Post Game Reaction: Sporting KC Eliminate Union From USOC

[In the future, I'm going to try to write and post these reactions right after games. The PGR will be a supplement to recaps. This kind of post is part of a "rebirth" for the Brotherly Game that I've pondered lately, something I think is necessary for both myself and the site. Enjoy. - Scott, Mg Ed]

A header and then a long range attempt, resulting in a goal. A goal was necessary to allow the Philadelphia Union to continue on in their quest to win the third year franchise's first ever trophy.

A man, in orange, strode forward to prevent an onrushing opponent, in sky blue, from having an easy breakaway to score. After deciding on an action, the man in orange headed the ball away from his opponent, thinking briefly that he had protected his net.

The ball floated in the air for a moment, before another man in sky blue ran onto the now dropping header. This time, the man in orange had little he could do but watch as the the ball, struck by the pony tailed man in blue, went toward his net.

One shot, one goal. A crippling goal.

With that, the Union were all but officially eliminated by Sporting Kansas City. A minute or so later, the referee's whistle killed off any hopes of a last minute comeback.

It was a tough game due to the referee's decision to administer justice in terms of only the roughest challenges. An abundance of fouls were called in the second half, and yellow cards brandished, but only after a rather waved on first half.

Not much offense was registered by Philadelphia along the way and the defense, led by exceptional play from Amobi Okugo.

Deflating could be said of the loss for the Union, as the locker room was "terse" and the players "upset and angry" at the 2-0 scoreline, according to beat writers (Kevin Kinkead and Chris Vito respectively) after the game.

A semifinal finish for the Union in their third USOC will eventually be rememered as an achievement, but for the current Philadelphia squad it won't be enough.

"Unfortunately we didn't give the fans and organization what we were trying to do," Okugo said to Dave Zeitlin of MLSsoccer.com and CSNPhilly.com. "We'll look to give the home fans [on Saturday] a game for them to forget this Open Cup loss."

More to come from the Brotherly Game in a recap tomorrow morning.