Philadelphia Union battled Western Conference side San Jose Earthquakes, falling by a1-0 margin at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
The Boys in Blue had their chances to become the first team to score on the Quakes in 2026, with opportunities on each side of the halftime whistle. Before the break, midfielder Indiana Vassilev saw his effort saved by the keeper after a quick sequences of passes down the middle of the pitch. Less than a minute into the second half, Philly mounted another attack with a set piece chance from Milan Iloski setting up a diving header from Nathan Harriel that forced a reaction save.
It was the visitors that grabbed the game’s only goal with Ousseni Bouda finishing off a threaded pass into the box from German Designated Player Timo Werner in the 59th minute.
Philadelphia Union turns its focus back to Concacaf Champions Cup play as they kick off its Round of 16 series against Liga MX side Club America. Leg one will be played at Subaru Park on Tuesday, March 10th, with kick off set for 7PM ET. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Major League Soccer Matchday 3 brought another unique lineup for the Philadelphia Union – Andre Blake remained in net, but the backline was altered with defender Olwethu Makhanya out with a red card. In his absence, Nathan Harriel moved to centerback with Japhet Sery Larsen, Frankie Westfield stayed in his natural right back spot, and short-term call up from the second team, Giovanny Sequera, lined up left for his MLS debut.
In the midfield, Carnell started Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, and Indiana Vassilev, plus Milan Iloski shifted back to the #10 spot while Bruno Damiani and Agustin Anello were paired up top.
Andrew Rick was the backup keeper on the bench, sitting alongside Geiner Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan, Ezekiel Alladoh, and Korzeniowski.
15', Quakes yellow | The first card discipline of the night came on a foul against Milan Iloski, when Benji Kikanovic took him down near midfield. The right back was shown a yellow, and Philly was awarded a free kick.Â
19' Pair of Philly corners |Â Iloski took a pair of corners in front of The River End, who opened the match with a 'Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia' tifo to welcome the visitors. While the second was kept in play by the corner flag, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
20', Philly yellow | The second yellow card of the night was shown when Lukic fouled San Jose stud Preston Judd.Â
26', Blake saves! | Philly's three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year made his first save of the night in the 23rd minute, stopping Judd's right footed shot from the center of the box, then a header attempt from the same player three minutes later.
32', Close chance for the Quakes | Niko Tsakiris found a strong chance in the box, striking the ball with dangerous power but misplacing it just over the net to the left.Â
37' Westfield whips it in | A quality cross from Westfield from the left created a header opportunity in the box, but Damiani missed right.Â
45', Vassilev shot | Philly best scoring chance of the opening half came just before the break with a beautiful quick sequence of passing between Lukic, Damiani and Danley around the Quakes box. The final pass saw a slipped ball to Vassilev for a shot had the makings of a perfect end to the first half for Philly, but quick block from Daniel kept the match level.
Halftime | Both teams retreated to the locker room scoreless, and while the Union hadn't found their lead, they finished the first 45 as the only team to hold San Jose scoreless for an entire half so far in 2026. During the break, both teams made changes -- Ezekiel Alladoh entered for his Subaru Park debut in Major League Soccer play, while German star Timo Werner replaced Jamar Ricketts.
46' Harriel's diving header | An early set piece opportunity was almost a goal for the Boys in Blue as Iloski's floated volley into the box soared past the Quakes defense. Homegrown Nathan Harriel tracked it perfectly, attempting a diving header that was pushed aside at the last minute by the keeper.
57', Sequera shot! | In his MLS debut, Giovanny Sequera displayed that same fight and grit he was known for in MLS Next Pro last year, getting forward to find angled shot from the left side of the box, but Daniel got a piece of it.Â
59', Werner gets his second MLS assist | Just like he did in his MLS debut last weekend, Werner came off the bench and found Bouda for a goal, this time with the forward battling Sequera who slid to try to make the stop.
60', Philly sub | Carnell made his second sub of the night, replacing Lukic, on a yellow card, with Jesus Bueno.
66', Another Philly yellow | Nathan Harriel was shown a yellow on a foul against Werner.
74', Two Philly changes | Carnell sent in two more changes with Stas Korzeniowski and Alejandro Bedoya looking to make an impact in place of Damiani and Iloski.
82', Final Union substitution | The final swap for the Boys in Blue came on the backline with Ben Bender replacing Union II's Giovanny Sequera
85', Union push for an equalizer | Philly continued to test the Quakes defense with a set piece chance presenting Vassilev a shot from the top of the box but again it was parried over the bar by the keeper.
90', Stoppage Time | Three minutes were added to the final half of the contest with a few half chances earned by the Union as they pinned the Quakes defense in their own box. Westfield sliced a volley from the right blank that connect for a shot that was blocked and then a long range effort proved to the final game's final shot with San Jose claiming all three points.
