Philadelphia Union Eyes First U.S. Open Cup

The Philadelphia Union are demonstrating why it is the best team in the MLS so far this season. The Union are only two wins away from claiming the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — and any non-Supporters' Shield trophy — for the first time. If the Union claims the country's most-historic prize on Oct. 1, it will not be without the contributions of the team's extraordinary talent.

“I can tell you that chances to play for a trophy are few and far between,” said Alejandro Bedoya, the 38-year-old Philadelphia Union midfielder, told USSoccer.com.

Pursuing the U.S. Open Cup demands dedication and resilience from a squad's competitive efforts. In May, Bedoya lined up alongside 15-year-old teammate Cavan Sullivan against the Indy Eleven. Now, every member of the Union needs to play their hardest in the early rounds so that the Union's pursuit of an Open Cup Final has the chance to come to fruition.

“We're competing for a trophy, for an Open Cup that's part of American soccer heritage and tradition, and it's my job to make sure everyone understands that,” Bedoya said.

Bedoya has arguably become the team's champion when it comes to spirit and solidarity. He is no stranger to ultra competitive matches, having played every game for the USMNT in the 2014 World Cup and contributing to a pair of Concacaf Gold Cups for the United States. He's now in his 10th season with the Union after seven years in Europe.

The upcoming semifinal against Nashville SC on Sept. 17 at Geodis Park is a critical and challenging step on the path to the 2025 Open Cup Final. Fans can catch the action live on Paramount+ and the CBS Sports Network.

“They [Nashville SC] will have the advantage as the home team,” Bedoya admitted to ussoccer.com. “It might be a little bit cagey, but the Open Cup is about surviving and advancing. It doesn't always have to be pretty.”