Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union pulled together a dramatic comeback on Saturday night, rallying from two goals down to beat Atlanta United 3-2 at Subaru Park.
Despite controlling possession for much of the game and playing up a man, the Union fell behind 2-0 before producing a stunning response.
First Half
Philadelphia nearly found an early breakthrough from a Kai Wagner free kick before Milan Iloski tested Lucas Hoyos with a pair of dangerous opportunities within the opening 25 minutes.
The match seemed to shift in the Union’s favor in the 27th minute when Atlanta center back Enea Mihaj was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Iloski. Rather than capitalize on the man advantage, however, Philadelphia was caught during Atlanta’s adjustment, as three minutes later Miguel Almiron forced the ball across the line after a scramble in front of Andre Blake to give Atlanta the 1-0 lead.
The Union responded with pressure before halftime, but time after time Hoyos produced a save, sending the Union into the half trailing despite both the extra man and the majority of attacking momentum.
Second Half
Philadelphia emerged from the locker room intent on leveling the game, generating a series of corners and blocked efforts in the opening minutes. Interim coach Ryan Richter looked to inject fresh energy into the team just before the hour mark, introducing Quinn Sullivan and Jesus Bueno as the Union continued dominating.
Instead, Atlanta doubled its advantage against the run of play in the 66th minute. Tristan Muyumba found space outside the penalty area and fired a low strike into the corner, putting the visitors up 2-0.
The two goal deficit finally sparked the Union; in the 73rd minute, Iloski chipped Hoyos from distance to halve the deficit while writing his name into club record books with goals in six consecutive MLS matches.
With Atlanta retreating deeper and deeper, the Union committed numbers forward. Eight minutes of stoppage time provided one final opportunity. In the 96th minute, Kai Wagner delivered a pinpoint cross that Neil Pierre powered home.
Yet, with two minutes left, the comeback was far from over. Barely a minute later, Wagner found space to play a dangerous ball into the penalty area, where Ezekiel Alladoh redirected a first-time finish inside the far post for the first MLS goal of his career. The dramatic winner completed an extraordinary turnaround, extending Philadelphia’s winning streak to three matches.
Three Points
- Territorial Dominance: Playing with an extra man initially didn’t translate into quality finishing, but the Union’s relentless pressure eventually overwhelmed the visitors.
- Kai Wagner: Wagner was influential throughout the evening, but his quality in the final minutes proved decisive, solidifying his role as Philly’s primary creator.
- The Kids Show Up (Again): Iloski may have continued his historic scoring run, but it was the kids that ultimately got it done. Neil Pierre followed up last week’s breakthrough performance with a goal, Cavan Sullivan remained heavily involved in the attack, and Alladoh announced himself with the match-winning goal.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):
Andre Blake; Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel (Agustín Anello – 71′), Kai Wagner; Cavan Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya – 90’+8), Jovan Lukic (Jesus Bueno – 56′), Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan – 56′); Milan Iloski, Bruno Damiani (Ezekiel Alladoh – 71′)
Unused Substitutes: Ben Bender, Andrew Rick, Japhet Sery Larsen, Geiner Martinez
Atlanta United (4-3-3):
Lucas Hoyos; Enea Mihaj, Matthew Edwards, Junior Alonso, Elias Baez; Tristan Muyumba (Ronald Hernandez– 88′), Tomas Jacob, Will Reilly; Alexey Miranchuk (Stian Gregersen – 78′), Fafa Picault (Luke Brennan – 78′), Miguel Almiron (Arif Kovac – 84′)
Unused Substitutes: Adyn Torres, Jayden Hibbert, Cayman Togashi, Toto Majub, Adrian Gill
Scoring Summary:
ATL: Miguel Almirón – 30′
ATL: Trustan Muyumba (Alexey Miranchuk, Júnior Alonso) – 66′
PHI: Milan Iloski – 73′
PHI: Neil Pierre (Kai Wagner, Milan Iloski) – 90’+6
PHI: Ezekiel Alladoh (Kai Wagner, Jesús Bueno) – 90’+7
Disciplinary Summary:
ATL: Enea Mihaj (Red – Foul) – 27′
PHI: Milan Iloski (Yellow – Foul) – 28′
PHI: Nathan Harriel (Yellow – Foul) – 53′
ATL: Lucas Hoyos (Yellow – Foul) – 58′
PHI: Bruno Damiani (Yellow – Foul) – 68′
ATL: Elías Báez (Yellow – Foul) – 90’+2
I see you, Ezekiel Alladoh. What. A. FINISH!
This was the most frustrating game ever with the attack as they seemed so close on so many chances. I think they had 18 shots at one point with no goals and Atlanta had three with two goals. Then Richter brought in Quinn and the brothers started putting together some passes moving the ball with purpose and Cavan testing the goaltender. Finally Iloski found the back of the net with the sweetest little touch.
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After that goal the Union looked so close so many times but it seemed the kryptonite of being up a man was again going to be too much to over come. Then out of nowhere, kid Pierre was there and he tied the score with minutes left in the game. With confidence now on overdrive they pushed for a winner and what a moment for Ezekiel Alladoh to score his first MLS goal. Kai Wagner in one minute set up victory from 95 minutes of what looked like defeat. .
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I give Richter credit for this game as his subs made a difference and he had the guts to go with an 18 year old center back for the last 19 minutes plus stoppage time. That trust delivered the goal to tie the game and his sub delivered what might turn out to be the Union goal of the year.
Great ending although the Union still continue to scare with the man advantage. Hard to overlook that they gave up 2 goals in that situation and the first one likely would have been a PK if Atlanta hadn’t scored.
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I was unable to attend and watched the game on Crapple and I have to say that they still have not improved a bit. They have yet to show a replay that gives any idea whether the card should have been yellow or red. All of their replays were just bad quality and it seemed like they tried to speed the play up rather than slow it down so we could see. Completely unacceptable.
Truly unbelievable, that Apple had no decent angle of any of the meaningful events on the night.
Cutting away from the celebration in the corner on the match winner to a shot of Richter and his assistant coaches doing nothing was another highlight for me.
It’s really not a great look for Apple when the announcers are “trust me, bro” describing the replay they saw of the red card. If it was reversed against Union, I’d be livid.
Confusing Cavan & Quinn, not even realizing it & correcting it lol
Stop starting Vassilev… Quinn is ready.
I was impressed with Anello when he came in.
Ryan Richter’s comment after the game about “going for the winner at home”… and getting it… MIGHT have sealed the deal for removing his Interim title.
Curtin NEVER felt that way.
Way to go BOYS.
Anello is a mixed bag for me. He gives the ball away cheaply too but definitely has some quality and confidence. Any chance Ilsinho got younger in the last five years?
Also, Harriel needs to be not playing in the center.
That’s his best position. You’re basically saying Harriel shouldn’t play at all. And well, okay.
Richter’s game management at the end was genius.
Props to the Union photographer for that epic pic at the corner flag. Downright biblical OC. Chills!
Here is the view from Section 105:
1) On a balmy but pleasant night, the stadium was about 2/3 full with very few Atlanta supporters to be seen. In Section 105, I would say about half of the “regulars” attended. In our pre-match discussion, in looking at the standings, we thought that this was a pre-playoff playoff match in the sense that both teams were presently pretty far out of the playoff picture and that the loser would have little chance of making the playoffs. Since this was a home game, the pressure really was on the Union to secure the 3 points.
2) With Alan Chapman as ref, we knew that there would be some randomness in the officiating, and that was well-demonstrated in the first 20 minutes. The Union started out on the front foot and created a number of good chances early.
3) I do have to give Chapman some credit for issuing a straight red to Mihaj, which was fully deserved for a reckless challenge from behind with studs up–Iloski was very fortunate not to have sustained a serious injury. By way of background, Mihaj had gotten fouled from behind earlier in Atlanta’s defensive zone. Mihaj went down, stayed down, and practically begged for a yellow card to be issued to the offender,, who was. . . Iloski. Chapman did not call a foul on the play. My hunch is that if Iloski challenged the same way in the second half, he would have been booked, but not in the 23rd minute. So perhaps Mihaj felt that Chapman “owed” him one. But not this time.
4) Atlanta’s first goal resulted from Neil Pierre’s ball-watching and Almiron getting past him. Had the ball not gone in the net, Pierre probably would have been called for a penalty and given a yellow card. I have no doubt that with consistent playing time, Pierre will improve this part of his game.
5) Atlanta’s second goal was the result of Bueno’s poor marking and Muyumba’s perfect strike on a curling shot to the low outside post from 20 yards out at the top of the box. Pierre tried to close Muyumba down, but he could not get there in time.
6) Unlike in the past, the Union played with a sense of urgency from that moment forward, and they were rewarded by Iloski’s deft redirection of a deflected Wagner cross in the center of the box. It did not look offside in real time, but there was a fairly extended VAR review.
7) I have to call out Atlanta’s coach Tata Martino here. Your team has played a player down from the 27th minute. You are now up 2 goals in the 66th minute. Perhaps you might consider some fresh legs on defense, but none were forthcoming until the 78th minute. In the Union’s barrage during 2nd half stoppage time, happily the attacks coming directly in front of us, we noted at least 3 occasions when the Union were rewarded because Atlanta’s defenders were gassed and made poor touches on the ball.
8) Neil Pierre is a beast in the air! I didn’t count the number of times that he put his head on the ball from set pieces (not to mention from Atlanta goal kicks), but it was a lot, and it was good to see him get rewarded deep into stoppage time.
9) Last but not least, now I understand why the Union spent for Allodah. That was some strike for the win–a true goal scorer’s goal. I liked what I saw last week when as a late sub, protecting a narrow lead, he took the ball to the corner and dared Seattle to take it from him–that’s professional.
I don’t know whether the Union can make the MLS playoffs after having sunk to last place, but they are now a really fun team to watch. Cavan Sullivan and Frankie Westfield had outstanding games, and Quinn Sullivan looks like he is returning to form. There is every reason to be optimistic.
Section 105! That’s our section!
I thought Chapman was more consistent than usual…at least watching on TV. Regarding the first Atlanta goal, I thought the same thing…giving up the goal saved Pierre a card.
Was complaining to my family throughout the broadcast about the commentators compete lack of attempt to keep it profession and hide their affinity for Atlanta. The greatest part of the winner was the play-by-play man screaming “OH NOOOOOO!” as the ball was struck. Hahahahaha
I want Dave Leno or PJ calling our games… I usually turn off the Apple announcers,.listen to Dave on 97.5, cannot stand any homers who just disrespect our team
Higginboom (sp?) the exception…
Someone posted the Atlanta announcers calling the final 2 goals and even that was much better than the Crapple guys! They were focused on Atlanta’s woes and gave props to Pierre’s header and Alladoh’s strike.
You might be aware of this so, if so, just an FYI to others. For Home team sides on Apple, you can choose the live audio from the Home team’s radio announcers. So, through Apple, you can get Seba and Leno calling the game. It’s synced up automatically.
Father of Ben….
I did NOT know that.
Thanks for the info.
The club is growing and winning. Not on the back of any single player — that’s a good thing. Seasoned talent is all in. Young talent is showing up. I think we dig ourselves out of the basement for a ******* spot. Don’t want to jinx this!
Not sure who to credit.. but glad someone brought up the Union SUCK at playing 10 men teams.
And it’s NOT like it’s a new thing. Historically, we ALWAYS struggle against sides that simply “park the bus” with 10 men… and still no one has an answer.
Understand fully… the speed of this young squad will cause MANY RED CARDS just like last night.
Get your act together and have a strategy for 11 v 10, PLEASE. My heart at this age will not take much more than last night!!!!!
WINK
Didn’t they also lose to a Messiless Miami a couple of years ago and it was 11v9 when Miami scored the winner?
Yes, yes they did. I was there and to this day I don’t cheer when the other team has a man sent off because it could be bad. That was far worse than blowing a 3-goal lead when Messi was playing, at least they didn’t lose to 9 men. Traumatizing.
I was at that game, too. It was a 3-3 draw that definitely felt like a loss.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/727012/inter-miami-cf-philadelphia-union
There are years I would have left disgusted before that comeback happened. Even with as bad as they were before the break, there were reasons to keep watching this team. Cavan has been easily the most dangerous creative player on the field – fearless and direct. AND unlike most creative players, he presses like heck on defense. Danley has been fun to watch – I was afraid we might not get him back. Pierre has made us forget about Makhanya in 3 games. Kai has brought back confidence, veteran leadership and his lethal left foot. And Quinn is back. Now that Alladoh has broken the ice, maybe he’ll get going too.
As bad as they have been before the break, there are some definite reasons for optimism now.
Plenty did. We saw loads of people head for the exit from our section before stoppage time even started.
As others have said we suck playing a man up. I never get excited when the other team sees red, unless we already have a lead. A lot of great performances last night, great effort. Still, I wonder if we could have pulled that off without Kai. Quite a few folks in my section left before stoppage time and missed it.
Atlanta fans will excuse the time wasting on the situation, but they were playing dirty from the first whistle. Chapman may have missed a couple of fouls but at least he was on to the antics. He switched a goal kick to a corner and carded their keeper early on for time wasting. Martino or someone on their bench got a yellow as well. There was an incident late on during a Union free kick and Kai tried to move an Atlanta player out of the way when that player fell to the floor with a flourish. Chapman ignored him and then he stood in front of Kai and did it again! Chapman told him to get up. (That may have been one of Atlanta’s yellows for diving too). Time wasting and flopping are often cited as reasons potential fans stay away from soccer. Good to see something done about it.
Sorry for the rant I just hate when teams play the way Atlanta does and I am glad we got them in the end!
Thrilling comeback. It was against a fellow cellar dweller though and with a man advantage. The lack of fine touches and finishing decisions in the box needs work. Still, 3 points at home is mission accomplished.
Damiani….please management, call it a night on him. It’s well overdue. He started at forward, logged a yellow card (68′), and recorded a game-high 5 fouls before being substituted in the 71st minute with Alladoh. We went 2 nil down against a fellow cellar club with a man advantage that he nearly neutralized.
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Within two minutes of him off the pitch late, we were on the board with two to follow with young Alladoh having a classic finish.
Um. Alladoh’s finish was spectacular but lucky. That may be the only goal he ever scores for the Union. I’m not a fan.
He’s twenty years old and from a different country. He wouldn’t be the first player coming to MLS that struggled his first year. That being said you have a new coach and one that for the first few games looks like he is putting players in better positions to succeed. We’ll see though.
Indeed he’s been an underwhelming prospect so far. But he’s 20 and the hope is that he’ll progress.
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Damiani is 24 so the development ship has sailed. His 2026 performance is a dumpster fire like past years with just one goal and no assists in season action with 1,344 minutes played He’s a turnover machine, goes to ground too often obviously looking for referee help rather than earn opportunities, lacks aerial control despite being 6’2, lacks fine touch, shoots like shit, has a 70% successful pass rate, etc. Almost else is a better prospect in his place.
Except Donovan and Wegner..
Watching Union 2 game live on Sat 8th…. Stas has scored both Union goals…
Brought up a question in my mind…
Why couldn’t Damiani, Addulah… other underperformers… BE SENT DOWN and Stas “called up”… He is ready.
And like Andrew Painter (fingers crossed) went down to Lehigh and got himself back on track… why couldn’t Damiani do the same thing?