Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union earned a 2-0 victory against the New England Revolution Saturday night at Gillette Stadium to extend its win streak to three games – the first time in club history the Union have won the first three matches of a season. With the win, the Union remain top of the Eastern Conference with nine points.
Forward Tai Baribo joins Ante Razov as the only players in league history to record at least six goals through the first three matches of a season. He leads the league in goals while the Union lead the league in goals (10) and assists (12). Left back Kai Wagner made his 175th appearance for the Philadelphia Union and leads MLS with four assists this season. Finally, a healthy Andre Blake recorded his first clean sheet of the 2025 MLS season.
How The Match Unfolded
Philadelphia Union utilized the same starting XI as their previous two matches. The last time the club started the same lineup in three straight league matches was May 20, May 27, and May 31 of 2023.
The first half remained scoreless with the Union outshooting the Revolution eight to six. Tai Baribo opened the scoring for the Union in the 76th minute, breaking the deadlock with a far-post header set up by Kai Wagner cross. Baribo and the Union needed just the one goal thanks to stellar defense in blistering conditions. Goalkeeper Andre Blake picked up his 79th career clean sheet, being called upon for a diving stop in the 69th minute to deny a long-range Maximiliano Urruti effort. Ten minutes of stoppage time presented midfielder Jovan Lukic the opportunity to add an insurance goal and he delivered. A nice Alejandro Bedoya cross back to Indiana Vassilev provided the setup for the Lukic blast. From the edge of the 18-yard-box the Serbian gathered Vassilev’s lay-off and rocketed his shot off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net in the 97th minute. With that the Union secured all three points on the road.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2):
Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Frankie Westfield; Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Quinn Sullivan ( Indiana Vassilev 64’), Daniel Gazdag ( Chris Donovan 90’); Mikael Uhre ( Bruno Damiani 64’), Tai Baribo (Alejandro Bedoya 81’ ).
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Nathan Harriel, Olivier Mbaizo, Jesus Bueno, Cavan Sullivan.
New England Revolution (4-2-3-1):
Aljaz Ivacic; William Sands ( Noel Buck 83’), Mamadou Fofana, Brayan Ceballos, Ilay Feingold ; Jackson Yueill (Brandon Bye 82’) , Alhassan Yusuf; Ignatius Ganago, Carles Gil, Luca Langoni (Luis Diaz Espinoza 68’) ; Leonardo Campana (Maximiliano Urruti 10’) .
Substitutes not used: Matt Polster, Andrew Farrell, Wyatt Omsberg, Tanner Beason, Alex Bono
Scoring Summary:
PHI – Tai Baribo (Wagner) 76’
PHI – Jovan Lukic (Vassilev, Bedoya) 90+7’
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI – Daniel Gazdag (yellow card) 45’
NE – Luca Langoni (yellow card) 52’
PHI – Tai Baribo (yellow card) 78’
PHI – O. Makhanya (yellow card) 90+2’
NE – B. Ceballos (yellow card) 90+11’
Does anyone know how to prepare crow so it is less gamey? Because it looks like I’ll be eating a lot this season. Early days but last night was a true gut it out type of win where Union wore NE down. Lukic was outstanding besides the goal in the double pivot with Danley.
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Two at home although one is a FIFA window week where depth will be tested. Hopefully the run continues.
Everything is better fried. But you could always go confit if you’re feeling fancy.
Crow might be too lean to confit. A braise might be better.
A Top 10 PSP comment. Amen.
lol. Came here to write that. Very happy with this start.
The good news is that at least I’ll have to take some off of your plate…
Five words.
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That was very fucking impressive.
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You have my attention. Stirred me from the ennui.
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Carry on.
+1.
One of the things that impressed me the most was the second half stoppage time. Union continued their style of play, but did so smartly. And when the opportunity to seek a second goal presented itself, they did not hesitate and were rewarded by unselfish and decisive play.
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Well done. Incredible start to the season!
Was expecting a disjointed start of the season. Maybe collect 9 pts in 9 games. Instead, they’re earning the necessary playoff points now when some of these teams find their footing later in the season. Hoping the boys keep it going at home these next two.
Here are a couple of observations from in front of the TV:
1) Good teams beat bad teams, even when the good team does not play its best. The Union are a good team; the Revs are a bad team. Last year, we saw many games like the first half in which we had to ask whether or not the Union were the good team (They were not.). From the 51st minute forward, the Union played like a good team, and the Revs did not.
2) Though I liked Jim Curtin and what he brought to the team over the years, it is now a fair question to ask whether he held the team back.
3) The Union did defend better, but I thought that they still gave up a lot of good scoring chances. Hopefully this will improve as the season goes along.
4) To put it in algebraic terms, Danley + Lukic > Martinez (and as I said frequently on this page, the Union of old were going nowhere without Jose Martinez). Well done, Ernst Tanner and Bradley Carnell!
Words of caution.
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First, Carnell’s high press is even riskier than Curtin’s was. And Curtin was always clear that Andre Blake’s exceptional shot-stopping was essential to his teams’ successes.
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Second, the Union have been in better condition than their opponents, particularly in the first two games. That advantage will become less clear as the season moves forward.
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Third, we have yet to see how Carnell’s system overcomes leads against teams in midseason form. The Orlando comeback was in a season opener when Orlando had lost its best defender with no chance to adjust to the loss in any practice time. The Union equivalent circumstance would be to have Andre Blake break a finger in pre-game warmups.
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There was good reason Carnell’s postgame response to the Orlando win was that is was “three points,” just three points.
Fair… and astute… points, Tim.
But come what may, I’m happy to see a more athletic and skilled team being fielded this season.
The Union’s improvement such to currently evidence competent midfield play and build up passing is truly encouraging.
Surely some opponents will find their footing as the season progresses.
But hopefully the Union will also continue to grow together and improve going forward.
I expected little joy to start this season, so it’s all good right now.
Did Baribo score? ESPN has Ilay Feingold – 76′ OGJovan Lukic – 90’+7′
so the official scorer has an OG as of end of game
MLS site has it as Baribo – 76’… so I am assuming it’s Baribo’s
Yes. Baribo scored and is credited with the goal on the MLS site. ESPN got it wrong.
I thought this win was more promising than the first two. Tough, cold away game on shitty turf made it hard going. But the team still had the composure to defend well (enough) and find two goals. I hope Lukic’s goal is not a one off. Having a regular threat like that from a holding midfielder who can get up the box is a nice thing.
The biggest difference after three games is the midfield moves the ball forward quickly. I thought Martinez and McGlynn had a tendency to hold the ball and let the defense reset. It’s interesting the success they’ve had since they have very little time playing together.
Hello… is this thing on..
Well my phone has not been letting me comment.. so this is a test .., kinda funny!
Welcome back! At first, I thought you might be marveling at only 18 comments after the best start in Union history.