Nashville SC hands Philadelphia Union 2nd straight loss for first time under Bradley Carnell

Looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew last weekend, a late PK goal from Hany Mukhtar handed the Philadelphia Union their second consecutive loss in Music City on Saturday night.

Although still shorthanded and playing without several starting-caliber players, this is the first time the Union has lost consecutive games this season with Head Coach Bradley Carnell at the helm.

Starting XI

The Union’s list of unavailable players was still quite long on Saturday night, with the likes of Mikael Uhre, Jesús Bueno, Frankie Westfield, and Ian Glavinovich left out of the squad. Tai Baribo returned to the field on Saturday night, checking into the match in the 61st minute and seeing the field for Philly for the first time since May 31st against Dallas.

15-year-old Cavan Sullivan made his first start in Major League Soccer, becoming the 2nd youngest player in MLS history to achieve their first start at 15 years, 280 days old. Freddy Adu (14 years, 334 days) is the only player to make his first MLS start at a younger age.

Formation: 4-2-2-2

GK: Blake
RB: Mbaizo, CB: Glesnes, CB: Makhanya, LB: Wagner
CDM: Danley, CDM: Lukic
CAM: Vassilev, CAM: C. Sullivan
ST: Damiani, ST: Donovan

Squandered Chances by the Union

in the 24th minute of a scoreless game, Union’s record signing Bruno Damini hit a right footed volley on a ball falling down into the penalty area which looked destined for the corner of the net, but Nashville defender Jeisson Palacios bailed his keeper out and cleared the chance from Diamiani off the line to keep the game 0-0.

Chris Donovan had a chance to give Union the lead early in the 2nd half when, in the 50th minute, a cross into the penalty area from Olivier Mbaizo found Chris Donovan inside the 6-yard box. Still, his redirection on net was straight into the hands of Joe Willis.

In the 60th minute, Kai Wagner sent a cross into the penalty area, which was met by Bruno Damiani’s head just outside the 6-yard box. Joe Willis was up for the task and made the save with no rebound.

In the 87th minute, Kai Wagner almost stole all 3 points with a shot on net from a free-kick about 25 yards out that almost caught Joe Willis sleeping. Glesnes, who looked privy to taking on the free kick himself, left the ball for Wagner to have a hit. Wagner sent a skidding left-footed shot along the pitch that evaded the diving glove of Joe Willis but smashed against the post to the left of him, keeping the game 0-0.

Nashville’s Perez Sees Red

In the 63rd minute of a scoreless game, the Union was handed an advantage when Nashville’s Jonathan Perez was shown a straight red card and sent off the field.

Philadelphia’s Tai Baribo and Nashville’s Jonathan Perez were both attempting to make a play on a throw-in around midfield. Baribo, going for the ball with his head, was struck by the high boot of Jonathan Perez, who had lifted his foot high above his waist and made contact with the head of Tai Baribo.

The referee did not hesitate to send Perez off, giving the Union 25 minutes plus stoppage time to find the winner with a man advantage on the road—something they always seem to struggle with.

Makhanya called for a Penalty, Mukhtar converted to steal 3 points.

In the game’s dying moments, with the score still knotted at 0-0, Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar carried the ball into Union’s penalty area in the 97th minute and was brought down by the sliding challenge of young South African defender Olwethu Makhanya.

Referee Rubiel Vazquez let things play out and didn’t motion for a penalty or no penalty either way, letting VAR make the decision in the aftermath, and eventually awarding the penalty to Nashville with just seconds left in the game.

Nashville’s Hany Mukhatar stepped up to the spot in the 101st minute and sent the ball top shelf past Andre Blake and into the back of the net to give Nashville a 1-0 lead and all 3 points on the night, extending their unbeaten streak to 14 games across all competitions.

Up Next For the Union

Yes, this is the second consecutive loss. Union’s record is 12W-4D-5L on the season, for a total of 40 points, which leaves them in third place and just 2 points behind in both the Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield Standings.

Next, the Union will return to Chester, PA, for a mid-week US Open Cup Quarterfinal matchup against familiar foes, the New York Red Bulls. Wednesday’s Open Cup clash will be the first of two meetings between Red Bulls and the Union this week, with the two teams set to play in league play on Saturday as well.