Photo by Stephen Speer

Who: Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose Earthquakes
What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 3
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
When: Saturday, March 7th, 7:30 PM
Watch: MLS on Apple TV, Radio Call on 97.5 The Fanatic
Whistle: REF: Armando Villarreal, AR1: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, AR2: Diego Blas, 4TH: Rodrigo Albuquerque, VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero, AVAR: TJ Zablocki

The Philadelphia Union (0-0-2) will host Western Conference opponents San Jose Earthquakes (2-0-0) in a Saturday night showdown at Suabru Park that sees the Union looking to break a two game losing skid. San Jose has had one of the brighter starts this year, winning their opening two fixtures without conceding a goal, and can rely on new DP Timo Werner. The Union are still gelling, but will benefit from club record signing Ezekial Alladoh’s return from suspension and the potential debut of U22 Initiative signing Phillipe Ndinga.

Scouting report: San Jose (W-W)

2025 & Offseason Round-Up

San Jose were a bit Bi-Polar last season. They had a truly electric attack between Josef Martinez, CJ Espinoza, and Cristian Arango. However, despite scoring 60 goals, they also conceded 63, which caused them to end 2025 just outside of the playoff bubble. 

You’d think that would signal sweeping changes ahead of 2026 and you’d be right… partially.

Externally, the Quakes appeared to be having a pretty awful offseason. Their departures doubled their incoming transfers. Many key pieces, including that electric front line, left. Reportedly, the club’s FO straight up forgot to pick up Espinoza’s contract option. 

Conversely, their only acquisitions were two SuperDraft selections (inlcuding former Philadelphia Union II and Academy product Jack Jasinski) and a handful of free transfers which included a player from Earthquakes II in Next Pro, Jonathan Gonzalés from Juárez… oh yeah and Timo Werner. Werner is clearly the headline there, and one of the biggest moves this past offseason, but there’s more going on in the Bay Area. 

New-look Quakes

Call it addition by subtraction or just Bruce Arena’s magic, but all of sudden the Quakes defense has been rock solid. 0 goals allowed in their first two matches. The switch from an attack minded 3-4-3 to the ever pragmatic 4-2-3-1 probably played a role. Admittedly though, both of their matches came against the likes of Sporting Kansas City and Atlanta United – two teams that are still in the process of bottoming out – but last season they would have conceded sloppy goals in those matchups. 

This year, so far at least, the Quakes are defensively stable. Goalkeeper Daniel’s form appears to have picked up. Daniel Munie, Reid Roberts, and Jamar Ricketts – three first round SuperDraft picks from the last couple years – have all taken a big step up. Munie and Roberts are the team’s center back pairing and Ricketts, a versatile threat on the left side, has bagged an assist in each of the opening games. Niko Tsakiris, who caught some attention for his performances with the USA U-20 at last year’s World Cup, has been given the keys to the 10 spot. Preston Judd has scored in back to back games. The Quakes look ready to trash almost everyone’s season predictions at this point. 

Of course, it’s only been two weeks. San Jose has definitely benefitted from an easy opening run of games. But, with Werner waiting in the wings, and Arena’s long term development of younger talent evident, San Jose could be a really solid team. Either way, they’ll pose a good challenge to a Philadelphia Union side that has struggled to start the year.

Injury report: OUT: Earl Edwards Jr. (lower body), OUT: Ronaldo Vieira (lower body)

 

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union (L-L)

What’s Gone Wrong

Things have not gone Philly’s way to start the year – in league play at least. Back-to-back red cards for what amounts to mental errors – each from two of the team’s most important players no less – is unacceptable. Even more concerning however, has been the disjointed performances across the first 180 minutes in MLS. 

While the defense is still a work in progress – and Ndinga’s arrival will make it a more complete unit – the depth is bad in the immediate term and concerning in the long run. With Olwethu Makhanya suspended, and Olivier Mbaizo out of form and largely frozen out of the team selection, Bradley Carnell might have to get creative again with how he sets up the backline on Saturday. With that being said, Andre Blake is still a beast, and even if the defensive unit is shakier than last year, they should be able to do enough to keep the team in this one. 

What’s more pressing has been how rough this team looks in attack. Yes, the new additions are still gelling, and obviously Ezekiel Alladoh’s red card stopped some of that process, but no goals from open play in 2 games is not a good sign. The Union are clearly suffering from the loss of Kai Wagner and the absence of Quinn Sullivan. They need another chance creator on the field. 

The Case for Cavan

While he’s still developing – both physically and as a player – I think Cavan Sullivan deserves an extended run against San Jose. Indiana Vassilev is a key part of Carnell’s press – which also has not been as effective as last season – but his ability as a playmaker is limited at best. Iloski is good, but he can’t be the sole creative outlet for the entire offense. Cavan has shown a willingness to drive forward with the ball, and an eye for progressive passes, two traits the Union desperately need more of. 

Maybe he doesn’t start, but if the Union need a goal, he has to be the first off the bench. If he is limited to another 10 or 15 minute cameo, it starts to raise serious questions of why he was even signed in the first place. This team committed to the Red Bull model. Look at what’s happening up in Harrison. 16 and 17 year olds are starting and winning them games. It’s time to pull the trigger and see what happens.

Overview

This matchup typically produces close affairs. Both teams have very even stats in the all-time series, each coming in with 5 wins each, combining to tie on 4 occasions. There has only been one game with a margin of victory greater than one goal: a 4-2 Union win back at then PPL Park in 2014 (Not-so Fun Fact: That game was actually Raïs M’bholi’s debut for the Union). 

The most recent result was a 2-1 victory for San Jose in the 2023 season at PayPal Park. Most of this series’s leading goal scorers are long retired. MLS legend Chris Wondowloski tops the chart with 4. Steven Lenhart, Andrew Wenger, Conor Casey, and Alejandro Bedoya are tied for second place with 2.

All-in-all, this matchup will provide much needed data on Philadelphia’s continued adjustments as they navigate a soft rebuild. Expect San Jose to threaten the Union, especially by overloading the wide areas and on recycled set-pieces. As always, Philly will live and die by their press, so mentally prepare for the Union to have to grow into this game – as they’ve had slow starts in each of their league games.

Injury report: OUT: Eddy Davis III (quad), OUT: Quinn Sullivan (knee)

Key matchup

Ezekiel Alladoh vs Reid Roberts

This should be a great battle between two physically gifted, young talents. Alladoh is a true target-forward the likes of which the Union haven’t had since Conor Casey. 

Player to Watch: Timo Werner

The Champions League winner and international star already grabbed an assist in his debut for the Quakes last week. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he will pose a serious danger to the Union’s somewhat shaky backline. 

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes

It’s tough to see the Union winning this one based on form. There’s just too many question marks. It’s clear the team is still adjusting to the departures of key players, while their replacements are settling in. Meanwhile, San Jose has a stronger defense than last season, and can still find the back of the net. Union get their first point of the season, but stay winless.