Philadelphia Union's Tranquillo Barnetta (Photo : Reuters)
The 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to the semifinals and one of the matches of the round is between MLS clubs Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire. Their encounter will be held at the PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, August 12, wherein the winner will advance in the final of the United States' oldest ongoing soccer competition.
Philadelphia barged into the semis after edging out the New York Red Bulls in the quarterfinals, 1-1 (4-3). Jim Curtin's boys survived an 80-minute one-man down disadvantage to force the match into a penalty shootout and eventually win over the Bulls, as per NJ Advance Media.
The U actually scored the first goal despite the 40-minute mark setback, via a goal from midfielder Eric Ayuk in the 55th, and had the chance to win the game outright. However, New York midfielder Lloyd Sam leveled the count at 1-all barely a few seconds away from the final whistle to push the shootout.
Chicago won their quarterfinal affair with a rout over Orlando City SC, 3-1, as reported by the MLS official website.
A couple of late goals from backup striker Kennedy Igboananike broke the game wide open after it was tied at 1-all with a goal from Lions' forward Cyle Larin in the 56th-minute mark.
Prediction: Both teams are struggling in the current regular season and they will be eager to slug each other out in the Open Cup. The game will end at 1-1 after regulation time and will be decided by a penalty shootout. Frank Yallop's Men in Red will prevail.
Philadelphia Union starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): McCarthy; Fabinho, Marquez, Vitória, Gaddis; Carroll, Lahoud; Le Toux, Barnetta, Maidana; Sapong
Chicago Fire starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Johnson; Jones, Larentowicz, Gehrig, Palmer; Maloney, Cocis, Polster, Shipp; Accam, Johnson
