Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
For the first time in six years, the Philadelphia Union failed to secure any points against the New York Red Bulls, losing 1-0 on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena. The loss snapped the Union’s franchise-record 16-match unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls, a run that stretched back to 2018.
Playing for the second time in just four days after their U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal win, the Union fielded a heavily rotated lineup, but ultimately were unable to produce a result.
How The Match Unfolded
The opening half unfolded as expected: physical, tight, and low-scoring. Both sides carved out half-chances, and Andre Blake produced a strong save to deny Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting before being forced out with an injury. His exit handed 19-year-old Homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick a difficult assignment in front of the hostile crowd, though he held his own as the first 45 minutes ended scoreless.
After halftime, the Union pushed to seize control, leaning on their deep bench to bring in attacking reinforcements. Their best chance came in the 68th minute, when Bruno Damiani earned a penalty and stepped up to take it. However, his effort was stopped by former Union keeper Carlos Coronel, and after that, momentum swung toward the hosts. Just six minutes later, the Red Bulls capitalized, with Choupo-Moting threading a pass to Dylan Nealis for a finish that stood as the decisive goal.
Philadelphia nearly found a late equalizer through Kai Wagner, but his long-range strike curled just wide of the post. Despite their resilience and a strong showing from Rick in relief, the Union were unable to break through, leaving Red Bull Arena empty-handed for the first time since 2017.
3 Points
- Historic streak ends: The Union’s 16-match unbeaten run against the Red Bulls, which stretched back to 2018, ended with the loss
- Missed penalty: Damiani’s saved penalty highlights an ongoing problem for the Union when it comes to not capitalizing on chances
- Injured Blake: Blake was forced off in the first half with an injury, leaving a big question mark in goal as the Union rev up for the end of the season run.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2): Andre Blake (Andrew Rick–28′), Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Kai Wagner, Olivier Mbaizo, Jovan Lukic, Jesus Bueno (Danley Jean Jacques–78′), Alejandro Bedoya (Quinn Sullivan–61′) Chris Donovan (Bruno Damiani–46′), Mikael Uhre (Tai Baribo–61′), Milan Iloski
Unused Substitutes: Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre
New York Red Bulls (4-2-3-1): Carloos Coronel, Tim Parker, Noah Eile, Raheem Edwards, Dylan Nealis, Emil Fosberg (Julian Hall–82′), Daniel Edelman, Peter Stroud, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Wiktor Bogacz–90′) Serge Ngoma (Dennis Gjengaar–58′), Wikelman Carmona (Sean Nealis–90′)
Unused Substitutes: Marcelo Morales, Roald Mitchell, Aiden Stokes, Alexander Hack, Ronald Donkor
Scoring Summary:
NYRB – Dylan Nealis – 74′
Disciplinary Summary:
NYRB – Dylan Nealis (77′)
NYRB – Wiktor Bogacz (90+5’)
POOP
The plan backfired.
Get the goals first, then put in the bench.
Damiani choked.
We move on
What happen to this team trying to connect passes?
Baribo and Uhre need to start more games together as Damaini has it in his head right now. He needs to be a power forward and taking shots with bad intent. That penalty he took looked like he was trying not to miss.