Philadelphia Union secured a 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals at Subaru Park on Wednesday night. The match saw an early lead for the Red Bulls with midfielder Wikelman Carmona scoring in the 8th minute. The Union responded quickly, equalizing in the 13th minute through forward Tai Baribo, who was assisted by defender Kai Wagner.
The second half brought more action as New York regained the lead in the 71st minute with a goal from Eric Choupo-Moting. Philadelphia answered just three minutes later when new forward Milan Iloski scored, assisted by Tai Baribo. Defender Olwethu Makhanya delivered the decisive goal in the 89th minute, sending Philadelphia to its fifth Semifinals appearance in club history.
Referee Joshua Encarnación officiated the match, which took place under rainy conditions and a temperature of 77 degrees.
The Union’s lineup included Andre Blake, Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Frankie Westfield (Nathan Harriel 77’), Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic (Jesus Bueno 77’), Quinn Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya 90+4’), Indiana Vassilev (Milan Iloski 46’), Tai Baribo (Cavan Sullivan 90+4’), and Bruno Damiani (Mikael Uhre 70’). Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick.
For New York Red Bulls, AJ Marcucci started in goal before being replaced by Carlos Coronel late in stoppage time. Other starters included Raheem Edwards, Noah Elle, Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan (Dylan Nealis 36’), Daniel Edelman, Peter Stroud, Serge Ngoma Jr. (Dennis Gjengaar 82’), Julian Hall (Eric Choupo-Moting 63’), Wikelman Carmona, and Wiktor Bogacz (Emil Forsberg 64’). Substitutes not used: Alexander Hack and Adri Mehmeti.
Disciplinary actions during the match included cautions for Kyle Duncan (23′), Raheem Edwards (25′), Wikelman Carmona (59′), Jovan Lukic (75′), Sean Nealis (88′), and Cavan Sullivan (90+6′).
With this win, Philadelphia advances to face Nashville SC in the Semifinals on Tuesday, September 16 at Subaru Park. This marks their fifth trip to this stage after previous appearances in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. The team has now extended its unbeaten streak against New York Red Bulls to sixteen matches.
According to club communications: “Tai Baribo and Olwethu Makhanya scored in the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in their careers.” It was also noted that “In his fifth U.S. Open Cup appearance, forward Milan Iloski scored his fifth goal and his first as a member of the Union.”
The Union will return to MLS play this weekend with another match against New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday.
