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’
Donovan’s goal was a harbinger of more to come. I watched most of his games during three of his four years at Conestoga High School and I saw what – apparently – Bradley Carnell sees as well. It’s not just his work rate. He has a nose for goal (and for assists). Yes, we haven’t really seen that with the Union, and yes, past performance (admitting that my reference point is High School) is no guarantee of future returns.
But this was not a one-off.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Appreciate the POV, Micah.
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We all need people in our corner.
Damn it. I was going to post something snarky but now I would feel bad. Ok fine. Donovan had a good goal. Hope the floodgates open.
Welcome to the site Mr. Donovan. Pleased to have you. Hope you get as many MLS minutes as your son in upcoming matches.
Deez – did you put him up to this?
It’s really worth watching the replay on the Union website. Great flick on by Ale, Davis with a classy assist and Chris with the hustle and the touch.
Here is the view from Section 105:
1) On a beautiful and temperate late afternoon, the stands were half-full for this exhibition game. There were more Frankfurt supporters in the stands than there were Colorado Rapids fans last week. And although the weather was perfect, there was a “cooling break” in each half, which was the only added time in the game. Who wrote that into the contract?
2) Tai Baribo was not on the field nor on the bench.
3) Frankfurt plays in a very similar style to the Union, and they are a very good side. I am not sure that the Union will play a team of this quality in the rest of the season. Like the Union, they seem to have a number of players who play for their respective national teams. We could well-understand how they finished in 3rd place in the Bundesliga last year.
4) On the first goal off a Frankfurt corner kick, Frankie Westfield was beaten by Burkhardht because Frankie missed the ball–it was a high-quality scoring play.
5) On the Union’s first leveling goal, Frankfurt left Bruno Damiani wide open for an uncontested header. I am sure that Frankfurt will correct this defensive mistake going forward, and this is the reason for playing friendlies in the first place.
6) We were impressed by Frankfurt’s second goal-scorer Wahi. He has a lot of speed.
7) Geez, Neil Pierre is BIG. He seems to have decent skills–I confess I have not watched any Union II matches, so those who have done so undoubtedly have a much better assessment of his skill-set. I like the idea of a big bruiser at CB.
8) I thought that the officiating was excellent and that the game had good flow. The referee refrained from issuing yellow cards for a number of fouls that could have merited them until he issued one against Makhayana in the 86th minute that frankly, should have been ignored.
9) After I got home, I fell asleep during the Portland v. Queretaro Leagues Cup match. Though the Union match was just an exhibition, it was much higher quality.
I won’t be happy if they sell Baribo. You don’t bring in a striker for the playoff push and get rid of your best player. They have an open DP spot and should use it to make him the highest paid Union player ever and build around him. He’s the perfect age for a three year contract with an option.
+1. I think that Tai is the best they have had at putting himself in good positions from which to score.
Especially when he is going to a Brazilian team rather than a top European team. I mean I would understand if they sold him to a team that was qualified for UEFA Champions Group stage (not that it would happen) but not elsewhere.
Hear me out here: They will extend Baribo in the offseason and give him the money they are currently paying Uhre. The striker they are bringing in now is to replace Uhre next season, and also offer Midfield/striker depth for the stretch run.
This was a very good result against a very good team. The U’s press was very effective, which was a bit surprising. It was nice to see Donovan score. I hope he can land in a place where he gets more playing time.
Baribo was in the owners box last night. It makes no sense for his transfer to a barzilian team after he has been working for his green card here and he is also rounding back into form.
Pierre was shaky for the first five minutes of his time on the field but seemed to recover well. Frankfurt were running in behind a ton and i am very surprised that the defenders wished to play offense as their primary responsibility. Mbiazo had at least 3-4 misplaced passes and i think he played better against Colorado. enjoyable game
I’m going to do an aaron Rodgers here. Relax. Tai’s not going anywhere.
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+1
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I’d be shocked if he isn’;t extended into a DP contract (Uhre’s current contract) this offseason. Iloski is Ugre’s replacement, and also adds punch in Midfield, and a fourth striker. I will say, the kid’s are close though. Olivas and Davis III will get more first team minutes next season for sure.
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Also wonder if Donovan isn’t on his way out (loan to USL team to make room for Iloski on the roster?).
I agree that he’s not leaving and Uhre will need to take a pay cut to stay. I just want the team to do what Tanner has done in the past and reward him with the DP contract. It would push the proof of concept for the Union way and how they compete in MLS. Also if Uhre takes a TAM level deal at the ripe age of thirty, you have a good player who you can now say fills that super sub role that the team hasn’t had since Ilsinho.
Thinking Baribo stays put. Uhre is out next season.. he just hasn’t played up to what we hoped he could be. My first thought when reading about the new striker signing, was that he is Uhre’s replacement. Sad to see him go. He seems to be a good guy!
On a separate note.
Can’t believe there weren’t some sort of Sister City merch available. Was asked repeatedly about my scarf from 2018. Mostly by Entract fans. I was a bit salty and voiced my thoughts to the ticket reps and the pooor woman in the fan services desk! She seemed very confused. Lol.