Philadelphia Union once again battled until the final second to grab another late winning, extending their unbeaten run with a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC on Saturday night.
Markus Anderson was the hero on the night, scoring in the 98th minute on the final play of the match. Homegrowns Cavan Sullivan and Frankie Westfield fought to keep possession in the Charlotte side of the field to generate the game-winning play with Westfield finding the forward for his first-ever MLS goal.
The night started off with Jesus Bueno getting the Union faithful to their feet with a blast from outside the box in first half stoppage time to give the Boys in Blue the lead right before the halftime whistle. Charlotte FC answered with a game-tying goal midway through the second half as Designated Player Wilfried Zaha finished off a long cross into the box in the 78th minute. While the game only saw two goals, the Eastern Conference clash saw a playoff like intensity on the pitch with the two foes combining for 27 fouls and six yellow cards.
With the result, the Union continue to make a splash during their MLS campaign with the 2025 squad becoming the first in team history to go 10 unbeaten in league play. The draw not only keeps the Boys in Blue atop of the East but coupled with results from around the league sees Philly retake the top of the Suppporters' Shield race.
After playing their only home match of the month, the Union will have a well deserved week off to recharge ahead of another congested schedule that sees the Boys in Blue play seven games in 24 days. It all begins with a midweek clash with Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, June 25th. Kick off from the Windy City is set for 8:30PM ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
With six regular starters away due to the Concacaf Gold Cup or injuries, Head Coach Bradley Carnell turned to yet another new lineup for 2025. Homegrown goalkeeper Andrew Rick started between the posts for the eighth time this season with Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya in front of the 19-year-old keeper as defensive anchors. Kai Wagner and Olivier Mbaizo provided width in the Union attack as outside backs to complete the Union's backline.
The midfield saw changes too with Jovan Lukic paired alongside Jesus Bueno as holding midfielders while Ben Bender and Alejandro Bedoya controlled the midle of the pitch. Philly's captain reached another milestone for his career with the game marking Bedoya's 300th career appearance for the Boys in Blue across all competitions. Bruno Damiani started with Indiana Vassilev to lead the Union's high press at the top of the 4-4-2 formation that would seek to put Charlotte FC's backline under presser early and often.
With so many pieces out of the lineup, the matchday roster saw some new faces with Isaiah LeFlore and Eddy Davis III making their first appearances ever on the Union bench while homewhile Neil Pierre was added to the active roster should he be needed. Chris Donovan, Markus Anderson, Cavan Sullivan and Jeremy Rafanello were the offensive options for the technical staff as options with Frankie Westfield and Oliver Semmle completing the list of available substitutes.
25', Scoreless opening stretch | Neither team found the back of the net in the opening 25 minutes, but not for lack of trying. Philadelphia Union took six shots to Charlotte's two, with one of the most promising coming at that minute mark off a corner. After Kai Wagner kicked it short, the team maintained determined possesion in and around the box in attempts to find the opening goal but with no success.
28', Another corner | Wagner took another short corner shortly after, but they were again unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
33', Pair of yellows shown | Intensity ramped in the latter half of the first '45 as players from both sides in Olwethu Makhnaya and Wilifried Zaha were shown yellows after a scuffle ensued between the two teams.
37', Bedoya breakaway | Jovan Lukic found Bedoya, who made his 300th appearance for the club, in a dash up the field, but his run was stopped by a Charlotte defender and goalkeeper David Bingham.
41', More chances | A pair of short corners, one from Kai Wagner and one from Jesus Bueno, gave Philadelphia Union more opportunities to place the opening goal they were unable.
45', Another yellow | In his first match against the club that selected him in the MLS SuperDraft, Ben Bender was shown a yellow -- the fourth between both sides.
45+', Bueno gives Philly the lead | Jesus Bueno was a stoppage time hero, scoring his team's first goal of the night for a 1-0 lead. Wagner sent a cross into the box, and when he was headed out, Bueno ran onto the rebound sending it to the left of Bingham for his first goal of the year.
Halftime | Carnell made two changes at halftime, swapping Olivier Mbaizo and Chris Donovan for Frankie Westfield and Chris Donovan. The move saw Vassilev drop back to a more natural midfield position as he continued to run all over the pitch.
57', Union force into a substitution | The Boys in Blue were forced into a change just before the hour mark with the goalscoring Bueno unable to continue after a tackle near the center stripe. The Venezuelan received treatment and tried to give it a go but ultimately required a change with Markus Anderson making his first appearance for the MLS side in nearly a year.
68', Pushes for the next goal | With the both teams seperated by just a lone goal, the task at hand was to find another with the Boys in Blue seeing a headed chance from Damiani saved which was quickly followed up by an attempt from Lukic that was turned away by Charlotte's David Bingham. Pressing for an equalizer, the visitors made a double change with just over 20 minutes left, sending in Eryk Williamson and Liel Abada in place of Kerwin Vargas and Brandt Bronico.
73', End to End Action | 60 seconds saw two chances inside Subaru Park with Chris Donovan taking a leading pass into the box for a shot that crashed off Bingham. Charlotte FC responded with the ball still in play with a counter attack but Kai Wagner retreated perfect with his angle to delivered a sliding block on Idan Toklomati.
78', Charlotte equalizes | With both sides committed to the attack, the visiting side struck for the game's second goal with a finish from their DP attacking star Wilfried Zaha. Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty raced up the wing to provide service to the back post that Toklomati left untouched for Zaha to level the scoreline.
86', Rick The Brick | Momentum swung in the North Carolina side and nearly saw a second put on the board without two big plays from a pair of homegrowns. Abada chased down a long volley on the right side and was 1v1 against the Union shot stopped but saw his effort turned aside. The ball spilled centerally in the box but Westfield used his fresh legs to deny a follow up attempt from Charlotte FC.
90+', Anderson wins it | The Union dug deep to find the way to three points late once again with Jeremy Rafanello whipping in a cross that partially cleared by Charlotte. Westfield fought to head the ball back into the box into the path of Cavan Sullivan who tried for a blast that snuck by the 15-year-old. The scoring chance didn't end though with Anderson in prime position to slot a shot on the grass and into the back of the net.
