Who: Philadelphia Union (League Record: 3rd place, 40 Points, 12W-4D-5L) vs. New York Red Bulls (League Record: 8th place, 30 points, 8W-6D-7L)
What: 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal
Where: Subaru Park, Chester PA
When: Wednesday, July 9, 7:00 PM EST
Watch: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+
Whistle: Joshua Encarnación
The Philadelphia Union return home to Chester, PA after two consecutive 1-0 league losses on the road, to face New York Red Bulls in the first of two back-to-back games against their North Jersey foe, the first match being the USOC quarterfinal. This is the 46th all-time meeting between the Red Bulls and the Union, with the Boys in Blue holding the advantage in the series with a 20-16-9 mark.
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union (D-W-W-L-L)
Head Coach Bradley Carnell and his Boys in Blue face off against North Jersey rival New York Red Bulls for first time this season and look to turn things around against the mid-table enemy. Not only is tonight’s match the first meeting between the foes in 2025 and the first of two in four days, but it is also a knock-out match with the winner heading to the USOC semi-finals. Only eight teams remain in the USOC competition, and two wins would have the Union competing in the final – perhaps their best chance at hardware this season.
The Union bring a 14-match unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls across all competitions into tonight’s match and look to continue that run. The Red Bulls have not won against the Union since 2019, though they have earned drawn three of their last four trips to Subaru Park. The Union will be bolstered by the return of Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel from international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team. The duo arrived in Philadelphia on Monday after the USMNT’s Gold Cup run and joined the squad for practice on Tuesday. Their return means the Union roster is back to its full complement of players, excluding those who remain injured. Carnell implied that both Harriel and Sullivan would play, if not start, on Wednesday. The pair did not feature much for the USMNT over the last month, though the experience was probably invaluable. In terms of injuries, Carnell stated that team will likely be without Jesus Bueno and Mikael Uhre. He said yesterday that “Jesus is trending okay but probably won’t make tomorrow’s match. As is the same thing with Mikael.” Frankie Westfield will probably return to the match day squad, though it is unlikely he will get a start unless iron-man Kai Wagner is rested in anticipation of Saturday’s match.
Don’t expect any change from the Union’s typical style of pressing and counterattacking, as Carnell commented that the Reb Bulls have “been quite active in transition in the last couple of games, and they’ve been a little bit more clinical in transition the last couple of games. We’re going to have to nullify that and really be brave and aggressive in the counter press, and to step on the front foot and defend forwards.”
Expect the Union to lineup in its standard 4-2-2-2 as follows: Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel; Quinn Sullivan, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jovan Lukić , Indiania Vassilev; Tai Baribo, Bruno Damiani
Injury Report: Ian Glavinovich (Out – knee), Jesus Bueno (Out – hamstring), Mikael Uhre (Out – adductor), Frankie Westfield (Questionable – ankle)
Disciplinary Summary: None.
Scouting Report: New York Red Bulls (W-L-D-D-D)
Red Bulls youngster Mohammed Sofo has scored three goals in the USOC this season and has recorded a goal in all four USOC matches he has played in his career. Sofo’s eight goals across all competitions is tied for second for New York this season.
Captain Emil Forsberg scored his first career U.S. Open Cup goal in New York’s Round of 16 match against FC Dallas. Forsberg has scored a goal in back-to-back matches, after scoring in New York’s 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 5.
The Red Bulls will likely trot out the following lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Carlos Coronel; Kyle Duncan, Dylan Nealis, Noah Eile, Omar Valencia; Daniel Edelman, Peter Stroud; Mohammed Sofo, Emil Forsberg, Wiki Carmona; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Injury Report: Cameron Harper – (Out – knee), Lewis Morgan – (Out – thigh)
Disciplinary Summary: None
Matchup to Watch: Philadelphia’s 6s vs Mohammed Sofo
Look for Danley and Lukić to clog the middle and closely mark the 20-year-old Ghanian attacker as the Union try to keep their USOC winning ways alive.
Player to Watch: Tai Baribo
Look for Baribo to feast in front of a New York backline that while playing well hasn’t faced a scorer like Baribo in a while.
Prediction: Union 3-1 New York Red Bulls
Expect Baribo to return to his scoring ways with a brace as Philadelphia’s offensive form returns with Sullivan and Harriel rejoining the lineup.
This one could go real late with thunderstorms possible starting around halftime through around 2-3am.
Now that Baribo is healthy enough to start and the bench is smaller, Donovan is not even dressed.
Thank you for the write up Chris ,
I hope your win projection is correct !
Any idea when the game will be played
August 13