For a fifth season, the Union will contend for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.
Joining the country’s oldest soccer tournament (think America's version of the FA Cup or an all-division March Madness) in fourth round play, Philadelphia will take on the winner of Wednesday’s third round clash between the Harrisburg City Islanders and Baltimore Bohemians (5:30 p.m.)
Should Harrisburg, the Union’s developmental affiliate, take the victory, the Union will host the City Islanders on Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m.
A win from the Bohemians would find the Union opening fourth round play against the Bohs on Tuesday, June 10 also at 7 p.m. in a match also at PPL Park.
Ticket information will be announced at a later date, but for now here’s all you need to know about whichever club becomes the Union’s upcoming opponent .
For a more detailed look at the entire U.S. Open Cup tournament, current match-ups, history and more, visit theCup.us.
Harrisburg City Islanders
League: United Soccer Leagues, Professional Division (USL-PRO)
Head coach
: Bill Becher, ninth season
Key player(s):Morgan Langley (forward), Clesio Bauque (forward)
Of note: The official developmental affiliate of the Union this will be the second time in as many seasons the Union will play Harrisburg in as many seasons. Morgan Langley and Clesio Bauque, both recently named to the USL-Pro Team of the Week have started off the season on fire for the club...Langley, who played for the Union for part of the 2011 season, leads the club with three goals and a pair of assists in USL play. Bauque, who was with the Union during preseason has two goals...Both players are lightning fast, with Langley having better foot skills of the two. The City Islanders have gotten off to a rough start this season, fighting to emerge from the basement of the USL Pro division, but have been excellent in U.S. Open Cup play entering this match behind a 4-0 rout of the Lehigh Valley Sonic in third round play...Harrisburg also has four current members of the Union’s roster in Cristhian Hernandez, Jimmy McLaughlin and 2014 draft picks Richie Marquez and Pedro Ribeiro.
Website: http://cityislanders.com/
Baltimore Bohemians
League: United Soccer Leagues, Professional Development Division (USL-PDL)
Head coach: Santino Quaranta, third season
Key player (s):Brandon Allen (forward)
When founded: 2011; started USL-PDL play in 2012
Of note: There are Union ties all over this Baltimore club. A pair of former Union Academy players in Melvin Snoh and Cristiano Francois have played for the Bohs with Snoh donning the current roster and Francois getting acquired by D.C. United in this year’s MLS waiver draft...Baltimore is the U.S. affiliate of Ireland first division club Bohemians FC. The same Bohemians FC that won the Irish double in 2008 with former Union goalkeeper Chris Konopka on its roster...at the time of this report, Baltimore was still winless in PDL play (0-2-1, one point), but made it to third round play of the U.S. Open Cup with a 4-1 win over Icon FC…
Website: http://www.baltimorebohemians.com/
Contact Union digital editor Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
