Sullivan Makes History as Union Extend Unbeaten Run to Eight
Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union returned to Subaru Park on Saturday night looking to build on last week’s 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls and continue their late-season push toward the playoffs. Standing in their way was a CF Montréal side near the bottom of the Eastern Conference but coming off a respectable road draw against Vancouver.
Interim head coach Ryan Richter kept faith with the same starting XI that delivered the victory in New York. André Blake wore the captain’s armband in goal behind a back line of Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel and Kai Wagner. Jovan Lukić and Danley Jean Jacques anchored the midfield, with Indiana Vassilev and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan operating in more advanced positions. Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski once again led the attack.
On a night when the Union honored the Fearless 43 as part of the club’s annual Kick Childhood Cancer match, Philadelphia survived an early scare before taking control in the second half. Danley broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, Blake preserved the lead with a penalty save, and Sullivan made MLS history by scoring his third goal in as many matches to secure a 2-0 victory.
The result extended the Union’s unbeaten run to eight league matches and provided further evidence that a season that once appeared lost may still have something left in it.
How the Match Unfolded
First Half
Montréal appeared to take the lead less than two minutes into the match when Prince Owusu found the back of the net, but the celebration was cut short when the goal was ruled offside. It was an early warning for a Union defense that had been caught flat almost immediately after kickoff.
Lukić picked up the first yellow card of the night in the sixth minute after fouling former Union midfielder Fabian Herbers.
Philadelphia began to create chances as the half progressed. In the 13th minute, Sullivan forced Sébastian Breza into a strong save, and Damiani arrived to challenge for the rebound. The Montreal goalkeeper managed to keep the ball out, while Gennadiy Synchuk was shown a yellow card during the sequence.
Wagner delivered a corner in the 16th minute that found Danley inside the area. Danley controlled the ball and worked his way out of traffic, but his attempted backheel was intercepted before the Union could create a shot.
Philadelphia nearly paid for another corner in the 24th minute. After Montreal cleared Iloski’s service, Owusu broke quickly in the opposite direction. Damiani stopped the counterattack with a tactical foul and was correctly shown a yellow card.
Samuel Piette joined him in the referee’s book five minutes later after bringing down Danley.
Montréal threatened again in the 31st minute when Herbers delivered a corner toward Owusu, but the striker sent his header over Blake’s goal.
The Union’s best opportunity of the half came from a clever set-piece routine in the 41st minute. Iloski played the ball short to Damiani, who laid it off for Wagner outside the box. Wagner drove a low shot toward the far corner, but his effort rolled just wide.
Damiani had another opportunity in first-half stoppage time when he found space in the center of the penalty area, but he pulled his shot wide of the right post.
The teams went into halftime scoreless. Philadelphia had produced the better chances after Montréal’s early disallowed goal, but the Union had once again failed to turn promising possession into a breakthrough.
Second Half
Montréal made the first change of the match at halftime, replacing Jalen Neal with former Union Academy defender Brandan Craig.
The Union came out with considerably more urgency. Iloski nearly opened the scoring in the 48th minute when he ran onto a pass in the middle of the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but Owusu threw himself in front of the effort. Moments later, Iloski connected with a diving header that forced Breza into another save.
Philadelphia’s pressure finally paid off in the 57th minute. After Montréal conceded a foul near the left side of the penalty area, the resulting set piece created a scramble in front of goal. Danley reacted first and finished from close range to give the Union a deserved 1-0 lead.
The advantage appeared to be in serious jeopardy in the 68th minute when Pierre was called for a foul on Synchuk inside the penalty area. Owusu stepped to the spot with an opportunity to level the match, but Blake read his stutter-step approach and made a tremendous save.
It was vintage Blake. The Union captain had not been asked to do much for most of the night, but he delivered when the game demanded it.
Richter made his first substitutions immediately afterward, bringing on Jesús Bueno and Quinn Sullivan for Lukić and Vassilev in the 69th minute. Montréal responded by replacing Synchuk and Piette with Wiki Carmona and Victor Loturi, who picked up a yellow card for a foul on Westfield in the 73rd minute.
Two minutes later, Cavan Sullivan put the match away—and made league history in the process. The 16-year-old collected the ball in the penalty area and calmly buried a left-footed finish past Breza to make it 2-0. It was Sullivan’s fourth league goal of the season and his third in as many matches.
The goal also gave Sullivan a goal contribution in five consecutive regular-season matches, making him the youngest player in MLS history—and the first teenager—to accomplish the feat. He celebrated his first MLS goal at Subaru Park with a LeBron James-inspired chalk toss near the corner flag.
Montréal made two more changes in the 79th minute, bringing on Daniel Ríos and Noah Streit for Luca Petrasso and Alexis Sánchez.
With the Union in control, Richter replaced Iloski and Sullivan with Ezekiel Alladoh and Alejandro Bedoya in the 82nd minute. Seventeen-year-old homegrown forward Malik Jakupovic entered for Damiani in the 90th minute as Philadelphia comfortably saw out the final stages.
Bueno picked up the final yellow card of the match in stoppage time, but there would be no late drama. Blake and the Union defense completed the clean sheet, while the attack continued its encouraging run of form.
The final whistle confirmed a convincing 2-0 victory. Philadelphia finished with 19 shots to Montréal’s five and thoroughly controlled the second half. More importantly, the Union collected another three points and extended an unbeaten run that is beginning to feel like something more than a temporary improvement.
Three Takeaways
PSP’s Three Points
- Cavan Sullivan Is Special: Sullivan has now scored in three consecutive matches and contributed to a goal in five straight. At 16, he is not merely showing promise—he is already becoming one of the Union’s most important attacking players.
- Blake Changed the Match: Danley scored the winner and Sullivan provided the historic moment, but Blake’s penalty save was the turning point. If Owusu converts, the entire complexion of the match changes. Instead, the Union captain preserved the lead and gave Sullivan the opportunity to finish the job.
- The Unbeaten Run Is Real: Eight consecutive league matches without a loss cannot be dismissed. The Union are creating chances, getting contributions from young players and finding different ways to earn results. A playoff place that once seemed remote is now firmly within reach.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):
André Blake, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Cavan Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya 82’), Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukić (Jesús Bueno 69’), Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan 69’), Milan Iloski (Ezekiel Alladoh 82’), Bruno Damiani (Malik Jakupovic 90’).
Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Ben Bender, Japhet Sery Larsen, Jeremy Rafanello.
CF Montréal (4-3-3):
Sébastian Breza, Dawid Bugaj, Jalen Neal (Brandan Craig 46’), Brayan Vera, Luca Petrasso (Daniel Ríos 79’), Matthew Longstaff, Samuel Piette (Victor Loturi 69’), Fabian Herbers, Gennadiy Synchuk (Wiki Carmona 69’), Prince Owusu, Alexis Sánchez (Noah Streit 79’).
Substitutes not used: Thomas Gillier, Brayan Ceballos, Olger Escobar, Dante Sealy.
Scoring Summary:
PHI – Danley Jean Jacques 57’
PHI – Cavan Sullivan 75’
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI – Jovan Lukić (caution) 6’
MTL – Gennadiy Synchuk (caution) 13’
PHI – Bruno Damiani (caution) 24’
MTL – Samuel Piette (caution) 29’
MTL – Dawid Bugaj (caution) 56’
PHI – Kai Wagner (caution) 68’
MTL – Victor Loturi (caution) 73’
PHI – Jesús Bueno (caution) 90+1’
With DC not having a chance to pick up a result it insures the Union slide up into 9th for the time being. Unfortunately it also means they will face a rested Cincinnati side on Wednesday.
I think the second goal was given short shrift in the article. It wasn’t just Cavan collecting the ball in the penalty area, it was a Quinn pass from the left side halfway across the field that Danley let dummy through his legs for Damiani who one touched it to spring Iloski on a one on one breakway from 45 yards out that Breza did well to take off Iloski’s foot without fouling him before Cavan hustled to pick up the resulting loose ball and put it into the back of the net.
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I also think “tremendous” is an overrate of Blake’s PK save. While it was a good read, the kick was so bad, that Blake pretty much had to just take a knee and the ball came right to him.
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It was a good result for the Union, but also far from their best game during the run. The team really played down to Montreal’s level with a lot of sloppy play. Aside from the goal, Cavan showed some moments of brilliance along the way, but also had several giveaways when trying to take on players one on one.
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Likewise most of the rest of the team would find themselves following up a great play with an unforced giveaway. Hopefully they’ll fix some of that by Wednesday.
Imagine if they just replaced Damiani and Vassilev with skilled players at those positions…
They do, at least for Vassilev, after 60 minutes each week.
Question really is… is Quinn NOT ready to be full time?
Indy has improved since he cut his hair… but his fernettic style is still a 2nd tier midfielder who would do very well in USL Championship… but at the MLS level he seems lost at times.
And in my opinion Lukic is a lesser option than Bueno… and should reverse roles, Bueno starting and Lukic coming off the bench for a burst of speed. I always saw Danley and Jesus pairing up, ahead of the back 4, allowing Danley to run wild, team up with Cavan and Quinn.
Doop
Doop!
DOOP!
3-2 Union win vs Cincy.
Great win! The energy was fantastic and the pressing was non-stop! I would love to know what Wagner whispered to Blake before the PK. That was an awesome mind read/stop!
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I still find it amazing, though, that we pay a FWD to run around all game being a DMF Destroyer that happens to have Holdup play. I would seriously like to know what the MLS record is for FWD Minutes played vs Goals. For 2026, Damiani surely has to be the all time MLS leader, or in contention.
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I would also like to reiterate that Damiani has 3 more Goals for the Union than me this year, and I have played ZERO minutes and been paid NOTHING.
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Meanwhile, Stas Korzeniowski scored last night in his very first USL start. So, he scored 19 Goals in 16 Games for USL Two (Ballard FC), and has now proved that he can score in USL (Rhode Island FC), too, with 1 Goal in his first 120 minutes. Not to mention his MLS Next Pro Union 2 results, and he’s already proved that he can score at the MLS level this year. What more does he need to learn? Let’s pay a fee and recall this USL loan, already.
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Send Damiani, and/or Alladoh, up to Rhode Island to run around, please. We are not going to go far, with some of the tough matches ahead and the playoffs, if Iloski has to continually do everything up top. Doop!
Enough with Stas… he is not an MLS-caliber player. He just is not. For UII he was a man playing among boys. Can he make an MLS roster? Probably. Like Donovan did. As a 4th forward. But clearly Richter would rather give a 17-year old time as the 4th forward because he does have a chance at being a MLS-caliber player.
Agreed. His career water level is being a solid USL contributor. He’s not impactful MLS material. At 23 y/o, his prospect ship for that has sailed.
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I was happy to see 17 y/o Jakupovic get some garbage time minutes. He exhibits potential and should get more. Despite my severe misgivings of being only a developmental club by ownership design, it’s something the club does well.
This is why US Soccer is worse today than 20 years ago. Oh, no, Stas Korzeniowski went to college….kind of like Clint Dempsey did.
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So if you develop late, are misidentified, don’t have money, or piss someone off in your region, I guess you can’t make it to the EPL? Oh, wait, you can, and you can be one of the highest foreign, non-Striker, goal scorers in EPL history. Isn’t it interesting that the USMNT was better when most players went the college route? The 2002 USMNT World Cup team was 74% college route. So, I guess you can be successful, not just in MLS, but on the world stage, too.
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This is the same problem plaguing Pay to Play youth soccer in this country. If you aren’t on the right team, at the right age, you are done…. especially if your family can’t afford the best team or if you happen to mature/go through puberty later.
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For US Soccer’s sake, I hope these types of attitudes change.
Agree with many of the comments above. Credit to Blake for the save, but Owusu’s PK was terrible.
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And Damiani is simply the most confounding player… The guy can’t hit the side of a barn. But his one touch pass to Iloski that lead to the second goal was fantastic. And he does all sorts of little things that benefit the team and set up others for attacks. I think maybe the guy should simply be a box-to-box midfielder instead of a striker.
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Anyway, this team is for real. We’re not only racking up points, we’re legitimately outplaying other teams, consistently. We even played Cruz Azul even. It’ll be interesting to see how far this team goes. I won’t be surprised if they win at least one playoff match.
It was looking grim when club foot Montreal unleashed the mighty Union killer Daniel Rios. Fortunately our lads were not over-awed by his previous exploits and neutralized him before he could unleash his super powers.
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It was not a great game, in the first half especially so. But a win is a win. Onward.
Not a great performance, one that is probably punished by a better opponent but three points is three points. Union will have to be better on both sides of the ball Wednesday night.
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Maybe it was just me, but Danley seemed to be getting forward starting early in the first half, something I haven’t noticed before. May have been specific to this game because when Union press worked, Montreal was locked in their half. His play since the World Cup break has been just important in the resurgence as Cavan, Pierre, Wagner and Westfield.
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There are now 3 players who are not strikers that have as many goals in MLS as Damiani/Alladoh combined. Lack of a second forward option is why I don’t believe Union can make a run in the playoffs should they make it.
Try to stay a little humble Cavan…… You are certainly talented but always give credit to your team mates. Even the most talented have to recognize their team mates. Iloski did the dirty work and you got the easy follow up. Love the enthusiasm but you are becoming a borderline hot dog. The Apple TV talking heads are morons. The Union have turned the season around for the decision to bring Kai Wagner back and Recall Neil Piere. The defense can now hold the fort down and allow Sullivan to roam the field and has allowed Danley to be more offensive also. Iloski is very under rated for what he has given to the team. Damiani has not scored but he is willing to do a lot of dirty work and always tracks back on defense.
Agree with the sentiment, generally, but that was not an easy follow up. Getting to it quickly and getting it back across the goal is something most on the team would not have accomplished. That said, he seems a little full of himself, but hopefully Quinn and others keep him in a good frame of mind.
+1 on keeping Cavan onside on perspectives. The Crash Davis ‘stable pony’ advice for prospects comes to mind.
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Montreal was on the road as the MLS East last place team. He’s going to ‘the Show’ in PL and that’s humbling enough. They’ll be ringing his own bell soon enough to challenge whether he cuts that mustard. Keep it real kid and always be team oriented.
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I agree with Boot too. His reads and senses make his creative contributions look easy sometimes, but that’s all the more reason for him to keep perspective as he said in agreement.