Photo: Ron Soliman
Press Release from Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. (March 22, 2025) – The Philadelphia Union returned to the top of the Eastern Conference after a 1-0 win against St. Louis CITY SC at Subaru Park on Saturday night. The victory marked the Union’s second-best start to a season, earning 12 points through five matches. Defender Ian Glavinovich secured the win in the eighth minute, heading in the lone goal off a corner kick. Homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick registered his first clean sheet of the season as the Union became the first team to score on and defeat St. Louis CITY SC in the 2025 MLS campaign.
The Union travel to Chase Stadium to play Inter Miami CF on Saturday, March 29 (7:30 p.m. ET/ Apple TV).
Philadelphia Union 1 – St. Louis CITY SC 0
Subaru Park (Chester, PA)
Saturday, March 22, 2025
TODAY’S MATCH INFO
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
Assistant Referees: Jose Da Silva, Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Abdou Ndiaye
VAR: Carol Anne Chenard
VAR Assistant: Rhett Hammil
Weather: 64 degrees and clear.
GOALS/ASSISTS
PHI – Ian Glavinovich (K. Wagner) 8’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
STL – Kyle Heibert (caution) 20’
PHI – Ian Glavinovich (caution) 27’
STL – Chris Durkin (caution) 36’
STL – Eduard Löwen (caution) 55’
PHI – Olivier Mbaizo (caution) 58’
STL – Eduard Löwen (second caution, ejected) 66’
PHI – Andrew Rick (caution) 81’
STL – Alfredo Morales (caution) 85’
Lineups
Philadelphia Union: Andrew Rick; Kai Wagner, Ian Glavinovich (Jeremy Rafanello 71’), Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel, Olivier Mbaizo; Jovan Lukic, Quinn Sullivan, Indiana Vassilev; Mikael Uhre (Chris Donovan 82’), Bruno Damiani.
Substitutes not used: Oliver Semmle, Isaiah LeFlore, Nick Pariano, Chris Olney Jr, David Vasquez, Cavan Sullivan, Stas Korzeniowski.
St. Louis CITY SC: Ben Lundt; James Horn, Kyle Hiebert (Josh Yaro 71’), Akil Watts, Henry Kessler ; Conrad Wallem (Joakim Nilsson 86’), Chris Durkin (Alfredo Morales 71’), Eduard Löwen; Simon Becher (João Klauss 71’), Marcel Hartel, Cedric Teuchert (Célio Pompeu 74’).
Substitutes not used: Christian Olivares, Timo Baumgartl, Joseph Zalinsky, Tomas Ostrak .
PSP’s Three Points:
- Rebound – The Union came out and made a statement in front of a home crowd at Subaru Park, netting an early goal and holding strong defensively for 80+ minutes.
- Harriel’s versatility – Carnell lined the team up in a 4-2-2-2 again, but with limited options due to the International window, opted to slide Nathan Harriel into Daniel Gazdag’s attacking midfield role on the right side. His defensive prowess, long throw-ins, and ability in the air unlocked some things for the Union in the counter press and set pieces. Later in the game, Harriel slid into a Center back role to see out the victory, after Ian Glavinovich was subbed off.
- Trying new things – Unlike his predecessor, Carnell proved his willingness to try new ideas, slotting Harriel and Indiana Vassilev into roles they wouldn’t normally play. Harriel and Vassilev, both, were impactful in securing a much needed three points at home for the Boys in Blue
Cold but fun night. Great to see the innovative coaching decisions and hard play by our boys. Union Yards needs to do a better job estimating how many kegs they will sell and the food places there also need to make sure they do not run out of burgers and corn.
I’ve never seen Larimer run out of beer.
SOB tailgate had plenty of beer and food. a lot cheaper too.
I was impressed with Uhre last night. He isn’t making a huge difference in the final third, but he was everywhere else, throwing his body into challenges and just making life miserable for St. Louis all night long. On a night that was very physical on both sides, he was just what the game needed frequently.
+1
Impressed with his defensive play. He worked hard and drew fouls. Much better from Uhre when he often goes to ground too quickly.
That guy drives me bat shit crazy. On both sides of the continuum.
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What the fuck oh my that’s well done, the fuck?
It’s difficult to be disgruntled about 12 points from 5 games. I appreciate the clean sheet as well.
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There’s are couple points— specially up a man —-where in my worldview it’s okay to take the air out of the ball… build to the offensive side of the field and just make the other team chase mindlessly while you purposely move the defense. Carry possession. 20 – 30 passes… then maybe find Darmiani on one of those Dani Olmo obtuse runs that unlock a defense.
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The team forces passes and I detest it…which lead to transition when conservative field switches are what the moment requires. It’s okay to move the defense. It’s OK!
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Union had 70% possession. I get it I’m nit picking and for a guy who’s surrendered years ago to the Union Way… echoed by Jack McGlynn’s dad, Paul, on the latest Scuffed Podcast which I found enlightening a shit…. I still feel compelled to say—- Calm the Fuck Down.
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Put your foot on the ball. Pause the game. It’s okay. You will all be okay. You might actually find the game more enjoyable to play.
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Mercy.
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Otherwise. Carry on.
I agree with the calm down. I was wishing that Ale had been available as a sub instead of Rafanello.
Yeah, I’d see maybe 10% of that 70% possession, at best, came with any sort of control. Perhaps there was some desperation to get the 2nd goal, but it shouldn’t have been so helter skelter once they were down a man.
Here is the view from Section 105
1) The first half was notable for the number of chances created by the Union press. But for the St. Louis keeper Ben Lundt, the game could easily have been out of hand at halftime. Without question, he was MOTM in a losing cause making 8 saves. The Union were outstanding in the first half.
2) The chippiness of the game made the flow of play difficult. The St. Louis players seemed to chirp at any and every call made against them or not made in their favor. There was a sequence early in the first half in which Damiani looked like he might have kicked a St. Louis player in the shin and where the ref let play continue. Shortly thereafter, one of St. Louis’ defenders clocked Bruno Damiani with a gratuitous arm to the face (not a closed fist). I don’t think that the referee saw it, but under the most recent rules of the game, I thought that the VAR official should have asked the referee to review the play for a red card.
3) After the Union went a man up in the 66th minute, they sat back and gave up a number of good scoring chances to St. Louis City, who seemed to play much harder a man down. The Union need to be much more clinical up a man.
4) I like that corner kicks are now all in-swingers all the time. Wagner’s corner from the right side that Glavinovich put in was a thing of beauty. Quinn Sullivan took the corners from the left side, and a couple of his deliveries were quite dangerous. I think that we can anticipate better results from set pieces this season.
5) The defense was improved, but St. Louis had chances to level, mostly because Glesnes and Mbaizo lack speed. The Union did not miss Danley, Gazdag, Westfield and the suspended Makhanya as much as I thought that they would. Vassilev, Harriel and Glavinovich were more than capable replacements.
6) Though Andrew Rick was not called upon to do very much, he did come up with one excellent save (his only one) in the first half shortly after the Union went up. St. Louis flubbed a couple of other scoring chances. I understand why St. Louis have only scored 4 goals in 5 games.
Ah, I used to have a view from Section 105. I do so miss it!
Test passed. Lineup altered due to call ups and the team adjusted and found a way. That’s so important in MLS.
St. Louis were a terrible.
It would surprise me if the coach was fired by Tuesday.
Nice to see us win a game using subs (yes we had to – I know), and flexibility. Maybe we have a decent bench this season?! Regardless, I didn’t see 4 wins from 5 to start the season, so I’m more than happy. Let’s see how we do next week in Miami. Would really enjoy hearing the excuses from the MLS talking heads, if we go down and get 3 points.
Love the sarcastic comment about the MLS talking heads, OMW. So true. I would live the read/hear the inevitable excuses that they would provide for one of their darling clubs if a low class, proletariat, crass Philly team won.
Does anyone know what the St. Louis player Klouse was so upst about at the end of the match ? he had to be restrained by his teammates and coaches.