Late Makhanya goal lifts Union into U.S. Open Cup semifinal

It took waiting out another rain delay, a pair of equalizers, a goal off a play that injured a goalkeeper and ample stoppage time to kill off but the Philadelphia Union are still alive and well in the U.S. Open Cup, advancing to the semifinal after a 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night at Subaru Park.

The Red Bulls took an early lead when Wikelman Carmona put the visitors in front in the 8th minute with a strong finish after a long ball from goalkeeper AJ Marcucci bounced over the head of defender Olwethu Makhanya and Carmona pounced on it near the top of the 18. It was a stunning opening goal that was quickly erased by the Kai-Tai connection in the 13th minute. Kai Wagner’s free kick found the feet of Tai Baribo on the play and he calmly finished for his 16th goal of the season in all competitions.

A similar thing happened when the Red Bulls again went in front with a lovely volleyed finish from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. This time it took newcomer Milan Iloski just three minutes to find an equalizer, hitting home a pass from Baribo after being left practically unmarked in the box to the left of the goal thanks to a Mikael Uhre run that cleared the space for the California native.

The Union’s first lead of the night would come after Marcucci went up to punch a Wagner corner kick and landed awkwardly on his leg, leaving the net wide open for a calm Makhana finish in the 89th minute.

It was a tough break for Marcucci, the West Chester, Pa. native who was the hero in the Red Bulls penalty shootout victory to get to the quarterfinal stage. But in a game filled with lead changes, clashes and gritty play from both teams it wasn’t the most unexpected way to conclude the first of two meetings between the two teams this week.

While the Union booked a semifinal date at Nashville on September 16, they’ll travel I-95 for the away portion of their league fixture with their rivals on Saturday night.