USOC: Revs Eliminated by Union in Stormy Q’final

Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz

An early Conor Casey goal was all the Philadelphia Union needed to eliminate the New England Revolution from U.S. Open Cup play following a 2-0 quarterfinal win on Tuesday at PPL Park.

Casey scored in the ninth minute, while longtime Revolution antagonist Sebastien Le Toux secured an insurance strike in the 47th minute. Play was halted for 64 minutes in the second half after a dangerous line of thunderstorms passed through Chester, Pa.  Zac MacMath kept the sheet clean to send the Union to the Open Cup semifinals, where they’ll play FC Dallas on Aug. 13.

The loss eliminated the Revolution from the tournament semifinals for the second straight year. Last summer, eventual champion D.C. United bounced the Revolution after staking a 3-1 semifinal win at Maryland SoccerPlex on Jun. 26.

Eleven days after the Union handed the Revolution a 3-1 home loss, the victors picked up right where they left off at Gillette Stadium on Jun. 28. Inside of nine minutes, Sheanon Williams sent a long ball forward for Casey, who slid it through to put the hosts on top early.

The Revolution attempted to file a response before the break, and nearly did just that when Saer Sene hit the post in the 38th minute.

But the thought of leveling the match became a tougher proposition two minutes after the interval. Le Toux sent a free kick on frame that slipped through the grasp of Brad Knighton to make it a two-goal gap.

Diego Fagundez, who came on at halftime, tested MacMath in the 53rd minute, but the Union keeper made a quick kick save to deny him.

Heavy storms rolled into the area just after the hour, and the match was halted as players, coaches and spectators alike were asked to seek shelter from the lightning.

Play resumed just over an hour later, but the Revolution couldn’t find the back of the net before it was all said and done. Before it was over, though, A.J Soares was issued a second caution in stoppage time, leaving the Revolution with 10 men at the final whistle.