Match Report: Defence Force F.C. 0 – 5 Philadelphia Union

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

On Ash Wednesday, the Philadelphia Union hung 5 goals on Defence Force F.C. in Trinidad & Tobago. The Boys in Blue’s victory marked a strong return to CONCACAF Champions Cup action after missing out last season. Milan Iloski scored and assisted, Ezekiel Alladoh tallied a debut goal, and Cavan Sullivan bagged his first career assist.

First Half

Despite some shuffling of the defensive personnel, the Philadelphia Union were largely able to stifle Defence Force’s attack throughout the contest. The Trini club was limited to just 4 shots compared to the Union’s 18, with 2 of those coming as speculative long range efforts in the opening 20 minutes.

The Union had the better share of chances, but their first real opportunity didn’t come until the 21st minute. Alejandro Bedoya slotted a ball to an open Milan Iloski in the box, but the Escondido man couldn’t get the shot off, and the chance went begging.

Defence Force nearly took an unlikely lead shortly after. Following a coming together between former MLSer Kevin Molino and Danley Jean-Jacques, Kathon Saint Hillaire had a breakaway 1v1 opportunity. Andrew Rick, who was making his first CCC appearance, was quick to come off his line and make the stop – but the linesman’s flag went up for offside position, negating the play.

Philadelphia responded in kind. Another coming together between Molino and Jean-Jacques resulted in a foul awarded to the Union in the attacking third. The quick free kick saw Ezekiel Alladoh lay off a pass to Iloski, who ripped a shot from the top of that box that forced a diving save from Isaiah Williams.

In the 29th minute, another Iloski shot from a similar area would open the scoring for the Union. Jesús Bueno was fouled inside the ‘D’, resulting in a dangerous free kick for Philly and a yellow for Defense Force’s Tyrese Bailey. From the ensuing free kick, Iloski beautifully lifted a shot over the wall, and under the bar to find the back of the net.

The Union kept up the pressure and got their second in the 32nd minute. Frankie Westfield delivered a near-perfect ball to Alladoh, who powered home a header to tally a debut goal. The Ghanian forward became just the 7th Union player to score on his debut, and joins the likes of Gabriel Gomez, Andrew Wenger, Anthony Fontana, Marco Fabian, Brendan Aaronson, and Bruno Damiani in the annals of Union history.

In an effort to reduce the deficit before half-time, the Teteron Boys threw numbers forward. They had two good attacking opportunities; one that forced Rick into a low save at his near post, and another that saw Nathan Harriel close down Joevin Jones for the block but were unable to get on the board.

Second Half

The Union kept their foot on the gas, and were able to increase their lead in the 64th minute with another headed goal. This time it was Olwethu Makhanya rippling the net from a Milan Iloski corner kick.

Following the goal, Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell turned to his bench, bringing on Bruno Damiani, Cavan Sullivan, and Sery Larsen. These changes seemed to re-energize the game, with Sullivan and Damiani almost immediately combining for a fourth Philadelphia goal. It was the 16 year old Sullivan’s first career assist for the Union, and a great finish from the Uruguayan forward.

In the 72nd minute Sullivan nearly painted the top corner with a strike from long range, but his shot went just over.

The young star was involved in another attack in the 77th minute, drawing contact in the box that was deemed to be a penalty after a VAR check. Damiani stepped up to take the kick, and converted, despite Isaiah Williams getting a hand on the shot.

With the clock nearing 90, a wild sliding challenge from DFC’s Noel on Sullivan sparked a confrontation between players from both sides. With Bedoya acting as a peacemaker, and a yellow card issued to the offending player, the matter was seemingly resolved.

Not to be outdone however, Joevin Jones was sent off in added time after receiving a second yellow card for a last-ditch slide tackle on the oft-invovled Sullivan.

After the allotted three minutes of injury time the game was brought to a close. Philadelphia secured their first win of the season, and a 5-0 lead in the tie.

The Union will return to the United States to open their 2026 MLS campaign against rivals D.C. United this Saturday, February 21st at Audi Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

3 Points:

Carnell’s Personel: With much discussion around how Carnell would replace Kai Wagner at left back, it was somewhat surprising to see Frankie Westfield slot into that spot, only to have Rafanello opposite him at right back. While both played well, Westfield bagged a great assist and looked a natural fit. Is this a semi-permanent solution (until another LB is signed) or a one-off? We’ll get a better idea this Saturday.

Cavan Sullivan: The future Manchester City player threatened to take over the game after subbing in. He provided his first career assist for the Union, won a penalty, and drew multiple fouls with his pace and dribbling. Is this the year he breaks out?

Debutants: The Union had 4 players make their debut in this one. I’m not sure if that’s a club record (since the inaugural match of course), but it must be the most in a while. With understandable concerns regarding their roster turnover this season, tonight was a great way to get off the mark and blood some of the new talent.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2): Andrew Rick (GK), Frankie Westfield (Indiana Vassilev 82’), Olwethu Makhanya (Finn Sundstrom 73’), Nathan Harriel (Sery Larsen 65’), Jeremy Rafanello, Jesus Bueno, Danley Jean-Jacques, Alejandro Bedoya, Milan Iloski (Cavan Sullivan 65’), Ezekiel Alladoh (Bruno Damiani 65’), Stas Korzeniowski

Unused Subs: Jabari St. Hillaire, Nicholas Dillon, Philip Tinto, Adriel George, Curtis Gonzales, Keston Julien, Russell Francois

Defence Force F.C. (4-2-3-1): Isaiah Williams (GK), Tristan Hodge (J. Felix 75’), Sheldon Bateau, S. Noel, Isaiah Garcia (C. Bailey 82’), J.J. Araujo-Wilson (R. Coryat 66’), Justin Sadoo, Tyrese Bailey (D. Olliviera 66’), Kevin Molino, Jovein Jones, Kathon Saint Hillaire (P. Nelson 82’)

Unused Subs: George Marks, Andre Blake, Ben Bender, CJ Olney, Eddy Davis, Sal Olivas, Agustin Anello