FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution aim to take another step toward a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title on Wednesday night when they host the Philadelphia Union in the competition’s quarterfinal round.
For the third time in the past four years the Revs will take their Open Cup campaign to Boston, where they’ll host the Union at Harvard University’s Jordan Field. Limited tickets are still available, and can be purchased HERE.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the match will be streamed live on revolutionsoccer.net and U.S. Soccer’s YouTube channel, with commentary from Brad Feldman, Paul Mariner and Jessie Coffield.
Current Form: Revs set to face first MLS opposition after taking down pair of NASL sides
Bobby Shuttleworth made a pair of highlight-reel saves and the Revs put together a staunch defensive performance last weekend at Rio Tinto Stadium, where they kept their first clean sheet since mid-May in a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake.
WATCH: Revs shut out RSL to earn vital road point in Utah
Now the Revs turn their attention back to their Open Cup campaign, which they kicked off with a pair of road wins over the Carolina RailHawks and New York Cosmos, both of the North American Soccer League. Just three games away from potentially lifting a trophy, Philadelphia will be the Revolution’s first MLS opposition.
“We want to win that cup,” said Femi Hollinger-Janzen. “We have to have the right mentality; step out there, be tough and know that Philly’s a good team and they’re going to be coming at us, so we just need to be ready when we step on the field.”
While this will be the Revolution’s first home game in the competition, it’ll be the Union’s first road game after advancing past the Harrisburg City Islanders and the New York Red Bulls, both at Talen Energy Stadium.
In league play Philadelphia is coming off a determined 2-2 draw with those same Red Bulls, having erased a 2-0 halftime deficit to claim a point and remain in second place in the Eastern Conference standings.
“It shows that they’re a gritty team,” said Jordan McCrary, who’s made his first two professional appearances in this year’s Open Cup. “They work hard, they get stuck in, they fight to the last minute and that’s going to be a challenge. But we’re a tough team, too, so I think it’ll be a great competition.”
Past Meetings: Revs and Union set for rematch of 2014 Open Cup quarterfinal
This will be the second time in the past three years that the Revolution and Union meet in the Open Cup quarterfinals, having faced off at this stage of the competition in 2014. That game was played at Talen Energy Stadium, where Philly claimed a 2-0 win en route to an eventual appearance in the final.
These sides have met once already this regular season back in March, when the Union claimed a 3-0 victory in Pennsylvania despite Shuttleworth making history by saving a pair of penalty kicks.
Injury Report: Femi pushing toward full fitness; Koffie a potential option vs. Philly
Injured in the fourth-round Open Cup victory over Carolina, Femi has appeared off the bench in the Revolution’s last four league matches. Now he’s hoping for increased minutes against Philadelphia as he puts his hamstring injury firmly in the rearview mirror.
“I’m definitely feeling a lot better,” he said. “The hamstring’s feeling much stronger. I’m ready to go forward.”
Gershon Koffie is also hoping to make his long-awaited return to New England’s midfield, having missed the last nine games in all competitions with a right knee sprain.
Final Thoughts: On a big stage, McCrary says Revs need to keep emotions in check
“It’s exciting, but you have to stay level-headed,” McCrary said of the Revolution’s mentality heading into the late stages of the Open Cup. “It’s one game at a time, every game’s exciting so you have to go into it with the right mindset, stay humble and stay prepared.”
