Photo courtesy of Marjorie Elzey
The Philadelphia Union travelled north to take on the high-flying New England Revolution this Saturday night. The Union fought through the rain in Foxborough, and had the better of the play for stretches of the game, but the Revolution’s quality ultimately won out in a 2-1 defeat for Philadelphia.
First Half
The Union had the better of the play early in the first half. In the 9th minute, Ezekiel Alladoh played Cavan Sullivan through down the left side, but Sullivan chose to attempt a pass rather than taking the shot while alone in the box, and the chance fizzled out. A Union corner in the 20th also led to a good chance, as Nathan Harriel headed the ball back across the box, only for Danley Jean Jacques to slice his difficult shot over the net.
The Union lost Frankie Westfield to injury in the 25th minute after a hard challenge from Griffin Yow, but persevered to open the scoring soon after. In the 37th minute, the Revs backline made a mess of a simple long pass, allowing Milan Iloski to run through and challenge for the ball. Iloski reached the ball just before William Sands, and his touch took a fortunate (or unfortunate, if you are Sands) richochet off the New England defender and past a helpless Matt Turner.
Second Half
The Union picked up where they left off in the second half, and created a number of decent chances, but were unable to extend their lead. Their best opportunity came in the 59th minute, when Sullivan created some space down the left and smashed a shot at goal. Matt Turner could only parry the shot into the path of Alladoh at the top of the six yard box, but the Union striker’s shot was cleared off the line by a sprawling Mamadou Fofana.
The miss would come back to haunt the Union in the 61st minute, when Carles Gil and Luca Langoni recycled a failed New England corner at the top of the box, creating space for Langoni to curl a beautiful shot past Andre Blake for the equalizer.
The Revolution had another chance in the 75th minute when Peyton Miller snuck in behind the Union backline and bore down on Blake’s goal, but the young fullback dragged his shot wide.
The Revolution found their winner in the 87th minute, when a scramble in the Union box pushed the ball into the path of Gil, who made no mistake for his first ever goal against the Union.
Three Points:
Sullivan Promising Again: Sullivan really looks to have leveled up this season, and has adapted to the pace and physicality of the professional game. He has been the Union’s most dangerous attacker for the last few games.
Defensive Depth: Westfield looked to be in real pain leaving the game. With Japhet Sery Larsen already out, the Union’s defensive depth will be tested.
Time Running Out: The Union have only three games left before the extended World Cup break begins in June. The break offers the Union a chance to reset, but they can’t afford to fall too far off the pace before it gets here.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):
Andre Blake; Nathan Harriel (Olivier Mbaizo 31’), Olwethu Makhanya, Geiner Martinez, Frankie Westfield; Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Cavan Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya 73’), Indiana Vassilev (Malik Jakupovic 73’); Ezekiel Alladoh (Augustin Anello 62’), Milan Iloski (Bruno Damiani 62’)
New England Revolution (4-3-3):
Matt Turner; Peyton Miller, Mamadou Fofana, Ehtan Kohler, William Sands; Alhassan Yusuf, Brooklyn Raines, Carles Gil; Griffin Yow (Diego Fagundez 63’), Dor Turgeman (Tanner Beason 90’+1’), Luca Langoni (Matt Polster 79’)
Scoring Summary:
PHI: William Sands (OG) – 37’
NER: Lica Langoni (Gil) – 61’
NER: Carles Gil – 87’
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI: Jovan Lukic (Yellow – Foul) – 34’
PHI: Indiana Vassilev (Yellow – Foul) – 45’+2’
PHI: Augustin Anello (Yellow – Foul) – 85’
Time “running” out?
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It ran out the moment Jay Sugarnan gutted the offensive side of the ball with his fire sale last year. We are now the SKC of the East. Does anyone else believe the U go 0-3 by the time the world cup break?
“…but they can’t afford to fall too far off the pace…”. Too late for that. There is nothing, from the on field (lack of) talent to the coaching that gives any hope for a salvageable season. One thing we can get back that is hopeful is Quinn Sullivan. Maybe he can play next to his brother and put the useless Vassilev back on the bench till he goes away. #selltheteam
I hated this match so much.
I hated watching the union ineffectually flail around.
I hated looking at empty Gillette Stadium.
I hated Apple TVs commentators.
I hated them going on and on about XG like it actually means everything.
I hated them going on and on about some completely fabricated win percentage for bettors who are to lazy to trust their eyes.
God I hope this team doesn’t make me hate Soccer.
I liked Gillette Stadium with a natural grass field instead of the plastic surface normally there. Didn’t see any major issues with players slipping or pieces of the turf popping up. Hopefully that works for all the stadiums they laid it over the turf for the World Cup.
I don’t hate soccer, but I certainly hate this team!
It will be a long time before I return to Subaru Park.
The only way to send a message is to boycott this team!
NO GOALS
NO ANSWERS
NO FUN
Union 2026 is a broken record, the defense has to be perfect because the forwards can’t score goals. When they are, you get a 0-0 draw. When they aren’t, you lose.
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Hope Westfield is ok and the reports that he was taken to the hospital were just for precaution.
how many more before “own goal” takes over as the team’s leading scorer?
New England’s last goal is what is wrong with this team. Harriel takes the ball up the left side and instead of playing right away he hesitates and takes another touch that gets a little away from him and the defender starts to press Anello who gives a poor pass into space to Lukic. Lukic wasn’t ready for the ball and starts to jog back to try and recover as Martinez comes out and tries a sliding tackle that he fans on. Instead of Lukic running to cover Gill and get in front of him he continues to jog watching the ball. As Gill scores Lukic pulls his jersey up and over his head because he didn’t pick his head up and hustle to cover for his teammate.
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The last play of the game Jakupovic is out wide as Damiani swings wildly at a ball that bounce over his head but somehow still comes to him. Instead of being a power forward who holds off the defender from behind and pushing the ball across the field, he flops and immediately turns to the ref looking for a whistle….. Which he gets…. but it’s to end the game.
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Lukic & Damiani need to sit out the next game as it’s time to explore what the kids can do.
I noticed that Damiani moment at the end too (and the sequence on the goal, which was tragedy and comedy all in one). Maybe you win that call, but control what you can – like, the ball – so the team controls its chance, instead of the ref having a say.
Lukic really can’t be dropped until Bueno is back from his injury. Damiani needs a run of games with Union 2, I don’t need to see him with the first team until after the World Cup.