Match Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Indy Eleven

The Union open the 2025 U.S. Open Cup at home on Wednesday.

The Philadelphia Union play their first U.S. Open Cup game in Chester since 2018 on Wednesday.

The Union take on USL Championship side Indy Eleven in the round of 32 in the 2025 edition of the competition.

The Union were one-and-done on the road in 2019, 2022 and 2023. The Open Cup didn’t happen in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 and only eight MLS teams were entered in 2024.

A lot has changed since the Open Cup was last played in then-Talen Energy Stadium.

Philadelphia is one of 16 MLS teams competing in the Open Cup in 2025. The introduction of the Leagues Cup sullied MLS’ participation in the most historic competition in American soccer.

We could be here all day if we debated why MLS has tried to ditch the Open Cup entirely, but let’s shelf that for now.

As the round of 32 begins, the Union have the highest point total of the 16 MLS participants, so yeah, you could slap the favorite tag on them to win the Open Cup.

Indy Eleven come into Chester in eighth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference. They beat fellow USLC side Miami FC, 1-0, in the third round of the Open Cup.

On paper, the matchup seems pretty easy right?

Indy Eleven is in the division beneath the Union and they are on a five-game winless run in league play. They have won two knockout-type games in that stretch against Miami FC in the Open Cup and versus Forward Madison in the USL Cup.

Former Union draft pick Aodhan Quinn and former Bethlehem Steel/Union II defender Ben Ofeimu are the familiar names on the Indy roster to Union fans.

“We know the cup run they had last year going to the semifinals. They are a team to be reckoned with, but we just have to make sure we control our business and not try and be forced into a game they want to play,” Union manager Bradley Carnell said.

Carnell’s decision to rest Mikael Uhre and Bruno Damiani from the start on Saturday in Montreal could mean that pair gets the nod on Wednesday.

Carnell’s been very deliberate with managing the minutes of his four strikers, and if that trend continues, we’ll see a mix of the forwards again on Wednesday.

Personally, I would give Tai Baribo the night off and let him rest up for the weekend clash with the Columbus Crew. Uhre, Damiani and Chris Donovan should be able to get the job done.

Depth is far more of an issue at center back. Carnell revealed during Tuesday’s press conference that Neil Pierre is out 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. With Ian Glavinovich still working back from his meniscus injury, Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya are the only healthy first-team center-backs. Nathan Harriel has been utilized in that role with far more depth on the outside thanks to the development of Frankie Westfield.

No matter which players are on the field, the Union are expected to come away with a win, and if they do, the round of 16 takes place on May 20-21.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.