Bruno Damiani’s headed finish proved the different as Philadelphia Union secured their seventh trip to the postseason in eight years with a 1-0 result at FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.
The battle between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference lived up to its heavyweight billing with a playoff like intensity that was decided by XXX. Neither side could break through in the opening half with the Union seeing a deflection ring off the post early in the contest while homegrown Andrew Rick made two clutch saves to keep the high-powered FC Cincinnati offense frustrated.
The second half showcased the grit of the Boys in Blue, being tested every second as they sought to secure a playoff berth. Four minutes into the half the emotions rose as Milan Iloski floated a cross that Bruno Damaini headed out of thin air to grab the road lead. The emotions flipped at the hour mark when Olwethu Makhanya was issued a second yellow forcing the Union to play down a man for the final 30 minutes. Bradley Carnell’s side didn’t back down at all, clogging the middle of the pitch to prevent any high-scoring opportunities in route to their 11th clean sheet of the 2025 regular season and most importantly a berth into the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Philadelphia Union will see eight members depart for the upcoming FIFA International Break before returning to action with its furthest road trip of the season. The Boys in Blue travel to Western Conference foe Vancouver Whitecaps FC for a late night battle on Saturday, Sept. 13 with kick off is set for 9:30PM ET on MLS Season Pass.
How The Match Unfolded
Lineup notes
For a second sttraight match, 19-year-old Homegrown Andrew Rick started between the posts, stepping in for three-time MLS goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake, who's recovering from injury. In front of him, Nate Harriel returned to the opening backline, manning the right side opposite Kai Wagner, while Olwethu Makhanya and Jakob Glesnes held it down at centerback.
Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacque, Milan Iloski, and Quinn Sullivan made up the midfield, while Tai Baribo and Bruno Damiani made the start up top. On the bench, George Marks suited up in Blue and Gold for the first time since signing with the club, sitting alongside Olivier Mbaizo, Frankie Westfield, Alejandro Bedoya, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan, Mikael Uhre, and indiana Vassilev, who returned from a head injury.
10', Pair of Philly shots | Philly's first chances of the night came from midfielders Milan Iloski and Quinn Sullivan, with the latter hitting the cross bar with a pwerful shot from the right side of the box. Baribo found one of his own two minutes later, with his attempt missing right.
16', Rick makes a massive stop | A dilligent defensive effort from Philly kept Cincinnati to two shots in the opening 15 minutes. In the 16th, however, Nick Hagglund dove toward the net for a strong header chance off a free kick, but the attempt was diverted left thanks to a impressive effort from Rick in net.
21', Yellow cards for both sides | Dominik Marczuk and Olwethu Makhanya were both shown yellow card cautions in the 21st minute for poor sportsmanship.
35', Another Rick stop! | Rick made another significant stop in the 35th minute, tipping away of shot from one of Cincinnati top goalscorers, Kévin Denkey, from outside the box.
Halftime | After a flurry of free kicks between both sides, the intensity continued into stoppage time, which saw Jakob Glesnes shown a yellow card for a foul on Brenner Souza in his Cincinnati re-debut. Neither team found an opener before retreating to the locker room for halftime.
49', Damiani goal! | Four minutes into the second half, Bruno Damiani found the first goal of the night, hitting the back of the net with a header from the center of the box assisted by Milan Iloski.
60', Red card | Philadelphia was forced to play with 10 men for the final half hour when Makhanya was shown his second yellow of the match, earning a red.
63', Union subs | Up a goal and down a man, Carnell opted to make a pair of defensive-minded subs, sending Frankie Westfield and Indiana Vassilev in place of Quinn Sullivan and Tai Baribo.
74', More changes for the Union | The Boys in Blue made a change atop the 10 man lineup bringing on Mikael Uhre in place of the goalscorer Damiani.
84', One last change for Philly | Absorbing wave after wave from the Ohio side, Philly made one last change in the middle of the pitch sending in homegrown Jeremy Rafanello in place of Milan Iloski.
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