Charlotte, North Carolina — It was Decision Day across Major League Soccer as all the Eastern Conference teams kicked off at 6 p.m. and the Western Conference squads began at 9 p.m. While the Philadelphia Union had already wrapped up home-field advantage and the Supporters’ Shield heading into Charlotte, North Carolina, they were also looking for their first win at Bank of America Stadium and a potential franchise-record 69 points, surpassing the 2022 squad’s 67.

However, thanks to goals from Wilfried Zaha and Kerwin Vargas, who also had an assist ,the Union stumbled on Decision Day, falling 2-0 to the home side and remaining winless in Charlotte.

Bradley Carnell opted to stick with the lineup that had gotten the team to the Supporters’ Shield through the first 33 matches of the regular season, with one exception: Alejandro Bedoya started over Indiana Vassilev when the lineup was announced.

Both teams had dangerous chances in the opening five minutes, including in the first minute when Mikael Uhre crossed to Alejandro Bedoya, who put the ball just wide left.

“I think in the first two, three minutes, we could have had two goals and really set the scene here,” said Carnell post-match. “We really had an objective in mind to be, clinical, lethal.”

Both teams battled for the next 15 minutes, with Charlotte building momentum and the Union countering occasionally, but the match remained even.

Charlotte would hit the back of the net first as Wilfried Zaha scored to put the home side up 1-0. However, the ball appeared to have gone out of bounds in the buildup leading to the goal. For Bradley Carnell, he never got an explanation.

“You know that’s unfortunately, we live in the clear and obvious. And if you have no camera angles, there cannot be a clear and obvious, right?” said Carnell. “So there’s always a grade of grayscale. And yeah, who am I to to talk about that, right? I mean, I can’t prove it was out. I can’t disprove it was in.”

Regardless, the goal stood, forcing the Union to chase the match. Charlotte would add to their lead moments later as Kerwin Vargas took advantage of a small defensive lapse by Philadelphia to beat Andre Blake and put Charlotte up 2-0.

Charlotte almost had another as Ildan Toklomati rocketed a shot on goal; however, Andre Blake kept the deficit at two with an outstanding save.

The Union headed into halftime down 2-0 after a promising start that included two big chances they couldn’t convert.

Philadelphia began the second half with two strong opportunities to get on the board, but both shots sailed over the net, a theme that would continue throughout the evening. Charlotte’s low defensive block limited the Union’s chances inside the 18-yard box.

Of Philadelphia’s 23 total shots, nine came from outside the box, and when the Union did manage to break down Charlotte’s defense in the second half, goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina was there to deny them time and again. In total, Kahlina made five saves en route to his 12th clean sheet of the season.

And while Wilfried Zaha picked up a second yellow that led to a red card in the 90th minute, putting the Union up a man, it was too little too late. Philadelphia ultimately fell 2-0 on Decision Day, remaining winless in Charlotte and finishing the season with 66 points, one shy of the club record of 67 set in 2022.

On his decision to bring on Tai Baribo and Indiana Vassilev at halftime, Carnell explained what went into the choice.

“We were thinking of 50-55 (minutes), to set the tone for the second half,” said Carnell. “Just start the game in the right way, but we were trailing two zero. So, you know, at that point, just to give guys like a fresh look from the very beginning and give us, and I think it was the right decision, because looking at the second half, and, you know, you can argue that was probably one of our best second halves of the year away from home.”

One positive of the match was that some of the young players put in quality work that Carnell rated highly, including Cavan Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, and Olwethu Makhanya. Sullivan came off the bench and displayed some of his best work of the season, including a shot on target.

“Cavan preparing for the World Cup at the U-17 level, we have to make sure send him off in the right way possible, and he’s been training well,” Carnell said of Sullivan. “So, you know, we thought we reward him away from home here. And I thought he did well. He could have, you know, gone on a score sheet once or twice, and he was a busy body. He counter presses really well. He came in and he made an impact.”

Westfield, having recently returned from the U-20 World Cup, replaced Harriel in the 78th minute. “I thought Frankie was excellent,” Carnell said of the right back. “He came in and, you know, told him exactly he could see the spaces that we were creating and what we were trying to do. And Nate goes out from a very good game, and Frankie steps in and has a very good continuation of exactly what we’re trying to do.”

For Makhanya, who played the full 90 and has been a consistent starter this season, it has been a season of growth and opportunity.

“Makhanya doesn’t get spoken about enough, and he does it week in and week out against one of the hottest strikers,” Carnell said. “And like I said, it’s just two moments, and I don’t think he’s to blame on any of the goals…and I think he’s done excellent. He’s had an excellent season. He’s done way more than than we’ve asked of him. Him and Jakob have formed a great relationship very early on. So yeah, listen, I hope he continues to grow from strength to strength, and he’s got a good backup or support group around him.”

Philadelphia will now face the winner of the Chicago Fire and Orlando City Wild Card match, which will be played Wednesday evening. The Union will host the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in a best of three series and would retain home-field advantage for the remainder of the postseason should they advance.

Main photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union.