Photo: Robert Simmons

Down a whole host of starters, Saturday night’s exhilarating victory in the dying moments extended the Union’s unbeaten streak to eleven across all competitions.

As if the test of a nine game month of May wasn’t enough, the team face a month-long period where they could be without Quinn Sullivan, Nathan Harriel, Danley Jean-Jacques, and Andre Blake – all away on international duty. Strikers Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre are also missing due to injury for a good chunk of that month period – significantly slimming the experience Carnell has to work with.

Yet, if any organization is set up to handle a situation that requires seamless transition of reserve players into the first team, it is the Union.

“Everyone knows they have to stay dialed in, because their day could be coming. Credit to Ryan – the same alignment, the philosophy,” Carnell said in his post-game press conference. “We are all working very well and connected to each other. The roots are deep and I think you can see that with everyone who plays.”

The tactics

Apple TV’s broadcast showed the Union lining up in a 4-2-3-1, which was reflected when the team were in possession. Bruno Damiani lined up as the sole striker, with Ben Bender, Indiana Vassilev, and Alejandro Bedoya lining up as the tens just behind him.

Free from the confines of playing off a second striker, Damiani’s movement and interplay off the three tens appeared to be more fluid. He filled a role as connector in build up, assisting in switching play from side to side, while also holding up play and combining with the tens behind him effectively.

The first goal was a perfect example of this.

As Todd Lewis’s breakdown shows, Olivier Mbaizo brings down a ball and works inside, where Damiani provides an outlet for his outside back who found himself in traffic. In three touches, the ball is pinged to an overlapping Wagner, who is looking to spread Charlotte out.

Off of Wagner’s cleared cross, a beautiful finish from Jesus Bueno was the Union’s breakthrough just before halftime.

With the 4-2-3-1, the runs into the box on crosses felt more evenly timed. Rather than having two strikers playing in more advanced positions in possession, much of Damiani’s willingness to connect play with his back to goal invited the tens to make runs into the box from deeper areas.

The interplay was fluid, and was part of what led to this Damiani chance created by Ben Bender in the 42nd minute.

On the other side of the ball, the Union’s press forced Charlotte into some real trouble throughout the affair.

Philly pressed in their standard 4-4-2, with Vassilev sliding up as the second striker. Often, this shape transformed into a 4-2-4 to impact Charlotte’s transition in build-up from their defensive line into their midfield.

This plan was something Carnell has utilized previously, and is typically seen when the opponent is sitting in a deeper backline. As Charlotte struggled to connect and play through the first line of press, it signaled blood in the water for the Union press.

Charlotte’s lines in their 4-3-3 became disjointed quickly, and connecting anything from back to front through the press occurred infrequently.

At half-time, up a goal, Carnell pulled Alejandro Bedoya for Chris Donovan, returning possession play to the standard 4-2-2-2. The press still remained a force to be reckoned with.

Markus Anderson was brought into the fray in the 57th minute, coming in for Jesus Bueno, but taking Indiana Vassilev’s spot as a wide ten. Vassilev slid into a six role next to Jovan Lukic. Jeremy Rafanello also entered for Ben Bender, allowing Vassilev to return to a role as a ten.

As the Union attempted to get the fresh legs on the same page as the tired ones, the changes gave Charlotte some life for a fifteen minute spell in the middle of the second half. And unfortunately for the Union, one of the few times Charlotte were able to play through the Union’s press, Wilfred Zaha got free from Frankie Westfield and volleyed home a chance.

By the 82nd minute, the Union found their footing again and were able to sustain a bit more pressure as the game wound its way into stoppage time.

Cavan Sullivan entered for Bruno Damiani in the 92nd with a chance to make a mark.

As stoppage time forged on, Sullivan cleverly found ways to retain possession. As he worked in from the sideline, he found Rafanello and made a run into the box. Rafanello whipped in a cross that was cleared, and headed back into the mixer by Westfield.

Markus Anderson got on the end of it and scored his first MLS goal in the dying moments of the match.

“We’ve seen a team now that changes the complexion of games late on in the second half,” Carnell said. “Just through sheer desire and will, and quality off the bench – credit to the boys.”

Takeaways

Bender impresses

Ben Bender was given an opportunity for a bit of revenge, as he got his first Union start against the team that made him a pro. He took that opportunity and ran with it, as the attacking left midfielder was very lively on the night.

He combined with Kai Wagner, as well as the other tens and Damiani, consistently down the left. He did well to find space in the half spaces to provide a progressive outlet for his teammates in possession.

His work rate out of possession was enough to spoil much of what Charlotte wanted to accomplish down his side all evening.

A 4-2-3-1 suits Damiani

The Union’s shape in and out of possession was notable. Much of that had to do with the front four’s work rate leading the press. A significant portion of that was handled by Vassilev and Damiani.

Sure, only two goals in MLS play this year to the Uruguayan’s name. And of course, his transfer fee would warrant more scoring at some point.

Yet, if he continues to put in shifts in the same way he did on Saturday, those goals will come. His unselfish play, willingness to combine and invite those behind him into the attack, as well as his utilization of all the space he had to work with, were all hallmarks of what made his night mention-worthy.

Markus Anderson revenge game

One year ago, almost to the day, Markus Anderson was on the wrong end of a game winner.

Against FC Cincinatti in June 2024, tied 3-3 in the 99th minute, Anderson had an open Quinn Sullivan streaking down the far side of the field. Instead of playing Quinn in, Anderson dribbled and turned over the ball in the lead up to what was Luciano Acosta’s winner at a pivotal point in the Union’s 2024 campaign.

Saturday night, Anderson changed his fortune. The ultimate sign of accountability from a player – he took the opportunity he was given, grasped it, and never looked back.

The roots are deep

Anderson’s resolute-ness isn’t unique to him. It runs abundant at 2501 Seaport Drive in Chester.

“It’s not easy for those guys,” Carnell remarked in reference to the Union II players making an impact.

“They train with us, they empty the tank early in the week. And then when we trim the team down to twenty players for the roster… you can either be demoralized and go down and play with your tail between your legs, or you can commit to the process and the journey.”

Perhaps some of that belief is thanks to that exact culture instilled by the new manager, where any player can crack the first-team lineup.

“We want to create internal competition. We want to play like the way we train…. I think there’s momentum, there’s belief, there’s energy, there’s cohesion, and there’s commitment to each other as teammates.”

There is something to be said for the Union’s commitment to their model. Whether that commitment thrusts them into more situations like the 2022 MLS Cup final, or US Open Cup finals of seasons past, is yet to be seen.  Heck, maybe it sends more players into the USMNT pool – a few names to add to the several in the USMNT camp as we speak.

For now, though, that commitment is creating deep roots that Carnell will be happy to reap the benefits of.