CHESTER, Pa. – In a rare Saturday afternoon affair, the Philadelphia Union hosted Eastern Conference rival D.C. United in a match where the play on the pitch matched the variety of weather fans experienced. Rainy and sloppy for the first 45 minutes, then sunny in the second half, the Union ultimately picked up their second consecutive win, defeating D.C. United 3-0 on Kids’ Day at Subaru Park.

The afternoon’s starting XI saw Jesús Bueno make his first start of the season and his first since the 2024 Leagues Cup. The other change from last week was Tai Baribo’s return to the starting lineup alongside Mikael Uhre, who has five goals in six regular-season matches against D.C. United. It also marked Uhre’s 100th career start, making him the 20th player in club history to reach that milestone. One omission from the bench, was former Union captain Alejandro Bedoya.

For D.C. United, as mentioned in the preview article, João Peglow was out for the match. However, a bigger absence came with leading scorer and 2024 Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke, who was ruled out of Saturday’s match.

As the match began, rain opened up over Chester, soaking the field and players alike. Early on, head referee Rubiel Vasquez was busy trying to maintain control of the game, handing out yellow cards to both sides. In the fourth minute, D.C. United’s Kye Rowles received a yellow for unsportsmanlike conduct, followed moments later by Jakob Glesnes picking up a yellow card for a foul in the seventh minute.

The play through the first 15 minutes mirrored the weather, as both sides struggled with the rainy conditions, which disrupted the timing of passes and the Union attack felt disjointed at times for much for the first half.

“It was a very tough first half for us,” said Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell in his post match press conference. “We had to weather a couple of storms and we kind of knew exactly what they were going to offer us and played exactly according to that. But I don’t think we dealt very well with it in the first half.”

However, in the 15th minute, off a throw-in, Indiana Vassilev dumped off a pass to Frankie Westfield, whose cross found a wide-open Glesnes. The center back blasted a volley into the back of the net for his first goal of the season, putting the Union up 1-0. For Westfield, it was his third assist of the season.

“I saw it was coming, it was a good ball from Frankie,” said Jakob Glesnes. “But I was thinking Quinn was gonna take it. So I was screaming loud to leave it, so I’m happy that he left it.”

D.C. United tried to answer around the 24th minute after a turnover in the midfield left Kai Wagner too high up the pitch. Jared Stroud broke down the right side and crossed to Jacob Murrell, whose bicycle kick just missed over the bar.

United continued to press for the equalizer and nearly found it when Dominique Badji slipped between Glesnes and Nathan Harriel for a 1-v-1 chance against Andre Blake. However, Badji’s shot sailed high over the net.

“I think we’re a little bit disconnected,” Carnell said when talking about the first half. “We didn’t read the triggers as well as we would have liked to have and they kind of reversed the tactic. We were trying to press on their passes, but they started triggering on our passes and that, you know, gave away like errant passes from us and unfortunately had transitions coming the other way. Then we don’t shift quick enough on the back line; we’re a little bit too expansive for our style of play.”

In fact, one could argue that through the first 40 minutes, D.C. United looked the more dangerous side. Blake was forced into several saves, and at halftime, while the Union held a 1-0 lead, they were being outshot 5-2, with United creating two clear chances.

“We corrected a few things in the second half,” said Carnell. “Showed a little bit of film of how it can mitigate some of the the damage, but I think the goal that we score in the first half just sort of calmed everything down in a very choppy, scrappy game.”

“And I think we could show in the second half with the type of quality that we can create and the type of movements, the type of depth that we have in the roster, that everyone that comes in can create and make an impact.”

As the second half began and the sun broke through, Philadelphia struck again. In the 51st minute, Quinn Sullivan found a wide-open Danley Jean Jacques, who dribbled to the top of the 18-yard box and ripped a shot past D.C. United keeper Luis Barraza to make it 2-0. It was Jean Jacques’ second goal of the season and his first time scoring in back-to-back matches.

Sullivan’s assist was his sixth of the season, tying him for the league lead. It also marked his 30th MLS goal/assist contribution, making him the youngest player in club history to reach that milestone. He also tied Sheanon Williams for ninth-most MLS assists (18) in Union history.

Philadelphia made its first substitutions shortly after, bringing on Bruno Damiani for Tai Baribo and Cavan Sullivan for Jesús Bueno. D.C. United responded by bringing on Boris Enow for Jared Stroud and Gabriel Pirani for Hosei Kijima, later also subbing Hakim Karamoko for Dominique Badji and Rida Zouhir for Jacob Murrell. For Karamoko, it was his MLS debut — and within his first minute on the field, he picked up a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Wagner.

In the 77th minute, Philadelphia widened the margin even further. A Glesnes free kick found Uhre, whose header directed the ball toward Damiani. The physical striker bodied his defender, made a full turn, and smashed a shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the season. Uhre earned his second assist of the year, tying Borek Dockal for 10th-most MLS assists (18) in Union history.

Speaking to the media post match, Bruno Damiani said he was feeling more and more adjusted with his new club.

“I am very happy, very thankful. They have given me all the confidence and I feel I really would not be there without them. And I am very thankful.”

Head coach Bradley Carnell made additional changes, bringing on center back Olwethu Makhanya for Kai Wagner and Chris Donovan for Uhre. In the 90th minute, Jeremy Rafanello replaced Indiana Vassilev to help wind down the clock.

Philadelphia continued to press in stoppage time. Jeremy Rafanello unleashed a curling shot from outside the 18-yard box that appeared destined for the far post, but Barraza made a lunging save to deny him.

As the final whistle blew, the Philadelphia Union secured another three points, bringing their total to 19 on the season, and improving their run to seven points in their last five matches.

“It’s massive, right? We want to win our home games and and get points on the road,” exclaimed Carnell when talking about the win. “And I think that’s the key to success and key to make an excellent start in a season. And I think we’re on the right track. I think there’s still things that we showed in the first half we can do better. It’s by no means a polished final product and and we’re working every day.”

With the win, the Union remain unbeaten at home against D.C. United since 2015. Their 79 goals against D.C. United are the most against any single opponent in club history.

Blake, meanwhile, reached a milestone, becoming the second-quickest goalkeeper in MLS history to reach 80 clean sheets, doing so in just 253 matches — two behind Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan, who hit the mark in 251 games. On the evening, Blake made five saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season.

Carnell remarked, “Keeping a clean sheet is is probably the icing on the cake and the cherry on top, as well five clean sheets in 10 matches. Really happy with the squad’s performance.”

Next up, the Philadelphia Union head north to Canada to face CF Montréal on Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. The match will be available on Apple TV as part of the MLS Season Pass. May could be a busy month for the Union, with potential U.S. Open Cup fixtures and up to nine matches on the calendar.

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union