Foster 79’

HAR – Bobby Warshaw 90+1’

PHI – Roland Alberg 90+3’

 

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

PHI – Richie Marquez (Yellow) 20’

PHI – Warren Creavalle (Yellow) 33’

HAR – Cardel Benbow (Yellow) 81’

HAR – Shane Johnson (Yellow) 84)’

HAR – Jose Barrill (Red) 89’

 

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI

John McCarthy; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Ray Gaddis ©; Warren Creavalle, Vincent Nogueira (Brian Carroll 73’); Walter Restrepo, Roland Alberg, Ilsinho (Leo Fernandes 61’); Fabian Herbers (Sebastien Le Toux 78’)

 

Substitutes not used: Matt Jones, Anderson, Keegan Rosenberry, Tranquillo Barnetta.

 

CITY ISLANDERS FC STARTING XI

Nick Noble; Shawn McLaws, Liam Doyle, Shane Johnson; Danny DiPrima (Craig Foster 69’), Paul Wilson, Jose Barril, Bobby Warshaw ©; Aaron Wheeler, James Thomas, Matthew Bolduc (Cardel Bendow 69’)

 

Substitutes not used: Keasel Broome, Shane Campbell, Youssef Naciri, Joshua Hughes, Brett Jankouskas.

 

OFFICIALS

Sorin Stoica (referee), Ross Kleinstuber (assistant), Jaroslaw Werel (assistant),Ryan Dos Reis (fourth).

 

TEAM NOTES

• Walter Restrepo’s goal in the third minute of play was the fastest goal scored by a Union player in a U.S. Open Cup match.
• The previous record of goals in the fifth minute scored by Josue Martinez (5/29/12) and Freddy Adu (6/26/12).
• Ray Gaddis extended his lead of U.S. Open Cup minutes played (1,590), games played (15) and games started (15) by a Union player.
• Roland Alberg’s two goals were the first two of his career with the Union and his first career Open Cup goals.
• Jim Curtin’s Open Cup record moved to 9-2 with tonight’s victory.
• Philadelphia’s all-time Open Cup record is now 13-6.
• Tonight’s victory marks the fourth time in seven seasons that the Union have reached the Fifth Round or further of the U.S. Open Cup.
• The Union improved its U.S. Open Cup record over City Islanders FC to 3-0, scoring 11 goals and allowing just 5.