Open Cup Preview: Union vs. NYRB

Credit: Major League Soccer

The postponed Open Cup quarterfinal between the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls is finally set for Wednesday, promising a tense, tactical battle as both teams look to advance.

Originally delayed due to storms, this midweek clash puts both sides in tricky spots. The Union, sitting top of the MLS table, are expected to field a strong lineup, especially with Jakob Glesnes available before he serves a suspension on Saturday. Their attack has been less explosive than in previous seasons, often relying on 1-2 goals to secure wins, but the addition of Milan Illoski adds a new dimension up front. The Union now has two reliable striker pairs to rotate, which could prove vital.

On the other side, the Red Bulls face mounting pressure. Sitting 10th and just outside the playoff cutoff, tied on points with the Chicago Fire but behind on goal difference, they must balance the fight for postseason survival with this knockout match. NYRB are unbeaten in their last four games, boosted by strong performances in the Leagues Cup, and possess quality attacking threats in Forsberg and Choupo-Moting, who can hurt the Union on the counter, as Toronto FC showed in their recent upset.

The scheduling makes things complicated. The Red Bulls face the Union again in MLS play on Saturday, so they might rest key players or make early subs on Wednesday to conserve energy. But with playoff hopes on the line, they must decide whether to push hard in the Open Cup or focus on league survival.

Defensively, Alexander Hack will be crucial for NYRB, providing a strong presence to challenge Union forwards Damiani and Baribo. Given the Union’s solid home record and overall form, they enter as favorites, but the Red Bulls have enough talent to make this a competitive, tight contest.

Expect a tactical, hard-fought game where both sides weigh their priorities, but the Union’s depth and home advantage could tip the balance in their favor.

Game Changers

Three players to watch closely for the Union are Jovan Lukic, Milan Illoski, and Kai Wagner. Lukic was rested for most of the recent match against Toronto FC and will be fresh and ready to disrupt the threat posed by Emile Forsberg in the half-spaces. His well-rounded midfield ability provides excellent cover beneath Danley Jean Jacques when he pushes forward. Lukic’s athleticism gives the Union flexibility in transition, allowing the team to attack confidently, knowing his legs are there to stop counterattacks.

Milan Illoski has quickly shown he’s not just a rotational option but a real competitor for minutes alongside the likes of Uhre and Damiani. Already earning minutes last match, it is clear to see the staff wants him involved. Though it’s unclear exactly how much time he’ll see on Wednesday, given the tight schedule, he’ll likely get minutes. Illoski’s dynamic style (dropping deeper to link play) perfectly complements the Union’s already existing striker trio. While Baribo and Damiani tend to post up defenders and back them down, and Uhre plays on the shoulder of the defense, Illoski balances things by connecting the attack with the midfield. For the first time in a while, the Union’s bench has real depth that can be trusted in crunch moments.

Finally, Kai Wagner remains the obvious key to the Union’s attacking threat. His service from the left flank is crucial; without it, the strikers struggle to create chances. In the last match against Toronto, Wagner was tightly marked and had limited space to attack high and wide, but his threat on set pieces remained real. His inswinging corners have been lethal all season and have already caught the Red Bulls out in MLS play at home. Wagner is the piece that makes the attack tick, and if he’s limited again, the Union could find it tough to break through.

After the match, AAT Sports Network will be going live for the Union post-game show. You can join the conversation on Facebook and YouTube, and we’ll be live 15 minutes after the final whistle.