Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

After going pointless in their two opening matches the Union looked to claim their first win of the year at home against a Western Conference side they haven’t faced since June 2023. The good news going into the game was that Ezekiel Alladoh was back from suspension, but the Union would be missing Olwethu Makhanya at center back.

First Half

Much of the first half was difficult to watch. The Union seemed a step behind on offense and defense. The Quakes did a good job of holding up play through the midfield, and the Union compounded the effect of their opponent’s defense with errant passing and confusion in the build up. The playing field seemed to give the players trouble. Many slipped or left a foot out just a moment too long, drawing fouls. San Jose were physical and picked up their first yellow card in the 15th minute of the half, but the Union showed little sign of backing off, garnering a few of their own. Alladoh did not start the game, with coach Bradley Carnell noting that the player needed to “rebuild trust within the team.”

For the first half hour, San Jose looked the more likely to score, but they were wasteful in front of goal on two occasions. The Union began to grow into the game in the final ten minutes of the half as they started to get wide players involved. The best effort came in the final minutes of the first half after some high pressing forced a turnover that Vassilev hit strongly on frame. In the end, it didn’t trouble the San Jose goalkeeper, but the turnover and rapid Union interplay between Danley Jean Jacques and Westfield looked promising and would give coach Bruce Arena concern going into the half.

Second Half

Alladoh came in for Anello to start the second half for the Union, and San Jose brought on their new signing, Timo Wermer. Barely a minute into the half, a curling free kick and a brave header from Nathan Harriel forced a strong save from the Quake goalkeeper. The addition of Werner seemed to calm and focus the Quakes’ attack, even as the Union had the majority of the ball. But they were not able to sustain their attacks, which were narrow and predictable.

In the 58th minute Gio Sequera had a nice shot saved, and a minute later, a promising attack after some good interplay was cut short when Westfield’s pass went wide of Vassilev, a clear miscommunication. In the 59th minute, Timo Werner opened up the Union defense and fed Ousseni Bouda for the first and only score of the game. The Union continued to have the ball and to force the issue, but couldn’t get on the the score sheet, in spite of having an 11 to 1 advantage in corner kicks. The addition of Ben Bender in the 82nd minute gave a spark to the attack in the final minutes of the game as the Union pushed for an equalizer. But it was not to be.

PSP’s Three Points

Alarm Bells? Yes. The Union are 0 for 3, and don’t look like they have gelled as a team. However, losing Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes from the back line was bound to have an effect, and Quinn Sullivan’s injury is particularly bad news for the balance of our attack. Alladoh has only had two half games in MLS to get acclimated. If they can settle down, and if the likes of new sighing Phillipe Ndinga can find their place, there is still ample time to right the ship.
Passing/Rhythm. Despite feeling that the team needs time to gell (see above), the errant passing, kicks forward to no one, and the predictable nature of the Union’s attack in these first three MLS games are worrisome.
Stas Korzeniowski. Has looked lively and dangerous in his starts for the Union. Should he be getting more playing time with the first team?

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-2-2-2) Andre Blake; Nathan Harriel, Japhet Sery, Giovanny Sequera (Ben Bender 82′), Frankie Westfield; Danley Jean Jacques, Milan Iloski (Ale Bedoya 74′), Jovan Lukic, (Jose Buena 66′) Indiana Vassilev; Agustín Anello, (Ezekiel Alladoh 45′) Bruno Damiani, (Stas Korzeniowski 74′)

Unused Substitutes:  Andrew Rick; Geiner Martinez, Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivana

San Jose Quakes (4-3-3): Daniel, Reid Roberts, Daniel Munie, DeJuan Jones, Benjamin Kikanovic, Niko Tsakiris, Beau Leroux ( Ian Harkes 82’), Ronaldo Vieira, Preston Judd (Jack Skahan 82’) , Jamar Ricketts (Timo Werner HT), Ousseni Bouda.

Substitutes not used: Jonathan González, Dave Romney, Earl Edwards Jr., Paul Marie, Vitor Costa, Nick Fernandez.

Scoring Summary:

GOALS/ASSISTS
SJ – Ousseni Bouda (Werner, Tsakiris) 59’

Disciplinary Summary:
SJ – Benji Kikanovic (caution) 15’
PHI – Jovan Lukic (caution) 20’
PHI – Nathan Harriel (caution) 65’
SJ – Preston Judd (caution) 75’
PHI – Ezekiel Alladoh (caution) 88’

While the officiating was not the reason the Union lost the game, Alladoh did appear to be brought down in the box in the 66th minute by Bouda, but there was no call, and no VAR review. Sequera’s second shot on goal was tipped wide by the San Jose goalkeeper for a corner, but the referee gave it as a goal kick. Ousseni Bouda could easily have been given a yellow in the first half for persistent offense.