Atlanta – The Philadelphia Union continued their jam-packed May schedule on Saturday night when they headed to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia for a showdown with Atlanta United. The Union were looking to pick up their fourth road win of the season and their first since the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021.
Meanwhile, Atlanta United were looking for just their third home win of the season and their first since March 29, when they defeated NYCFC 4-3.
On the evening, the starting eleven for the Philadelphia Union looked like this:
Andrew Rick made his fifth consecutive start in net. The back line consisted of Harriel, Makhanya, Westfield, and Wagner, with Glesnes on the bench. Jesús Bueno and Alejandro Bedoya started in midfield alongside Lukić and Donovan.
One thing I was pondering from the lineup: is this the lineup where Carnell said a few weeks back that Donovan can play center back? Is Harriel in the midfield?
Uhre and Damiani started up top. New Union signing Ben Bender made his first appearance for Philadelphia on the bench. With the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, you figured there would be shakeups in the lineup. But for Carnell and company, the plan was simple: get to halftime.
“We set out a mission to survive to half. We know this field. We know the surroundings, we know the fans, the environment. It’s never easy to come here and play. So the more you can frustrate them, the more you can plug up spaces- they’re expecting a certain type of picture that they’re going to have to solve. And we gave them a totally different one, and then they start to figure that out. And then they expose us a little bit. And then we changed the formation towards the end of the half. So within the game, we had four formation changes.”
When the match kicked off, Bruno Damiani was playing in the attacking midfield position. The Union had a great chance early on from Damiani after a brilliant ball into the box, but a hand save from Atlanta’s goalkeeper Brad Guzan kept the match scoreless in the 3rd minute.
Early on, the Union seemed pinned back through the first 10 minutes, as Atlanta created more dangerous chances. It looked like the Union were content to let Atlanta dictate control of the match.
As Atlanta United continued to press for the opening goal, Andrew Rick made a wonderful save on a Pedro Amador shot, blocking it with an outstretched hand. Moments later, Atlanta defender Brooks Lennon suffered a knock, bringing on Saba Lobjanidze.
The pressure stayed on the Union’s backline, and Philadelphia couldn’t muster any offensive pressure. Meanwhile, Jamal Thiaré’s header just missed in the 30th minute, going wide and keeping the score 0-0.
As halftime approached, the Union’s offense began creating some chances in the box. However, for Uhre, Damiani, and the rest of the attack, nothing came of them.
As head referee Chris Penso blew the halftime whistle, the Union were fortunate to go into the break scoreless. Despite only having 39% possession, they outshot Atlanta 7 to 5, with 4 shots on target to Atlanta’s 1. Otherwise, it was a fairly sloppy half from the Union, they got to the half—exactly what Carnell had aimed for.
To start the second half, the Union made their first substitution as Tai Baribo came on for Chris Donovan. The Union had an early chance off a free kick from Kai Wagner that went just wide of a diving Guzan. Damiani picked up a yellow card shortly after during a corner kick collision with Guzan that sent the keeper to the ground.
Moments later, Guzan came out to play a ball and missed it, leaving the net wide open for Mikael Uhre. However, the Danish striker couldn’t convert. VAR then reviewed a possible handball by Luis Abram, which was confirmed, and Penso awarded both a yellow card to Abram and a penalty kick to the Union.
Tai Baribo converted the penalty for his MLS-leading 11th goal of the season, giving the Union a 1-0 lead early in the second half. Since scoring his first MLS goals on June 19, 2024, Baribo has led the league with 20 goals over that span.
Carnell then brought on Danley Jean Jacques for Bedoya and Quinn Sullivan for Damiani. Atlanta countered with Emmanuel Latte Lath and Edwin Mosquera. Latte Lath nearly equalized on a header from a corner, but it went just wide. Lobjanidze had another dangerous opportunity shortly after, but Rick got a glove on it and Harriel cleared it.
Carnell brought in Indiana Vassilev for Jesús Bueno. Moments later, a cross from Maranchuk led to a collision between Wagner and Latte Lath, leaving both players down. Cameras caught Wagner’s head bleeding, but after a pause for attention from the training staff, he returned to the field.
Both teams went back and forth creating chances. Rick and Harriel combined again to clear another dangerous Atlanta attack, preserving the lead.
When asked why Wagner remained in the match after the injury, Carnell explained:
“We need leaders, fighters on the field, and guys who dig deep. I think Kai’s the first one that puts his hand up to go through that wall for us. And he showed that, and he was a true leader tonight. And I’m glad he contributed in a massive way to secure the three points.”
Wagner’s status for the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday remains uncertain, but his toughness and leadership were undeniable. Additionally, after Bedoya was subbed out, it was Wagner wearing the captain’s armband.
Nine minutes of stoppage time were added, and Carnell made his final substitution, bringing in Jakob Glesnes for Mikael Uhre to reinforce the defense with a five-at-the-back formation.
Atlanta pushed, creating a few more dangerous chances, but Rick came up big with key saves. The defense held strong, clearing out the threats and running down the clock to secure all three points with a gritty 1-0 road win—Rick’s second clean sheet of the season.
“With the schedule that we’ve been having and have to plan for, we had to be a little bit creative tonight, and we plan for a smash and grab one. And I think that’s exactly what we got. Credit to the boys, happy with the way Rick played tonight. Andrew, you know, he’s been patient in the background when he gets a chance, and today he had a chance to shine. So, you know, Phil Wheddon works tirelessly behind the scenes there to get him up to speed and to be ready for that moment. And tonight, he had three big moments, and we were proud of him. We’re happy for him, but, I’m happy for the whole team. And we’re moving on to Wednesday now, and another big game.”
Philadelphia now sits atop the MLS Eastern Conference with 29 points, tied with FC Cincinnati, who drew 1-1 with Columbus at Lower.com Field, but having the better goal differential. The Union also lead the Supporters’ Shield race on goal differential, after Vancouver drew 0-0 with Austin.
The Union return home to Subaru Park on Wednesday, May 21st, at 7:30 p.m. to face USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 clash.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The One Team We Agree On 
Leave a comment