Union reach Open Cup semifinals

CHESTER » It was the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, not the World Cup.

It was 19-year-old center back Auston Trusty, the proud product of Penncrest High, solidifying the back end of the Philadelphia Union defense to preserve a 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Orlando City SC, marking the Union’s seventh shutout of the season across all competition.

Pardon the flashback to the other cup where Kylian Mbappe, also 19, joined Pele as just the second teenager to score a goal in a World Cup final, the rising star sparking France to a 4-2 triumph over Croatia.

Trusty not only watched the game, he played it in his head, over and over and over again.

“Amazing and inspiring,” Trusty said Wednesday night at Talen Energy Stadium. “Him being 19, even though he’s technically competition, I’m still rooting for him. When people see him succeed they think that we can succeed as well, in this age group.”

Trusty, who turns 20 in 3 ½ weeks, is living the dream. Each game seems to be another step forward for the 6-3 defender who turned down a soccer scholarship to North Carolina to pursue his dream. Union coach Jim Curtin has played enough center back to realize it’s no longer a dream for Trusty, who has drawn interest from European suitors.

“He has the ability to take this thing as far as he wants,” Curtin said. “Earnie (Stewart) and I talk about it all the time. He has the pedigree to play in Europe. I want him here. But he has the potential to be a player at the highest level. And it’s been fun to watch his growth this year and his partnership with Mark McKenzie.”

Trusty and fellow defender McKenzie were next to impenetrable against Orlando City. Curtin praised both for playing “beyond their years.”

It’s tough for Curtin not to live vicariously through Trusty, who dominates headers, and has the feet and quickness to stay with strikers.

The back end of the defense has been a bright spot this season for the Union (7-9-3), which opposes the Chicago Fire in the semifinals of the Open Cup at a site and time to be determined. Chicago defeated Louisville City, 4-0 Wednesday.

The Union offense still is learning to finish. Alejandro Bedoya scored in the third minute Wednesday in front of a crowd of 7,176 with a first-time push from a head ball. Other, equally good opportunities went for naught.