Chester – It was a homecoming for former Union homegrown Paxten Aaronson, and a chance for the Union’s squad to stay sharp on Saturday night as they hosted an international friendly with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. The match would end in a 2-2 draw, and provided plenty of entertainment for the Union fans as well as the many Frankfurt fans in attendance.
A fairly standard starting lineup began the match, though Tai Baribo was notably absent from the lineup entirely. Andre Blake was captain and in goal. Bruno Damiani and Mikael Uhre were paired up top, Quinn Sullivan and Indiana Vassilev were at attacking mid, Jesús Bueno and Danley Jean Jacques were the defensive mids, and Kai Wagner, Jakob Glesnes, Nate Harriel, and Frankie Westfield formed the back line.
The visitors got off to a quick start as Jonathan Burkardt scored three minutes in to put Frankfurt up 1-0. Blake did a good job keeping the match from getting away from the Union any more, and had some big saves in the early going. In the 18th minute, Uhre had a shot that went just wide, followed by a shot by Sullivan that bounced off the post.
As the first half was winding down, the Union were awarded a corner, which Kai Wagner executed. His cross found the head of Damiani, who deposited it masterfully into the back of the net to level the match in the 41st minute.
The second half began with a slew of changes for the Union. Andrew Rick replaced Blake in goal. Olwethu Makhanya, Olivier Mbaizo, Alejandro Bedoya, Jovan Lukic, Jeremy Rafanello, and Chris Donovan replaced Glesnes, Wagner, Danley, Vassilev, Sullivan, and Damiani.
Frankfurt also made numerous changes, including Paxten Aaronson taking the field. He was given a special announcement by the Union’s PA announcer, Kevin Casey, and the fans showed their appreciation of the Medford, New Jersey native. Aaronson came up through the Union Academy, as did his brother Brenden, and made his debut with the first team in 2021. He last appeared for the Union in the MLS Cup Final in 2022 before being sold to Eintracht Frankfurt shortly after. He only recently returned to that club as he had been on loan to FC Utrecht, and before that, Vitesse.
The Union would see some chances, but it was Frankfurt who found the go-ahead goal in the 62nd minute when Elye Wahi took advantage of a defensive gaffe by the Union. Shortly after, Bradley Carnell made more changes, bringing on Neil Pierre, Eddy Davis, and Sal Olivas for Harriel, Bueno, and Uhre in the 66th minute. Those three, along with Makhanya, Westfield, and Rick made the lineup very reminiscent of the Union II squad of 2024.
In the 73rd minute, Davis sent a great pass to Donovan in space. The speedy striker was able to dodge the keeper, who was way outside the box, and send the ball home for the equalizer. Carnell would make two more substitutions in the 79th minute, replacing Westfield and Rick with Isaiah LeFlore and Oliver Semmle. Markus Anderson was the only unused substitute. The 2-2 score would hold, which, in this writer’s opinion, seemed a fair result based on how the gameplay was. With some of the league engaged in Leagues Cup play, the match served its purpose of keeping the squad fit, and perhaps learn some things ahead of their next league match. The Union will next host Toronto FC at 7:30 PM on Saturday, August 9.
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