Philadelphia Union finished their Leagues Cup campaign with a shootout loss to Colorado Rapids at Subaru Park on Sunday evening. The Boys in Blue will resume Major League Soccer regular season play on Wednesday at home against Columbus Crew.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Philadelphia Union welcomed Tai Baribo back to the lineup on Sunday afternoon after he had missed the semifinals due to suspension. The 26-year-old Israeli striker picked up two yellow cards in the quarterfinals against Mazatlán, but he was back in the starting group for the Third-Place Match against Colorado Rapids. Alongside him up top was Mikael Uhre, who had been paired with Quinn Sullivan in the 4-4-2 diamond formation for the semifinals in Baribo's absence. The homegrown moved back to midfield alongisde Daniel Gazdag, Leon Flach, and Jesús Bueno for Sunday's matinee, while on defense, Olivier Mbaizo replaced Nate Harriel as the starter. He lined up opposite Kai Wagner while Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes were paired at centerback as usual.
Goals
Calvin Harris 38' | In the 38th minute, Colorado Rapids claimed the first lead of the match with a goal scored by 24-year-old midfielder Calvin Harris. Rafael Navarro caught Jack Elliott 2v1, passing ahead to Harris who powered the ball past Blake for a 1-0 advantage.
Tai Baribo 41' | Colorado Rapids didn't hold their lead for long, as Philadelphia Union responded with an energizing equalizer within three minutes of the Rapids' opening goal. Kai Wagner headed a pass into the box, where Baribo was positioned to send a header of his own to the back of the net past Coatesville, Pennsylvania-born goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Tai Baribo 44' | Baribo bagged his third brace of Leagues Cup in the 44th minute, giving Philadelphia Union their first lead of the match with a close range rebound shot. The play started with a strong strike from Quinn Sullivan from distance -- when the ball riccocheted against the left post, Wagner tracked it down for a shot, but Abubakar Lalas got a foot on it. Baribo regained possession quickly, placing it for a 2-1 lead before halftime.
Oliver Larraz 49' | Colorado Rapids tied the score four minutes into the second half when 22-year-old Oliver Larraz ran onto a soaring ball for powerful shot from the left side of the box. His blast caught Andre Blake off-kilter for a 2-2 scoreline.
Shootout showdown | Leagues Cup third place honors were decided by penalty kicks after play finished locked at 2-2. Even though Andre Blake made one save in the shootout, three of the four Union players to step up to the spot were unable to hit the back of the net, and Colorado Rapids claimed the victory. With the win, the Western Conference visitors earned a spot in Concacaf Champions Cup next year.
