Photo @PhilaUnion

Philadelphia Union defeated CF Montreal in a preseason friendly played behind “closed doors.”

Indisputable facts

Philadelphia posted a starting lineup on Twitter and Instagram. Montreal did not. Philly’s lineup included positions and jersey numbers, the latter an illogicality since no one was allowed to see the match.

The Union wore their new secondary kits.

The halftime score was 0-0.

Alejandro Bedoya scored the goal.

The elapsed times between the social media posts allows the highly probably conclusion that they played two 45-minute periods. Montreal had another scrimmage the next day so they will not have wanted more.

Other players were physically present and dressed, since they appear in photos posted well after the match on the Union’s Instagram pages. The photos could have been taken during warmups. Or they could be game shots that completely exclude any evidence of Montreal’s presence,  a plausible restriction for a closed door scrimmage. Jesus Bueno, Olivier Mbaizo, and Oliver Semmle can be positively identified in addition to goal-scorer Bedoya and some of the starting eleven.

Inferences

Because the graphic of Bedoya’s goal shows Danley Jean Jacques next to Bedoya, and because the timing of the post was right after halftime, we suspect Bedoya may have replaced Lukic at halftime. We suspect Bedoya might have played on the right in a double pivot moving Jean Jacques to the left.

Since it was the same lineup as that which started against Cincinnati, and since it is listed as four midfielders, we infer it was a 4-2-2-2 “empty bucket,” again.

We have no idea of any other Philadelphia substitutions. Coach Carnell’s postgame comments were ambiguous about exactly who played and and how much. He always exudes cooperation but at times provides as little concrete fact as possible, particularly if it is tactical or personnel information that could be of use to future opponents.

We assume the team is scheduled to be back in Chester by Saturday evening for the kit introduction event, since all such events in the past have included the team. Having played in the greater Orlando area they probably flew out of Orlando later Friday afternoon or evening. We assume the after-game rehabilitation and recreation day will happen after they arrive home in Chester.

Our crystal ball

Here is a guess at a depth chart for the first 23 going into Roster Compliance Day this coming Friday. There will be more than 23, but the others are less lear where they fit.

We assume Isaiah LeFlore will be Supplemental Roster Slot 31 on season-long loan to Union II.

We further assume that if Stas Korzeniowski is signed his simplest roster categorization would be as a Union II player. We doubt he could be claimed as a homegrown since his high school was Pennington Prep and his club was Players Development Academy. So we think he cannot become an off-roster homegrown.

Conclusions

Keeping a full 90 clean sheet late in preseason against MLS opposition was excellent. We cannot tell whether Montreal started its top eleven or whether they used a mixed squad because of a second scrimmage the next day.

We assume several Union starters may have played the full 90. We further assume that while Jovan Lukic arrived having been in mid-season in Serbia, he may not be ready for 90 minutes  at coach Carnell’s expected pace and intensity.

The same will be true of both Bruno Damiani when he begins training on Monday or Tuesday (as per @JoserNunez91’s essential scoop, click here) and Mbaizo, Ian Glavinovich, and later on Nathan Harriel when they variously return from injury.

An unanticipated Sunday afternoon event

A squad described as “mixed” with “@philaunionii” specifically mentioned as participating had a closed door scrimmage against Loudoun United FC of the USL Championship sometime Sunday afternoon. The promised halftime update said the score was 3-1 Loudon and that previously identified trialist 2024 second round draft pick Stas Korzeniowski from Penn, Pennington Prep, and Players Development Academy scored the Philly side’s goal.

Game minutes for the deeper reserves on the Union’s bench seems the clear first-team motive for the event. Union II gained extra game minutes as well.

Since Union II is rebuilding with 10 out of 11 championship match starters promoted or otherwise moved up the depth charts, a new vulnerable defense should be no surprise, especially with left back Jordan Griffin away on national U17 team duty.

The timing of the halftime report suggests the match may have started about 2 PM and that the half lasted 45 minutes. The final score report suggests the half-time interval was short.

The final score was Philadelphia 4 and Loudoun 4.  The Union’s second half goals were scored by Jeremy Rafanello, Jesus Bueno, and Cavan Sullivan.

Highlights published by Loudon United FC and reposted by @UnionRumors show the three Loudoun goals of the first half with probably Mike Sheridan in goal, probably Lennon Harrington at right back, almost certainly Gavin Wetzel at left center back, and by uniform number definitively Neil Pierre at center back.