CHESTER, Pa. — The Philadelphia Union return home to Subaru Park on Saturday looking to get back into the win column after a disappointing 1-0 loss to New York City FC last weekend. After a hot start to the season, Philadelphia has just one win in its last five matches, is winless in the last three, and has not scored in the last two.

However, Union head coach Bradley Carnell remains positive about where his squad is despite the recent results.

“We feel very confident of what we’re doing, where our chance creations are at, and listen- we look at the data, we look at the pictures and we feel comfortable within what we are doing that we have enough within our attacking firepower.”

Struggling to Find Goals

The goals haven’t been flowing like they were earlier in the season. In fact, after starting the season with 10 goals in three matches, Philadelphia has since struggled to find the back of the net. Adding to the challenge: the Union’s last two goal scorers are currently unavailable. Dániel Gazdag, who scored in the 2-1 loss to Inter Miami, is now with the Columbus Crew, and Ian Glavinovich, who scored the lone goal in the club’s 1-0 victory over St. Louis City, is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus. The last Union goal scorer likely to feature Saturday is Jovan Lukic, who scored back on March 18 against Nashville.

Mikael Uhre has not scored since the club’s season-opening win in February against Orlando City. Bruno Damiani last scored in early March, and Tai Baribo, the team’s leading scorer, last found the net on the road against New England.

And while Carnell recognizes his side came out of the gate hot to start the season, he is quick to point out that despite recent results, the team remains competitive and focused.

“I think we are right where we should be. We’re very competitive and even on a game there that, I’ve said it the last two weeks, you know against Orlando we had a really good game, dominated from A to B or A to Z I would say, and and don’t get the result. In New York, it’s a tight game, it’s a small field, it’s chaos. You know xGs are the same, xG’s against, so you know, very low- like you know we’re not giving much away, and that’s a game again [that] could be a 0-0 and we get another clean sheet. So as long as we are racking up points, unfortunately we let we let a couple go in New York, but I think the team’s right where it needs to be and I think we should be going into each game with confidence because the team’s in a good way at the moment.”

Jillian Almoney spoke with Union defender Frankie Westfield about the club’s recent struggles, and Westfield had this to share:

“I think it’s just what clubs experience. I think we maybe got a little bit comfortable winning those first three games and scoring a lot of goals, but I think now we’re going to start to pick it up more now.”

Andre Blake Injury Update

Turning to player availability ahead of Saturday’s match, Carnell provided several updates. Goalkeeper Andre Blake is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision as he continues working his way back from an injury that sidelined him last week. Carnell said the staff would assess his response in training tomorrow.

Ian Glavinovich is ahead of schedule and is now walking but remains unavailable due to recovery from surgery. Olivier Mbaizo is also recovering well but will not be available Saturday.

A new addition to the injury list is Jesús Bueno, who is listed as questionable. Carnell said Bueno is dealing with a hamstring injury and was uncertain if the Venezuelan midfielder would be available Saturday.

For Atlanta United, the only player listed on the club’s availability report is defender Derrick Williams, who has been ruled out of Saturday’s match.

Atlanta United Struggling but Dangerous

The Union’s opponent on Saturday, Atlanta United, is also experiencing early-season struggles. Ronny Deila’s side has just one win in its last seven matches after opening the MLS regular season with a 3-2 win over CF Montréal. Atlanta has yet to win a road match in 2025.

After spending over $30 million in transfer fees this past offseason — $21.25 million to Middlesbrough FC for Emmanuel Latte Lath and $9.55 million to Newcastle United for Miguel Almirón — the team has struggled to find consistent results, despite Latte Lath’s team-leading five goals and Almirón’s two goals so far this season.

Still, Carnell views Atlanta as a dangerous opponent regardless of its record.

“They have a star-studded lineup right, they spend a lot of money year in year out. They earn respect based off of the names on those back of the jerseys, it’s a little bit like Inter Miami, like Orlando. They are a competitive powerhouse in the league, so yeah, we have to approach the game with caution. They have some game changers for sure. They’re very threatening in the transitions, they have high quality in their attack through their possession phases, and it’s danger- that’s what I think of them when they come to town and we’re going to have our hands full and again. It’s going to take 11 guys on the field collectively to play together to win the game here at home.”

Atlanta is no stranger to picking up points at Subaru Park either. Union fans might recall last September’s 1-1 draw, where Philadelphia dropped key points during a playoff push that ultimately came up short. However, in MLS regular-season play at home, the Union hold the advantage over Atlanta with three wins, two draws and one loss, along with a plus-five goal differential.

Three points Saturday would go a long way in getting Carnell’s squad back on track ahead of a matchup with D.C. United and a potentially hectic May schedule.

And Frankie Westfield knows the club is ready.

“They have a lot of big name guys. So it’s definitely going to be tough, but like I said, we’re focused on the match tomorrow.”

Union Enter U.S. Open Cup Round of 32

On Thursday morning, the Philadelphia Union learned who they will face in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.

Philadelphia drew USL Championship side Indy Eleven for their first match of the tournament. The match is set for Wednesday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Subaru Park. It will mark the first time since 2018 that the Union have hosted a U.S. Open Cup match.

Indy Eleven reached the semifinals in last year’s tournament, falling to Sporting Kansas City 2-0 last August.

Should the Union advance, they will host the winner of NYCFC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the Round of 16, scheduled for May 20 or 21.

More coverage to come on this matchup.

Greener Goals Night Set for Saturday

Saturday’s match also marks the Union’s Greener Goals Night at Subaru Park. According to a club release, the Union have partnered with M+F Creations, an organization that sculpts tree stumps — which would normally be destined for landfills — into one-of-a-kind art pieces.

The completed sculpture will be auctioned off, with all proceeds donated to the CRC Watershed Association, whose mission is to protect, conserve, and restore the natural resources of the Chester, Ridley and Crum Creek watersheds.

As part of the celebration of Earth Week, both clubs will wear the 2025 One Planet Pre-Match Jerseys. The kits, titled “One Planet, One Chance,” are made from recycled materials and come in two distinct colors: green (representing woods) and yellow (representing soil).

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be available on Apple TV as part of the MLS Season Pass.

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union