Momentum from Union’s Game 1 win halted by season-ending injury and racial slur allegations

The morale coming into the playoffs this year has a bit of a different feel from seasons passed. Uncertainty around both the future makeup and the current form of this Union team, as it backed its way into the postseason, left fans with a lack of confidence coming into game 1 of an opening round best-of-3 series against New England. But on a beautiful 80-degree day in late October, a convincing 3-1 win at Subaru Park sent Union fans home with a new sense of hope – at least for the time being.

A nervous energy sat over Subaru Park coming into this game and it was amplified by no Jakob Gleses in either the starting XI or bench for Philadelphia. It almost turned to Dooms Day for Union fans when 8 minutes into the game New England was able to create some chaos in Philly’s penalty area.

Damion Lowe knocked down a cross that fell directly to New England’s Noel Buck. Buck’s volley attempt on net rattled the crossbar and bounced in front of the goal line and away from net. Kai Wagner headed the loose ball away, but not without being taken out by a scrambling Andre Blake.

The ball fell to Thomas Chancalay at the top of the box and volleyed the ball toward goal, but once again Damion Lowe was able to deter the shot. Union survived a moment of mayhem early.

Gazdag’s 50th reinstalls hope in Subaru Park

Something I spoke about in one of my articles previewing this series, was how the Union continuously put their opponents in bad positions which has resulted in Philadelphia being granted both the most PKs and the most one-man advantages in MLS this season. And in the 15th minute of the game, they did it again.

A high-press by McGlynn near the end-line leads to a loose ball on the edge of the box. New England’s young keeper, Jacob Jackson rushed out to claim the ball but took out Julian Carranza in the process. It took a minute or two to stop play and go through a VAR review, but ultimately Philly was rewarded with a kick from the spot and Daniel Gazdag made no mistake, giving Union a 1-0 lead 20 minutes in and re-instilling belief back into the Union crowd.

That’s Gazdag’s 50th in a Union shirt across all competitions, and 20 made PKs in a row.

Uhre doubles lead with hard-working tap-in

In the 26th minute, Jack McGlynn played a great ball down the left side sending Kai Wagner behind the defense. Wagner played the ball into the middle of the box with his first touch, connecting with a darting Mikael Uhre who was able to deflect the ball on net and past the New England keeper, giving Philadelphia an early 2-0 lead.

While it wasn’t exactly what one would call a “Goalazo”, it was a great attacking move by Union finished off by a striker who is making the correct run and receiving the service he should be, something Uhre does consistently whether he receives the service or not. It was great to see him get a goal in a big moment.

Nate “Air-iel” Header puts a dagger in Game 1

In the 37th minute, Union would again extend their lead and kill any hope for New England in Game 1. This time from a set piece, Wagner sent a free kick into the penalty area from Jacob Jackson’s left-hand side.

With the ball sailing towards the back post, Nate Harriel rose into the air and emphatically headed home the 3rd goal. It was a great moment for Harriel who’s taken a big step in his development this season and contributed in the playoffs with a goal.

First multi-goal win in 9 games revitalizes Union fans

In the second half, New England would eventually capitalize off of a Nate Harriel give-away in his own defensive end, but ultimately Philly would close out the game and take control of the series with a 3-1 win. Now Union will head to New England for Game 2, needing just 1 win to advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals.

It wasn’t only the result that had Union fans feeling better about the state of their team, but the way in which their team won that re-instilled some of that hope. It was a professional performance from Philadelphia – they weathered the storm early on, settled into the game, and moved forward as a unit and with a plan in the attack. Despite being out-possessed by the visitors, Union out-shot New England 18-14 and had a better Expected Goals total of 2.52 to 1.12.

After winning just 2 of their previous 10 and enduring multiple 0-0 draws at home in previous weeks, you could sense the solace Philly fans felt being able to sing their beloved DOOP goal song and celebrate a win with their team. It really felt good around Subaru Park, for the first time in a while.

People were happy, people were hopeful, people were excited for Game 2, to see their team wrap up the Series and move on to the next obstacle in their way. Oh man how quickly the mood can change.

Glesnes scheduled for Surgery

Union fans couldn’t even make it home before the good mood was ruined by bad news – Jim Curtin shared with the media in his post-game press conference that reigning MLS Defender of the Year, Jakob Glesnes would scheduled to undergo surgery on the sports hernia injury that he’s been dealing with this season.

The pain finally got to be too much for Glesnes to manage playing through and surgery is the only option left for Glesnes and Philly. Though he’s not 100% ruled out for the remainder of the season, I’d say it’s very unlikely that Glesnes makes his way back on the pitch for Union this Playoffs, even if they are able to make a run to another MLS Cup Finals.

It’s a huge hit for Union and their defense – not only does it leave you without your Defender of the Year, but it leaves Union with zero true Center-back options on the bench behind Jack Elliott and Damion Lowe. We’re all wishing for a speedy recovery and a stronger come-back for Jakob.

Wagner accused of Racist Slur

Though the Glesnes news was difficult to come to terms with, the news that would come out Monday night was downright hard to swallow for Union fans. Initially reported on by The Athletic, Union’s star left-back Kai Wagner has been accused of directing a racial slur at New England Revolution’s Bobby Wood late in Game 1 on Saturday night. According to The Athletic and their sources, it’s alleged that Wagner said the slur – one traditionally used towards people of Asian descent – in his native German Language.

Not only is Bobby Wood of African American and Japanese descent, but he spent many years playing in Germany as a youth and can speak and understand the language himself.

It makes for a very interesting dynamic at Philadelphia Union right now. In the blink of an eye, Wagner has gone from having Union fans ready to riot over his contract not being extended – outwardly displaying their dissatisfaction with the club by way of chants, signs, and social media – to having those same fans ready push him out the door and pay for his cab to his next destination, wherever that may be.

While if true, the situation is going to make it much easier for Union fans to cut ties and move on from the left back’s departure in the off-season, the season isn’t over for either Union or Kai Wagner yet, and that leaves fans and club alike in a sticky situation.

MLS is currently reviewing and conducting an investigation on the allegations, but while they’re in the “fact-finding” stage, Wagner is not limited in what he can participate in with Union due to the protective nature of the Player’s Union and CBA. There’s no telling how long the fact-finding stage could take and with Game 2 coming on Wednesday, November 8th, it leaves Union in a difficult position in their preparations.

Do they plan as if Kai will be in the lineup next week? Do they put equal prep in option A and option b in case Kai does get suspended? Do they decide to not play Kai, one of their most influential players, whether the investigation is done or not? It makes it hard for Jim Curtin and his staff to know what their best lineup going into game 2 will be, and they’re already having to prepare for being down their best Center-back. If the allegations turn out to be true, what a disappointing end this will be to Kai Wagner’s legacy in Philadelphia.

He should have left as one of the club’s most beloved players, the one that got away. But if there’s any truth to the accusations, it’ll end in pain and disappointment for fans, the club, his teammates, and most importantly – Bobby Wood. Racist language of any kind is not and should not be accepted in soccer or its communities – or anywhere in our society for that matter.

Moving Forward

So yeah, between their starting CB needing surgery, their LB having serious accusations against him, and having a week and having between games, consider the momentum killed. But amidst all of that, Union needs to win just 1 of the next two games against the Revs in order to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

With 1 of those games being at Subaru Park, Union has to feel like the favorite to move on, but it’s going to take a “Next Guy Up” mentality. They’re gonna have to dig deep and find a way to rally around all of this. Luckily, Union still has a full week on the training pitch before Game 2 at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, November 8th.

Follow along with PSN’s coverage to see how this plays out and how Union makes adjustments to the hurdles they’re facing.