2025 US Open Cup Round 4: Andrew Rick Clutch Save Advances Philadephia Union Past Indy Eleven
On a perfect weather night for soccer, all eyes were on 15-year-old Cavan Sullivan’s US Open Cup debut as the Philadelphia Union faced Indy Eleven. However, it was another young star who emerged the hero at game’s end. With the Sons of Ben and other Philly fans running to the far goal before penalties began, 19-year-old goalie Andrew Rick’s clutch save in the third round of kicks helped the Union come away victorious against the USL Championship side, 1-1 (5-4 PKs) Wednesday in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia now hosts the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the sole non-MLS team still alive, at Subaru Park on either May 20 or 21.
Head coach Bradley Carnell spoke highly of his young keeper’s performance.
“He always seems to do it (perform well in PKs) at the MLS Next Pro level,” he said. “We just hoped that Rick would get one (shot) and we just had to tend to our business.”
It was Philadelphia’s eighth penalty kick match in US Open Cup play, tying the San Jose Earthquakes for most penalty kick US Open Cup appearances. With the result, the Union snapped a four-game PK shootout losing streak, winning its first shootout since the 2015 US Open Cup Quarterfinals match against New York Red Bulls.
“Credit to the boys that they dug in, a little deeper than we needed to,” Carnel said about his team’s physically tough match against Indy. “Thanks to Indy Eleven for giving us an entertaining game.”
For Union fans it was indeed entertaining from the opening whistle. The oldest player on the roster, 38-year-old Alejandro Bedoya’s header opened the scoring in the sixth minute, made it seem like the Union’s priority on retaining possession would help them break through the Indy backline and find the net again quickly.
THAT’S OUR CAPTAIN!!! #DOOP pic.twitter.com/QX6WppLct7
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 8, 2025
However, that wouldn’t be the case.
Cavan Sullivan made history becoming the youngest player to ever start for the club!#DOOP pic.twitter.com/E9hChGGd08
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 8, 2025
In his first official start for the Union, Sullivan slipped through the defensive backline often in the first half, keeping Indy goalie Reice Charles-Cook on his toes on three first-half chances in quick success, but the Union was unable to double their lead heading into halftime. On the night, Charles-Cook made 10 saves as the Union’s 33 shot attempts kept the Englishman busy for the 120 minutes of action, including many off of dangerous free kick and corner kick opportunities.
Indy found their moment to equalize as Elvis Amoh sent his left-footed shot into the back of the net, silencing the raucous crowd at Subaru Park. Both keepers successfully thwarted dangerous chances against their team, forcing the game into penalties. Rick made a diving stop late in extra time, preventing Indy from pulling off the cupset.
Andrew Rick needs to be playing on a weekly basis.
— José Roberto Nuñez (@JoserNunez91) May 8, 2025
This is a ridiculous save to keep the Union in it in extra time.
Unreal.#doop #indyforever #usoc2025
📹: Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/noDFGcSM0y
Both teams successfully scored on their first two attempts of the penalty shootout. The crowd congregated behind the goal and erupted in cheers when Rick stood up strong, saving Aodhan Quinn’s thrid-round penalty. It was the one save the Union needed as they successfully made all of their penalties.