Post-Game Thoughts and Reactions: Union vs. Indy Eleven (U.S. Open Cup – Round of 32)

The Philadelphia Union survived a scare in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, defeating Indy Eleven in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. The Union controlled most of the match, especially in the first half, but failed to find a second goal to put the game away. With a crucial MLS match against Columbus on Saturday, going the distance was far from ideal for Bradley Carnell’s squad. Still, the Union advanced, and the match offered a mix of encouraging signs and frustrating trends.

Here’s a breakdown of the key positives and negatives from the performance:

Positives

Smart Squad Rotation
Head coach Bradley Carnell rotated heavily, giving opportunities to fringe and young players, including Cavan Sullivan, Jesús Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, David Vázquez, Olivier Mbaizo, and Andrew Rick. This approach helped manage minutes ahead of Saturday while giving valuable experience to the squad.

Tactical Flexibility
The Union stuck with their usual 4-2-2-2, with Bedoya playing an inverted wide playmaker role similar to what Vassilev has done in recent matches. Rafanello impressed with his ability to play in a deeper central role, showing he can contribute in different spots.

Bright Substitutes
Jovan Lukic, Kai Wagner, and Indiana Vassilev made an immediate impact off the bench. Their confidence, control, and clarity on the ball lifted the team late. The way they handled possession showed a clear difference in quality. Jovan Lukic was tasked with playing right back, but adapted very well to the challenge. He often used his athleticism to lock down the right side of the pitch until a more natural defender, Frankie Westfield, was brought on in.

Negatives

Second Half Drop-Off
After Harriel replaced Glesnes, the backline lost structure. Miscommunication between Harriel and Mbaizo allowed Indy to attack easily down their left, creating problems that led to the equalizer.

The Union let Indy back into the game by lowering the tempo and intensity after halftime. Indy responded well and looked like the better team for stretches of the second half.

No Central Playmaker
A recurring issue was the lack of a playmaking figure in the center of the pitch. Much of the Union’s buildup stalls at the top of the box, which should be their most dangerous area. Instead of breaking teams down through the middle, the formation often forms a square around the box, leaving no true link between the midfield and strikers. This results in frequent, mediocre crosses that rarely connect and often waste good attacking positions.

Wasteful Finishing and Fatigue
Despite controlling most of the match, the Union couldn’t find a second goal. Their inefficiency in front of the goal forced 120 minutes of play, which was less than ideal ahead of a major league game in just a few days.

Final Word
The Union advanced, but it came with concerns. Bedoya’s early goal was positive, but defensive lapses, a lack of creativity in central areas, and wasted chances nearly cost them. Carnell will need to reset quickly and address the attacking structure before Saturday’s test against Columbus.