Nashville – The Philadelphia Union, just narrowly holding onto first place in the East, traveled to Nashville to take on the surging club that had an 11 game unbeaten streak going. Unfortunately, that streak in the end would continue after the Union failed to capitalize on chances and playing up a man for an extended period of time, losing 1-0 after a gut punch of a penalty was converted by Nashville in the last seconds of the match.
The big story line coming into the match was 15 year old Cavan Sullivan making his first MLS start for the Union- the youngest in club history and second youngest in MLS history. After missing a chunk of time due to injury and being in Israel, Tai Baribo made his return, but on the bench. Olivier Mbaizo returned from injury and to the starting lineup, putting a natural right back in that position for the first time in a couple games.
The first half saw Nashville get a huge chance in the 15th minute when Hany Mukhtar’s shot was denied in a fantastic save by Andre Blake, deflected out, and Mukhtar shot again but hit the post.
The Union almost got a goal from Bruno Damiani in the 24th minute when he shot the ball on goal, beat Nashville keeper Joe Willis, but was blocked just off the goal line by Jeisson Palacios.
The first half was very back and forth, but the defenses from both teams were up to the task. Olwethu Makhanya and Olivier Mbaizo saw a lot of action and were solid. Jakob Glesnes had a very physical half, colliding with Willis at one point, and Palacios inside the box near the end of stoppage time. Nashville was calling for a penalty, but VAR said otherwise. The first half ended with possession at 61.1% Nashville, 38.9% Philadelphia, with the former having eight shots and the latter four.
The second half began with no substitutions by either team. Nashville came out aggressive, and Sullivan picked up a yellow card in the 46th minute for a foul. The Union would get an excellent chance when Mbaizo sent in a great ball toward goal that Chris Donovan got a shot on, but was saved by Willis. Another chance came when Kai Wagner crossed the ball to Damiani who headed the ball well at goal, but Willis came up with another great save.
Bradley Carnell made his first substitutions in the 61st minute, bringing Tai Baribo and Ben Bender on for Chris Donovan and Cavan Sullivan. Moments later, Jonathan Pérez was sent off with a straight red after putting a boot to Baribo’s head.
Alejandro Bedoya came on for Indy Vassilev in the 72nd minute as the Union were still looking for a goal. Despite being down a man, Nashville was still very dangerous, and Wagner and Glesnes picked up yellow cards for fouls as they defended their end. Bender would also pick up a yellow in the 78th minute. The Union got some chances in the 83rd minute when there was lots of chaos in the box after a Union corner. Wagner would get an unbelievable strike in the 88th minute that was blocked after the Union won a free kick.
Eight minutes of stoppage time began with the game still scoreless, and the Union threatening. Nashville, however, had a dangerous chance with Mukhtar going toward goal and Makhanya taking him down, and after initially not calling anything, the referee would go to VAR and a penalty was awarded to Nashville with Mukhtar taking it and burying it in the 90+11 minute, though Blake read it right. The Union were not done, however, and took the ball down and ripped off a shot, earning a corner, but it would go for naught and Nashville pulled off the shorthanded victory, 1-0. What was a very good defensive game for the Union on the road, as well as having plentiful opportunities to score, was turned into a heartbreaking defeat in the last seconds of the game. Carnell pointed out post-game that whether he thought if that should have been a penalty or not did not matter; they did not finish their chances in the game. With the loss, the Union fell to third in the East, behind Cincinnati and Nashville, but still very close in the standings.
“It’s unfortunate the way the game ended,” Carnell shared in his post-match presser, “but like I said, there’s many positives, and I think down the road we’re getting our players back and we’re getting more competitive, and we can now create the normal training environments we need, and excited about the next couple days.” He was positive about Tai Baribo being back, and noted that Andre Blake’s knee injury was no longer an issue, and that the goalkeeper was excellent with his kicking and distribution.
The good news for the Union is that they should be getting Quinn Sullivan and Nate Harriel back soon from the Gold Cup, with that final against Mexico taking place today. Frankie Westfield coming back from injury could be huge for the team as well, as Carnell said he was getting close to returning. Mikael Uhre, still on the mend, would also be extremely helpful to have back if he is cleared soon. Carnell also shared Jesús Bueno may be day to day with still having some minor hamstring issues. With being as depleted as they were during this recent stretch, the team held up fairly well, all things considered, in this writer’s opinion.
The Philadelphia Union now turn their attention from MLS league play to the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals showdown with rival New York Red Bulls back home in Chester, PA on Wednesday evening. That match is scheduled for a 7:00 PM kick off and will be available on Paramount+ if you are unable to make it to the match.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union.
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