Philadelphia Union matched the weather in the nation's capital, raining goal after goal to pick up a resounding 6-0 win at D.C. United on Saturday night.
The Boys in Blue sent a message to all the challengers of the Supporters' Shield erupting for a single-season high in goals scored as they maintained their lead atop the league table with two matches remaining in the regular season. Saturday's match was a total team peformance with highlights throughout the lineup including midfielder Indiana Vassilev who earned his third career brace, with goals in both halves. Mikael Uhre and Milan Iloski each tallied three goal contributions with each netting a goal and adding a pair of assists as the Union's attacking four combined on all six goals for the Boys in Blue.
With the win, Philly rewrites their record book with an eighth road victory and also ties the club's single-season record for wins with 19.
Philadelphia Union returns to Subaru Park for another rivalry showdown as they welcome New York City FC to Chester on Saturday, October 4th. The match serves as the final regular season home match for the Boys in Blue and the fan-favorite U Thank U match presented by Independence Blue Cross. Limited tickets remain for the match and can be purchased online by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out his 27th unique starting lineup on Saturday night with leading scorer Tai Baribo suspended for yellow card accumulation and homegrown defender Frankie Westfield participating with the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team at 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Without them, the backline saw the return of Olwethu Makhanya paired up alongside Jakob Glesnes while the outside back positions were occupied by Kai Wagner and Nathan Harriel. Jovan Lukic also returned to the starting lineup in midfield with Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev and Quinn Sullivan.
With Baribo out, Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski were paired together for the first time atop the lineup.
13', Union forced into early change | Playing in the pouring rain against a rival, the intensity was high between the two teams. Philly were forced into a gameplan change however early on with Quinn Sullivan picking up an injury. Unable to continue, forward Mikael Uhre took the homegrown's spot which shifted Iloski back to a No. 10 role opposite Vassilev.
17', Damiani make it 1-0 | It didn't take long for Philly's front three to connect after the subsitution with Iloski recognzing that the hosts were out of possession near the center strip. Iloski shot it forward on the left side to Uhre who raced into the attack. With a 2-on-1 opportunity, the Danish front man played it off unselfishly to Bruno Damiani to open the scoring.
26', D.C. smack the post | As Philly sought to deliver a two-goal lead early in the match, D.C. United turned to the counter attack to provide scoring chances and nearly knotted the game at 1-1. Jared Stroud flicked a forward pass over the Union defense to set up a breakaway but a great recovery run from Glesnes and Wagner shut down the direct run from Christian Benteke. Stroud pushed forward and with Makhanya chasing his down, ripped a shot that crashed off the near post.
30', Off the crossbar | D.C. United deployed the same approach a few minutes later, with Stroud again being left frustrated as his curler was denied by the crossbar.
34', Union make it 2-0 | With the hosts on the front foot, Philly swung the momentum in their favor with Kai Wagner unlocking the defense with a pass to Damiani on the left flank. Similar to the opening goal, the forward played a centering pass to Uhre but this time the shot crashed off a pair of DC defenders and sailed into the back of the net.
37', Indy makes it 3-0! | The Boys in Blue continued to pounce with a combination play between Vassilev and Iloski making it 3-0. The midfielder laid off a pass to the forward who quickly uncorked a laser from outside the box. DC goalkeeper Jordan Farr punched it down into the wet grass but Vassilev continued his run to be unmarked for a second chance finish.
49', Iloski adds to the scoreboard | Philly didn't sit back in the second half and were eager to continue to rain goals as they sought to bolster their goal differential, the league's second tiebreaker for the Supporters' Shield. Milan Iloski made it 4-0 early in the half with a long-range shot off a cut back that snuck inside the post.
51', Indy bags a brace! | Two minutes later, the Boys in Blue made it five goals for the first time in 2025 with Vassilev collecting his brace. The midfielder capped off a beautiful build up that came up the left side once again with Uhre timing his pass in sync with Indy's run.
62', Uhre officially gets his goal | As the rain began to ease up, the Union's offense was relentlous as Uhre put into the back of the net a play set up by Iloski.
