Philadelphia Union Look to Rebound After Cup Exit Against New England

CHESTER, Pa. – After a humbling week that saw the Philadelphia Union fall 7-0 in Vancouver and bow out of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-1 semifinal loss in Nashville, the club returns home looking to regroup and refocus.

With just four matches left in the regular season and the Supporters’ Shield race tightening, Saturday’s matchup against the New England Revolution at Subaru Park and a chance for Philadelphia to regain momentum heading into the playoffs.

Union Bow Out of the U.S Open Cup

Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup Semifinal performance in Nashville perhaps left some with doubts about the club’s future chances—not only of claiming a second Supporters’ Shield, but also of how the MLS Cup playoffs might look after Nashville’s 3-1 victory, their third over the Union this season.

However, Philadelphia Union head coach Bradley Carnell maintained a positive tone in Thursday’s press conference when asked about the recent run of form.

“I think a lot of the things that we’ve seen are just accounts of multiple errors,” he said. “Through that accumulation of errors there’s a certain result that happens, that ensues and that’s usually a goal conceded.”

Sam Surridge’s hat trick was the deciding factor in Nashville’s victory. He opened the scoring in the 36th minute to put the home side up 1-0. After doubling the lead with his second in the 50th minute, Philadelphia responded in the 76th when Quinn Sullivan blasted home from outside the box.

The Union nearly leveled late in the final 15 minutes when Mikael Uhre had a chance to break in one-on-one, but his attempt was saved by Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake. Tai Baribo then failed to connect with a pass on the far post that likely would have created an excellent opportunity.

Nashville countered, and Surridge beat Olwethu Makhanya in the 85th minute to complete his hat trick and put the match on ice, sending the home side on to the U.S. Open Cup Final against Austin FC on October 1.

While results have not been going the Union’s way, Carnell believes uncomfortable moments and failures can benefit the club and help the squad develop.

“It’s one of those weeks that, yeah, we wish we would forget, but if we’re not feeling uncomfortable, it means we’re not growing,” he said. “I feel we got to a point, or we are at a point in the season now where we have to grow one more time to finish the season strong and to prepare us for the postseason.”

New England Comes to Town

If Carnell hopes to see his club finish strong and grow into the playoffs, it needs to start on Saturday as Philadelphia hosts the New England Revolution in an afternoon matinee at Subaru Park.

New England’s season has not improved since Philadelphia last faced them on March 8. In that match, Tai Baribo and Jovan Lukic both scored in a 2-0 shutout victory.

The Revolution currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with an 8-14-8 record. They fired head coach Caleb Porter earlier this week following a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. Assistant manager Pablo Moreira will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Carnell, who once stepped into an interim role himself with the New York Red Bulls after Chris Armas was fired, knows Saturday won’t be an easy match.

“People embrace change negative or positively,” said Carnell. “It’s up to us to to make sure that we rally against that. To make sure that you know we play like a home team to make sure we get the crowd behind us. That’s going to be massive on the day.”

The Revolution will have Matt Turner back in net. The 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year recently returned from Europe and will be with the club moving forward. Carles Gil has enjoyed a semi-resurgence, leading the team with 10 goals and 11 assists. Leo Campana and Tomás Chancalay are also dangerous attacking threats capable of turning a match in seconds—something Carnell is well aware of. Campana, however, is listed as out for the match with an abductor injury.

“They have some dangerous weapons know to give up some some crosses,” he said. “That’s a topic that we have to discuss as well. So I mean yeah they have a good team. There’s no doubt about it.”

All time, Philadelphia has 13 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses against the Revolution at Subaru Park. Three points on Saturday would be a strong way to finish the final stretch of four matches—two of which are at home—on a positive note.

The Union still sit atop the Supporters’ Shield standings, one point clear of San Diego and two points ahead of Cincinnati for first in the Eastern Conference. While Carnell balked at calling this match a “must-win,” it is as close as it gets with how tight the races are.

“We we want to make sure that we are aiming for the next three points possible and through that accumulation we’ve put ourselves in that position.”

Finishing the Regular Season

Three points on Saturday would definitely put the Union in a good “position.” After hosting New England, the club will travel to face D.C. United, who sit 14th in the East with only two home wins this season, on September 27.

Philadelphia will then host NYCFC in their final home match of the regular season on October 5 before closing the campaign on the road against red-hot Charlotte on Decision Day, October 18. Charlotte have won nine straight, and that finale could impact not only playoff seeding but also the Supporters’ Shield race.

For fans unable to attend Saturday’s match, it will be streamed on Apple TV+ as part of MLS Season Pass, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.

Main Article Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union