Bruno Damiani and Chris Donovan found the back of the net as Philadelphia Union ended level with German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Sister City Showdown featured end to end action with the visitors finding the back of the net three minutes after the opening whistle via a goal from Jonathan Burkardt. The MLS Supporters' Shield leaders battled back, turning to set piece magic as Kai Wagner connected with Bruno Damiani before the half to send the back into the locker rooms at 1-1. Both sides made wholesale changes in the second half but they continued to push for goals, each scoring on counter attacks. Elye Wahi showed off his pace for the German side in the 62nd minute but Chris Donovan answered 11 minutes later with a solo run of his own set up by homegrown Eddy Davis III.
Philadelphia Union returns to league play next weekend for Retro Esports Night presented by PrimePoint. The Boys in Blue continue their push for the Supporters' Shield as they host Toronto FC with tickets for the Eastern Conference clash available for purchase online by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Despite the friendly nature of the contest, Head Coach Bradley Carnell rolled out one of his stronger lineups for their test against the Champions League qualified side from Germany. Andre Blake worn the captain's armband between the posts with the backline in front of him seeing Kai Wagner and Nathan Harriel on the left side while Jakob Glesnes and Homegrown Frankie Westfield occupied the right side. Jesus Bueno, Danley Jean Jacques, Quinn Sullivan and Indiana Vassilev comprised the middle of the 4-2-2-2 formation while Bruno Damiani teamed up with MLS Team of the Matchday star Mikael Uhre.
With unlimited changes allowed during the contest, the Union dressed 14 on the bench, ensuring valuable game minutes against the German side across the roster.
3', Frankfurt strike first | The visitors found the back of the net on the game's first corner kick opportunity as Fares Chaibi's service was deflected to the back post where Jonathan Burkardt finished it off.
12', Big save by Blake | A volley over the top for Ansgar Knauff crossed centrally to Burkardt for the quick shot with his right but the Union captain made the reaction stop between the legs.
18', Philly fights back | With a big defensive stop by Blake, the Boys in Blue grew into the contest with Mikael Uhre intercepting a pass from the Frankfurt defense and quickly having a go from outside the box that went just wide. A few minutes later, Quinn Sullivan intercepted another pass and ripped a shot that crashed off the post and stayed out.
27', Brick Wall Blake | Just before the half hour mark, the German side were again testing the Union backline with Rasmus Kristensen getting into the box for a shot that Blake turned side. The rebound fell right to Burkardt who sought a first half brace but was denied as well.
41', Damiani finds the leveler | Philly's set piece brillance was on display late in the first half once again as Kai Wagner's second straight corner kick was right on the money to pick out an unmarked Bruno Damiani for the equalizer.
Halftime Changes for the U | The second half saw major changes for the Union with the starting XI lineup like so:
Andrew Rick; Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Olivier Mbaizo, Frankie Westfield, Alejandro Bedoya, Jesus Bueno, Jovan Lukic, Jeremy Rafanello, Chris Donovan, Mikael Uhre.
46', Bedoya denied by a diving save | The fresh legs were quickly put to good use as Donovan raced to the endline to regain possession from Frankfurt's Jens Grahl. With the keeper out of net, Donovan lifted a cross centrally to Bedoya who headed it toward the far post but Grahl raced back to make a diving save.
62', Frankfurt retakes the lead | With Philly commiting numbers into the offensive end of the pitch, Frankfurt regained the lead with a counter attack as Fares Chaibi threading a forward pass to Elye Wahi for the finish inside the box.
66', More homegrowns take the pitch | Just after the hour mark, Bradley Carnell added three more homegrowns to the pitch as Neil Pierre made his Union debut alongside Union II regulars Sal Olivas and Eddy Davis III. The trio replaced the three remaining starters in Harriel, Uhre and Bueno.
73', Donovan makes it 2-2 on the run! | With six homegrowns on the field, the youthful Union answered back with a direct attack as Davis III saw the very high defensive line from the opposition and pushed a pass into the space. Donovan used every bit of his speed to win the ball and get around the on-rushing Grahl before scoring from the right side of the box to level the game at 2-2.
79', More changes for the Union | Two more fresh faces entered the match with just over 10 minutes left as Olivier Semmle stepped between the sticks while Isaiah LeFlore made his club debut in place of Frankie Westfield.
