The scoreboard read 2-0 to the visitors on both U.S. Open Cup game nights this week locally but both games really were wins for Philly Soccer as West Chester United and Vereinigung Erzgebirge both held their own against pro sides with strong fan support cheering them on.

In the email today:

1. 🏆 U.S. Open Cup Shows Its Worth

Green smoke in Langhorne and Philadelphia Union fans chanting United in King of Prussia set the stage for two unforgettable nights of local soccer on a national stage this week in the first round of the 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Neither West Chester United or Vereinigung Erzgebirge was able to spring a cupset but both programs - rivals in the United Soccer League of PA and frequent opponents in state cup play - represented themselves, their clubs and local soccer with pride and professionalism.

Whether it was lovely combo play in the final third from West Chester, former Union striker Antoine Hoppenot reminding fans how good he is at getting under opponents’ skin on the field or the tireless efforts of the organizers putting together what was essentially the soccer equivalent of a 500 guest wedding in a matter of days there was so much to appreciate.

For all of the disrespect MLS and its apologists have shown to the tournament, it showed its worth here in the Philadelphia area and across the country (as my friend Joe Lister would say, ‘Up the Green’”) with two nights of unpredictable variety of how the sport can be played and organized across and within markets too often overlooked and underappreciated.

The worst part of it all is that Philadelphia’s participation ended when the full time whistle blew at Cairn University last night but it also marked the end of a week that felt like a breakthrough of sorts in the grassroots game here. From the Bridge Brigade debuting at Subaru Park for Union II’s win over Toronto to the two U.S. Open Cup games, there’s culture-building happening all around us as young kids pick up flags like they did last night, join in with the Bridge Brigade in section 104 and walk players out onto the field at YSC Sports on a Tuesday night.

While the corporate side of soccer is plotting a myriad of ways to make money and increase its self-serving influence on the game, the grassroots is continuing to show what actually makes the sport the beautiful game. I’m so here for it.

2. 🔀 Portland Lineup Shuffle

Playing over an international break is never ideal but with the addition of Olympic Team camp taking Jack McGlynn and Nathan Harriel, Jim Curtin’s cupboard is pretty empty heading into Saturday night’s game all the way in Portland, Oregon.

To say nothing about what Marlon LeBlanc has to work with back at Suburu Park on Sunday afternoon.

Every lineup you try to come up with off the top of your head this week has likely fallen into the same trap my own have: “he’s way on international duty too.”

One thing we know about Jim Curtin is that he doesn’t like to make a lot of changes to his lineups but his hand will be somewhat forced. How he ends up lining up in a game that few would expect three points from will be something to watch.

No Blake. No Lowe. No Harriel. No McGlynn. No Martinez. No Gazdag. No Bueno. No Baribo. No problem?

3. 🪧 Tweet of the Day: Missing Players

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Portland Hero

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Andre Blake and Damion Lowe are out of the Concacaf Nations League after falling to the USMNT in extra time. Former Union forward Cory Burke had an own goal in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time to send the game to extra time.

• Penn Fusion and Episcopal Academy alum Morgan Messner has signed on with NWSL team San Diego Wave FC for the 2024 season. Messner played three years at Boston University before spending her last two years of college soccer as a grad transfer at Penn State.

• Local youth club Montgomery United has launched a new program called Apex aiming to grow their development pathway to higher level soccer.

Visit the MLSStore to shop for Union gear.

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