The Philadelphia Union’s home opener at Subaru Park is tomorrow, March 1st at 7:30 PM. They’ll be hosting Cincinnati FC, who are also sitting at 1-0-0 after beating the NY Red Bulls last week.
It’s been a long offseason for Union faithful, watching from a distance as the club made major changes—new head coach, new signings, and even some stadium upgrades. Now, we finally get to see it all in person.
A New Union Era
And just like us fans, new Head Coach Bradley Carnell can’t wait to experience matchday at Subaru Park from the right side of things.
Playing here, I’m excited. As an opponent, coming here, for many, many years, I always hated the DOOP song. Now I can’t wait for the DOOP, and I’m hoping we can reward the fans that come out, and hopefully we show them a bit of our signature and the way we want to play and entertain.
Bradley Carnell
Saturday marks the first time in over four months that the Union will play in front of a packed home crowd, and they’re heading into this one with momentum. They kicked off the season in dominant fashion, taking down Orlando City 4-2 on the road—a team that beat them twice last season. Four debuts. Three points. A statement win to start the Carnell era.
Can the Momentum Last?
Carnell rolled out a 4-2-2-2 formation, featuring Jovan Lukic, Olwethu Makhanya, and Homegrown Frankie Westfield making their first Union starts. Westfield’s debut made him the 10th Homegrown in club history to start a season opener. Andre Blake earned his 300th club appearance in net, wearing the captain’s armband.
For the first 15 minutes of the game, it didn’t look like the Union knew what they were doing out there. Orlando didn’t waste time and took advantage, scoring in the 8th minute off a well-placed shot from new signing Marco Pašalić.
Once our boys shook off whatever they started the game with, the Union no longer looked rattled. In the 24th minute, Tai Baribo equalized, cleaning up a deflected ball in the box to make it 1-1.
Blake reminded everyone why he’s one of the best in MLS with a big save in the 35th minute, denying Pašalić a second goal.
Second Half Surge Says Yes
Coming out of the locker room, the Union took over. In the 48th minute, Daniel Gazdag gave Philly the lead after a perfect setup from Quinn Sullivan. Just three minutes later, Mikael Uhre made it 3-1, capitalizing on an Orlando mistake and drilling a shot past Pedro Gallese.
In the 64th minute, Baribo secured a brace, finishing off a second-chance effort from Westfield to push the lead to 4-1.
Orlando pulled one back in the 79th minute, with Pašalić netting his second goal, but it was too little, too late. The Union locked down the final minutes and secured all three points to open the season on the right foot.
The Philadelphia Union look good. It’s early yet, but if the Union can even bring half this energy to the season, it’s looking like it’ll be a bounceback year for the team that plays in Chester.
Now, it’s time to bring that energy home. See you at Subaru Park. DOOP.
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