The U.S. Open Cup is renowned for its win-or-go-home drama, and upsets by lower-league teams that rival any from England, France and other soccer powers.
The Union weren’t interested in any of that, especially after Saturday’s red card-filled loss at Atlanta gave the team more than enough headaches. And they backed it up from the opening kickoff, blowing out the second-division Richmond Kickers 5-0 at Talen Energy Stadiumunio.
Jack Elliot opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, getting on the end of a Haris Medunjanin corner kick.
David Accam doubled the lead with a penalty kick in the 28th minute, after Richmond goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg took out a hard-charging Cory Burke.