Zack Steffen shootout heroics end Philadelphia Union Leagues Cup run in disappointment

It wasn’t a final this time, but the Philadelphia Union came up short again thanks to the penalty shootout heroics of a goalkeeper who grew up in the area.

This time it was the third place game of the Leagues Cup, which would’ve secured a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup and it was former FC Delco goalkeeper Zack Steffen standing between the Union and the prize.

Steffen, who won a Generation adidas Cup final for a Union U17 in a penalty shootout, made a pair of saves in the shootout to lead the Colorado Rapids to a 3-1 shootout win after the Rapids and the Union played to a 2-2 draw through 90 minutes. Tai Baribo added two more goals to his Leagues Cup tally to finish with 7 in the competition. His first leveled the score in the 41st minute and he put them in front three minutes later but Oliver Larraz responded with an equalizer for the visitors in the 49th minute.

The Union finish their Leagues Cup campaign with 3 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss but ultimately came up empty after finishing third in 2023 and earning passage to the Champions Cup. Now they will need to make the playoffs and go on a deep postseason run to make their way back to international play prior to the 2025 edition of the Leagues Cup.

Columbus Crew, who were the lone team to defeat the Union in the competition, won the final 3-1 over LAFC. LAFC defeated the Union in penalties in the 2022 MLS Cup final with Philadelphia native John McCarthy in net.