Chester – Coming off a heartbreaking 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday night in Chester, the Union shift their focus as they wrap up this three-match homestand by hosting the defending MLS Cup Champions, L.A. Galaxy, on Wednesday night at Subaru Park.

Things have not gone exactly the way one would expect for Greg Vanney and the L.A. Galaxy so far this season. The Galaxy have zero wins, nine losses, three draws, and a league-worst -20 goal differential through 12 matches of the MLS regular season. Injuries have played a role in these struggles, as star playmaker Riqui Puig is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered during last year’s MLS Western Conference Championship versus the Seattle Sounders.

Looking at the club’s most recent performance this past Saturday versus the New York Red Bulls—a rematch of the 2024 MLS Cup where Vanney’s side was defeated 7-0 at Sports Illustrated Stadium—it’s clear things just haven’t clicked yet for the Galaxy in 2025.

However, speaking with the media on Tuesday at Subaru Park, the Philadelphia Union aren’t concerned about L.A.’s run of form. They recognize this game as a potential trap, especially with a difficult match against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium looming later this week on Saturday.

“It puts more focus on my group and what we practicing and preaching within these four walls. Because, you can only think to imagine what’s going to happen on the other side, or what’s going on. And that’s when I prefer to extract myself and just focus on the group here. You know, we have our own mission. We have our own targets, objectives. We are pushing each other every single day. And I’ve always spoken about regardless of opponents, so I think this is a very similar message. Everyone’s talking about trap games and what have you, and for sure that that’s the potential trap game. And I think we’ve had more than our fair share of trap games so far this season.”

And a trap it could indeed be for Carnell and company on Wednesday when considering the historical context of this matchup. Philadelphia has never defeated the LA Galaxy during an MLS regular season match at Subaru Park. All-time, the Union have 0 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses at home against the Galaxy, with a minus-11 goal differential in those five matches. In fact, the last time these two teams met at Subaru Park was in 2018, when the Galaxy won 3-1. Their most recent meeting in 2023 also saw the Galaxy win 3-1. Philadelphia’s lone win against the Galaxy came back on April 7, 2012, in a 2-1 victory in Los Angeles.

Carnell would argue he wasn’t here for those previous matches, and rightfully so. During his time at St. Louis City, his record against Greg Vanney was three draws in three matches. So if Philadelphia picks up three points on Wednesday, it would be the club’s first home victory over the Galaxy and Carnell’s first managerial win against them.

On the injury front, Carnell said Andre Blake is still questionable. While he did not discuss the Jamaican goalkeeper’s status after Saturday’s match, he did say Blake is dealing with fluid in his knee. With such a big month of May ahead, the club will likely go with Andrew Rick, who would make his third consecutive start of the season if Blake cannot go on Wednesday.

Regarding Ian Glavinovich’s timeline, Carnell said he is still working his way back and that his full return to training has yet to be determined. Carnell was also asked about the Union’s latest acquisition, Ben Bender, and where the former number one overall MLS SuperDraft pick stands in his training with the team.

“He’s shown some good touches in around the box. You can see he has something. What he doesn’t have is quite the sharpness and the edge and a little bit of the fitness. So that’s we’re trying to work with him now. We do feel he can help us out now through the remainder of the year and maybe thereafter as well. So yeah, he’s got a lot of technical ability. And like I said, he’s really clean and tidy in and around the box. So he definitely does bring something to the group.”

On the injury front for the Galaxy, they are dealing with setbacks as well. Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, as well as Puig have been ruled out ahead of tomorrow’s contest.

The Union have beaten the teams they’re supposed to beat all year. Saturday was the first time in 2025 they dropped points. If Philadelphia can get back to that winning model on Wednesday, it will go a long way toward keeping them in the hunt as their busy May schedule continues.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at 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.