By Dave Zeitlin and Matthew De George



CHESTER, Pa. — On Wednesday night in Houston, the Philadelphia Union will have the opportunity to capture the first trophy in franchise history when they take on the Dynamo in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup final.



But the Union have had other chances to win a title, the first coming four years ago when, against all odds, they rallied around an interim coach, had a slew of wild Open Cup wins and hosted the final of the historic tournament in front of what many agree was their most raucous home crowd ever.



Here’s a detailed look back at the Union’s 2014 U.S. Open Cup run — and what it meant for a young franchise still trying to find its way — through the eyes of the players, coaches and fans who experienced it.



‘A BREATH OF FRESH AIR’



After a promising 2013 season in which several young players had breakout years, the Union bolstered the team in the offseason...