CHESTER, Pa.— The Union returned to action at Subaru Park after finally getting a full week of training to face San Jose Earthquakes, and were looking to get their first MLS win of the season after starting 0-2. That was not to be, however, as the Union dropped their third straight MLS match to open the season—something the squad has not done since 2012.
Unfortunately, the lineup was without rising star center back Olwethu Makhanya who was out on a red card suspension. The versatile Nathan Harriel was put on center back duty along with Japhet Sery Larsen. Frankie Westfield was at right back, while at left back, making his first MLS start while on a short-term call up from Union II, was Giovanny Sequera. Andre Blake got the nod in goal.
The midfield consisted of Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukic at defensive mid, and Milan Iloski and Indiana Vassilev at attacking mid. Bruno Damiani and Agustín Anello rounded out the lineup at striker.
The Union unveiled their new pregame light show complete with multicolored lights and synchronized flashing from fans’ phones. While it was not a packed stadium on the foggy, chilly night, the crowd was clearly amped to begin the match.
In the 7th minute it looked like Vassilev was going to get a prime chance on goal after a great pass by Sequera, but he lost possession just as he was trying to get a shot off. San Jose got their first chance shortly after a dangerous cross in the 11th minute, but the Union’s defense were able to thwart the attempt.
As the Union were really bringing some early pressure, Iloski was fouled by Benji Kikanovic in the 15th minute, resulting in a yellow card for the San Jose defender. Lukic saw the Union’s first yellow in the 20th minute for a hard tackle near midfield on Preston Judd. San Jose managed a couple shots on target that Blake made the easy save on, but were dominating possession while the Union had yet to make a shot until the 33rd minute when Iloski shot wide left.
Westfield sent a fantastic cross in the 37th minute that the Union were unable to get a good header on, but it was one of their best chances of the half at that point. Another cross by Westfield moments later led to a Union corner that got headed over the goal. The Union were starting to get quality chances and seemed to building momentum as the first half was waning, and were outshooting their opponent 5-4 (but only one on target) when the halftime whistle blew following one minute of stoppage time.
Both sides made halftime substitutions to bring in their big acquisitions. San Jose brought on Timo Werner for Jamar Ricketts and the Union substituted Ezekiel Alladoh for Anello. The Union wasted no time getting a chance as Harriel made a diving header on goal that was saved by Daniel De Sousa Britto.
Sequera received a well-timed pass from Danley and ripped a shot that the keeper blocked. It would be San Jose, however, who would strike first as Ousseni Bouda got the ball off Sequera’s last ditch effort to clear after getting caught, and put put it past Blake in the 59th minute. The Union then subbed off Lukic for Jesús Bueno.
Stas Korzeniowski and Alejandro Bedoya were subbed on in the 74th minute for Damiani and Iloski. Still battling to find the equalizer late, the Union made a final substitution in the 81st minute, bringing on Ben Bender for Sequera.
Vassilev nearly found the net on a shot from the top of the box following a rebound off a corner, but the attempt was knocked out by Daniel. Still struggling to score a goal from open play, the Union kept battling as the time was getting short and three minutes of stoppage time was announced. Despite some opportunities, the Union still could not finish in the end, and as the final whistle blew, loud boos rang through the stadium as the Union fell 1-0. In the first three MLS matches, the Union only have one goal to show for their efforts, and it was a penalty kick. They even outshot their opponent 13-7, but had nothing to show for it.
Carnell said postgame that it was a game of tight margins, and it certainly was. It was, to him, the best performance of the three MLS matches thus far. “We were very dominating in the first half. We have a massive chance in the second half, just to start off the second half, and unfortunately, couldn’t get over the line again,” he said.
He was still complimentary of his players and optimistic, despite the rough start. “But can’t fault the boys for performance. It’s just unfortunate that things aren’t going our way right now. But yeah, I thought this was by far our best performance of the three, which is a step in the right direction. But yeah, again, another tight margin game where we come and fall short.”
One of the players who seemed poised to be a big story for a solid debut, but the narrative got blemished with the goal conceded, was Giovanny Sequera. Carnell highlighted the positives while noting the learning curve. “We look a bit unfortunate when we get sliced up with a through ball from Timo [Werner], but I thought other than that, he was brave. He defended forwards. He had some good moments with the ball. He showed some composure in possession, and he’s really tough to play against. So you know, I thought he had a very good debut for for us.
“He’ll continue to grow with us, as well as Union II. And yeah, I enjoy these moments for it’s a pity we couldn’t get some points on the board or get a win here, because we could really celebrate it in a really nice way. But yeah, he did everything what his team needed tonight.”
What is going on that the Union just cannot seem to score from open play? Bruno Damiani shared postgame, “Today in the first half, I think we really deserve the goal. It’s just about details we need to improve. Then in the second half, when they score, we just got so predictable that we didn’t have any chances and in that case, yeah I think that’s why we really need to improve it.”
Frankie Westfield, who had all in all a positive night, shared his thoughts on the current mood and mindset of the team. “I think we never lose confidence. I think that’s the first thing. We’re always pushing for more, and I think looking back at these three losses, you know, we never want to lose, and winning’s our main objective. I think we’ve got to move on, keep moving on. It’s hard. You know, we just got to keep pushing through it, but I think when you push through it like this and these hard times, good times are gonna come for sure. You got to think about it, keeping positive, keeping everything together.”
They will get a chance to turn the page fairly quickly as they host Club America on Tuesday in the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup at 7:00 PM at Subaru Park. A win over a team like that could go a long way.
Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
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