Amid a shockingly strong 2025 MLS season, the Union is returning to the US Open Cup. This may be the year the club can finally push through the storied American tournament that has caused more than enough heartbreak.
The Philadelphia Union has a short but storied history in the US Open Cup. In their first 7 appearances, the Union made it to the finals 3 times (2014,2015,2018). However, from 2019 to 2023, the Union has failed to make it past the 4th round of play.
To be fair, the reason for this is that the Union had bigger aspirations than the US Open Cup. The club put full focus on the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the MLS season. Meaning the US Open Cup was practically a game for Union II.
Now, the Union has an open schedule and a hunger to fill the trophy case.
Momentum into the MLS Season
One thing that bodes well for the Union is their form in MLS. Despite a complete roster overhaul and moving pieces, the Union finds themselves with the 3rd best record in MLS, a third of the way through the season. The club also comes into Wednesday’s game in great form, having won 3 straight games.
A massive factor that bodes well for the Union’s tournament hopes is that the Union are beating teams they are supposed to. The last 3 wins came against teams that have been playing poorly and the Union capitalized on them. If the Union can keep the same momentum against teams they are facing , they should be able to get past their first test, the Indy XI of the USL Championship.
Indy currently sits 8th in the Eastern group of the USL. Indy has been able to put the ball in the back of the net with 11 goals in 7 games. However, they have struggled to keep opponents out of their’s, having given up 12 goals on the season. A stat that bodes well for the Union, given that in 2025, a 0-0 draw has been very rare.
The Union’s Best Chance at Hardware in 2025
The Union’s 2025 season has been shockingly positive. However, no ones know how long, or if the Union will be able to ride the wave in MLS. There are still 5 months left in the MLS regular season, and with the Union’s playing style, the wheels could start to come off.
This is why the US Open Cup is the Union’s best chance at a trophy in 2025. Not only do they not need to have a long stretch of momentum given the tournament format, but the cream of the crop in MLS are not participating. The Union won’t have to outlast Miami, Columbus, or Cincinnati.
The US Open is the perfect opportunity to fill the small trophy case and launch the Bradley Carnell era of the Philadelphia Union into a historic start.
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd
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