Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union fell 2–1 to Charlotte FC in a frustrating road performance that showed both promise and familiar flaws. Despite generating the better chances and finding a late equalizer through Danley Jean Jacques, the Union were undone almost immediately by a defensive lapse that led to Charlotte’s winner. While there were encouraging signs in the attack and a spark off the bench, missed opportunities and an inability to manage key moments ultimately cost the Boys in Blue a result.
Player Ratings
GK Andre Blake — 5
Made a number of OK saves and wasn’t at fault for either goal. Did what he could, but couldn’t come up with a defining stop late.
LB Frankie Westfield — 5
Early yellow limited his defensive aggression. Showed effort and some forward intent, but overall impact was muted.
CB Olwethu Makhanya — 5
Some decent defensive actions and probably the most composed of the back line, but still part of a unit that conceded twice.
CB Japhet Sery Larsen — 4
Part of a back line that never looked fully organized. Couldn’t deal with key moments, especially around the winning goal.
RB Nathan Harriel — 4
Had a tough assignment dealing with Wilfried Zaha and didn’t handle it particularly well. Struggled defensively and picked up a yellow. A step off the pace, especially on Charlotte’s second goal. Every cross was into the hands of Kristijan Kahlina.
DM Jovan Lukić — 5
Kept things moving and had a few quality moments, but didn’t take control of the midfield. Lukić to do more to dictate play.
DM Danley Jean Jacques — 6
The best Union starter on the night. Took his goal well and consistently pushed the team forward. One of the few bright spots.
AM Indiana Vassilev — 5
Active and involved as always (pressing), but lacked sharpness in the final third. Got into good areas but then failed to produce.
AM Milan Iloski — 5
Worked hard and found some dangerous pockets, but decision-making and execution let him down. Another “almost” performance.
FWD Ezekiel Alladoh — 4
Relatively quiet. Didn’t impose himself on the game or provide a consistent threat alongside Damiani. Was not pleased to be subbed off for Jesús Bueno.
FWD Bruno Damiani — 4
Had chances but couldn’t convert. Effort and positioning were there, but the finishing wasn’t. The lack of scoring is incredibly concerning. It’s time to sit Damiani for a while.
Substitutes
(64′) DM Jesús Bueno — 5
Brought energy and helped shift momentum for a stretch. Positive contribution of the bench.
(77′) AM Cavan Sullivan — 6
Immediate impact off the bench. Provided the assist and injected some creativity the team was lacking.
(84′) FWD Malik Jakupovic — 5
Had a few touches in advanced areas but never turned them into anything dangerous. Involved without being effective. Should have come on earlier.
(84′) FWD Stas Korzeniowski — 5
Brought some energy after coming on but struggled to influence the game in a meaningful way. Couldn’t provide the attacking spark the Union needed late. Should have come on earlier.
(84′) LB – Philippe Ndinga — n/a
Came on too late to make a real impact. Didn’t have enough involvement to earn a meaningful rating.
Geiger Counter
REF Drew Fischer — 6
Called twice as many fouls on the Union as he did Charlotte, but probably correct. Was evenhanded in doling out yellow cards.
Player of the Match
Wilfriend Zaha – his touch on Charlotte’s second goal was sublime.
What’s Next…
Philadelphia Union will travel to Stade Saputo to face CF Montréal on Saturday, April 11th (2:30 p.m. ET /Apple TV).
Can we add a spot for the gaffer on here as well? His lack of creativity, preparedness, tactical knowledge or just a sheer stubbornness to deviate from a scheme and system that is woefully inept against what is (in more weeks than not) mediocre MLS talent needs to be studied.
The pieces aren’t the same, that’s the argument that I keep hearing, but I think its shortsighted to think that he didn’t at least have a hand in selecting who he wanted in replacement of those players in Tanners absence, not to mention that this is the SAME pattern that had him exited from his previous club. Canning him will not fix the issues, but keeping him does nothing to improve it either.
His post match comments are always the same, how proud he is of the boys…whatever for?!? He lost me when he set his barometer with Vassilev, a perennial lower level player whose ceiling keeps getting lower. The whole setup is a mess. It’s a shame we have nothing to root for… again.
I’m probably one of the few remaining Vassilev defenders…The guy works hard and is an annoying gnat on the field. He’d be great in a sub role when legs are tired and then here comes on this tazmanian devil in the 70th minute where he’d inevitably cause havoc and mistakes from opp. But as a *sub*. Not as a 1st choice over Sullivan who time and time again has shown hes ready for more responsibility. I’d go sofar as to even argue Danley in his spot and let Bueno play the other 6. Then sub Indy on. Again–it comes back to coaching decisions and hes either too shortsighted to see it or worse, just too stubborn to change.
Like a Danny Cruz or Antoine Hoppenot?
From my frame of reference I’d have almost everyone a point lower, leaving Blake and Bueno at 5, maybe Danley at a 6 as well. Lukic has regressed badly, Vassilev can’t hustle enough to make up for his poor quality. Forwards are absent but with no attack build up and service they don’t have a mych of a chance. Iloski seems to have lost his confidence (not without reason) .
Red Bull Philadelphia is broken… doubtful to recover this season with these players.
Just play the kids, Bedoya as replacement coach with Carnell lame duck on his 2nd of 2 year contract and Tanner coming back June 1st…. no one knows????
… or do they, just not saying?
Really smells bad…. the whole thing. Concacaf, World Cup, League Cup all obfuscation to this USL quality team paid for by MLS Season Ticket investors.
That sucks the most…. Play the kids, make it entertaining at least.
Red Bull Philadelphia was a failure.
Move on … POOP.
Alladoh didn’t know the substitution rules, or was pissed off and just didn’t care. Take your pick which is worse. His first MLS game resulted in a Red Card. You had to love Harriel’s leadership on the off the field escort, though. Harriel was like some parent babysitting a pouting child. Danley had to do it in the game, too, or Alladoh would have probably received another Red Card. Move on from this dude and start the Union 2 Forwards.
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The same goes for Fauxribo. He wasted more of our minutes, just so that management can gain some kind of resume build, so that he retains any semblance of sell on value. How many stadium seats need to be empty every game for that to eclipse the ROI on any resale for him? Maybe Sugarman needs to hire a consultant if he doesn’t like my free advise. Give this dude permanent bench splinters, please.
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All we have heard about is schedule congestion this, schedule congestion that, players are tired, players are over worked, poor us….we qualified for Champions League (the new name is dumb) oh, no! Just give us some rest. Then what happens? Carnell makes one substitution at the 64th minute, swapping a Forward for what has typically been a Holding/Defensive MF…..in a game that he is losing 2-1. Then he waits until the 77th for one more sub, and doesn’t change anyone else until the the 3 changes at the 84th. I thought that Curtin’s substitution strategy was baffling, but this guy is making a great case for being even worse.
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Doop!
Alladoh short track record is very worrisome. Could he end up being our second worst signing?
I take some comfort in the fact that Danley and Lukic are starting to look more like the players they were last year. But if I never see Harriel on the field again, it’ll be too soon. Get rid of him. Kills attacks and completely beat on defensive duties.