Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union

The Union hosted Bundesliga’s Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening for the second-ever “Sister City Showdown” at Subaru Park as part of the German side’s preseason tour of the United States. The sides played to a 2-2 draw with goals from Bruno Damiani, Chris Donovan, Jonathan Burkardt, and Elye Wahi. Union Academy product Paxten Aaronson returned home to face his boyhood club for the first time since departing in 2022. 

Paxten Aaronson started on the bench alongside US Youth International Marvin Dills (‘07), who recently won the UEFA Friendship Cup with the U-18s under former Union II head coach Marlon LeBlac. 

Tai Baribo was notably absent from the matchday squad amid rumors he may be heading to Brazilian side Fluminense. While his absence does not confirm anything, it may be a sign of his pending departure, but it could just as likely be giving the MLS All-Star MVP a much-deserved break after playing two matches last week.

First Half

Frankfurt opened the scoring on a 3rd minute corner, where Frankie Westfield mis-timed his back-post coverage on Johnathan Burkhardt. The ball was flicked past Frankie’s attempt to clear and fell easily for the German to volley. Burkhardt had another big chance in the 12th minute, but Andre Blake reached full extension to deny him. 

Uhre nearly got one back just minutes later, catching Frankfurt off guard following a restart. His effort was just wide of the net. Quinn Sullivan also had a shot hit the post after winning possession at the top of the 18. Although down a goal, the Boys in Blue continued to press hard against the Frankfurt defense to earn some chances. 

Andre Blake pulled off a miraculous double save in the 27th minute while his box was overloaded with red shirts. He ultimately collected the ball on the third time of asking. 

The head official directed players to the benches for a cooling break in the 31st minute, allowing both coaches to deliver instructions to their teams.

Bruno Damiani equalized for the Union on a 41st minute corner. His header was not anticipated by the Frankfurt keeper.

Second Half

Bradley Carnell turned to his bench at the break in order to give minutes to other first-teamers. Frankfurt made five changes, including giving Paxten Aaronson his homecoming minutes. After the substitutions, the remainder of Philadelphia’s bench consisted of players likely to feature for Union II in their league match against FC Cincinatti 2 on Sunday evening. 

Paxten Aaronson lined up on the right wing against Frankie Westfield, who moved to left back in place of Kai Wagner. 

Frankie Westfield drew a foul in a dangerous area after some technical play on the left flank between him, Bedoya, and Mikael Uhre. Jeremy Rafanello’s service into the mixer found the head of Frankfurt centerback Aurele Amenda, whose clearance sparked a breakaway that led to Frankfurt’s go-ahead goal. Substitute Elye Wahi beat a chasing Rafanello and diving Andrew Rick to score his second of the preseason tour. 

After going down, Carnell called on homegrowns Neil Pierre, Eddy Davis, and Sal Olivas. Paxten Aaronson missed the net on a 3v1 breakaway right after the substitution.

Chris Donovan scored his first Union goal of 2025 by beating Frankfurt’s keeper on the dribble outside the box. The Drexel alum calmly placed the ball into the net amid oncoming attackers. 

Donovan nearly forced an own goal with a cross in the 86th minute, but Frankfurt’s keeper was able to stop the ball at full extension.  

The match ended in a draw, with Markus Anderson being the Union’s lone unused substitute.

 Three Points:

•  Chris Donovan’s work ethic off the ball continues to impress, and his efforts were rewarded with a goal against a Champions League side. 
• While speaking to the media ahead of the match, Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller confirmed that Patxen Aaronson is in the club’s plans for the upcoming season. 
• Neil Pierre was class against Frankfurt’s attack. The teenage defender should see his MLS debut soon. 

Lineups

Philadelphia

Andre Blake (Andrew Rick– 46’) (Oliver Semmle–79’); Jakob Glesnes (Olwethu Makhanya– 46’), Nate Harriel (Neil Pierre– 67’), Kai Wagner (Olivier Mbaizo– 46’), Frankie Westfield (Isaiah Leflore–79’ ), Jesus Bueno (Eddy Davis– 67’), Indiana Vassilev (Jeremy Rafanello– 46’), Danley Jean-Jacques (Jovan Lukic– 46’), Quinn Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya– 46’), Mikeal Uhre (Sal Olivas– 68’), Bruno Damiani (Chris Donovan– 46’)

Unused subs: Makrus Anderson

Frankfurt

Jens Grahl; Arthur Theate (Elias Baum– 69’), Robin Koch (Aurele Amenda– 46’), Rasmus Kristensen (Nnamdi Collins– 46’), Niels Nkounkou (Timothy Chandler– 79’), Fares Chaibi (Marvin Dills– 79’), Hugo Larrson (Ebu Bekir Is– 69’), Mario Gotze (Oscar Hojlund– 46’), Ansgar Knauff (Paxten Aaronson– 46’), Jean-Mateo Bahoya (Michy Batshuayi– 79’), Jonathan Burkardt (Elye Wahi– 46’)

Unused Subs: Kevin Trapp, Amil Siljevic, Noah Fenyo

Scoring Summary:

SGE: Burkardht– 3’

PHI: Damiani– 45+’

SGE: Wahi– 62’

PHI: Donovan– 74’

Discipline Summary:

PHI: Makhanya– 86’