MLS Table: Union lose 1st Place to Messi and Inter Miami after Historic Start

Alongside other positions, Major League Soccer had a major reshuffling at the summit of the league table as power changed hands from the unlucky Union to the Herons, who have now begun defending the Supporters’ Shield. It was a tragic day at the office for Bradley Carnell, who led his Philadelphia team into their first loss of the season.

A Sunday Shakeup in MLS’s Eastern Conference

On Sunday afternoon, Philly went to war with an aggressive enemy that came with more violence than they could contain. Nashville SC invaded Subaru Park, posed vicious threats, and asked puzzling questions that the Union had no answers to.

After a dramatic red card for Makhanya in extra time, the match ended 3-1 in favor of the visitors. With two goals in the first half and another late into the second half, Nashville SC successfully pulled Philadelphia Union off the top of the table and dropped them in second place.

During his pre-match presser, Philly’s head coach highlighted two Nashville players as potential threats to his team and praised Mukhtar, whose feet were described as a collection of myriad possibilities. Like in a self-sabotaging prophecy, Carnell bore the gruesome pain of watching the two players (Mukhtar and Surridge) score the first and last goals for the opposition.

Nashville SC hand Union first loss of Bradley Carnell era: “You can hear a pin drop in the locker room, the players are really upset about the proceedings today”

Jovan Lukic’s half-volley, which came after a poorly defended corner kick found him, wasn’t enough to save the Union. All it did was even the score when Carnell’s men were a goal down. Philadelphia had the chance to reduce the deficit and save their goal differential with a penalty in extra time. Unfortunately, Sullivan kicked it straight into the path of the towering Joe Willis, who then saved the rebound with a catch.

The Union was totally outclassed by the brilliance of a Nashville side that surrendered possession to them and played the transitional style against them. Perhaps this was their main undoing, making it more justifiable that their only loss came in a game where the opposition was the counter-attacking team.

However, that didn’t last long until Qasem’s goal made it a woeful afternoon for them. The same can be said of Union striker Tai Baribo, who had his first goalless game of the season. His unproductivity in front of goal kept his goal tally at six goals in four games, moving him only two goals ahead of second-placed Cuypers, who has four for the Chicago Fire this season.

Messi and Miami overtake Philadelphia Union… for now

The Union’s slip from the top of the table was quickly capitalized on by Inter Miami, who won their away fixture against Atlanta. In the game, Lionel Messi marked his return by scoring Miami’s first goal in the 20th minute. They made a late comeback against Atlanta with super sub, and former Union player, Fafa Picault scoring the second in the 89th minute.

The Union host Bradley Carnell’s former team, Saint Louis, at Subaru Park this weekend, hoping to overturn the shocking result of matchday five. However, the Union must stick with their winning formula if they want to reclaim their place at the top of the table. With the right game plan, the former St Louis City manager will be looking to make his former side pay for the sins of Nashville.