Photo: Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Union’s home opener vs. FC Cincinnati on Saturday night went exactly in accordance with Bradley Carnell’s plan.

“We wanted to carry on from where we left off last week,” the South African said in his post-game press conference. “Just to show the fans and excite the crowd here of what we’ve been trying to craft here for the last couple of weeks.”

In just two matches, Bradley Carnell and the Union have rediscovered large swaths of their identity. Similar to the Union of seasons past, the brash, chaotic, and dissonant style of play on its face, with moments of sheer beauty amongst the madness, serve as a beacon of the free-flowing potential this side can call upon at the snap of a finger.

Going mostly under the radar these first two weeks, are important factions of the team’s success who don’t always find themselves getting recognition on the scoresheet.

Competition lends itself to improvement

One of the more prominent differences between this year’s squad and previous seasons is the emphasis that Bradley Carnell have put on open-competition within the team.

“The players are embracing the competition,” said Carnell. “Everybody will win at the end of the day, if we carry on pushing each other, carry on training the way that we do… That is just part of what we are trying to create around here.”

After the signing of Bruno Damiani on the eve of the season’s opener, it was all but expected that Mikael Uhre had lost his place in the starting XI.

However, Uhre has kicked his play into another gear.

From the jump, Uhre’s back-to-goal play has vastly improved this season – a facet of his game that was never consistently there in previous years. It was evidenced multiple times in the season opener, along with important instances in the home opener Saturday night.

The first goal even had two representative cases of Uhre’s improved back-to-goal being pivotal in the build-up.

Uhre’s chest down to Sullivan at the halfway line started this play off, and allowed Sullivan to take on his man 1 v. 1.

Sullivan then plays a low percentage pass that is partially cleared away, but Wagner is the first to it. The German then found the feet of Uhre who posted up in a nice position along the flank, and again, lays a pass into the path of Sullivan who then sends an overlapping Wagner down the line, leading to the Union’s first tally.

Stellar stuff from the Dane that will not show up in the box score – or even advanced analytics for that matter.

Uhre was at it again on the third goal, where he provided a great outlet for Sullivan, who had dropped deep. His perfect lay off into the path of Danley allowed Danley to play in Tai Baribo with one-touch through ball, eventually leading to another goal.

This is very encouraging from Mikael Uhre. Previously, his lack of consistent hold-up play limited him and the team into a one dimensional attacking style.

Now, with Uhre adding more effective hold-up play to his arsenal, he quickly becomes a more complete player. He has the speed to beat defenders over the top, as well as the ability to drop in and provide an outlet to take pressure off the other 9 field-players.

This will allow Uhre to measure his options, and keep the opposing defense honest.

It also significantly improves the symmetry of the team, as the Union attacked overtly down the right side in previous seasons.

(Attacking sides graph via WhoScored.com)

With Bruno Damiani coming in for the final 22 minutes of action, looking every bit the more polished player than Uhre, it begs the question, what will happen to Uhre’s starting role?

The Uruguayan put on a clinic in how to contribute to build-up play, dominate in the air, while also potting his first Union goal. At the very least, the competition that Bradley Carnell has instilled throughout the lineup has sparked something in Uhre – who will play a significant role for this team, regardless of Damiani posing a threat to the Dane’s starting role.

Waxing lyrical about the double-pivot

While Danley Jean-Jacques and Jovan Lukic will likely not end up on the score-sheet often this season, it is worth noting how big of an impact both have provided out of the double-pivot these last two matches.

A fun illustration of their value: If you took the Jose Martinez “greatest hits” album, and broke it up into a double LP, you would have the Union’s 2025 double pivot midfield.

Visually, the dynamic play out of both Lukic and Danley has provided what Jose Martinez provided at his best – just broken up into two bodies.

You have ball-winning ability, speed, and lankiness in Danley who can chase down attackers and step in front of passes. And you have stout tackling, reliable positioning, and poise on the ball from Lukic who has impressed with his touches in tight areas, as well as his ability to ping passes.

The duo have been virtually in complete control of the midfield over the first two matches. With 20 loose ball recoveries (Lukic 11, Danley 9) and 12 tackles + interceptions (Lukic 4, Danley 8) between the two on Saturday, the added stability the pair has added to the press has allowed for the players in front of them to run and cause havoc, without sacrificing defensive cover.

Danley did even register an interception and secondary assist on Damiani’s goal.

And, for both of them, the work doesn’t stop once the ball is won back. Both have contributed to progression significantly in the first two tilts – a major part of the revitalization of the team’s effective transition play.

It is evident both have garnered the mentality that is required to consistently play forward and suppress the opponent’s ability to counter-press.

With Danley’s running in and out of possession, and Lukic’s passing ability and poise, along with their commitment to defensive structure, this is the perfect combination of playing styles to facilitate control of the middle third of the pitch.