Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

Charlotte FC came north to visit Subaru Park on Saturday night, and thought they were leaving with a point. A last gasp goal from an unlikely source earned the Boys in Blue all three points. Both teams were without starters, but it was the Union which was forced into a heavily rotated squad through international absences and injuries.

Here are the ratings.

Player Ratings

GK Andrew Rick – 6

The one goal allowed was hardly Rick’s fault. He was not called upon to make many saves, but came up big in the 86′ minute when Liel Abada got around Glesnes for a one-on-keeper shot. Rick parried it nicely and Frankie Westfield cleared the rebound to safety.  His enthusiasm when the Union scored – sprinting the length of the field twice – is almost worth an extra point. 

LB Kai Wagner – 8

The German continued his outstanding play and helped the Union take all three points. Though he is not credited with an assist on Jesus Bueno’s goal, it was his wicked cross in from the left that was cleared out by Charlotte, but only to the top of the box where Bueno took the shot and scored. Wagner also saved a goal in the 73′ minute with a great challenge on Idan Toklomati from behind in the box .

CB Olwethu Makhanya- 6

A decent night from Makhanya, who kept the box clear with eight clearances and five headed clearances. Quietly staking a claim to continue starting at left center back, even when Nate Harriel and Ian Glavinovich return.

CB Jakob Glesnes – 6

A solid night from the veteran, who was rarely caught out of position as he has been at other times this season. His lack of speed is still a concern, as Abada showed when he burst around Glesnes in on Rick. Thankfully the goalkeeper saved him, otherwise this score is a five. Glesnes did look sharp bringing the ball up the field more than once, and should have had an assist on a great pass through the Charlotte back line, but Chris Donovan shot right into David Bingham’s gut. 

RB Olivier Mbaizo – 5

Not an auspicious start from Mbaizo who often finds himself third on the depth chart. Given the chance to stake a claim to number two behind Nate Harriel, he only lasted 45 minutes before being subbed off at half for Frankie Westfield. Mbaizo did not look sharp on the night, especially offensively, where gave away too many balls and his crosses just were not dangerous.  

DM Jesus Bueno – 7

A very good game from the Venezuelan, who opened the scoring with a rifle shot on a half bounce from 25 yards out. Bueno looked more dangerous on the night than either of the offensive-minded midfielders. Unfortunately subbed off in the 57′ minute for what looked like a hamstring issue. Anything more than a minor injury could be an issue, as the midfield is already stretched thin. 

DM Jovan Lukić – 8

I did not say Lukić’s name once in the stands, nor is he mentioned once by name in the official highlights. The stats don’t paint a flattering picture either (winning only four out of twelve duels), but Lukić dominated the middle of the field. Was instrumental in making sure the ball was not played out wide to Wilfried Zaha all game. A ridiculously quiet but good game from the Serb.

AM Ben Bender – 6

Bender had some nice overlapping runs up the left side, but most of his crosses just were not dangerous. He did slot a nice pass to Bruno Damiani who was robbed of a goal by Bingham’s right foot. His second best chance of the night may have been a shot into the box that appeared to glance off midfielder Ashley Westwood’s arm. 

AM Alejandro Bedoya – 5

Not a poor game from the midfielder and Captain, but he failed to provide a spark the way he often does off the bench. Subbed off at half time in favor of Chris Donovan. 

FWD Indiana Vassilev – 6

Announced as a forward in the Union’s 4-2-2-2 formation, it appeared that Vassilev was playing more as a third 10 than as a second forward. Regardless, he looked more dangerous on the night than either Bender or Bedoya. Which isn’t saying much. 

FWD Bruno Damiani – 6

He created many chances, but also lost the ball quite a bit. At some point Damiani needs to start scoring. Fed many chances on the night, he failed to convert any of them. A nice pass from Bender led to a great chance, only for Bingham to make an outstanding save. But too many other Damiani shots were weak and easily saved. 

Substitutes:

(45′) Frankie Westfield – 6 

Got burned by Zaha on the Charlotte goal. Zaha gave him a shove in the back to open some space, allowing for a clear shot on goal. But Westfield atoned, as he was instrumental in the winning goal, heading it back into the box for Markus Anderson’s winner.

(45′) Chris Donovan – 5

He runs. Yes, he runs. And runs. But lacks a first touch. Donovan should have scored when Glesnes fed a pass through two defenders to him, but he shot right at Bingham.

(57′) Markus Anderson -6 

Two goals in two halves (including the friendly). Sure, it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time, but he converted, which has been lacking by our bench strikers. Looked a little out of place playing on the wing, but he’s going to have to get used to that. Unless he can dislodge Donovan from the fourth striker spot.

(77′) Jeremy Rafanello – 5

No glaring errors, but was even less of a spark than the player he replaced (Bender).

(90+2′) Cavan Sullivan – n/a

Geiger Counter

Ricardo Montero – 6

Called what appeared to be an even match. May have let Charlotte get away with a few soft fouls, but the extra injury time added on because of a weak Charlotte injury allowed the Union time to find the game-winner.

Player of the Match – Jovan Lukić

Probably not a “sexy” choice, but Lukić’s domination of the midfield was key to the win.

What’s Next…

The Union have nine days off before facing the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on June 25. 8:30 pm. Apple TV.