CHESTER, Pa. – If this was an audition for the US Open Cup final, the Philadelphia Union passed with flying colors.
Playing their first-choice lineup that will likely be the one that takes the field for the USOC final in 10 days, the Union rode goals from Tranquillo Barnetta and C.J. Sapong to a convincing 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night at PPL Park.
John McCarthy made five saves to earn the shutout for the Union (9-15-6), who remain out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture and figure to rest some starters for their next league game to prepare for the Open Cup.
Captain Maurice Edu, who missed the previous six league matches with a groin injury, returned to center back to anchor the backline to the shutout and help Philly beat Houston for the first time in their last seven meetings.
Tyler Deric made five saves in a losing effort for the Dynamo (9-12-8), who remain in ninth place in the Western Conference, six points out of the playoff picture.
The Union surged to an early lead when summer signing Barnetta scored his first MLS goal, putting a great first touch by Houston’s A.J. Cochran in the box before beating goalkeeper Deric from point-blank range in the third minute.
The play originated when Cristian Maidana, back from a two-game suspension, played a ball down the line to Sebastien Le Toux, who slid a cross over to Barnetta.
The assist was Le Toux’s 50th of his MLS career as the Frenchman became the 16th member of the league’s 50 goal-50 assist club.
Philly doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Sapong banged home a Fabinho cross for his ninth goal of the season, matching his career high. Fabinho got free to make the cross after an effective one-two with Barnetta near the left corner.
Two minutes later, Barnetta nearly continued his huge night with his second goal of the game but blasted an open shot high on a feed from Le Toux.
Houston’s best chance came in the 36th minute when David Horst’s header went off the post and McCarthy scrambled to bat away the rebound.
In the 85th minute, Ricardo Clark ran onto a tantalizing ball but blasted a good look high and wide as the Houston dropped their second straight game by two goals.
The Dynamo have a quick turnaround with a home game against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday (8:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE), while the Union hit the road to face the New England Revolution on Saturday (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
