Chester- Since Lionel Messi has entered the league, the Philadelphia Union have yet to get a result against Inter Miami. But as we all know, Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell does not like to dive into the past and rightfully so. His team in on the top of league heading into a pivotal contest against the Fort Lauderdale club.
While the name on their badge may as well say Inter Messi (let’s be honest) there is more to the club than just the greatest player in the sport. They have a lot of up and coming players and former Barcelona teammates, as well as other rising stars in the sport of soccer.
And Carnell knows this. He saw the Union have a few chances late against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, only to fall 2-1 on the night.
“I mean, we know what type of a team it is, and in every game they’ve had chances, and they’ve been competitive, and it hasn’t gone their way. You know, teams go through phases throughout the season, but you can never underestimate that team. And I don’t think we’re anywhere near any form of complacency or any form of laziness or tiredness. I think there’s a team on our side here that we’re just hungry for the next game. We’re hungry for the next points to be put on the board. And you know, regardless of opponent, and something I’ve always spoken about from day one.”
And while Inter Miami has given up 15 goals in the their last 5 matches, this is still a dangerous squad that can go on a goal scoring spree in any match and look like the best team in the league. If the Union get three points tomorrow, and this is my opinion, is there still work to do? Yes. Does the make them a dangerous team? Yes, because they have now gotten points against Cincinnati and Columbus and would be against Inter Miami.
Should Andre Blake (who is questionable) be unable to go, the distribution of Andrew Rick should be a benefit for Philadelphia tomorrow. While the 19 year old keep is still developing, after seeing what Pedro Gallese of Orlando City did against Miami last week, it could feed into the Union’s hand tomorrow night.
Regardless, it will likely be a circus tomorrow night with Messi in town, and if the Union walk way with a point during this grueling May schedule they should hold their heads high.
The Philadelphia Union find out their opponent of the U.S Open Cup
On Thursday of this week, the Philadelphia Union found out who they would be facing in the Quarterfinals 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that was announced during that morning’s draw.
When the dust settled, Philadelphia drew MLS Eastern Conference rival New York Red Bulls as their opponent for the quarterfinal match-up. And in a bit of good news for Union fans, the match will be played at Subaru Park on either July 8th or 9th (final date and time will be announced May 27).
Should the Union advance, they would then head on the road for the remainder of the tournament first facing the winner of the Nashville and DC United match, which would be held on either September 16th or 17th. If the Union would advance to what would be their 4th U.S Open Cup final, they will head West to play the winner of that side of the bracket which would consist of Minnesota United, Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, and Austin. That match would be held on Wednesday, October 1st.
The full breakdown of the brackets is listed below, including hosting priority which was released by U.S Soccer earlier on Tuesday:
East Bracket
Philadelphia Union (MLS) vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Subaru Park in Chester, Penn.
Nashville SC (MLS) vs. D.C. United (MLS)
GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn.
East Semifinal Hosting Priority Order (Sept. 16/17):
1) New York Red Bulls
2) Nashville SC
3) D.C. United
4) Philadelphia Union
* West Bracket
Minnesota United FC (MLS) vs. Chicago Fire FC (MLS)
Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.
San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) vs. Austin FC (MLS)
PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif.
Semifinal Hosting Priority Order (Sept. 16/17):
1) Minnesota United FC
2) Austin FC
3) San Jose Earthquakes
4) Chicago Fire FC
* The team that advances from the West Bracket will host the tournament Final on Oct.
Quinn Sullivan Earns a USMNT Call Up
Also earlier on Thursday, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino named his 27-player training camp roster ahead of June matches against Turkey and Switzerland. Among those names was Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan, who earned his first national team call up.
While this is Sullivan’s first call up, he spent significant time with USYNT U-20 squad since making his debut with them back in November of 2021. In all, Sullivan played in 20 matches and recorded 7 goals during is tenure with the youth side.
Quinn will join a few other former Philadelphia Union players in the June camp. Other members of Pochettino’s squad include goalkeeper Matt Freese, defender Mark McKenzie, and midfielders Jack McGlynn and Brenden Aaronson.
“I think it’s been brewing just with his performances over time,” Carnell said of Sullivan’s selection. “Now he’s just been waiting for that one moment for him and his family. It’s a proud moment just to be recognized for the good work, and now to be rewarded for that, and to be excited about a camp coming up. And we’ve told all our national players we’re still together for another week, and there’s three more games, and while we’re getting all these call ups and information and what have you, there’s a lot of work to be done. And I think Quinn’s the first one to know what’s on the stake tomorrow, on the platform, and not to overthink things, and just to do his job, what he’s been getting rewarded.”
USMNT will play Turkey on June 7 in Hartford, Conn. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and then flips around to GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn., where they will host Switzerland, presented by Coca-Cola, and will serve as the send off match ahead of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET.
Also announced as getting a national team call up, Cavan Sullivan earned the call to the U-17 training camp along with fellow Union II teammate Jamir Johnson. On the U-15 side, Timoni Gbalajobi earned a national team camp call up as well.
Still more call ups to be announced and we will keep you posted as they become available.
Stay tuned for more coverage with tomorrow’s Philadelphia Union showdown with Inter Miami and then Sunday’s Union II clash with Inter Miami II.
Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The One Team We Agree On 
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