Amanda Young Curtis Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications | Official Website
Amanda Young Curtis Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications | Official Website
Philadelphia Union concluded 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.
Philadelphia Union welcomed Tai Baribo back to the lineup after he missed the semifinals due to suspension. The 26-year-old Israeli striker picked up two yellow cards in the quarterfinals against Mazatlán but was back in the starting group for the Third-Place Match against Colorado Rapids. Alongside him was Mikael Uhre, who had been paired with Quinn Sullivan in the 4-4-2 diamond formation for the semifinals in Baribo's absence. Sullivan moved back to midfield alongside Daniel Gazdag, Leon Flach, and Jesús Bueno, while Olivier Mbaizo replaced Nate Harriel as the starter on defense. Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes were paired at centerback as usual.
In the 38th minute, Colorado Rapids claimed the first lead of the match with a goal scored by midfielder Calvin Harris. Rafael Navarro caught Jack Elliott 2v1, passing ahead to Harris who powered the ball past Blake for a 1-0 advantage.
Philadelphia Union responded within three minutes with an equalizer from Tai Baribo. Kai Wagner headed a pass into the box where Baribo sent a header past goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Baribo secured 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 after Quinn Sullivan's strike ricocheted off the left post.
Colorado Rapids tied the score four minutes into the second half when Oliver Larraz ran onto a soaring ball for a powerful shot from the left side of the box, catching Andre Blake off-kilter for a 2-2 scoreline.
The match was decided by penalty kicks after regulation time ended at 2-2. Despite Andre Blake making one save in the shootout, three of four Union players failed to score from their spot kicks, allowing Colorado Rapids to claim victory and secure a spot in next year's Concacaf Champions Cup.
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