Photo by Ryan McElroy

Who: Philadelphia Union (League Record: 2nd / 15th place, 22 Points, 7W-1D-3L) vs. Indy Eleven (USL-C Record: 8th / 12th place, 6 points, 1W-3D-2L)
What: 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
When: Wednesday, May 7th, 7:30 PM
Watch: Paramount +
Whistle: TBA

The Philadelphia Union are finally returning to the most historic soccer tournament in America: The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While it’s only been one year since the Union were last in the competition, the Cup holds a special place in many fans’ hearts. Even if there are still some aches from the three times Philly has finished as bridesmaids, the prospect of MLS clubs withdrawing from the Cup, as many did last year, felt backwards and wrong – at least to this writer. Either way, after a brief hiatus, the Boys in Blue are back and have their assignment for a Round of 32 matchup against… the Boys in Blue?

Scouting report: Indy Eleven (D-W-L-W-D)

Who Are Ya? 

Indy Eleven is a USL Championship club. Aside from sharing a nickname, Indy has something else in common with the Union: A strong grassroots movement led by a supporter’s group was vital in creating both teams. The Brickyard Battalion’s efforts attracted Keystone Group LLC CEO Ersal Ozdemir as an owner. After joining NASL in 2014, Indy finished as Runner’s Up in the 2016 Soccer Bowl.

Following an unsuccessful bid to join MLS in 2017, and NASL’s collapse, Indy joined the United Soccer League Championship in 2018, where they have remained since. Apart from a semi-final finish in 2019, the now-USL side has yet to make a splash in league play. The Eleven reached the playoffs, but posted consecutive one-and-done finishes in the past two seasons.

A Cloudy Future

Off the field, Indy has been shrouded in a straight-up bizzare controversy for the past year. 

In short: Ozdemir’s company, Keystone Group, had to halt construction on a planned soccer specific stadium for the team, called Eleven Park. Either due to negligence or a cartoonish lack of empathy, the site Keystone Group chose is located right on top of a historic Indianapolis cemetery, where hundreds of human remains still rest. 

Concurrently, the Mayor of Indianapolis met with MLS Commissioner Don Garber, amid reports of a Pacers backed expansion team coming to the city. While this seems unlikely, it serves both as a point of conflict between Ozdemir and the Mayor, and as a source of anxiety for fans. 

For further reading about the Eleven Park controversy, check out Russ McQuaid’s reporting via FOX 59 

For more information on the Mayor’s MLS push, check out Logan Gay’s work with 13 WTHR. 

Always Look on the Bright Side

In spite of it all, Indy Eleven’s attendance is still among the best in the USL, with an average hovering just below 10,000. 

Last season, the Eleven made a deep run in the US Open Cup. They were the highest finishing non-MLS team, and even pulled off their first ‘Cupset’ when they beat Atlanta United to reach the Semi-Finals. 

Despite a slow start to league play, the Boys in Blue (from Indianapolis) managed to pick up 2 wins in other competitions. They won their previous USOC match – dispatching fellow USL side Miami FC by way of a winner in injury time of extra time. Then, they routed USL League One’s Forward Madison in the USL-Cup by a score of 4-0.

Just last Saturday, the Eleven battled back to tie Detroit City FC 2-2 while playing with 10 men. 

Evil Twins

Two of Indy’s players have connections to the Philadelphia Union. Benjamin Ofeimu and Aodhan Quinn.

Ofeimu, a Union academy product, made 46 appearances for Bethlehem FC between 2018 and 2020. At just 24 he still has most of his career ahead of him. 

Quinn was a 3rd Round MLS SuperDraft pick by Philly way back in 2014, although he never signed a pro deal with the team.

These days, he is Indy’s captain. His career totals of 58 goals and 51 assists make him just the 3rd player in the modern era to be a member of the USL 50/50 club. He assisted Amoh’s first against Detroit. 

But, as things stand, if Manager Sean McAuley and Indy Eleven want to make another run in the Cup, they’re gonna have to get through one of the hottest teams in MLS right now: the Philadelphia Union.

• Injury report: Oliver Bryneus (QUESTIONABLE), Brem Sourmaoro (QUESTIONABLE)
• Suspended: 
• International duty: N/a

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union (W-W-W-L-D)

The Gauntlet of May

After slogging through a few rough weeks, the Philadelphia Union have returned to good form by way of 3 W’s in a row. Manager Bradley Carnell has made clear he will be rotating the squad throughout the 7 remaining games in the gauntlet that is May. That works out to a game every 3.7 days. Even with rotation, this will be a big test for Philadelphia.

True to his word he started Olwethu Makhanya and Chris Donovan in that scrappy Canadian escapade up at Montreal. While the rotation paid off for the Boys in Blue, it will be curious to see who gets time in today’s match, as a Division-2 opponent is a fantastic opportunity for more depth players to get a chance.

Rotation is the Name of the Game

Perhaps Carnell will rotate the areas he kept strong on Saturday, while returning Nathan Harriel and Mikael Uhre to the starting unit. Expect Andrew Rick to get the nod in net, he’s earned it and Blake has earned a rest. With Frankie Westfield holding down the Right Back spot in league play – at least while Harriel is needed at Center Back (or Attacking Mid) – Olivier Mbaizo may get his first start since the win over Saint Louis SC on March 22nd.

Should I just drink the Kool-Aid and say Cavan Sullivan will start?

But seriously, there is such a thing as too much rotation, and Indy Eleven should not be taken lightly. 

One player who will unfortunately not be available is Neil Pierre. The young defender sustained a knee injury during Union II’s 0-0 draw with Chattanooga FC. Rotten luck for the youngster who’s been having an eye-catching season.

We Still Want The Cup

Historically, the Union have a good record in this competition, but are still seeking their first ever Lamar Hunt Trophy. Jim Curtin’s Philly treated the Cup very seriously – at least at first. It was not unusual to see them field full strength squads, or close to it, even in the early rounds. This, and a winner’s mentality, allowed Union teams, that were not competitive in MLS, to reach 3 USOC Finals in 4 years.

After 2018, perhaps the mindset shifted with the squad’s ability to compete in the league, or maybe the competition format just changed. Either way, the last 3 Cup campaigns for Philly have seen them all crash out in their first game. All were due to playing a heavily rotated team against an MLS opponent.    

Today’s match will provide further insight into Carnell’s philosophies in his first season with the team. He has already shown a willingness to turn to his bench and to rotate. His lineup, and the timing of his substitutes, might give a clue about how he plans on balancing the Union’s good start in the league, with the chance to win their first major trophy and put some old demons in the ground.

• Injury report: Neill Pierre (OUT – Knee)
• Suspended: N/a
• International duty: N/a

Key matchup: Union Attackers vs. Indy Eleven Defenders

Typically speaking, the gap between an MLS squad and a USL squad is rather noticeable. Just take a look at yesterday’s results. But, the magic of the cup is a real thing, and every team is capable of punching above their weight, Indy just did so last year. Even so, the Indianapolis defense is a glaring weakness, and they could find themselves at the mercy of this high-flying Union press. 

Player to watch: Elvis Amoh

Veteran striker Elvis Amoh is in top form for the Eleven. It was his brace that secured a point for 10-man Indy in their tie with Detroit, and earned him a place on the USL-C Team of the Week. His 5 goals in 8 matches top the club’s goalscoring charts. This comes despite making only 2 starts so far. Amoh is a 7 season USL veteran – he’ll be ready to pounce on any chance that comes his way, especially if the Union backline is rotated. 

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3-1 Indy Eleven

Sorry Indy, I love a good ole ‘Cupset’ but the Union have never lost against a Division 2 club. Indy’s defense struggles against their USL counterparts, so it seems unlikely that the Union would not score a few goals at home. Even a rotated Philly side should be able to advance in regulation. Is an Indiana Vassilev goal against Indy Eleven too much to hope for?