With threats of yet another weather-related postponement, the Philadelphia Union and the New York Red Bulls persevered through a two-hour kickoff delay and some light rain to decide who would advance to the Semifinals of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Originally scheduled for 7:30, the game kicked off at 9:35 p.m.
After falling behind twice and equalizing twice, the game was decided in the 89th minute. In the late stages, Philadelphia center back Olwethu Makhanya scored off a rebound to give the Union a rain-soaked 3-2 win over the Red Bulls. The win sends Philadelphia to the US Open Cup Semifinals for the fifth time as the club seeks its first tournament title.
Unlike the four previous US Open Cup meetings between these two teams, the first half was action-packed: two goals, two yellow cards and an early substitution for New York. Dylan Nealis replaced wingback Kyle Duncan, after he received an early yellow card following an altercation with a Union player. Dylan joined his brother Sean Nealis in the backline in just the 35th minute.
The Red Bulls were quick to strike, with a long-range shot from Wikelman Carmona in the 8th minute of play. The 22-year-old forward scored his first career USOC goal assisted by none other than goalkeeper AJ Marcucci. Only ten other goalkeepers have assisted on a goal in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present), the last coming in 2017 when Drew Shepherd of the USL League Two’s Michigan Bucks (now Flint City Bucks) assisted on a spectacular goal against Saint Louis FC (USL) in the Third Round.
However, the Union had other plans, making it 1-1 with a composed outside of the foot finish by Tai Baribo off of a lasered in-swinging cross from leftback Kai Wagner just five minutes later.
The Union attempted to build out of the midfield, looking to connect with forwards Bruno Damiani and Tai Baribo who is the Union’s leading goal scorer with 15 on the season.
However the Red Bulls thwarted their efforts, doubling the ball quickly and applying pressure at midfield. This restricted the creativity of Union midfielders like Indiana Vassilev, Quinn Sullivan and Danley Jean Jacques.
Meanwhile, New York midfielders Peter Stroud and Daniel Edelman looked to activate a junior attacking trident, the youngest being 17-year-old Julian Hall. Hall is the second-youngest homegrown signing in franchise history.
Typical experienced starters like forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and midfielder Emil Forsberg began on the bench, despite leading the team with 15 and nine goals on the season, respectively. Mohammed Sofo, New York’s third-leading goalscorer did not dress despite having a team-leading three goals in the Red Bulls’ Open Cup campaign.
The second half saw changes on both sides, but just one halftime substitution with Milan Iloski on for Indiana Vassilev. As the Union began to apply pressure, attacking down the wings, Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz subbed in starters Choupo-Moting and Forsberg in an attempt to turn the tide in the 64th minute. Mikael Uhre later subbed in for Bruno Damiani in the 70th minute.
Just seven minutes after entering the game, Choupo-Moting, the club’s designated player who last played for Bayern Munich, scored with a left-footed volley off of a cross from Dylan Nealis giving Red Bulls a 2-1 lead.
In the 74th minute, Union substitute Iloski equalized off of a cross from Baribo. A textbook finish sent the Union and the Red Bulls into a 2-2 deadlock. It was Iloski’s fifth career US Open Cup goal, with the previous four coming with Orange County SC (USL Championship).
Three minutes later, defender Nathan Harriel replaced Frankie Westfield, marking a “tactical shift” in the game according to Union head coach Bradley Carnell.
It looked as if the game was going to overtime, until a composed finish from Philadelphia’s centerback Olwethu Makhanya in the 89th minute gave the Union the edge. A free kick from Kai Wagner from outside forced a punch save from Marcucci, whose knee buckled upon landing. With the goalkeeper down, Makhanya was there for the rebound, took a touch and slotted the ball calmly into the far side netting.
Marcucci had to be substituted off after the play, replaced by backup keeper Carlos Coronel. The sideline official indicated five minutes of extra time that proved insufficient for a New York comeback.
With the win, the Philadelphia Union extend their home unbeaten streak in the Open Cup to 14 games. The last tournament loss in their home stadium came in the 2014 US Open Cup Final. The only penalty kick shootout loss (which is officially listed as draw) during that span came in the 2015 Final against Sporting Kansas City.
“It was a very tight game tonight. We’re a little sloppy in certain moments, and especially at the end of the game,” Carnell remarked. “We learn from these lessons,” he continued, commending the team on their energy and grit. “Everyone dug deep here. Everyone played a role.”
Captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake emphasized Carnell’s sentiments, adding that the team is in “a good moment right now.” Blake added that intensity in practice has contributed to the Union’s success this season as well as confidence.
“It’s momentum. It’s about moments, and the more we win these games, the more confidence that the guys gain,” concluded Blake.
The Philadelphia Union will travel to take on Nashville SC in the Semifinals of the US Open Cup on Sept. 16. The winner of that game will play on the road in the championship game against either Austin FC or Minnesota United FC.