Photo: Ron Soliman
Two weeks ago, the Philadelphia Union picked up a point in a 2-2 tie against Atlanta and returned home undefeated (3-4-0). After a weekend off, the Boys in Blue returned to action against Real Salt Lake (4-3-2) in Chester. With an extra week of rest, Union went into the match hoping to take advantage of the Subaru Park friendly area to pick up their second win against RSL.
RSL defeated Chicago 4-0 last Saturday, snapping a five-game unbeaten streak that included two shutouts from former Union goaltender Zach McMath, entering Subaru Park for the second time in two weeks. .
Despite the extra rest, the Coalition was unable to take advantage of it.
A volatile match that saw seven yellow cards between both teams ended in a 2-1 loss for the Union as McMath and RSL defeated MLS's last undefeated team at home.
union diamond formation
The Union started the game in its favored 4-4-2 diamond formation, with only one change in the starting lineup from the game in Atlanta. Jack Elliott returned to action and formed the center of the final line alongside Jacob Glenness. Kai Wagner lined up at left-back and Nathan Harriel at right-back.
The Diamond's midfield consisted of Jose Martinez as the defensive midfielder, Jack McGlynn and captain Alejandro Bedoya on the left and right sides of the Diamond respectively, and Daniel Gasdag as the Diamond's top ten man. Quinn Sullivan started as a striker for the second game in a row, once again partnering with Julián Carranza.
Meanwhile, midfielder Leon Flach was benched in the game-day lineup for the first time in 2024.
First finish wasn't good enough
After 20 minutes, Union looked to be the better of the two teams. They had the upper hand in possession and were winning the statistical battle. We had slightly more possession, accurate passing and chances, but no goals.
In the first 30 minutes of the match, there were few chances for either team. Then, slightly against the run of play, RSL had Andres Gomez receive a pass on the right side of the 18-yard box in the 34th minute and fire a shot towards Andre Blake. The Union keeper deflected the ball over his head and into the goal.
After the goal, Union looked even more out of sorts, and in the 43rd minute Elliott deflected a cross that broke and (barely) went over the post for a near own goal. Union had a habit of slowing down their own attacks with passes being played into open spaces, attackers botching runs, and the entire team seemingly out of sync.
Union didn't look bad, but he couldn't take advantage of his fresh legs and looked rusty and disjointed. Despite having eight shots to RSL's three, RSL ended the first half with a one-point lead.
The second half is shorter
The second half started with Union playing better and maintaining some pressure. Bedoya cut back to Sullivan in the 49th minute, but it went over the bar to no avail.
However, it didn't take long for Union to equalize in the 50th minute when Gusdag was freed in front of goal. Gusdag had Sullivan's shot bounce right in front of him, but the midfielder made no mistake and expertly slotted the ball into the net, bringing the game to one point.
Gusdag gave Union the chance to take the lead in the 61st minute. Wagner turned the ball back and became free in front of the RSL goal, and he took a shot, but it missed the target. Union kept up the pressure and in the 63rd minute Carranza was fouled with about 25 yards remaining, resulting in Wagner's free-kick being easily saved by McMath.
RSL were persistent in their foul play and it looked like the game would take away a point after 80 minutes. Still, Union hung on, and McMath made an easy save on Martinez's rocket from 35 yards out. However, the night quickly turned around with a shock goal for RSL in the 89th minute. Alexandros Katranis' rocket evaded the break and found the net.
In the remaining minutes of the match, Union tried their best on the RSL side of the field, but to no avail. A dejected Union left the field with a 2-1 deficit.
3 points
Undefeated no longer – The only remaining undefeated MLS team lost in their first game of the season at their home stadium.
Curtin Again – Coach Jim Curtin seemed content to let his starters play games. Michael Oule came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, but in the 88th minute Martínez fell to the ground and Jesus Bueno came on as a substitute. After losing a goal, Curtin brought on Chris Donovan for Nate Harriel in a last-ditch effort to salvage the tie. There was no coaching magic this week.
McMath vs. Blake – Zach McMath returned to the first team and scored a win.
lineup
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2)
Andre Blake, Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jacob Grenes, Nathan Harriel (Chris Donovan 90+3), Jose Martinez (Jesus Bueno 88 minutes), Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Bedoya, Daniel Gasdag , Julián Carranza, Quinn Sullivan (Michael Uhle 72 minutes))
Unused subs: Oliver Senmure, Olivier Mbaiso, Jeremy Rafanello, Ty Baribeau, Leon Flach.
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1)
Zach McMath, Brian Berra, Justen Grad, Bodo Hildago, Alexandros Katranis, Brian Ojeda, Andres Gomez (Andrew Brody 90+2 minutes), Emeka Eneri, Fidel Barajas (Anderson Julio 59) minutes), Matt Crooks (Michael Chan 80 minutes), Cristian Arango
Unused subs: Brian Oviedo, Nelson Palacio, Phillip Quinton, Bertin Jackson, Gavin Beavers.
Referee – Malik Badawi
Score overview
Andres Gomez – 34 minutes
Daniel Gasdag – 50 minutes
Alexandros Katranis – 89 minutes
Discipline overview
Cristian Arango – Yellow Card – 39 minutes
Alexandros Katranis – Yellow card – 48 minutes
Brian Berra – Yellow Card – 57 minutes
Jakob Glesnes – Yellow card – 57 minutes
Matt Crooks – Yellow Card – 59 minutes
Andres Gomez – Yellow card – 75 minutes
Julián Carranza – Yellow card – 78 minutes
Alejandro Bedoya – Yellow card – 90+7 minutes
