Photo by Ron Soliman
The Philadelphia Union dropped a decisive loss to Atlanta United, losing their 4th game in a row. Atlanta largely broke through the Union’s press with ease, especially on the counter. On the other hand, Philly struggled to create, and were wasteful with their opportunities. However, they were able to find the back of the net for just the second time this season, the only silver lining in what was otherwise a dreadful display.
First Half
Philadelphia had the first real chance of the match early on in the 3rd minute. Makhanya used his body to win a challenge near the sideline, allowing Indiana Vassilev to find Milan Iloski. The West Coaster’s return pass was a perfectly weighted through ball to Vassilev again, whose cross picked out Bruno Damiani in the box, but the Uruguayan’s header flashed wide.
Ilsoki was again involved in the 10th minute, after a few passes exchanged between him and Jovan Lukić, Iloski took a powerful shot that was mere inches wide.
Atlanta had a near miss a few minutes later when Emmanuel Latte Lath got on the end of Tomás Jacob cross, but Andre Blake was there to stuff the close-range shot.
In the 23rd minute, Miranchuk had the next goal scoring opportunity on a counter attack by Atlanta. A cutback cross found the Russian at the top of the box and his low shot froze Blake, but whistled wide of the upright.
The warning signs were there, and it would be the Five Stripes who opened the scoring in the 28th minute. After restarting play from a goal kick, Atlanta easily broke through the Union’s press and Miguel Almiron picked out a smart run by Latte Lath who finished clinically past Blake.
After a period of dominance for Atlanta, the Union suddenly had an opportunity to level the score after Baez struck Damiani’s head in the box. Iloski stepped up to take, but his powerful shot clanged off the post, letting Atlanta off the hook.
Despite one or two half-chances for each side, the score remained unchanged heading into the break.
Second Half
Atlanta got the second half rolling with a near immediate second goal, this time from the defender Jacob. The Five Strips once again cut through the Philadelphia press, and Almirón again assisted, this time with a low cross to the back post which Jacob was somehow able to get past Blake from close range.
The Union seemed to deflate after conceding a second and Bradley Carnell turned to his bench to try and change Philly fortunes in the 58th minute with a triple substitution.
The press finally began paying off after the 60th minute, and Philly began getting more chances. The best of which was set up by Alejandro Bedoya, who found an open Agustin Anello in the box with essentially an open net. Unfortunately, the chance went begging as the striker’s shot was sent over the bar.
Atlanta all but sealed the deal in the 68th minute, with a brutal counter attack which saw 4 Five Stripes attackers bearing down on just 2 Union defenders. Miranchuk finally got his goal, after several close calls, with Almirón picking up his third assist of the day.
Finally, the Union scored their first goal from open play this season, 87 minutes into the contest and 357 minutes into league play. Beodoya received the ball on the wing and spotted a wide open Westfield at the far post. The Home Grown player’s reset header found a crashing Anello who made no mistake with the finish this time, smashing home from close range.
But, it would prove to only be a consolation as the Union were unable to score two more in the remaining minutes.
After 7 minutes of added time, the final whistle sounded as cheers erupted across Mercedes-Benz Stadium, signalling Atlanta’s victory and a 4th consecutive defeat for the Union.
3 Points:
- 4-Piece Combo: Another game, another loss. That’s 4 in a row to start the season, a new low in Union history. It’s difficult to compete in MLS while playing in CCC but this feels more systemic than the usual difficulties of balancing midweek games. What can Carnell do to get a win?
- Anemic Attack: Another game and hardly anything to show for it on the attack, aside from a late consolation goal. Just 3 shots on target, and 2 were from outside the box. This team is desperately in need of a chance creator and better finishers.
- Getting Philly-sophical: We know how the Union want to score goals: with their press. We also know that the Union want to play ‘Money ball’, relying on their academy. But this seems to have become more restrictive than necessary. What’s the point of the academy if they jettison most of their promising prospects for ‘not fitting the system’? What’s the point of the press if it just doesn’t work?
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2): Andre Blake (GK),Phillipe Ndinga (Sery Larsen 78’), Olwethu Makhanya, Nathan Harriel, Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukić, Danley Jean-Jacques (Jesús Bueno 82’), Indiana Vassilev (Agustin Anello 58’), Milan Iloski (Alejadnro Bedoya 58’), Bruno Damiani, Stas Korzeniowski (Ezekial Alladoh 58’)
Unused Subs: Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender, Cavan Sullivan
Atlanta United (4-3-3): Lucas Hoyos (GK), Elías Báez, Enea Mihaj, Stian Gregersen, Tomás Jacob, Matías Galarza (Steven Alzate 71’), Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez (Matthew Edwards 90 + 8’), Miguel Almiron (Pedro Amador 89’), Emmanuel Latte Lath (Fafa Picault 70’), Aleksei Miranchuk (Ssaba Lobjanidze 78’)
Unused Subs: Jayden Hibbert, Ronald Hernández, Cayman Togashi, Sergio Santos
Scoring Summary:
ATL: Emmanuel Latte Lath (Miguel Almirón) – 29’
ATL: Tomás Jacob (Miguel Almirón) – 47’
ATL: Aleksei Miranchuk (Miguel Almirón) – 69’
PHI: Agustin Anello (Frankie Westfield) – 88’
Disciplinary Summary:
ATL: Elías Báez (Yellow) – 42’
ATL: Stian Gregersen (Yellow) – 45 + 2’
ATL: Matías Galarza (Yellow) – 49’
ATL: Tomás Jacob (Yellow) – 86’
Free Ernst!!!
In review.
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Vasquez had a brace this week for SD. Sullivan I guess is a spot minutes player?
Pierre scores somewhere. Jamir scores somewhere. Somewhere a 6’6 CB also named Pierre is beginning a professional career. I mean Nathaniel Harriel will do at CB, right? Who else, the kid who declined a commissioning with the United States Naval Academy.
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Is this roster Ernst Tanner’s, “Fuck you’ out the MLS door? Is this the Assistant GM’s FUBAR player personnel decision making in the GM’s absence.
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I saw somewhere someone write a week or two ago about Cavan Sullivan being held from the Saturday league game for the Club America game then gets a whole 45 min and no minutes tonight?
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Bedoya? Bueno? Annello all before the kid? Is he hurt? Did he piss the coach off? Does City actually not want him playing in this environment?
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No-one will ask the difficult questions so we’ll never know.
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Soon, soon soon, when the home team is announced, the ever apathetic dwindling crowd will yell, “SUCK,” and that will be funny. And tragic.
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I will not resort to ad hominems. Yet.
Much more likely to my mind that Manchester City wants Cavan Sullivan to play against the most prominent club the Union will play this year in the most physically diffcult environment in which they will play this year — freshly renovated Estadio Azeteca I think I have heard — to evaluate his progress. What better test could you set to judge the youngster’s readiness?
I am trying to understand why Cavan Sullivan only played 45 minutes in the first game against America. Then none over the weekend. I am asking relevant questions about why this kid is not playing more. Seems to me, the fanbase is the only contingent pressing these questions. A compelling argument can be made he was the only player on the field against America with danger in him.
Didn’t watch the game but glad to see that Damiani played the whole game since he’s the one scoring all the goals lately. Oh wait….
This match was remarkably both boring and painful to watch. Can’t blame artificial turf this time due to the temporary grass surface. Blaming CCC is likewise throwing shit against the wall.
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Although the Union finally got a late goal on the run of play, it was garbage time when Atlanta was on gleeful cruise control after trousering us following a lifeless season start. The Union’s offense once again barely existed and missed a PK The defense got badly burned.
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Atlanta felt and looked like heroes stomping zeroes. Atlanta sucks, so it’s telling how bad this team is.
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Some of us have season tickets we can wipe our asses with, but hopefully Sugarman gets otherwise slaughtered for violating the pig rule.
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He still has every incentive to make everyone suffer while freeriding his way on MLS TV revenue and overall league lift, but hopefully someone/somethng with FU money and wanting championship ownership bragging rights will come along to overpay him. All pressures and courtship by fan efforts should be put to that. We’re great fans and a great market if you give a shit about us. Just ask the Eagles and Phillies owners.
Things looked so much better with Bedoya in, looking down/cross field, settled, and no happy feet. How about he starts from now on, we get a lead, and he comes out at 45-60 mins?
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Regarding Cavan…what is the thought there? I can only think of four possibilities:
— He is being moved out by Man. City and this is the obligatory contract finalize week.
— He is starting in Mexico City and they want him fresh.
— Carnell is foolish.
— Manchester City is foolish, for letting the kid waste here.
Otherwise, it was a mess.
Doop!
7:42 of the post match press conference, in response to a question about rotation of Alladoh and Cavan,
“Um, no. I just didn’t feel this was the right game to get Cavan in.”
Your first sentence, very true, about says it all. They bring in their best player who is 38 years old. This is who they’re depending on..
My guess is that Sugarman wants the pitch time invested in his wares for sale.
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Sugarman paid $3.4 million for Damiani and $4.5 million for Alladoh on contracts guaranteed through 2028. To get a ROI, these development players must improve their value above cost, so they’ll get the pitch time investment.
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Cavan is already sold with an unspecified imminent exit. Pitch time is better spent on developing others still for sale. He’ll somewhat play Cavan to honor his bare minimum ‘minor guardian’ commitments to MC and create some useful hype, but the faster he leaves, the better.
This is one of the more logical explanations I’ve seen. Thank you.
Yes, BUT, the way these development strikers “improve their value above cost” is by finishing dangerous balls served into good areas by creative AMs.
That is not Vassilev – it is Cavan.
So……
Practiced in Spain.
Practiced in Florida.
Practiced against Trinidad .
Played 4 in the league.
Played Mexico.
They said they won’t win the Shield.
They didn’t say they won’t WIN.
First to Worst in a month.
Next!!!!
Sugarmans Plan ??….Most coaches would have at least looked sideways at the owner if the owner and gm told him ” Next year we are letting our top scorers go along with our most producitve assist producers and best proven defenders over the last 5 years and we are going to replace them with our second team ( Union II ) and other junior league players and unproven players from leagues lower ranked then the MLS. Carnell is either delusional about his coaching abilities or Sugarman told him we don’t care if we cant compete with this team . You are here to babysit until Cavan moves on and I can figure out how to sell the team or get another partner .
Lose in Mexico City…
Cavan plays a full game, transfers to “Etihad” owner management…
Return home, play Chicago… WIN.
Then 2 full weeks of at home practice, practice, practice… until we get it right.
And on April 4th, come out slammin’ vs Charlotte and restart the season with a far more positive attitude.
I think this is what’s going to happen, actually… Maybe.
Totally dig this plan. The only change, though, let’s make the Club America game our MLS Cup for this year. Let’s change up a bunch of unworthy starters and shock the world with a 2 to 1 win down in CDMX. If we don’t do anything else in CCC, this year, that would at least be a huge accomplishment for this roster.
Doop!
Unwatchable. No identity. No leadership. No one on the same page. No fun.
Players,
The ship is sinking. Play for yourself.
What will be the excuse this week? CCL? Sorry, Nashville is T1 in East, Miami is 3rd. 4 of the top 5 in the West are in CCL.
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Schedule difficulty? Nope, 3 of the first 4 opponents didn’t make the playoffs last season, and none really upgraded their roster. National MLS media were calling Atlanta a disaster.
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Red cards forcing lineup changes? Nope. Injuries? Nope.
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Last question – why can the Red Bulls 16 year old play 90 minutes, while our 16 year old needs more than a week to recover from 45?
Does apathy count as an excuse? The players seemed pretty apathetic yesterday and I certainly feel that way about the team right now. Certainly not planning to stay up until 11pm Wednesday to watch the game in Mexico City.
I’ll watch Wednesday, I watch most of the CCL matches because I enjoy the tournament. But yeah, fail to beat Chicago next Saturday and what reason do fans have to care about the team this season? The only reason they could give us, watching Cavan Sullivan, either Carnell or Man City won’t allow.
I’ll probably watch Wednesday’s game but not until Thursday morning while I’m working. Not worth staying up late for.
“this feels like an early make or break benchmark. Could be the jump start both teams are looking for, or a sign that the fight for the year will be to avoid the wooden spoon”. Whelp. Exactly that. Jump start for Atlanta. Union holding the wooden spoon spot right now.
Red Bull Philadelphia is broken.
Given 58% possession, can’t do much with it. Can’t convert a penalty. Back line can’t win a foot race on a counter. Strikers can’t score until game is already done. Totally lost and there’s no sign it’s going to improve.
Bright side is, I’m eager for this team to reset and ditch this moronic Red Bull system. As successful as Tanner has been with the Union, the high water mark was ‘22 and the team has never been as promising. People will point to lack of investment and the poor decision to run the ‘22 squad out again in ‘23 without reinforcements. All valid, but this system is not going to win. Beat it can do is put itself in a good position to get beat in a key game by a team with a superior squad. Time for Tanner and this whole run and gun philosophy to jog on.
Yes. Energy Drink football only gets you so far. That’s why they can’t get over the hump in any competition. Superior talent in later rounds always beats their press.
This game was as exciting as an ice cube tray. IYKYK
Microplastic emitting ice cube trays… and a wimpy scarf.
In brighter news I can’t make the game Saturday and no one will buy my tickets, that basically guarantees a win, right?
Take away your 2 top defenders and 2 top scorers and replace them with…..???? And you get this dreck of a team. Season ticket holder w/my brother for over a decade and we have never seen such a discombobulated mess as this current Union team. Dreadful.
Sugarman is going no where, and why should he? Have you seen the complex built… from the air, on CBB, it is impressive.
Let’s really look at this….
Of course Carnell has some sort of guarantee as far as contract, no matter what happens this year. He’s NOT getting burned again like he did in SLFC.
Of course “Etihad” management is SUGGESTING playing time for Cavan, but don’t over blow that control either. How many kids are in their system? Lots. Cavan being one. Carnell is protecting him, maybe until his bro gets back? Crazy situation, made worse thru speculation.
Of course we suck right now. But our backline is impressive, once stable and playing together will shut down the box for Blake. Our midfield.is energetic and WILL get it together hopefully starting Sat vs Chicago… feeding strikers we KNOW can score, just having a tough time finding the onion bag lately. This too shall pass….
Carnell’s contract only runs through this season. Union could fire him tomorrow, owe him the same amount of money. This isn’t the way to get an extension/new deal though.
Just a terrible situation.
Ya know, if they hadn’t missed two sitters and a penalty kick they would have won
After New England scored a touchdown against Cincinnati this afternoon, there is one team in MLS with 0 points through the first four weeks.
This season is the logical conclusion of that tired high midfield press. The other teams have all figured it out as of last September. There is some mean reversion too as there was a lot of luck last season to get the Supporters’ Shield.
For example, look at how easily Atlanta’s #9 got between the defenders in that narrow three man back line. That’s down to just being predictable.
Selling talent from last year is certainly an issue but it’s a drop from above average talent to average or below average talent. Not to the worst. This entire season is on the GM and the coach (owner too!). I’ve seen this show before in DC and I know how it ends.