Philadelphia Union drop points in Supporters Shield race with first loss to Red Bulls since 2019

Thanks to Dylan Nealis and his first career MLS goal, the Philadelphia Union suffered defeat against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday night and have dropped points in a tight Supporters’ Shield race with just 7 games to go.

The 1-0 loss in Harrison was the Union’s first against the Red Bulls in 17 games, with the last coming all the way back in September of 2019. 3 Points in the standings wasn’t the only loss of concern for the Union over the weekend however, as goalkeeper Andre Blake was removed from the field with an injury during the First Half on Saturday, an absence that could prove to be detrimental to Philadelphia’s trophy chase.

“It went exactly how we thought it was going to go, it was a very tight game with these conditions, and I thought we got it exactly to a place where we needed it. Managed to squeeze enough final third territorial advantage to earn the penalty, and then it’s momentum. The momentum doesn’t go our way when we get the penalty and 4 minutes later they scored the goal.” – Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell

Starting XI

Having just played the Red Bulls in the US Open Cup on Wednesday, Bradley Carnell elected to go with some squad rotation in New Jersey on Saturday night. Jakob Glesnes missed out due to Suspension via Yellow Card accumulation, while Indiana Vassilev was sidelined with a concussion.

Nate Harriel stepped into the 2nd Center Back spot next to Olwethu Makhanya, while Olivier Mbaizo got his 3rd start his the last 4 MLS games at Right Back. Chris Donovan made his first league start since July 5th, while Milan Iloski made his first start with the Philadelphia Union.

Formation: 4-2-2-2

GK: A. Blake
RB: O. Mbaizo, CB: N. Harriel, CB: O. Makhanya, LB: K. Wagner
CDM: J. Lukic, CDM: J. Bueno
CAM: M. Iloski, CAM: A. Bedoya
ST: C. Donovan ST: M. Uhre

“We planned for a game plan with the field obviously the way it is and our guys want to play a little bit and find little pockets of space so we changed the tactic to try and to just get in their half and then we can start playing with Milan [Iloski] between the lines and [Chirs] Donovan on the last line” – Bradley Carnell

Blake Removed With Injury

Just 28 minutes into the game, Union goalkeeper Andre Blake would have to be removed from the match due to what appears to be a hamstring injury. There was a moment where a long ball played over the top tempted the Union keeper to come out of his net, but Blake put on the brakes and retreated towards goal once he saw Red Bulls’ Choupo-Moting run onto the ball with space.

Right as Blake shifted his momentum from going forward towards the ball to retreating backwards towards his own net, he’s seen reaching down for his leg in discomfort. The medical team came out onto the field and gave Blake some treatment and it looked like he was going to give it a go, but before play could resume Andre went back to ground and Andrew Rick was brought into the game in his place.

After the game, Andre Blake was seen leaving the locker room with a limp and Bradley Carnell says the team doctors were still examining the severity of the situation.

“Hoping for a fast recovery before the [US] Open Cup Semifinal, Andre!” a fan said to Blake as he gingerly walked to the team bus after the loss. “Hopefully before that!” was the response from the Union keeper.

Cornel Denies Damiani From the Spot

In the 65th minute of a 0-0 game, the Philadelphia Union were handed an opportunity to take control of the game from the Penalty Spot after Red Bulls defender Tim Parker was punished for a handball inside the box.

After a bit of delay from the referee before allowing him to take his kick, Damiani stepped up to the ball and place it in the bottom corner of the net, but Carlos Cornel got low and extended his arms enough to keep the ball out of the net with a diving stop to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

When asked about the delay from the referee prior to Damiani’s attempt, Bradley Carnell expressed frustration with the procedure carried out by the referee and how the shift in momentum played its part in the miss.

“The ref should check it once, he did, and then they [Red Bulls] complain and he goes again and checks it. I have no idea why he has to break the momentum of our group right there, I have no idea. The ball was not moved and then subsequently you have to change the position, the ball was in the radius it should be in so I’m not sure, and that’s always difficult for a penalty kick taker.” – Bradley Carnell

Carnell didn’t put the loss on Damiani one bit though, and once again reminded everyone that the team wins and loses as a group.

“All good, we stick by each other and do great things together as a group, so by no means are we going to star singling guys out for a missed penalty.” – Bradley Carnell

Dylan Nealis Nets First MLS Goal

Just 6 minutes after Cornel stoned Damiani from the spot, it was Dylan Nealis who gave Red Bulls the lead at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

After dispossessing Olivier Mbaizo in Union’s own defensive half, Red Bulls strung a few passes together which eventually put Choupo-Moting in the middle of the pitch with the ball at his feet. With Union’s defense out of position and the run of Emil Forseberg sucking Kai Wagner into the middle of the pitch, Choupo-Moting played the ball outside for Dylan Nealis who put a shot on frame with his first touch and snuck it inside the far post to give Red Bulls a 1-0 advantage in the 74th minute.

“Listen you have to give credit to the opponent as well. We played them 3 days ago and showed them, we played them 4 weeks ago and showed them, and they found a way. This is a Do or Die game for them and we have to have that mentality, these are Do or Die games for us as well just on a different scale.” – Bradley Carnell

Supporters’ Shield Update

With their 1-0 loss against the Red Bulls and Cincinnati’s win over Portland last night, the Philadelphia Union have fallen out of the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield leading position, making the missed opportunity at points on Saturday sting that much more.

With 7 games left to play for, the Supporters’ Shield is truly anyone’s to put their hands on and claim, and I’m willing to bet we’ll see the leader board change quite a few times more before all is said and done.

*Standings as of Noon on Sunday, August 17th*

What’s Next For The U

The Union will return to Subaru Park and will look to get back in win column next Saturday when they’ll take on the Eastern Conference’s Chicago Fire. The Fire will be coming into Chester with a record of 11W-6D-9L and in 8th place in the East, and are unbeaten in their previous 5 games.

For the Union, the biggest question leading up to Saturday’s match will be the health and status of Andre Blake. On a positive note, the Union are much more confident with their 2nd GK option in Andrew Rick this season than they have been of Andre’s backups in the past, and he could play a huge role down the final stretch of the season if Union hope to lift any silverware in 2025.

“Obviously we are where we are [in the standings], deservedly so, and we’re enjoying where we are right now, it’s challenging the group because we’re unexpectedly there, and now we have to learn to have that tag with us. So again, we grow every single day even when it doesn’t go our way” – Bradley Carnell

Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images