Philadelphia Union 3, Chicago Fire 0 | 2018 US Open Cup Match Recap

A brace by forward Cory Burke fired the Philadelphia Union into their third U.S. Open Cup final in five years, as they defeated the Chicago Fire 3-0 at Talen Energy Stadium in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

After a hectic but fruitless first half for both teams, Philadelphia found the breakthrough just before the hour mark, as Burke received a ball from Alejandro Bedoya and eluded Chicago goalkeeper Richard Sanchez’s charge to bury his shot. He found a second tally 18 minutes later, before substitute CJ Sapong put the exclamation mark on the game with a tally from short range.

The Union will face the winner of the Houston Dynamo-LAFC semifinal on September 26 in the USOC final in either Houston or Los Angeles.

Goals

• 59' – PHI – Cory Burke | WATCH
• 77' – PHI – Cory Burke | WATCH
• 86' – PHI – CJ Sapong | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: The Union of course are the happier side here, and will be hoping the third time is the charm in the U.S. Open Cup, having fallen short in their previous two trips to the final. For Chicago, this result has to be devastating, as their league campaign has completely sputtered.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Burke's first goal was absolutely the turning point in the game, and a well-worked goal, too.

MAN OF THE MATCH: It's an obvious choice, but Burke's brace could go down in Union lore, and the Jamaican seems likely to continue getting playing time after a performance like this.

Next Up

• PHI: Saturday, August 11 at New England Revolution (7:30 pm ET |  Full TV & Streaming Info)
• CHI: Saturday, July 28 vs. New York Red Bulls (8:30 pm ET |  Full TV & Streaming Info)

Lineups