Danley Jean Jacques delivered a second-half equalizer, but Philadelphia Union fell 2-1 on the road to Charlotte FC on Saturday night.
Amid torrential rain in the first half, the Eastern Conference sides leaned into a physical battle, combining for eight yellow cards on the night. Charlotte opened the scoring in the 30th minute through Ashley Westwood.
Philadelphia responded in the 78th minute as Jean Jacques notched his first goal of the season, finishing off Cavan Sullivan’s first MLS assist to level the match. The equalizer was short-lived, however, as Charlotte reclaimed the lead less than two minutes later through Wilfried Zaha.
Philadelphia Union returns to action next weekend, traveling north of the border to face CF Montréal on Saturday, April 11th. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
After a two-week pause, Philadelphia Union returned to action with multiple changes to the Starting XI.
Three-time Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake started in net behind a backline of Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, and Frankie Westfield.
Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukić paired in midfield, with Indiana Vassilev and Milan Iloski in advanced roles. Up top, Ezekiel Alladoh made his second MLS start alongside Bruno Damiani.
Andrew Rick backed up Blake on the bench alongside Geiger Martinez, Philippe Ndinga, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Cavan Sullivan, Malik Jakupovic, and Stas Korzeniowski.
7', Charlotte chances | The hosts created the first two opportunities of the night, with Pep Biel and Djibril Diani each firing from the center of the box but missing left.
12', Yellow card | Frankie Westfield was shown the first booking of the night after a foul on Kerwin Vargas.
19', Yellow card | Djibril Diani received a caution for a foul on Indiana Vassilev.
20', Rain rolls in | A warm spring evening quickly turned into a downpour, adding another challenge to an already physical matchup.
30', Charlotte goal | After an earlier blocked effort, Charlotte broke through as Ashley Westwood fired a shot into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.
44', Blake save | Wilfried Zaha got on the end of a close-range chance, but Andre Blake came up with a key stop to keep the deficit at one heading into halftime.
50', Damiani chance | Milan Iloski played a ball into the box for Bruno Damiani, whose first-time effort went just wide.
63', Union substitution | Head coach Bradley Carnell made his first change, bringing on Jesus Bueno for Ezekiel Alladoh.
66', Iloski saved | Iloski created space and fired a quick shot, but it was denied by the Charlotte goalkeeper.
70', Union pressure | Philadelphia continued to push, with Damiani forcing a save on a header before Frankie Westfield sent a follow-up effort just over the bar.
77', Union substitution | Cavan Sullivan entered the match for Indiana Vassilev.
78', GOAL — Danley Jean Jacques | Sullivan made an immediate impact, setting up Jean Jacques for the equalizer to make it 1-1.
80', Charlotte goal | Charlotte responded quickly, with Wilfried Zaha finishing a fast attack to restore the lead.
84', Union substitutions | Carnell made a triple change, introducing Stas Korzeniowski, Malik Jakupovic, and Philippe Ndinga for Damiani, Iloski, and Makhanya.
86', Sullivan chance | After a big save from Blake on one end, Sullivan nearly found a late equalizer but saw his chance go just wide.
