Photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett
On “Star Wars” night at Subaru Park, the Union looked to put a bleak start behind them as they took on Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC. A very strong Union performance resulted in a thrilling tie and a clean sheet. Was the force with them?
First Half
The Union came out surprisingly strong against the conference leaders. Their team-defining press kept Nashville off balance, but it was the Union’s poised, patient and intelligent build up and midfield play that kept Nashville’s attackers pinned back, and having to resort to counterattacks and hopeful long balls.
In possession, the Union not only battled but “took care of the ball,” keeping it on the ground and finding players between the lines in pockets of space before surging down the flanks. Westfield looked dangerous down the right flank, and Vassilev’s runs, along the touchline and across the field to pull the defense out of shape.
Cavan Sullivan, in just his third start this season, caused all kinds of trouble for Nashville’s back line, and Alladoh looked like he might be growing into his role. The Union had three corners in the half to Nashville’s zero. Nashville had two promising counter attacks, but they fizzled under Union pressure. The dangerous Union attacks, unfortunately, continued to lack a final product.
Second Half
The Union came out strong for the second half, and were rewarded with a clean shot on goal by Lukic that just missed wide in the 49th minute. Some scrappy play by Cavan Sullivan on the left saw a shot by Vassilev saved by the post in the 54th minute. Play settled down, but Nashville seemed to gain some confidence and momentum after a three-way substitution in the 64th minute that included Hany Muktar. A series of corner kicks kept pressure at the Union end but came to nothing. Play ranged up and down the field. In the 72nd minute, Anello hit the post. In the 74th, Blake made a fine save to his right to keep the sides level. In the 77th minute Iloski had shot saved, and in the 86th minute Damiani, subbed in for Vassilev sent his shot into the Delaware River.
Three Points:
- Has Carnell found his best XI? Iloski and Alladoh were a strong pairing, and Alladoh fought for every ball, but importantly was able to distribute. Cavan Sullivan was very strong, playing with guile, grit and intelligence and Harriel was able to stay in a more defensive posture. Players seemed to know where the other should be.
- Alladoh may be growing into his role. Alladoh stepped into a starting role for Bruno Damiani tonight and looked to pair well with his teammates – something Bruno has struggled to consistently do this season.
- Taking care of the ball. Quick passing between the lines and finding the open man. It was a joy to watch, and but for the lack of a final product, it could be a winning strategy.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Japhet Sery Larsen (Geiner Martínez 15’), Frankie Westfield, Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Cavan Sullivan ( Agustín Anello 69’), Indiana Vassilev (Bruno Damiani 69’), Ezekiel Alladoh, Milan Iloski.
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello, Ben Bender, Philippe Ndinga, Malik Jakupovic.
Nashville SC: Brian Schwake, Daniel Lovitz, Maxwell Woledzi, Jack Maher, Josh Bauer (Andy Nájar 62’), Bryan Acosta (Matthew Corcoran 86’), Patrick Yazbek, Shakur Mohammed ( Cristian Espinoza 62’), Woobens Pacius (Hany Mukhtar 61’), Ahmed Qasem, Warren Madrigal (Jordan Knight 86’).
Substitutes not used: Joe Willis, Jeisson Palacios, Alex Muyl, Reed Baker-Whiting.
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
Assistant Referees: Andrew Bigelow, Brian Dunn
Fourth Official: Calin Radosav
VAR: Geoff Gamble
AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
GOALS/ASSISTS 0/0
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Geiner Martinez (caution) 64’
NSH – Daniel Lovitz (caution) 90’+1
TEAM NOTES
Goalkeeper Andre Blake recorded his 86th MLS clean sheet.
Things are getting worse. Not only was the game boring (no goals scored at Subaru Park in 7 weeks) but the sound system sucked. I don’t know if it was the whole stadium or just the east side (opposite the benches) but I couldn’t understand a word of what Kevin said during substitution announcements or any other announcements.
Yeah something was up with the sound on our side. I also sit in 127 and I couldn’t hear anything.
From “lineups” down it seems to be the previous game’s info
FYI, lineups posted are from the Columbus game.
This is unwatchable. You have a 0% chance of scoring, if you can’t put it somewhere between the posts. These Forwards are terrible and their service in is just as bad.
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I don’t care about all of the great defense talk, too. This reminds me of small, promoted teams in European leagues that sit in 10 man low blocks all game, at home. They can stay even with a Champion’s League team, for a lot of minutes. The better team finally breaks them down, gets their one goal, and leaves town. However, that doesn’t mean that it was soccer, they were not close in talent, and they had no real hope of scoring or winning. That is what the 2026 Union reminds me of.
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It seems apparent Tanner is coming back. Break this team apart and reload. In this league, expansion organizations, in their second season, are winning Supporters Shields and MLS Cup. Therefore, it shouldn’t take long.
Your last paragraph is incorrect in multiple ways.
Damiani put his shot into the river – well that seems on brand.
Thanks for this report, but sincerely think we were at two different stadiums last night, didn’t see what is discussed here, sadly.
B-O-R-I-N-G is the only word to describe what has happened at Subaru this season… and IF Tanner IS coming back next month, we’re relying on him to salvage this season?
R-E-A-L-L-Y?
NOT ME……….
And so what, Sugarman and team stay silent?! You did your best in the offseason and oh well!?! Do something, say something to help us understand that you care about your fans, even just a little bit?!? W*T*F. Did anyone notice you can now see must of the union logo in the stands? Good!! #boycottthesoob. #selltheteam
Whatever positives anyone wants to take from last night, the first 60 minutes was Nashville’s B team and the difference in quality once their subs came on was obvious. Union lucky to get the point.
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That said, I understood the plan of the starting lineup, to get width through Cavan and Westfield while pairing them with more defensive minded players in Harriel at LB and Vassilev on the right. Kept a clean sheet which was important after Sery’s early injury. Also thought Anello played well, hitting the post and offering some well placed service.
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But no goals, again. It’s 11 MLS matches plus 4 CCL, the eye test should show progress even if shots aren’t going in, but it doesn’t. 0 goals, 5 shots on target between Alladoh and Damiani. I’d make a joke about neither striker being able to put the ball into the river, but Damiani did that last night.
They looked much better and this is a rebuild plain and simple. Why Sullivan came off for Anello is still confusing to me as he was the most dangerous player on the Union at the time. Why not push him up top instead of bringing in Damiani if you are concerned about Najar and physicality? I also thought Anello played well giving them some creativity that I would love to see paired with Sullivan in the box. Sadly, Damiani continues to show he is not an MLS striker let alone a DP. The shot to the moon is evidence he’s in his head and needs to sit. Is it possible he can play with Union2 because he needs to find some confidence somewhere?
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The team is six points out of the final playoff spot but scoring just nine goals for the season with two of your six points coming from 0-0 ties is pretty sad. Is it just me or have Lukic and Danley not improved over last season? They both seem to recover the ball only to give it right back with a terrible pass within seconds. Time and time again they couldn’t make the simple pass to keep possession. Pushing a pass into space seems impossible as they both constantly over hit the ball and when pressured instead of turning back they are trying to get past multiple players, only to turn it over or commit a foul.
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Going forward, Sullivan needs to be a ninety minute player as the time is now. His Union career probably ends next year after the sprint season as he’ll turn 18 in September of 2027. It’s the last chance at glory playing with his brother other than possibly this year’s Leagues Cup. Same with Alladoh, he needs to be the starter over Damiani. He’s twenty years old and played maybe ten games in a new league. It’s way to soon to write him off. He needs some time to find some chemistry with Iloski and hopefully the back of the net.
I, too, am extremely frustrated with the DMF situations. They seem to have actually regressed. The outlets aren’t there and it’s like ping pong defense.
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Martinez used to lock the middle down, all by himself, and Flach was able to roam. Those were great defensive teams. Oh, the good old days!
Alladoh is showing some quality ball control. He also made some really good runs and defense. To me, he starts. I also need to see Cavan and Anello as a midfield pairing. They were out most dangerous chance creators on the night. Vassilev for all his running doesn’t create. And he has only one move: stop forward progression and cut inside. Iloski had one really decent chance but just wasn’t able to get involved. Maybe he needs to sit the bench a few games?
Played with intensity. Overmatched even against Nashvilles 2nd team. It was nice to see a few passes connected and some possession but that’s as far as it went. This is the worst Union team in history. They would struggle in MLS 2. Blow the team up . Find a co owner who cares about actually producing a quality 1st team. Hopeless under current sole management by Sugarman who only cares about building the accademy team in hopes of finding an investment he can sell off to Europe Philly Soccer fans have been abused this year.
I am actually a bit intrigued. Signs of life. Cavan Sullivan gotta be careful with thee ‘That’s bullshit man, fuck off,” looking at the bench antics.
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I don’t disagree with him but you’re a 16 yr old kid and I am an armchair… let us handle the dissension.
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Still boring and generally unwatchable but Signs of life, Signs of life.
More CAVAN! No reason at all to sub him off. I agree with pachy – Cavan should be careful about showing up his manager.
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I really want Damiani to succeed, but I’m losing hope.
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Thank goodness that the Philly radio audio was available. That crapple team just sucks.
ESPN Power Ranking this week: 30th.
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“Philly collected their first win of the year on April 11 against Montréal and haven’t done it again since. Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Nashville is their third draw in four games, but a point against a talented (but rotated) Nashville team is worthy of celebrating in a season this bad.”
We’ll score again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll score again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
‘Til the blue skies chase those dark clouds far away
Won’t happen until someone drops a nuclear missile on us with a cowboy riding on it.