Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Streak came to an end in ignominious fashion. A botched penalty and a defensive breakdown moments later let the New York Red Bulls savor their first win over the Union since 2019.

Here are the ratings.

Player Ratings

GK Andre Blake – 5

Unfortunately subbed off after a mere 28 minutes (five of which was for treatment) due to a pulled hamstring, Blake did not have much time to make an impact while on the field. His presence was missed, however, on the Red Bulls’ goal.

LB Kai Wagner – 6

A mixed night for the German left back. He created the most chances (three) of any player on the pitch, and his defending was solid as usual. Wagner had 13 passes into the final third and also took three shots all from outside the box. On the downside, his crosses and long balls were not accurate on the night, and the team suffered for it. Almost tied it late in the game with his final shot on the night.

CB Olwethu Makhanya – 6

A solid defensive night from the young center back. Makhanya won all his duels, had six successful clearances, and had eight recoveries. He was confident carrying the ball up the field and had nine passes into the final third.  

CB Nathan Harriel – 5

Called upon again to play out of position as a center back, Harriel almost held his own on the night. He had six clearances and won more headers than he lost, but the one time he was dribbled past led directly to New York’s goal. It was Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting that went right by him, which is the only reason he isn’t a point lower. 

RB Olivier Mbaizo – 5

Offensively his statistics were better on the night than Wagner, but that masks the fact that Mbaizo was often missing on defense, including New York’s goal. 

DM Jesus Bueno – 6

The drop off from Danley Jean Jacques was not massive, and Bueno was an acceptable starter on a night that Bradley Carnell chose to rotate his line-up. He lost more tackles than he won, which he made up for with eight successful recoveries.

DM Jovan Lukić – 6

Statistically the Serbian midfielder was one of the more successful Union passers on the night (80%, from a team well below 70%), but the eye-test said otherwise as Lukić seemed to give the ball away too much with either poor passing or wishful thinking.

AM Alejandro Bedoya– 5

The drop off from Quinn Sullivan and Indiana Vassilev (who was not on the bench due to a concussion) was noticeable. Bedoya’s best use nowadays is probably coming off the bench to give a spark to the team.

AM Chris Donovan – 4

Another massive drop off from the usual rotation. Granted, he was asked to play as a winger / attacking midfielder, but other than pressing on defense Donovan did not bring much to the game. 

FWD Milan Iloski– 5

Perhaps too unselfish with the ball (Iloski was 15 of 19 passing, mostly in the final third), the new striker had a quiet night. Too quiet for having played a full 90 minutes. He did look sharp finding open teammates (see passing statistic again). But he only took one shot, from well outside the box, and only created one chance on the night. 

FWD Mikael Uhre – 4

Not a good night from the Dane. Much less successful in the air than usual (winning only two out of ten headers), Uhre’s face said it all – he is frustrated and doesn’t know what to do. 

Substitutes:

(28’) Andrew Rick – 5

Probably made only one mistake on the night – shading to the near post on New York’s goal. Probably (hopefully?) something that improves with age and maturity. Unfortunately, it cost the Union the match. 

(46’) Bruno Damiani – 4

Sure, he won the penalty. Or would have won the penalty if a hand ball wasn’t already called. And sure, sometimes a penalty can help a striker break out of a funk. (Though it didn’t after he converted one in Chicago.) But if you plead with your coach to step up, you better make it. 

(61’) Quinn Sullivan- 5

Only on the field for 30 minutes plus injury time, Sullivan did not make much of an impact on the game. Barely broke 50% on passing for the night, but he was fouled twice and didn’t give the ball away (except for over-aggressive passes).

(61′) Tai Baribo – 6

Also on the field for a mere 30 minutes and injury time, Baribo was the most aggressive player on Union for that stretch. Accurate on all his passes, always looking towards goal, and winning aeriel duels, he just wasn’t given enough time to change the outcome.

(78′) Danley Jean Jacques – 5

Statistically not a bad night for the midfielder (statistically he probably warrants a score of 6), Danley was the final substitute brought on in an attempt to salvage a point. He just couldn’t help.

Geiger Counter

Ismir Pekmic – 6

Probably let New York get away with more fouls than he should have, but he did get the penalty call correct without the need for VAR.

Player of the Match – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Choupo-Moting calmly dribbled past Harriel and slid a beautiful pass into the path of Dylan Nealis. Three points New York. 

What’s Next…

The Union welcome mid-table Chicago Fire to Subaru Park on Saturday, August 23.  (7:30 p.m. ET/ Apple TV).