CHESTER – After an international friendly last Saturday, the Philadelphia Union return to MLS play this Saturday at Subaru Park, where they will face Eastern Conference opponent Charlotte FC. Following a hectic May, June is comparatively light: just three matches, and Saturday’s contest is the only home game of the month for Bradley Carnell’s squad, with the remaining two coming on the road after next week’s break.

But after a hectic month, Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell feels he learned a lot about his players during what he called a “blur.”

Carnell explained:
“I just see a spirited team with a fight mentality like everything we spoke about, what defines the Union and defines this building or defines us as a group. I think we’ve seen it in the month of May and and that’s been awesome to watch, but there’s no prizes for halfway through the season; there’s no silverware, hardware anywhere. I’ve always said a loaf of bread at the bakery with 17 games is not done, so we have to perform and really the business end now is the next 17 games and it starts on Saturday.”

June will be a start‑and‑stop month for Philadelphia. Carnell knows that while these matches are important, it’s equally crucial for players to rest both mentally and physically, and he believes the upcoming week off offers the perfect chance to do so.

“There’s the mandatory five day break with the league so it’s kind of disjointed again a little bit, but it’s about picking ourselves up now and then. I want the guys to get out of my hair and get, you know, just get away and be with their families and spend five days doing things other than soccer. But for now, there’s a big focus on the next two days and and what we have to do here at Subaru Park.”

Charlotte FC comes to town Saturday, and while Dean Smith’s squad hasn’t met expectations so far—they sit 15th in the Supporters’ Shield standings with 25 points from 17 matches (8 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw)—the visitors showed last season they can win in Chester. They earned a 2‑0 victory at Subaru Park in June 2024 after a 0‑0 draw earlier in the year. The Union responded in the Leagues Cup a month later, edging Charlotte 1‑0 in a match where Smith criticized the pitch more than his team’s performance. In short, results may not have gone their way this season, but Smith will have his players ready.

Although star striker Patrick Agyemang is on international duty, as is Tim Ream with the U.S. national team, Charlotte can still lean on Pep Biel and Wilfried Zaha to create chances Saturday night.

“Pep Biel, I think, is excellent technically between the lines, can finish both sides, and brings others into play. And I think the competitive willingness of Zaha down the left hand side brings an edge to their game, and he sometimes, using an edge you sway momentum in a certain way right where you pick up a foul or whether you make a challenge or whether you have a good moment, he has that ability to magnetize the team in a certain way with the momentum, and that’s what we have to break in terms of the momentum especially here at Subaru Park.”

Zaha has four goals and two assists this year, while Biel has contributed four goals and seven assists. Both will be focal points for Philadelphia’s defense as it tries to stifle Charlotte’s momentum. With Agyemang unavailable, forward Idan Toklomati Jorno could step into the starting role. Friday’s status report also listed Nimfasha Berchimas (foot) and Nathan Byrne (neck) as out.

For Philadelphia, Ian Glavinovich is still “progressing” from knee surgery and remains some way from a return, Carnell said. Mikael Uhre trained this week but continues to rehab the injury suffered against FC Dallas. MLS Golden Boot leader Tai Baribo is also out with a calf issue; Carnell noted that Baribo remains in Israel for appointments but is receiving treatment there. The coach estimated a 10‑ to 12‑day recovery window for both forwards, which could see them back for the Chicago or Columbus matches at month’s end.

Philadelphia will also be without Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel, Danley Jean Jacques, and Quinn Sullivan, who are on CONCACAF Gold Cup duty. Center‑back Jakob Glesnes remains on yellow‑card accumulation and must avoid another caution Saturday.

Expect rotation as Carnell and company chase three points at home and look to surpass last season’s point total. Bruno Damiani and Chris Donovan are the likely partnership up top, though Carnell also mentioned Markus Anderson and Eddy Davis. Stas Korzeniowski and Sal Olivas may feature from the bench, but with Union II playing Sunday, their roles will likely be as substitutes.

In midfield, Ben Bender, Alejandro Bedoya, and Jeremy Rafanello could see minutes, as could Cavan Sullivan and Jesús Bueno. Alongside goalkeeper Andrew Rick, the expected back line features Westfield, Makhanya, Glesnes, and Wagner, but we’ll learn more when the starting XI is released.

If you can’t make it to Subaru Park, the match will be broadcast on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned for our match recap and live comments before, during, and after the game on our social media platforms.

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union