Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union played their third consecutive road game on Saturday night, taking on Nashville SC. For a second game in a row the offense was blanked, even with a man advantage for 25+ minutes. A late penalty led to the game’s only score, and The Boys in Blue fell 1-0 for the second game in a row.

Here are the ratings.

Player Ratings

GK Andre Blake – 7

When was the last time Blake saved a PK? (I’m sure someone here can tell me.) Not that he had much of a chance on Hany Mukhtar’s blast straight into the roof of the net. An otherwise very good game from the keeper. Perhaps even great. The save on Mukhtar early in the game was beautiful.  He was rescued by the post on Mukhtar’s next shot after the rebound, but the first save was pure Blake. Three saves on the night; unfortunately he couldn’t make it four. 

LB Kai Wagner – 7

Wagner had a solid game at left back. He won most of his duels, had some impressive recoveries, and all in all had a good defensive night. While he created the most chances on the night (four), the chances did not pan out. He let Nashville take him out of his game, as they repeatedly tried to bait him into a second yellow card.

CB Olwethu Makhanya – 4

A quieter night from the center back compared to previous games, until the very end when it mattered most. Makhanya was strong at times, and did a good job keeping Nashville off the scoreboard. His youth and relative inexperience (he has been a starter for less than a year) led him to go to ground in an attempt to clear the ball in the box, and the veteran Mukhtar made sure of the contact, earning a penalty.

CB Jakob Glesnes – 6

Glesnes has shown more confidence of late playing the ball out of the back – perhaps because he knows that Makhanya and his speed can cover for him. A very good game distributing the ball, he connected on 90%+ of his passes, was extremely accurate with his long balls, and had eight passes into the final third. Also played a fine game defensively. 

RB Olivier Mbaizo – 4

Mbaizo can be forgiven the occasional defensive lapse when his offensive output makes up for it. But his crosses were woeful, and his long balls were more often than not intercepted. He headed a throw in backwards over both Glesnes and Makhanya, allowing Mukhtar to get in on goal, which led directly to the penalty.

DM Danley Jean-Jacques – 5

Not a poor night from the Haitian midfielder, but not the night we’ve come to expect from him either. Stymied by Nashville’s midfield, Danley never really seemed to get into a groove.

DM Jovan Lukić – 5

Lost more duels than he won, Lukić had a below average night compared to his past play. Also harassed by Nashville’s midfield, he failed to create may chances, even when up by a man.

AM Cavan Sullivan – 5

The fifteen year-old was given the start over Ben Bender, but he did not add any spark to an otherwise lethargic offense. Sullivan did not make any egregious mistakes, but his inexperience was visible. Inaccurate on most of his passes, he failed to create any chances on the night. He surprising did win all five of his aerial duels.  

AM Indiana Vassilev – 5

Vassilev also did not create any chances on the night and he only had one touch in Nashville’s box. More is needed offensively from the attacking midfielder.

FWD Bruno Damiani – 4

Damiani started again, but with the same end result. He hustled and passed accurately, but he lacked a finishing touch as both of his shots were directly at Joe Willis.

FWD Chris Donovan – 5

Missed a big chance in front of goal as he played it directly to Willis. Did not create any chances on the night, nor did he harass Nashville into fouling him, drawing not even one foul on the night.  

Substitutes:

(61’) Tai Baribo – 5

Brought on to replace Donovan, Baribo immediately brought some spark to the Union. He drew the red card on Jonathan Perez, but otherwise couldn’t do much against a Nashville team that was down a man and willing to play with ten behind the ball. 

(61’) Ben Bender – 5

Bender replaced Sullivan, but was no more successful in trying to break down the Nashville defense. 

(72’) Alejandro Bedoya – 5

Bedoya had no more luck than any other teammate in trying to break down Nashville while up a man. Was caught offsides on one of the few exciting chances the Union had in the box. 

Geiger Counter

Rubiel Vazquez – 4

Failed to control the match from the start, and let things get out of control in the second half, brandishing a red card (correctly) and many, many yellows. While he did not call the penalty himself, he ultimately got it correct when called to the VAR monitor.

Player of the Match – Hany Mukhtar

Stepped up when called upon to convert the penalty and earn all three points.

What’s Next…

The Union return to Subaru park to face the New York Redbulls in a quarter-final matchup of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, July 19. 7:00 pm on Paramount+.