Cinnaminson Resident Helps Lead Union to U.S. Open Cup Victory

Cinnaminson resident John McCarthy stopped three out of four penalty kicks to help the Philadelphia Union survive an upset bid from the Rochester Rhinos in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup soccer tournament on Tuesday, according to mlssoccer.com.

The Union and the Rhinos – McCarthy’s former team – battled to a scoreless draw in regulation, aided by big saves from McCarthy in the 34th and 83rd minutes, according to the report.

Maurice Edu,Vincent Nogueira and Cristian Maidana connected on their penalty kicks to send the Union to the next round of the national competition, according to the report.

It was McCarthy’s fifth start of the year for the Union, and his first shutout.

He signed with his home town’s professional soccer team in February after playing with the Rhinos last season. He was the United Soccer League’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Rookie of the Year as a Rhino.

The U.S. Open Cup is a tournament open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the country. The Union advanced to last year’s final before falling to Seattle.

There were a total of 91 teams in this year’s tournament. There are 17 Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in the tournament, including the Union. The MLS teams began play in the fourth round on Tuesday. The fourth round concludes Wednesday.

For full results from Tuesday night, click here.

The Union will learn who their fifth round opponent is on Thursday.