The Philadelphia Union picked up where they left off on their return to action after the international break, triumphing over Charlotte FC on a 98th winner from substitute Markus Anderson. The results extends the Union’s unbeaten run to twelve games in all competitions, and leaves the Boys in Blue atop MLS.
First Half
Bradley Carnell’s depth was tested yet again by a rash of absences for injury or international duty, resulting in several changes to the starting lineup, including starts for Andrew Rick, Ben Bender and Alejandro Bedoya. This rotation didn’t slow the Union down, as the Union poured on the pressure early. Damiani blasted a dangerous shot just over the crossbar in the 21st minute after a scramble in the box. In the 40th minute a Bueno corner found Bedoya at the back post, but the Union captain was unable to find the back of the net.
The Union finally opened the scoring in first half stoppage time. Wagner sent a cross into the box that was cleared to Bueno, who put a spinning volley into the top corner for his first goal of the year.
Second Half
After end to end action, Charlotte finally found an equalizer in the 78th minute. A cross from Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty found its way to Wilfried Zaha at the back-post, and the former Premier League star made no mistake in slipping the finish past Rick.
The Union pushed for an equalizer, and eventually found one in the 98th minute. Jeremy Rafanello whipped in a cross that was partially cleared by Charlotte. Frankie Westfield got a head to the rebound, and the bouncing ball found its way to Anderson in prime position to slot his shot past the goalkeeper, giving the Union another stoppage time win.
All Three Points
- Picking Up Where They Left Off: The international break doesn’t appear to have slowed the Union down at all
- Depth Comes Through: Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre injured, Nathan Harriel, Quinn Sullivan, Andre Blake and Danley Jean Jacques on international duty, but the Union still found a way to win.
- Anderson on the Rise: Not many would have picked Markus Anderson to score the game-winner, the young striker had yet to make his MLS debut before tonight. But a week after scoring a rocket in the friendly win over Atlas FC, Anderson found his first MLS goal. This could be an important development for Philly, given the injuries to Baribo and Uhre.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union: Andrew Rick; Olivier Mbaizo, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, Alejandro Bedoya, Jesus Bueno (Anderson 57, Ben Bender (Jeremy Rafanello 77′), Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilev, Bruno Damiani (Cavan Sullivan 92′)
Charlotte FC: Bingham; Marshall-Rutty, Malanda, Privett, Doumbia; Westood, Biel, Bronico (Williamson 68′); Vargas (Abada 68′), Toklamati, (Smalls 89′) Zaha
Scoring Summary:
Union: 45 + 2’ Bueno
Charlotte: 78’ Zaha (Marshall-Rutty)
Union: 90 + 8’ Anderson (Westfield)
What an ending! Congrats, kid. Nicely done.
The service by Kai on the first goal was spectacular. Excellent strike by Bueno. This team just keeps winning. Collecting points with little meat on the bone *cough cough Donovan cough cough* is impressive.
We learned who the fastest player on the Union is…it’s Andrew Rick running downfield to celebrate after the Union scores!
.
Despite some sloppy play, it was good to get a win against a team (barely) in a playoff spot for the first time since week 2.
.
Tough 3 game road trip coming up with trips to Chicago, Columbus, and Nashville. Hopefully with the 10 day break coming up, Baribo and Uhre will have time to heal. (And if they are really lucky, Trinidad and Saudi Arabia will advance to the KO’s in the Gold Cup so they can get three players back from that.)
Wild affair. Congrats on the late winner.
.
Holy Hell what unbecoming soccer from both teams though.
.
Ben Bender barely belongs. Chris Donovan still doesnt thought Anderson looked totally out of place until the late grace… Rafanello has never particularly looked to be a game changer.
.
Meanwhile “the best 2009 in the world” comes on in the 92nd min.
.
News flash coach… he buries that chance Glesnes plays Donovan in on.
.
Meanwhile they get shots galore, a gazillion crosses and players log miles…which i guess is the most important and popular metric for player industry / value.
.
Whatever. Carry on.
Totally agree Pachy. That was sloppily played and just a terrible display of footy
Marcus has now done what Donovan can’t in about 200 less minutes. Yes he was nervy but he’s gonna be a better striker. Donovan may be in the wrong position. Midfielder maybe? Bender has some real skill on the ball but his decisions in the final third are just… bad. Maybe it is a matter of bedding in. Will reserve judgement.
What a win. After I thought about that press conference given by Tanner before the season started and this quote.
“What I can promise is that we will definitely add some players in addition to the one we did already, that we will utilize all the mechanisms or the possibilities the league gives us according to our new rules,” he said. “But we also trust in what we have, and that’s not only just the players we are bringing up from the second team. I think that we have a way better roster, and we can get way more out of it than we showed in the last season.”
So far with a new coach, it seems Tanner was right about the roster being much better than the way they performed last year as with this win they’ve matched the same amount of points as they had last year with 37.
Here is the view from Section 105:
1) I was pleasantly surprised that it was nearly a full house. Most of the regulars in our section attended, which I think is a testament to the quality of play. My eldest grandson brought two friends, one of whom seems to be a lucky charm for the Union in the games he attends.
2) Re: el Pachy’s observation about “unbecoming soccer,” after the first 25 minutes, I remarked to my season-ticket friends to my left that I thought that I had been transported to 1985 Italy for soccer-torture. The first shot on target for either team did not come until the 40th minute (and it was a Union shot that was saved). No slo-mo replays were needed–the entire match was in slo-mo.
3) I have to disagree with el Pachy about Bender, though. After a thoroughly lackluster appearance last week, I thought that he was quite effective coming down the left side utilizing his speed and sending in crosses, about half of which seemed dangerous. Olivier Mbaizo was particularly rusty with a number of unforced errors in the first half.
4) The Bueno strike was a thing of beauty and it was well-deserved. From the 35th minute on, the Union had created a lot of chances, but couldn’t seem to bury one. Bueno’s injury is concerning because it was non-contact. With Danley on Gold Cup duty for Haiti, the Union are quite short in the defensive midfield corps.
5) I didn’t understand why Zaha was so open for the Charlotte equalizer. He was covered by Frankie Westfield. After I got home, I watched the highlights: Zaha got away with a two-handed push that cleared Westfield from his shooting lane.
6) Note to Chris Donovan, a cheeky chip would have done the trick.
7) The soccer gods did punish Charlotte for time-wasting. In the 3rd minute of 2nd half stoppage time (of what was supposed to be 5 minutes), Makhanya held his ground in an aerial duel and the Charlotte player went to ground writhing and clutching his head. In real time, it seemed as though Makhanya did nothing, although the referee immediately whistled a foul. While the Charlotte player was being “treated,” the incident was replayed on the big board and the booing intensified because it was obvious that there was no foul. After 3 minutes of “treatment,” the Charlotte player walked off the field, ran on the sidelines, and came back on the field within 10 seconds of the restart, which occurred in the 96th minute. Fortunately, the time was added to stoppage time, and the Union scored in the 98th minute.
The Zaha push on Westfield was obvious on TV. Veteran move, and something Westfield will have to learn to be stronger against in the future.
Shorthanded, no problem. Next player up. Props need to be given to Carnell for coaching up the entire roster. He’s masterfully used the entire roster through 18+ games this season.
.
I get the Donovan hate, I agree with some of it. IMO, he’d be a top striker in USL-C. I do see what the coaches see in him. He’s an absolute pest on the field. He plays exactly how the coaches want him to play as a striker in the system. In a league with a salary budget, teams need players like him. His speed of thought on the final decision is where he falls short most of the time. As a 4th option at striker, teams can live with that. Could Tanner go out and sign another forward and pay them $500K+ a season? Yes he could, however, that’s going to limit the depth in midfield and defense. Considering the Union have Uhre, Baribo and Bruno at forward already….. Plus, Eddy Davis III is likely going to overtake his spot.
.
Ben Bender has been a good pickup so far. People forget that Charlotte took him at the top of the draft a few seasons ago. As a depth option, he fits what the Union want to do on the field.
,
We have to talk about Zaha for a moment. He’s super talented. His well taken goal is proof of that. Mentally, he lacks focus and composure. My goodness were the Union players getting under his skin. Bruno in the first half, and then Frankie in the second half. He acted like a spoiled child all game. From his overreaction with Bruno in the first half, to his childish taunting of the crowd after his goal… Then to top it off, who was the FIRST Charlotte player to head to the locker room after the final whistle? Zaha. Beelined it to the tunnel after the final whistle. I can see why he’s only ever had success at Crystal palace as a pro (this isn’t a knock on Palace either, just an observation).
.
Lastly, absolutely love the never say die attitude of this team. They play with a controlled passion, and deep camaraderie. I really hope they can add a piece (or more?) of hardware to the cabinet this season.
Got a chance to rewatch the game today. Was not at the stadium but watched through a nite-quill induced stupor last night. Still feel the same about the overall performance. Very sloppy from both sides. But I have to give this heavily rotated team some real credit. There were some good moments and signs of improvement from the depth that usually just get limited play. Really glad to see the boys fight to the final whistle. Getting 3 points is huge. I would prefer a less hectic/ chaotic style… but with missing 6 regular starters I’m pretty happy with the results. It’s rough on the eyes and I really hope that gets better. On to the next!!