Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union (1-0-6) battled back from a deficit to ultimately defeat CF Montréal (1-0-6), securing their first win and points of the 2026 MLS season. Iván Jaime’s opener was canceled out by Union defender Japhet Sery Larsen’s header, before Jesús Bueno hammered home the winner. The result sees the Union lifted out of the Eastern Conference basement, and means the Union are safe from the ignominy of extending their franchise worst start to the season.
First Half
The Philadelphia Union began the game with energy, and briefly controlled the tempo, but were unable to create any meaningful chances in their opening flurry. CF Montréal quickly took over, and the contest became a disjointed affair, featuring many fouls, yellow cards, and two VAR reviews.
In the 13th minute, Montréal were gifted a big chance following a mistake from Jovan Lukić. The Serbian midfielder was dispossessed in the Union’s half by Wiki Carmona, but his through ball to Iván Jaime was cut out by the on-rushing Andre Blake. Despite Referee Alexis Da Silva awarding a penalty to Montréal, VAR confirmed that Blake got a touch, over turning the spot kick.
The Union had their first truly threatening moment in the 22nd minute. Jesús Bueno’s in-swinging cross went into the danger area and CFM keeper Thomas Gillier was unable to punch it away. The ball fell to Damiani, but the Uruguayan forward rushed his shot, and it blazed over the bar.
Shortly after, Montréal would open the scoring through Iván Jamie. Efrain Morales played a first-time pass up the field that caught the Union defense in the moment of transition. Jamie was the benefactor, dribbling around Makhanya and coolly finishing past Blake. After another VAR check, this time for a potential foul on Ben Bender in the build up, Da Silva opted to let the goal stand.
Milan Iloski recorded the Union’s first shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but his long range free kick was ultimately a simple save for Gillier.
Jesús Bueno’s ripping volley nearly tied the game in first half added time, but the Montréal keeper was equal to the effort, sending the Union back to the locker rooms staring down the barrel of a 7th straight loss.
Second Half
Although the Union looked sluggish out the gates – and required a big Andre Blake save in the 52nd minute to keep them in the game – Philadelphia was able to flip the script on their hosts, battling back to win the match.
In the 55th minute, the Boys in Blue found an equalizer. Predictably, the chance came from a free kick, which saw Iloski’s delivery find an unmarked Sery Larsen, who easily headed home from close range.
In the 66th minute, Head Coach Bradley Carnell turned to his bench, subbing in Ezekiel Alladoh for Ben Bender.
The Boys in Blue would find their go-ahead goal in the 70th minute through Jesús Bueno. Nathan Harriel launched a long throw into the box, and Alladoh flicked on a headed pass, finding the run of Bueno. The Venezuelan made no mistake with his finish, giving the Union the lead.
Philadelphia kept the pressure on in search of a third goal. Second half sub Alejandro Bedoya nearly iced the game in spectacular fashion, with a diving header in the 84th minute, but Gillier was somehow able to get a hand to it.
A Montréal free kick in the 6th minute of added time was the final chance of the game. But, Olger Escobar overhit the delivery, sending the ball into the stands. Da Silva blew his whistle for full-time, dashing Montréal hopes and sending the Union into ecstatic celebrations. The Boys in Blue have finally won a game.
3 Points
- Curse-Breaker: The Union were finally able to snap their losing streak, picking up their first win and points of the season. The comeback result means Philly is out of the basement, for this week at least.
- Use Your Head: Both Philly goals were finished, or set up by, headers from set-pieces. After weeks of poor play in that area, it was a good sign to see the Union find success there.
- Jesús has Risen: Fittingly, it being Easter-time, Jesús Bueno scored the winning goal to secure a Man of the Match performance. After 4 years with the team, he seems to be breaking into a starting role.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2): Andre Blake (GK), Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Japhet Sery Larsen (Phillipe Ndinga 81’), Frankie Westfield; Ben Bender (Ezekiel Alladoh 66’ ), Jesús Bueno, Jovan Lukić, Indiana Vassilev (Cavan Sullivan 88’), Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski (Alejandro Bedoya 81’).
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick (GK), Geiner Martinez, Finn Sundstrom, Jeremy Rafanello, Malik Jakupovic .
CF Montréal (4-2-3-1): Thomas Gillier (GK), Luca Petrasso, Efraín Morales (Tomas Aviles 70’),Brayan Vera, Dawid Bugaj, Matty Longstaff, Victor Loturi (Olger Escobar 82’), Iván Jaime, Wiki Carmona (Fabian Herbers 37’ [Kwadwo Opoku 82’]), Dagur Thorhallsson (Hennadii Synchuk 70’), Prince Owusu.
Substitutes not used: Sébastian Breza (GK), Samuel Piette, Daniel Rios, Brandan Craig.
Scoring Summary:
MTL: Iván Jamie (Efrain Morales) – 23’
PHI: Japhet Sery Larsen (Milan Iloski) – 55’
PHI: Jesús Bueno (Ezekiel Alladoh) – 70’
Disciplinary Summary:
MTL: Thomas Gillier (Yellow) – 22’
MTL: Prince Owusu (Yellow) – 37’
MTL: Victor Louri (Yellow) – 43’
PHI: Sery Larsen (Yellow) – 45 +6’
PHI: Olwethu Makhanya (Yellow) – 59’
PHI: Bruno Damiani (Yellow) – 85’
PHI: Jovan Lukic (Yellow) – 90 + 5’
Terrible first half followed by a better second half. Bueno was one of the best on the field all afternoon, alongside Makhanya and Westfield. Alladoh showed flashes of what I thought I saw in game one (and not since), and earned an assist (I believe). Is it a turnaround or a blip? We shall see.
Not sure Montreal Club Foot would beat Defence Force… but we’ll take it.
Good coverage. Carnell survives another match.
More than you can day for donadel
There were moments in that second half when the U possessed the ball, played little triangles and got out of trouble, and actually used their soccer-playing gifts to an end that wasn’t kicking it hard. It was fun for a bit there, which it hasn’t been most of the rest of the year. More of that, please.
Didn’t watch, but I did check out the video replays of the Union’s two goals and I have a question. After the first goal, was there any reason why they were showing a close up of Damiani trotting back toward the center of the pitch even though he had nothing to do with the goal? Or was it just typical Crapple not having any idea what they were doing?
Andy, you are correct. It was poor production from crapple tv.
Players at top of screen have their heads disappear in the advertising strip that meets the field. So weird
+1…. continued terrible Apple production and direction, really believe they have people who normally work Curling in Canada.
I particularly enjoyed the announcer raving about the support Montreal gets (while the camera showed an empty stadium) and calling them the “Montreal Impact”, which I believe was their old NASL or ASL team.
A result. Signs of life. Better. Keep building. That’s all…. for now.
I’d move Bueno to attacking midfielder or maybe striker instead of Damiani. He’s got the best shot on the team and seems to be able to hold the ball up.
NO… he’s exactly where he should be. Still VERY YOUNG he could be the next El Brujo Martinez for us, IF he started, played 90 every game.
He’s 26. That’s not VERY YOUNG in soccer.
Does it make sense to change formation over the World Cup break ? When 3 of your most consistent players play a position where there is only room for 2 of them to be on the field maybe something needs to be adjusted. (Danley, Iovan, and Jesus) And I would probably argue that Indiana’s best position is also DM and he is at AM to get him on the field. (Whether he should be on the field (at AM or anywhere else) or not is a completely different question.
With the Phils overlapping, I opted out of this likely loss. Tuned in as this was finishing up. Nicely surprised. Like Pachy says, it’s a result.
I watched the first 65 minutes or so- saw the comeback but not the win, but I’ll take it. Seemed like Iloski and Vasilev both lined up for every free kick. Adds and element of uncertainty to have a L and R shooter for a close direct kick, but seemed like a waste of a man on most of the longer ones. Iloski should take them all. A Vasilev free kick is like a Vasilev dribble- a path to nowhere.
Union II has been lining up a left foot and a right foot over every free kick for more than a full season now, even though observation suggests who the likely server will be.
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Logic suggests they want the defending keeper to have to acknowledge both possibilities in his positioning and an anticipation.
2 words. Ben Bender???? Not Cavan Sullivan? I do not understand Carnell’s thinking.
Manchester City dictates…
I’ve seen the sentiment that City is limiting Cavan’s minutes a few places online. I’m going to push back on that idea.
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He is already contracted to Man City. It doesn’t follow that they would demand he be withheld from a bigger place in the rotation. It is in their best interest that he arrives at Manchester further along in his development. That requires more playing time – not less.
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Admittedly, I think everyone is surprised that he hasn’t logged more minutes in MLS. But that feels more like a Union centric decisions than a Manchester one.
yes and potentially don’t want him to play on turf.
1. We have no idea how heavily he was used over the international break with whichever youth national side he was with.
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2. Bender may be better defensively in a press against a noticeably “physical” side. He can take the beating he’s going to get.
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3. Sullivan is 16.5 y/o. Bender is 25.1. One is a full adult, the other still is not. That matters, physically.
I see the adult vs youth argument brought up a lot. It has merit to it individually but not as a general rule. There has been a lot of attention given to the 17 year olds playing for the RB and that new LAFC signing as well. I have been watching Max Dowman, also 16, playing for Arsenal and dealing well with the adult players. He is not usually played 90 minutes, but he did start a Champions League match. I think it is important for these youth stars to get minutes playing with the adults and get used to the physicality. I have seen Cavan get knocked off the ball but also fight for it well. It is probably more about the individual’s development and size, I mean Bender isn’t exactly an imposing physical presence!
1. In the match immediately after the international break, he played around the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time. There was a full week between Charlotte and Montreal.
3. Unless he has serious stamina issues that other young players in MLS do not, Sullivan should be able to go 15-20 minutes off the bench even if he doesn’t start. He should not be the time wasting sub at 90′ to replace Vassilev. If he can’t, City might want their transfer fee back.
2. By being so married to ‘the system’, Union have moved on from McGlynn, Vazquez and are not playing Sullivan. Instead you get Bender and Vassilev as your attacking mids.
I know it’s a low bar, but Bueno arguably has been the Union’s best player over the last couple of matches. Does that mean he’s gone come summer transfer window?
Ha…. YUP.
Everyone yell “BUENO” when he is announced. The ONLY bright spot (other than short Cavan and Stas stints) so far this season.
Ben Bender…. OK. So Bender and Vassilev are “teachers pets” obviously, maybe they bring apples for the coach at practice? Or maybe they know how to cook Braai (BBQ) and Boeriwors (farmers sausage), South African dishes for Coach?
Besides Manchester City DICTATING Cavan playing time, there has to be a reason why those two guys, two USL Championship mid-level players, are playing for a poor MLS squad.
Bueno was easily man of the match. He looked excellent on both sides of the ball. Alladoh got involved a bunch without trying too hard, in a way that seemed positive (given how bad his vibes had been thus far). Plus that was a nice ball into a dangerous spot for ChuChu’s goal. Sery Larsen looked good in the second half on both sides of the ball, but I believe he was mainly reponsible for Montreal’s goal too, so mixed verdict on him. He and Makhanya forming a good partnership will be one of the keys to our season.
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Anybody know when Quinn is coming back?? Lord do we need him…
Rumors out there that his return would be “post summer”. After the Cup break at the earliest. That tracks for an ACL tear.
Sullivan tore his ACL September 27th, 2025..
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For estimation purposes only since the exact date of his surgery is and should be private, assume he had it repaired October 1st or thereabouts.
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My only medical degree is from hard knocks university ;-). Listen to medical professionals.
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October, November, December, January, February, March, and mid-April.
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He’s been in recovery and rehabilitation for 6 1/2 months.
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August 1st would be ten full months elapsed. A quick look at AI suggests that every month extra invested significantly reduces the risk of re-injury.
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Philadelphia re-opens play July 22nd, follows on July 25, and then is home to Atlanta August 1st. After that the Leagues Cup adds into the game schedule to up the frequency of matches.