Mikael Uhre scored twice late as the Philadelphia Union rallied for a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.
Uhre's game-winner came on the back of strong performance from the Union where they dominated the match but found themselves trailing at the break. Philadelphia Union came out of the gates full of energy charged up in their Voltage Kits and dominated the opening half with big scoring chances that somehow couldn't sneak over the line. The Boys in Blue had their backs agianst the wall as a result with the Western Conference side grabbing a first half lead on a Rafael Navarro diving header after a shot rang off the post and right to the forward. Philly battled back fueled on by the Union faithful with a set piece chance off the training ground seeing a Kai Wagner cross put home by Tai Baribo just past the hour mark.
The Boys in Blue continue their charge until the final whistle with Uhre delivering his first with less than a minute left in the second half as he smashed off a pass from Indiana Vassilev that snuck off the far post and into the back of the net. As the Rapids pushed for a leveler,
Philadelphia Union returns to the pitch next weekend for a Sister City Showdown as they host Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. The match will see the return to Subaru Park for homegrown Paxten Aaronson so be sure to get your tickets for the international friendly on Saturday, August 2nd. Kick off is set for 5:30PM ET.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Philadelphia Union made their return home with another new lineup; Head Coach Bradley Carnell was down two starting caliber outside backs in Nate Harriel and Frankie Westfield due to card disciplines, so Olivier Mbaizo was the choice at right back opposite 2025 MLS All-Star Kai Wagner on the left. Another All-Star in Jakob Glesnes started at centerback, paired with Olwethu Makhanya to make a backline protecting Andre Blake, who returned to his starting role.
Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilec, Danley Jean Jacques, and Quinn Sullivan made up the midfield, while Bruno Damiani and the league’s newly named All-Star MVP Tai Baribo were the attacking duo up top.
On the bench, both Andrew Rick and Oliver Semmle dressed as back-up goalkeepers, sitting alongside Neil Pierre, Alejandro Bedoya, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Raffaello, Chris Donovan, Sal Olivas, and Mikael Uhre.
5', Sullivan shot | Quinn Sullivan started the match hot with a powerful rip from the right side of the box, but his shot went just wide left of the post.
8', Lukic takes his chance | Jovan Lukic matched his teammate's energy with another promising shot, volleying a header from Tai Baribo but his effort hit the ground first and the bounce was stopped by Colorado Rapids keeper Zack Steffen.
9, Another Union shot saved | Steffen, a US Men’s National Team regular, showed his prowess again early, stopping a low line drive shot from Danley Jean Jacques to keep it level.
12, Damiani attempt | Philly's fourth shot of the night came from Damiani, who tried a header from the center of the box but the try was again stifled by Steffen.
17', Union attack continues | A series of passes in and around the box unfolded into a shot from Kai Wagner from outside the box, but Andreas Maxsø made the block.
23', Free kick opportunity | Maxsø and Baribo both went down in a physical battle, and Philadelphia Union nearly capitalized on the free kick that ensued because of it, but Damiani's header landed in the right corner and was just barely saved by Steffen.
25', Danley attempt | Philly refused to slow their attack, and Danley earned another opportunity to try for the first goal of the night but when running onto the ball right in front of the net, he sent it soaring over.
30, Union dominate through first 30 | Through the first 30 minutes of the night, Philadelphia outshot Colorado 8-0, dominanting nearly 60% of possesion.
31, Pair of corners for Philly | After a shot from Damiani was saved by Steffen in the 31st minute, Philly took a pair of corners from the left, but they were unable to take advantage of the opportunity.
33', Colorado free kick | Colorado found their first attacking opportunity of the match after a Damiani foul gave them a free kick, but a joint effort from Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya cleared the ball before the visitors could find a shot.
37', Colorado scores first | A battle between Kai Wagner and Calvin Harris resulted in a Colorado breakaway, and after a near-goal by Cole Bassett that was saved by the cross bar, Rafael Navarro dove to put it back in for a 1-0 score.
45', Union search for an equalizer before the break | Sullivan took two more shots for Philly before halftime, but the first half ultimately finished 1-0 in favor of the visitors.
47' Early chance | Philadelphia Union emerged from the locker room determined, and they showed it early with a head chance from Danley but his shot went over.
52', Colorado sub | Josh Atencio was forced to leave the match with an injury shortly into the second half. He was replaced by 23-year-old Homegrown Oliver Larraz.
64', Union equalize! | Philly earned three consecutive corners, and on the third, a short pass from Wagner to Lukic back to Wagner and into the box finished with Baribo shot in the box to equalize.
73' Union subs | Carnell made his first changes of the night in the 73rd minute, opting to take out Bruno Damiani and Quinn Sullivan for Mikael Uhre and Alejandro Bedoya.
89', Uhre puts the Boys in Blue up! | Philly wasn't content with just a single point in front of the home fans and their persistence paid off lay of Uhre finished off a patiently played pass from Vassilev to the Danish striker that snuck inside the post and in.
90+' Uhre makes it a brace! | With the scoreline in the Union's favor, Colorado was forced to commit numbers into the attack. That played perfectly for the Union's system as Bedoya hit a long volley forward to Uhre to track down. With just the keeper to beat, Uhre was clinical to cap off the brace in six minutes.
