After their recent participation in the Concacaf Gold Cup with the U.S. men’s national team, Quinn Sullivan and Nathan Harriel have returned to the Philadelphia Union, gearing up for the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against the New York Red Bulls.
Sullivan and Harriel returned to training on Tuesday following the completion of the Gold Cup, where the U.S. team faced Mexico in the final. Although the team suffered a 2-1 defeat, both players came home healthy and eager to contribute. Union manager Bradley Carnell expressed his enthusiasm, stating that they are fit and ready for the upcoming match scheduled for Wednesday evening.
This tournament marked an important milestone for both players. Sullivan, having scored ten goals for the under-20 team prior, made his senior national team debut in the Gold Cup. Harriel, who has experience with various youth teams, joined the senior team roster as an injury replacement but did not see any action throughout the tournament. Despite limited gameplay, both players found value in their experiences—Sullivan emphasized the honor of representing the national team, while Harriel highlighted the knowledge he gained from training alongside established players and coaches.
The Sullivan family has had a busy month, with Quinn on the national roster while his younger brother Cavan made his first start for the Union. The family celebrated these achievements amid the challenges of competing at high levels.
With the Union coming off two consecutive losses, the return of Sullivan and Harriel is timely as they face a demanding schedule ahead, including four games within eleven days. Both players feel physically prepared and are excited to take on the Red Bulls, a longstanding rival.
Looking ahead, the winner of this quarterfinal will advance to face Nashville SC or D.C. United. Sullivan is hopeful that his recent Gold Cup experience will aid the team’s performance in this high-stakes knockout tournament. As the Union prepare for a full slate of matches, there is optimism surrounding their prospects moving forward.