Union dominate Riverhounds in Keystone Derby to reach U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals

A cold and rainy Subaru Park played host to the inaugural Keystone Derby on Wednesday night, as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds made the cross-state trip to face their in-state counterparts, the Philadelphia Union, in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16.

While the weather was dreary, the Union were anything but, putting four past the Riverhounds to eliminate the final remaining USL Championship side from the competition.

The Boys in Blue took control early. A set piece from distance led to a penalty after Pittsburgh defender Roberto Ydrach was whistled for a handball inside the box. Bruno Damiani stepped up and calmly buried the spot kick in the 14th minute, giving the Union a 1-0 lead.

The opener was followed by spells of possession from both sides, but the Union controlled 60% of the play in the first half. Though both teams recorded two shots on target, it was Philadelphia who capitalized. In first-half stoppage time, a slick combination between the Sullivan brothers ended at the feet of Indiana Vassilev, who slotted home his second goal for the Union to double the lead heading into the break.

“Getting the second goal before the half was massive,” Union head coach Bradley Carnell said post-match. “We knew from our last time out against Indy that these games are not walkovers.”

Carnell’s side came out strong again in the second half. Sustained pressure in the opening 10 minutes paid off when Damiani turned provider, finding Danley Jean Jacques for the Union’s third goal. Damiani finished the night with a goal and an assist, creating two chances that led to goals, completing 61% of his passes, and winning 57% of his aerial duels.

Pittsburgh, however, didn’t go quietly. The Riverhounds found a spark in the 63rd minute when 23-year-old Jorge Garcia, a recent Villanova alum, launched a curling strike from distance into the far corner, pulling one back for the visitors and cutting the deficit to two.

What appeared to be a potential shift in momentum was quickly extinguished, as the Union’s pressing game lulled the match back under their control. The final blow came in the 87th minute when Jovan Lukic created a turnover deep in Pittsburgh territory, drove into the box, and coolly tucked away the fourth and final goal into the far corner.

With the victory, the Union advance to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals for the tenth time in club history. Carnell praised his team’s recent performances, citing their flexibility and effort in a challenging stretch, saying, “It’s important for us to stay on the gas… The more mistakes we create, the more chances we make.”

While adaptability has been the theme, the Union remain perfect in May. The club is 5-0-0 in one of the busiest stretches of its season, winning each match in a different way. But the short weeks keep coming, and another test awaits on Saturday, as a struggling Inter Miami side heads to Chester to take on the Eastern Conference leaders.