Wednesday night, and for the first time since 2018, the Philadelphia Union are set to host a US Open Cup match in front of their home fans down in Chester, PA.
”As a player, I’ve been on the winning end of big cup competitions, so I know what it means; trophies, silverware. Especially the way the format is set up this year – I think it’s 4 games to a final – and that’s our full focus for tomorrow. We’re going to come out flying” – Head Coach Bradley Carnell on the US Open Cup
The Union enter the 2025 edition of the United State’s oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the competition’s 4th round, and will face off against USL’s Indy Eleven in a mid-week cup clash.
Just 4 wins separate both teams from the Championship game and playing for the opportunity at their first US Open Cup title.
”We want to win the next game and whether that’s 3 points on the line or progression through a round of a cup competition, we have a group that’s hungry, we have a dynamic and a motivated group that’s eager, hungry, willing, and excited about the new challenges.” – Head Coach Bradley Carnell
How to watch Union vs Indy Eleven
When: Wednesday, May 7th @ 7:30 pm
Where: Subaru Park – Chester, PA
Where to Watch: Paramount+
Philadelphia Union vs Indy Eleven Betting Odds
Philadelphia Union: -295
Indy Eleven: +650
Draw: +400
Preview By The Numbers
| Current Form – Last 5 Games | Philadelphia Union (MLS): D, L, W, W, W | Indy Eleven (USL) : D, W, L, W, D |
| Expected Goals Per Match: | Philadelphia Union: 1.68xG per 90 minutes (6th in MLS) | Indy Eleven: 1.64xG (2nd best in USL) |
| Total Goals Scored: | Philadelphia Union: 21 goals scored (T-3rd in MLS) | Indy Eleven: 11 goals scored (5th in USL) |
| Expected Conceded Goals Per Match: | Philadelphia Union: 1.28 xGA per 90 minutes (3rd in MLS) | Indy Eleven: 1.44 xGA per 90 minutes (18th in USL) |
| Goals Conceded: | Philadelphia Union: 10 goals conceded (T-3rd in MLS) | Indy Eleven: 12 goals conceded (T-8th in USL) |
| Top Goal-Scorers: | Philadelphia Union: –Baribo: 7 –Lukić, Damiani, Danley, Uhre: 2 –Sullivan, Glesnes, Vassilev, Glavinovich: 1 | Indy Eleven: Amoh – 3 Quinn – 2 Rendon, Pizza, Foster, Hogan, Blake – 1 |
| Top Assists Leaders: | Philadelphia Union: Sullivan – 6 Wagner – 4 Westfield – 3 | Indy Eleven: Quinn, Kizza, Blake, Musa, Foster – 1 |
Union’s US Open Cup History
Union’s involvement in this year’s US Open Cup is their first since 2023 after electing not to participate in the country’s longest running soccer tournament last season due to the month-long Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX sides.
The Union will enter into the competition’s 4th Round, the same round they’ve ended each of their last 3 US Open Cup campaigns (2023 vs Minnesota, 2022 vs Orlando, and 2019 vs DC United). On two occasions the Union have reached the Round of 16 of the US Open cup (2017, 2013), and have made the Quarterfinals (2016) and Semifinals (2012) once each.
And of course, long time Union fans will need no reminder that the Blue and Gold have reached the competition’s Final and lost not once, not twice, but THREE times (2018, 2015, 2014) in their club’s history, with 2 of those losses taking place in their home stadium (2015, 2014).
Indy Eleven’s US Open Cup History
”We know Indy is a dangerous team with set pieces, they have some physicality, they have some speed and strength, we’re going to have to be on high alert” – Bradley Carnell on facing Indy Eleven
In their short history as a club, some of Indy Eleven’s biggest moments have come in the US Open Cup. In the club’s inaugural season, Indy Eleven drew Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew in the competitions 4th Round, losing by a score of just 2-1.
In 2016, Indy Eleven made it to the 4th round once again, where they lost to MLS side Chicago Fire on penalty kicks. In 2023, Indy Eleven got their chance against Columbus again, but an 83rd minute goal by the Crew ended any chance of an cupset happening that night.
But in 2024, Indy Eleven really made noise in the Open Cup after upsetting Chicago Fire in the 3rd round and Atlanta United in the 4th to advance to the competition’s Semi-Final, only to lose to Sporting Kansas City one game shy of playing for the Cup.
So far in 2025, Indy Eleven have knocked off Miami FC with a 123rd minute goal to advance to the tournaments 4th Round where they’ll face off against Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union for the first time on Wednesday night.
”We’ve tried to scout as much as we can, we know exactly where they are, we’ve had a look and we know what cup run they had last year getting to the Semi-Final, so they’re a team to be reckoned with. We just have to make sure that we control our business and not try to be forced into a game that they want to play” – Bradley Carnell
Union Predicted Starting XI
”I think you want to be competitive in every game, and I think we have a game model and a squad to be competitive in everything we do.” – Bradley Carnell
Other than the unfortunate news of Neil Pierre picking up a knee injury that will keep him out for 4-6 weeks, Bradley Carnell didn’t offer much on who and who isn’t in contention for starting on Wednesday night.
He did mention that a few players picked up a couple small knocks against Montreal, but didn’t mention anyone in particular so hopefully it’s nothing more than your normal match wear and tear.
Carnell say the club’s full attention is on the game against Indy Eleven and advancing through to the next round, but you have to expect that this weekend’s match against Daniel Gazdag and the Columbus Crew is in the back of their mind and could alter some of Carnell’s starting XI decisions.
Is Wednesday an opportunity for someone like Jesus Beuno to get a start? Maybe Ale Bedoya? Could Cavan Sullivan or Jeremy Rafanello get a decent chunk of minutes? I’m eager to see how Carnell manages the squad with a minimum of 7 games coming in the rest of May.
Formation: 4-2-2-2
GK: Blake
RB: Westfield, CB: Glesnes, CB: Harriel, LB: Wagner
CDM: Beuno, CDM: Lukic
CAM: Q. Sullivan, CAM: Vassilev
ST: Uhre, ST: Damiani
”I’ve been around a few clubs in my time and I’ve been privileged, fortunate, lucky to be around traditional teams with great soccer culture and history, and coming into this job I knew exactly what Philly is all about. I did not know that Cavan’s [and Quinn’s] Father and Grandfather were in the that tournament, but I think it’s just a true testament to the city in general and the foundations that go deep and strong within the territory here.” – Bradley Carnell
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
