2014 US Open Cup Final Preview: Philadelphia Union’s Biggest Game Yet
By Phil Naegely
Jun 29, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union fans known as the
On Tuesday, September 16 the Philadelphia Union will host the Seattle Sounders in the 2014 US Open Cup Final. It’s the Union’s first trip to the final, while Seattle has won three finals and will appear in their fifth Open Cup final. In the club’s fifth year of existence, this is the team’s biggest game yet.
““I think we have the best fans in the league, I think they deserve a trophy, and I think they’re excited.” – Philadelphia Union interim manager Jim Curtin.
Philadelphia is playing confident and found success on the pitch recently. In their last 14 league games, they’ve only lost twice. Both those losses game in Texas against the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas. Seattle is arguably the best team in the league and has been on a hot streak themselves winning their last four games in MLS play.
The game will feature to high quality offenses that also have solid defenses. Philadelphia tends to have a deeper defense depth wise and fresh legs after resting some of their starting defenders like Sheanon Williams and Carlos Valdes last Saturday. The roster gamble by interim team manager Jim Curtin paid off as they tied 2-2 against the New York Red Bulls and now have more rested legs.
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Neither manager reported any injury, so both team’s will be 100% come Tuesday. This will only add to the physicality, skill, and play on the pitch. Both Kenny Cooper and Sebastien Le Toux are familiar with the US Open Cup play. Le Toux is the modern Open Cup era leading scorer and Cooper is second on that list. However, Le Toux cares more about his team winning than him being the leading scorer in the modern era.
"“The fact that we are both leading scorers, it’s a nice thing but it’s not what we want. We are looking both at the trophy right now and we want to get it no matter what. At the end we are going to be I think happy for the one to win but very disappointed if we don’t get it. I’m just looking at [the trophy] and hope that we are going to raise it tomorrow, and I’m sure that he wants the same.”"
Sounders forward Kenny Cooper shared similar sentiments.
"“Yeah, it’s the same sentiments. I think both of us would rather lift that trophy than be the leading goalscorer. Seba’s been doing great this year. I consider him a friend, we go back a long time — to birth. No, we met each other a long time ago in Dallas and had the opportunity to play with each other in New York a couple of years ago. He’s a great guy and a great player, and I’m happy for his success and for the great form that he’s in right now. But, again, I think both of us would rather lift that trophy than be the leading goalscorer in the competition.”"
Curtin grew up in the Philadelphia area and understands how Philadelphia sports fans feel. He’s one of them too and realizes the high and lows that comes with being a fan of any sports team.
"“I’ve been through the highs and lows, the runs of emotion with a Philadelphia sports team, what it means to be a Flyers, a Sixers, a Phillies, and an Eagles fan. We have our own unique fan base and they’re hungry.You know, it’s something that means a lot to me. Being from this city, to do it here would be special. It’s different than as a player. I’ve won this competition twice as a player and I lost it once as a player. But as a coach, it carries a little more weight.”"
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Emotions will be running high inside PPL Park tomorrow as the Union look to win their first ever trophy and championship. This game is destined to be an instant classic, but there’s a reason every game is played. Don’t be surprised if this game goes to extra time or even penalty kicks.
Philadelphia has one big advantage. The majority of the stadium will be filled with their own raucous, loud, and passionate fans. Seattle has a few hundred fans making the trip as well. Either way the fans – Philadelphia and Seattle – will be heard tomorrow. One team will end the victors and one team will end as runner-ups.
"“I think we have the best fans in the league, I think they deserve a trophy, and I think they’re excited,” Curtin said at Monday’s press conference. “I think they’ll all be out here in waves tomorrow and pushing us on.”"