CHESTER, Pa. – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s run in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup came to an end on Wednesday night as the Philadelphia Union took a 4-1 victory in the Round of 16 clash at Subaru Park behind a goal and assist from Bruno Damiani despite a brilliant second-half strike by Jorge Garcia for the visitors.

The Union took the lead in the 14th minute as Damiani converted from the penalty spot, and while the Hounds moved into the game more confidently after falling behind they conceded again in first half stoppage time as Indiana Vassilev struck after a good piece of interplay by brothers Cavan Sullivan and Quinn Sullivan.

The Union added a third nine minutes into the second half via Danley Jean Jacques before Garcia pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute, but that was as close as the Hounds would get before Jovan Lukić added a fourth goal late for the hosts.

Here are three things we took away from the contest.

1. The Hounds’ Set Pieces Didn’t Meet the Mark

As important as set pieces have become in soccer at all levels, they’re almost essential for underdogs as they look to spring surprises in tournaments like the U.S. Open Cup. Pittsburgh was the beneficiary of that in its victory against New York City FC in the prior round when Beto Ydrach’s late header sent them through off a corner.

On Wednesday night against the Union, the Hounds were unable to replicate that success. While the side was able to earn some set pieces in dangerous positions and three corner kicks, it was unable to connect with any as the Union’s defense led by captain Jakob Glesnes, who ended the night with six headed clearances out of 10 overall, held them to half-chances after an initial clearance had been made. That was a theme throughout the night as the Hounds connected on only 3 of 15 crosses overall, two of which resulted in an effort on goal as they attempted to rally, but too late to put the Union under serious pressure.

2. The Union Scored at the Ideal Moments

As we’ve noted previously, giving up the opening goal was always going to make the Hounds’ task that much harder against their top-flight foe, but from the Union’s side the goals they delivered couldn’t have arrived at better moments in the flow of the game. Picking up the lead inside the opening 15 minutes from Bruno Damiani’s penalty kick after an unfortunate handball by the Hounds’ Guillerme Vacter was ideal and set up the rest of the first half.

While Pittsburgh came into the game more – and held more possession and territory after going behind – they also had to be excellent defensively as the Union tried to break out. The visitors were, until the first minute of stoppage time before the break, when Indiana Vassilev doubled the lead on the Union’s second shot of the night. Going to the dressing room facing a two-goal deficit instead of a solitary goal to make up was a backbreaker for the Hounds, and for good measure the Union put the game to bed nine minutes into the second half on a lovely move finished off by Danley Jean Jacques. The goals mattered, but the timing of each was about as devastating as it could get.

3. Have a Night, Jorge Garcia

If the Hounds were going to bow out of the U.S. Open Cup, at least they did so while leaving a final breathtaking moment for everyone to enjoy. Jorge Garcia’s finish in the 63rd minute wasn’t his first professional goal – that came in April against Loudoun United – but it’ll be one the first-year pro and former Villanova standout will remember forever as he returned to Philadelphia.

Picking up possession on the left side, Garcia’s sweeping right-footed finish from just outside the angle at the top-left corner of the penalty area into the far corner of the net was the goal of the night and gave the hardy Steel Army members that made the trip across the state for a game marked by torrential rain something to cheer for. Pittsburgh might not have delivered the result it was hoping for in its first meeting with the Union, but it at least left with a strike to remember.

Scoring Summary
PHI – Bruno Damiani (Penalty Kick) 14’
PHI – Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan) 45+1’
PHI – Danley Jean Jacques (Bruno Damiani) 54’
PIT – Jorge Garcia (Augustine Williams) 63’
PHI – Jovan Lukić 86’