Photo courtesy of Paul Rudderow

Who: Philadelphia Union vs. Red Bull New York 
What: 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup
Where: Subaru Park
When: Wednesday, August 13th, 7:30 PM
Watch: Paramount +, CBS Sports Network. Radio: If you’re desperate, New York Red Bulls Radio via the team’s app or website
Whistle: Joshua Encarnacion, AR: Rhett Hammil, Zachary McWhorter, 4th Official: Matthew Thompson VAR: Daniel Radford AVAR: Jonathan Johnson

The Philadelphia Union will play host to long-time rivals Red Bull New York in the Quarter-Finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Union are looking to reach the Semi-Finals for the first time since they finished runners-up in 2018. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls are looking to break a 15 match winless run against Philly, which stretches back to an October 20th, 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs win, when the Boys in Blue came out winners on a 4-3 scoreline. Despite the disparity in league positions, with the Union atop the Supporter’s Shield standings and the Red Bulls down in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, both teams will be highly motivated to advance past a hated rival.

Scouting report: New York Red Bulls (L-W-D*-D^-W)
* Leagues Cup Phase One match, New York tied C.F. Monterrey 1-1, but lost the shootout 5-3
^ RBNY tied FC Juarez 1-1, winning the shootout 5-3

Red Bull’s USOC Run So Far

Similar to their all-time record in MLS Cup, the Red Bulls have never won the Lamar Hunt Trophy. They have managed two runners-up finishes in 2003, and most recently in 2017. Their best run since then was reaching the Semi-Finals of the 2022 tournament. To reach this stage of the 2025 edition, RBNY defeated USL-Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks 4-1 in the Round of 32. Former Union Homegrown Anthony Fontana scored Colorado’s lone goal, meaning that he has now scored in all 4 of his career appearances in USOC play, 2 of those goals during his time in Philly. Following a 2-2 draw versus FC Dallas in the Round of 16, the Red Bulls needed to advance via penalty kick shootout, which they did courtesy of a decisive AJ Marcucci stop. According to Head Coach Sandro Schwarz, Marcucci will retain his spot between the sticks. Former Union keeper Carlos Coronel is their usual starter, but has been relegated to the bench in recent games.

Consistently Inconsistent; Big Time Attacking Potential

When it comes to league play this season, the Red Bulls have struggled to find consistency and are mired in the lower end of the standings. While the Bulls made MLS Cup last year, they did so as the #7 seed, and their run was more a testament to their reliance on counter-pressing and set-pieces than an overall indication of the team’s talent. They ended the regular season with just 2 wins from their last 10 matches. Losing defenders John Tolkin and Andrés Reyes in the offseason has caused a decline in their defense, but Emil Forsberg (9 goals + 7 assists) and new signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (15 goals + 1 assist) pose a dangerous threat on the attack. It was Forsberg’s free kick at the end of regulation that took New York to extra time against Dallas. Personal controversy notwithstanding, he has been a revelation for the Harrison based club these past two seasons.

In New York’s most recent game, the Red Bulls won a wild one over RSL. Choupo-Mouting recorded a brace, with the second being a 90 + 10′ game winner from the penalty spot. Similar to the Union’s last match, it featured some wonky refereeing decisions, and even though Kyle Duncan was issued a red card, those suspensions do not carry over into USOC. That is also why Jakob Glesnes is available for the Union today. Both him and Duncan will serve their suspensions over the weekend, when both teams will clash again.

• Injury report: Cameron Harper (Knee – OUT), Lewis Morgan (Thigh – OUT)
• Suspended: Marcelo Morales (Internal Discipline)

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

Union Return to USOC Action

After sitting out the 2024 edition of the storied tournament, the Philadelphia Union returned to USOC action in 2025. Philly benefitted from having to face two USL-Championship clubs in their opening matches. In the Round of 32, a heavily rotated Union side were forced into extra time, and then penalties, by a plucky Indy Eleven side but prevailed via the shootout. In the Round of 16, the Boys in Blue soundly defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4-1 in the first ever Keystone Derby. Now, the Union will contend with a top level side in the Open Cup for the first time since their 2023 run, and they will come in riding one of the most dominant streaks among MLS clubs.

Historic Streak

Since last losing to NYRB in a September 22nd, 2019 regular season match, Philly is unbeaten against the Red Bulls across 15 matches in all competitions. This of course, started with the Union’s first ever playoff victory – a legendary comeback result – capped off by an extra time winner. They have accumulated 11 wins and 4 draws over this period, scoring 25 goals and allowing just 8, keeping a whopping 9 clean sheets. In fact, since that playoff victory, the Red Bulls have yet to score multiple goals in a game against Philadelphia. When it comes to the Open Cup, the Union and Red Bulls have combined for some captivating games, with Philly retaining a favorable history in this matchup, albeit from a small sample size (3 wins, 1 loss). The most recent result was a 2-1 Philadelphia victory on June 16th, 2018. From that side, Alejandro Bedoya and Andre Blake remain on the roster.

Looking Back

In fact, the first ever USOC edition of the I-95 Derby back in 2015 was also a Quarter-Final berth. Long time fans (and readers of Blake Zuschnitt’s recent article) may recall that despite Conor Casey being sent off in the first half, the 10-man Union scored via an Eric Ayuk goal, and rallied behind an incredible performance by John McCarthy, advancing after a penalty kick shootout. At the time, then Head Coach Jim Curtin said it was the “biggest win in [team] history”. How times change.

The Captain’s Command

Of course, that Open Cup run ended in heartbreak for Philly, and everyone involved with the team – either fan or professional – knows the franchise has unfinished business when it comes to the Cup. Bedoya, the team’s captain, spoke at length about it both on the official US Soccer Podcast and in an interview with the Inquirer’s Jonathan Tannenwald. It’s clear he’s putting on emphasis winning the competition to his teammates, “Some guys are very young here… they always think that there could be always next year, always the next year [after that],” Bedoya said. “You can’t approach it like that… It should mean that much more for every player who’s taking part in it, especially in a tournament that has a lot of history, a lot of tradition,” Bedoya said. “You can make what you will of what’s been happening the last couple years, but it’s still the Open Cup, it’s still the oldest tournament in our country”.

Finally, this match is the first of a ‘Home and Away’ series between the rival teams, with a return to MLS action at Red Bull’s Sports Illustrated Stadium next up on the docket.

• Injury report: Ian Glavinovic (Knee- Likely OUT for season)
• Suspended: N/a

Key matchup

Union Defensive Mids vs Emil Forsberg

Forsberg is the heartbeat of the Red Bull attack. However the Union plan to handle him, Danley and Lukić will have their hands full. But, should they be successful, the New York attack should become mostly neutered.

Player to Watch: Milan Iloski

The Union’s newest million dollar man made his debut last weekend against Toronto. Although he wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet, his minutes-to-goal ratio speaks for itself, and it’s surely only a matter of time before he starts bagging for the Union. Scoring tomorrow would be a great way to grab his first in Union colors.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 3 – 2 New York Red Bulls AET

Historically, this matchup has gone to extra time two out of four times in the Open Cup. Between Choupo-Moting, Forsberg, and Mohammed Sofo, New York will finally hit a multi-goal game against the Union. But, their defense is simply not good enough this season and Philly overcomes them after regulation.