Game Notes

2016 U.S. Open Cup PHILADELPHIA UNION new york red bulls RD of 16 Wednesday, June 29, 2016 | Talen Energy Stadium | 7 p.m. EST Match preview Philadelphia Union switch over to 2016 U.S. Open Cup play in a Round of 16 matchup against New York Red Bulls at Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday, June 29. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. EST and will be livestreamed on PhiladelphiaUnion.com. Philadelphia reached the Round of 16 after defeating City Islanders FC, 3-2, in the Fourth Round of competition. The Union held a 2-0 advantage at the break, but the Isles stormed back late, scoring in the 79th minute and again in the 91st. Roland Alberg netted two goals for the Union, the first two of his career, including the game-winning free kick in stoppage time to give Philadelphia the 3-2 win. The victory over City Islanders FC was the start of an up-anddown rollercoaster of results for the Union, who have since lost two of three in MLS play. Philadelphia had not allowed three goals in any of its first 15 matches in all competitions this season, but has allowed three goals in each of the last three games. A bright spot for the Union, though, has been the sudden emergence of goal-scorer Alberg. Alberg has scored in all four matches since the team’s return from the Copa America break, including a hat-trick in MLS play against Chicago on Wednesday, June 22. He’s bagged seven goals in his last four games in all competitions and has five over the last three MLS fixtures. The Union remain atop the Eastern Conference in MLS play with a 7-5-5 record (26 points), while New York is in the third position with a 7-8-2 record (23 points). Red Bulls enter the match against the Union after winning on the road against Rochester Rhinos, 1-0 on June 15. Sacha Klejstan converted a penalty kick for NYRB in the 20th minute and New York’s defense limited the Rhinos to just one shot on goal. New York’s attack is led by the ever-dangerous Bradley Wright-Phillips, who has nine goals to his name in 2016. Mike Grella follows Wright-Phillips’ efforts with six goals and three assists, while Klejstan has recorded a league-best 10 assists. round of 16 matches DATE MATCHUP 6/28 Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew 6/28 Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders New York Cosmos vs New England Revolution Orlando City SC vs Fort Lauderdale Strikers Houston Dynamo vs Sporting Kansas City FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy 6/29 6/29 6/29 6/29 6/29 7/20 Quarterfinal matches played 8/10 Semifinal matches played 9/21 2016 U.S. Open Cup Final Bridgeview, IL/Columbus, OH Orlando City Columbus Ft. Lauderdale Kansas City Dallas Colorado Portland, OR/Carson, CA NY Cosmos Philadelphia Portland Real Salt Lake New England NY Red Bulls LA Galaxy Seattle EXPECTED STARTING LINEUP Herbers Pontius Le Toux Barnetta Carroll Creavalle Gaddis Rosenberry Marquez Tribbett Blake INJURY REPORT Broadcast Info Out: Maurice Edu -- left tibia stress fracture Questionable: C.J. Sapong -- right ankle sprain 1 Houston Queens, NY/Foxborough, MA In Open Cup play, the Union and Red Bulls are familiar foes. Philadelphia’s first Open Cup match in team history was a loss to New York, 2-1, back on April 10, 2010. The only other Open Cup meeting was a quarterfinal matchup in last year’s competition, which the Union won 1-1 (4-3 PK) in Harrison, N.J. The Round of 16 winner will move on to face the winner between New York Cosmos (NASL) and New England Revolution (MLS) in a Open Cup quarterfinal match that is to be played on Wednesday, July 20. The Union have reached the quarterfinals in three of the last four U.S. Open Cups, including the finals in 2014 and 2015. Houston, TX/Kansas City, KS Chicago Livestream: PhiladelphiaUnion.com Play-by-Play: Dave Leno Analyst: Jeff Cook Kickoff: 7 p.m. EST