Who: Philadelphia Union (2nd place, 3 points, 1-0-0) vs. FC Cincinnati (4th place, 3 points, 1-0-0)
What: 2025 regular season game
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
When: Saturday, March 1st at 1 pm
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, Listen in on 97.5 FM
Whistle: Allen Chapman, Corey Parker, Kyle Atkins, Victor Rivas, VAR: Sorin Stoica, Tom Supple

Photo by Ron Soliman

After a nervy, but ultimately triumphant, start to the season in Orlando the Union will host FC Cincinnati in Subaru Park for the club’s 2025 Home Opener. 

Philadelphia’s tumultuous 2024 was followed by an offseason that failed to inspire much confidence in the fanbase at large. But now, the Union may have finally started to gather some forward momentum. 

The signings of Bruno Damiani and Indian Vassilev were good steps, as was the win, but as Head Coach Bradley Carnell alluded to in his comments after the game, they’re the first of many.

Cincinnati may pose a greater challenge than Orlando did. They’ve made some big acquisitions and have won in 3 out of the last 5 meetings between both sides. Then again, Cincy is in the CONCACAF Champions Cup this year, and Philly fans should remember all too well what juggling CCC can mean for the start of an MLS season. 

Once you consider the rivalry-like atmosphere that has enveloped these matchups in recent years, this is shaping up to be a big match, no matter how early in the season.

Scouting Report: FC Cincinnati

Cincinnati projected lineup

Not that long ago, FC Cincinnati were the laughingstock of the league. After achieving an infamous ‘three-peat’ of Wooden Spoons through their first years in MLS, ownership made a serious upgrade. Cincy essentially raided the Union. They hired long time Union Technical Director and Philly native Chris Albright as their GM, and nabbed Union Assistant Pat Noonan to be their head coach. 

That one-two punch has completely changed the ‘Knifey Lions’ fortunes. Since that last place finish in 2021, Cincinnati has made the playoffs the last three seasons, won the Supporter’s Shield in 2023, and have qualified for CONCACAF the past two years. 

But, that CCC qualification might cause them some trouble. Typically, most MLS teams just do not have the depth to balance both the league and a continental competition. While ‘The Orange and Blue’ did win 1-0 over New York Red Bulls last weekend, and defeated Motagua in the 2nd leg of their CCC matchup Wednesday night, the face-off in Philly will be their 4th game in just 10 days. For what it’s worth, last season Cincinnati played the first 3 games of the MLS season while in CCC. They tied twice and won once, before being knocked out by Monterry on March 14th (and followed that up with 2 straight wins in the league).

Furthermore, ‘The Garys’ have made some moves since these two teams last met and are packing some serious firepower. In a shocking development earlier this month, the 2023 MLS MVP Lucho Acosta was traded to Dallas for up to $6 million. Cincy replaced their all time leading scorer with last year’s (non-Messi) MVP frontrunner: Evander. This was preceded by the MLS Record Transfer of Kévin Denkey ($16.2 million). The Togolese striker has already found his scoring boots, netting the lone strike against NYRB and one in each leg against Motagua in the CCC. Their aggregate lead against the Honduran club allowed Noonan to sub off starters Miles Robinson, Evander, and Denkey at half-time on Wednesday. The Union should expect to see those players in the starting eleven come Saturday. 

• Player Availability: Luca Orellano (Leg-QUESTIONABLE), Sergio Santos (Head – QUESTIONABLE), Nick Hagglund (Leg – QUESTIONABLE), Alec Kann (OUT), Matt Miazga (OUT)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Union projected lineup

Be honest, who can say they expected the Union to win last week?

The new formation and tactics worked well, but there are still questions that need to be answered. Will the press be as effective against an FC Cincinnati team that projects as one of the best in the East? Can the young defenders hack it against Denkey, Evander and Co.? Will Blake suffer an aneurysm from yelling at the backline?

In all seriousness, this match could be a good indicator of the Union’s ceiling in 2025.

In Thursday’s press conference, Bradley Carnell stated that Ian Glavinovic, Nathan Harriel, and Bruno Damiani would all be available on Saturday. Harriel has missed the last several weeks and it’s possible he is not 90 minutes fit yet. With Frankie Westfield’s impressive debut, Carnell may stay with the hot hand. Glavinovic is in a similar boat, although he may be closer to pushing for a start, as his late substitution last week implies. Fans should be excited to see Damiani, though the club’s new record signing likely won’t be starting just yet. His fitness levels are presumably good. He logged two appearances, both starts, with Nacional before his transfer. Indiana Vassilev is also with the team and ready for action, though he will also likely be coming off the bench for this game. 

The remaining questions for this game surround how these teams’ styles will clash on the pitch. Cincy favors a 3 or 5 man backline, that allows them to pack the middle of the park with numbers, and still affords them wide options. This could spell danger for the Union, as they looked most vulnerable when Orlando moved the ball down the flanks. 

The Union’s defensive midfielders face a tough assignment in Evander. Cincy will look to get their maestro on the ball in central areas as much as possible, since he offers a dual-threat between his passing and shooting ability (15 goals and 15 assists in 2024). An interesting angle to consider is what the Union press will look like. It worked well against Orlando’s 4 man backline but if Noonan stacks the box and puts out 5 defenders, that could make it easier for the ‘Knifey Lions’ to break Philly’s press.

Expect to see Wagner and Sullivan getting forward down the left flank on Union counterattacks.

• Player Availability: Ian Glavinovic (QUESTIONABLE), Nathan Harriel (Quad – QUESTIONABLE), Bruno Damiani (P1 Visa – AVAILABLE)

Key Matchup: Denkey vs Union CBs

Kévin Denkey is really good. He was the top scorer of the Belgian Pro League in the 23/24 season and brings great experience. Makhanya and Glesnes will have their hands full. 

Player to Watch: Tai Baribo

The Israeli striker picked up right where he left off last year by bagging a brace against Orlando. He’s already scored 4 goals against Cincinnati and he could well increase that number on Saturday.

Prediction: 3-2 Union 

Another high scoring affair. These two teams combined for 16 goals across 3 matches last year. Between Carnell’s high flying press, and Cincy’s attacking talent, expect another barn burner. Union take the dub at home, but it will be nervy.