The Philadelphia Union have secured the 2025 Supporters’ Shield!
With Saturday night’s 1-0 victory over New York City FC at Subaru Park, the Boys in Blue improved their record to 20-6-7, setting a new club record for total wins in a season.
Philadelphia Union concludes the MLS Regular Season in two weeks with a road trip to Charlotte FC on Saturday, October 18th. Kick off from Charlotte is set for 6PM as part of MLS Decision Day.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
With the Supporters' Shield within reach, Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out a strong lineup at home in front of a packed stadium of Union faithful. Three time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake made the start in net, protected by a backline that featured Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya paired at center back, plus Nathan Harriel on the right and Kai Wagner on the left.
The midfield was made up of Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev, and Milan Iloski, while up top Carnell opted for Bruno Damiani and Mikael Uhre, starting the attacking duo that played together for the majority of the team's dominant 6-0 victory in D.C. the weekend prior.
On the bench, Andrew Rick was the backup keeper, sitting alongside Neil Pierre, Chris Donovan, Ben Bender, Olivier Mbaizo, Alejandro Bedoya, Tai Baribo, Jesus Bueno, and Cavan Sullivan.
1', Early intensity | As the starters emerged from the tunnel before the match's start, the noticeably boisterous Sons of Ben hoisted a brand-new TIFO setting the stage for the already-charged head-to-head. The team matched their supporters' energy with an intense start to the first half, taking four shots in the opening 11 minutes after New York City opened play with a near miss by Alonso Martinez
17', Close chance from Damiani | Former Union Homegrown turned NYC starting keeper Matt Freese was forced to make his fourth save of the night in the 17th minute when Bruno Damiani took a promising shot toward the near post.
19', Union yellow card | The first caution of the night was shown to Danley Jean Jacques near midfield.
20', Blake comes up big | Hannes Wolf found space for a shot in the 20th minute, but Blake dove for an important stop to keep the score level.
30', Union keep pushing | A quick run up the field from Danley set up a strong sequence from Iloski to Vassilev for a pass into the box, but Freese jumped to take the ball out of the air before Philly could find a shot.
36', Another Union yellow | Jakob Glesnes was shown the second Union yellow of the night, after taking down Wolf.
40', Uhre makes it 1-0! | Philadelphia Union found the opening goal of the night in the 40th minute when Lukic found Uhre for a shot from the right side of the box that he placed past Freese. When he hit the back of the net, the stadium erupted in to the team's beloved DOOP song, then smoothly transitioned into a chant for #7 himself.
Halftime | Philadelphia retreated to the locker room for halftime with a 1-0 lead, despite having maintained possession for 41% of the first half.
55', Union yellow | Bruno Damiani was shown the third Union yellow card caution of the night after fouling Wolf.
58', Union subsitution | Carnell made his first change of the match in the 58th minute, swapping Uhre for the Tai Baribo, the team's leading goal scorer.
73', Union subsitution | The second change of the night occurred in the 73rd minute, with Jesus Bueno replacing Bruno Damiani.
81', Union substution | Mbaizo and Bedoya were the final substitutions of the night as they replaced Iloski and Vassilev.
