Amid a season of struggles, departures, and the subtle identity changes that come with trying to forge a winning culture, the Philadelphia Union have one thing this season the Portland Timbers would have wanted: a place in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
Jim Curtin’s team earned that place thanks to wins over the Richmond Kickers of the USL, New York Red Bulls and Orlando City SC – a run that’s seen the Union put up eight goals while only conceding once in the annual knockout competition. Now, ahead of their final-four meeting with the Chicago Fire on Wednesday, Philadelphia is two games – the first of which will be at home – from claiming the first major honor in club history.