Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union

In the final regular-season matchup of 2025, the Philadelphia Union traveled South to Bank of America Stadium to face Charlotte FC. The Union was unable to break their single-season points record, falling 2-0 to the Crown thanks to a first-half goal and assist from Charlotte’s Kerwin Vargas.  

Alejandro Bedoya made his first starting lineup since September 13th at Vancouver, this time in a more natural attacking midfield role. 

With Union II beginning its playoff push back home at Subaru Park 22 hours before kickoff of the senior team’s match, Cavan Sullivan and Andrew Rick were the only Union II regulars to travel to Charlotte. Frankie Westfield has also returned to the fold following the US-U20 Men’s National Team’s quarterfinal loss to Morocco on October 12th. 

First Half

The Union had a chance in the opening minute with the tried and true long ball over the top to Mikeal Uhre. The striker played it back to the top of the box, where Alejandro Bedoya’s shot went just wide. 

Charlotte answered quickly with a chance of their own, but Brandt Bronico put the ball into the outside of the net in a 1v1 with Andre Blake. 

Jakob Glesnes put in a heavy challenge on Harry Troffolo on the far corner of the pitch. He did not receive a caution, and Andre Blake safely punched away the set-piece delivery. 

Charlotte opened the scoring through Wilfried Zaha in the 24th minute. The former Crystal Palace man received the ball in the box after a 2v2 breakaway saw Idan Toklomati and Kerwin Vargas beat Glesnes and Harriel after Makhanya and Wagner were caught upfield.

The home side displayed some heroic defending moments later to clear the ball out of a dangerous scenario from Bedoya’s second chance of the night. 

Kerwin Vargas extended the lead to 2-0 in the 30th minute with a half volley assisted by Harry Toffolo. Vargas was left in the box with space to strike. 

Tempers flared soon after between Wilfried Zaha and Danley Jean Jacques. Both players saw yellow from Tori Penso.

Andre Blake had an important save in the 37th minute to deny Idan Toklomati after yet another instance of Kerwin Vargas being found open on the near side. 

The Union went into the break down 2-0 and frustrated with their inability to capitalize on earlier chances.

Second Half

Bradley Carnell made two changes after the break, bringing in Tai Baribo and Indiana Vassilev for Mikeal Uhre and Alejandro Bedoya. 

The Union were able to come out of the locker room with some attacking pressure, but still could not keep the ball down on their shots. 

Charlotte captain Ashley Westwood had the chance to make it 3-0, but held it too long in front of the box and shot wide of the net. Andre Blake came up big again moments later to deny Toklomati. 

Milan Iloski made way for Cavan Sullivan in the 55th minute. Things continued to go back and forth, and the Union continued to put shots high over the bar. 

Nathan Harriel earned a yellow card in the 71st minute for a foul on Wilfried Zaha. Penso had previously indicated that the next player to foul

Tai Baribo had the chance to give Cavan Sullivan his first assist for the first team, but his volley was saved by Kahlina. 

Damiani collided with Zaha shortly after and became the fourth Union player to get a yellow card on the night. 

Jesus Bueno and Frankie Westfield entered for Nate Harriel and Danley Jean Jacques in the 78th minute. 

Charlotte fell into a low block, and as always, the Union could not find a way to get through. 

Cavan Sullivan nearly had his first MLS goal in the 85th minute, but Kahlina spoiled the moment for the 16-year-old. 

Tai Baribo’s 87th-minute header managed to beat Kristjian Kahlina, but bounced off the crossbar and was cleared away by Tim Ream. 

Wilfried Zaha saw a second yellow card in the 90th minute for swinging at the head of Jesus Bueno behind the play. Zaha will miss Charlotte’s next playoff match. 

Kristjian Kahlina had another diving save to stop a Tai Baribo header in stoppage time. 

The match finished 2-0, highlighted by the Union’s uncharacteristic struggle to find the net. 

 Three Points:

•  The Union took 23 shots during the match. Just five of those were on target. 
• Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukic were not at their sharpest. Errant passes and lapses in attention allowed Charlotte to attack on the break. 
• Cavan Sullivan impressed during his 30-minute shift and generated some much-needed offense. Of the three shots on goal, he was involved in two. 

Lineups

Philadelphia

Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, Nathan Harriel, Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Milan Iloski (Cavan Sullivan– 55’), Alejandro Bedoya (Indiana Vassilev– 46’), Bruno Damiani, Mikael Uhre (Tai Baribo– 46’)

Unused subs: Andrew Rick; Ben Bender, Olivier Mbaizo, Chris Donovan, Frankie Westfield

Charlotte

Kristijan Kahlina; Harry Toffolo (Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty– 63’), Tim Ream, Adilson Malanda, Nathan Byrne, Djibril Diani, Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico (Baye Coulibaly– 83’), Wilifried Zaha, Idan Toklomati (Archie Goodwin– 90+’), Kerwin Vargas (Liel Abada– 83’)

Unused Subs: David Bingham; Andrew Privett, Bill Tuiloma, Eryk Williamson, Tyger Smalls

Scoring Summary:

CLT: Zaha– 24’

CLT: Vargas– 30’

Discipline Summary:

PHI: Danley– 32’ (Caution)

CLT: Zaha– 32’ (Caution)

PHI: Uhre– 45’ (Caution)

PHI: Harriel– 71’ (Caution)

PHI: Damiani– 73’ (Caution)

CLT: Zaha– 90’ (Second caution, ejection)

Referee: Tori Penso