Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union finally returned to their winning ways and also got back on the get other teams’ coaches fired train with a 2-1 comeback victory at Stade Saputo in Montreal on Saturday. The win stopped the bleeding, gave record-setting striker acquisition Ezekiel Alladoh his first goal contribution and got the Montreal coach fired but there’s still plenty of work and convincing to be done.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Philadelphia Union come from behind to grab first win of the season in Montreal

A pair of goals off set pieces in the second half erased a one-goal deficit and finally gave Philadelphia Union fans something to cheer about as the Union were able to grab three points with a 2-1 win over Montreal on Saturday afternoon.

The first half looked like it was following the same tired script that has been the story of the 2026 season when CF Montreal was awarded a penalty in the 11th minute on a coming together in the box by Andre Blake and Iván Jaime but video review confirmed that Blake had gotten to the ball first and the danger was avoided.

Jaime would factor in again though 12 minutes later when he got on the end of a long forward pass from Efraín Morales and was able to beat Blake to his left and give the hosts – playing at home for the first time this season – the early lead.

The Union had a couple of bids to equalize before halftime with Frankie Westfield hitting a shot from inside the box just wide of the mark and Jesus Bueno rocketing a shot that Thomas Gillier was able to stop with a diving two-handed save.

Montreal had chances early in the second half to add to their lead but a good clearance from Olwethu Makhanya with a Montreal attacker bearing down in front of goal and Andre Blake’s save on the ensuing corner kick were a shot in the arm to the Union team. Two minutes later Jesus Bueno drew a foul near the sideline and Milan Iloski floated a free kick into the box that Japhet Sery Larsen ran onto and headed past Gillier for the equalizer. From a possible 2-0 deficit on one side of the field to a 1-1 tie the Union rode the momentum to nearly finding another goal seconds later from Iloski but the offside flag was up.

The first lead of the season would come via Bueno on a throw-in from nearly the same spot as the free kick that substitute Ezekiel Alladoh was able to head down into the path of Bueno, who finished with a shot with pace off the half volley that Gillier wasn’t able to keep out of the net. Channeling his standout performance in Champions Cup at Club America, Bueno ran to the corner with his signature hands to his ears celebration and the team celebrated like a huge weight had been lifted. Which it had, of course. After six games where they failed to find a second goal and had failed to register a single point in the standings the boys in blue finally had a lead to hold and Montreal’s struggles as a team with just three points through six games proved larger to overcome than the visitors.

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2. ❌ CF Montreal Manager Fired After Union Win

CF Montreal’s home opener started well enough with a 1-0 lead they took into the locker room but the second half went the opposite direction as Montreal conceded twice off dead balls and lost 2-1.

Following the game, speculation started to swirl around the fate of manager Marco Donadel, who didn’t speak to media after the match.

Then came the official announcement:

“CF Montréal Managing Director, Recruitment and Sporting Methodology, Luca Saputo has announced that Marco Donadel has been relieved of his head coaching duties effective today. Philippe Eullaffroy will assume the team's head coaching responsibilities until a permanent head coach is hired.

Assistant coaches Jacopo Falanga and Lorenzo Pinzauti are also no longer with the Club.”

3.💧Water Cooler: Biggest Concern Results

Note: This was before the win on Saturday but there one would think there wouldn’t be too much of a change in sentiment considering the opponent.

What Is Your Biggest Concern with the Union Right Now?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Damiani/Alladoh Partnership (16)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ They're Too Predictable (3)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cavan Sullivan Isn't Starting (2)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Defense Conceding in First Half (6)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Bradley Carnell Sophomore Slump (2)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (6)
35 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 🍫 Social Post of the Day: Bueno

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Philadelphia Union II returned to the win column with a commanding performance against Carolina Core at Subaru Park yesterday.

• Todd Lewis took a look at Ezekiel Alladoh’s “breakthrough moment.” He also broke down the goals.

• Nathan Harriel, one of the longest tenured players on the team, has signed a contract extension with the club through the 2028-2029 season.

• Catch up on Union alums overseas with the latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Check out the latest news from the world of soccer.

• 9 players from the area have been called up for a regional U.S. Girls National Team U-14 training camp.

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Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

Going into Charlotte after the international break was always going to be a tough assignment and even with Daniel Rios not in the building Charlotte FC showed why they are a tough team to play at home. But as has been the case too often this season it was the Union beating themselves - this time conceding minutes after fighting so hard to find an equalizer - that has them now 0-6 to start the season and the last remaining winless team in the league.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union losing streak stretches to six with 2-1 loss in Charlotte

A strong second half in the pouring rain still wasn't enough for the Philadelphia Union to find their first points of the season in their return from the international break Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.

The Union looked like they might finally get on the scoresheet early when Indiana Vassilev played a ball in behind to Milan Iloski in the 7th minute. Iloski shot the ball past Kristijan Kahlina but the offside flag was up and the Union attack stalled through much of the rest of the first half as Charlotte put the Union back line under pressure.

Jovan Lukic came up with a big block to deny Djibril Diani a chance in the 27th minute and Olwethu Makhanya did well to initially deny Idan Toklomati a chance in the box on a great entry ball from Pep Biel but Ashley Westwood came streaking into the box to hammer in the loose ball past Andre Blake and put the hosts in front 1-0 at the half hour mark.

Charlotte should've doubled their lead before halftime on a counter attack started from a poor pass from Lukic on an attempt to recycle play from a clearance off a Union corner. Andre Blake was able to deny Wilfried Zaha with his first of three saves after the Cotre d'Ivoire international was played into the box all alone with a feed from Kerwin Vargas.

Union head coach Bradley Carnell didn't make any changes to start the second half but there was a noticeable change in the Union, which had generated a meager .05 xG in the first half.

After barely touching the ball in the first half, Bruno Damiani had a chance just go over the bar in the 50th minute off a well played ball from Iloski, Makhanya had some decent looks off three consecutive corner kicks and Danley Jean Jacques was much more active after a first half where he twice inexplicably passed the ball out of bounds.

Carnell shifted the formation with the introduction of Jesus Bueno for Ezekiel Alladoh in the 64th minute and shortly after coming on Bueno sent a ball into the box that found the feet of Iloski whose chance went right at Kahlina. Damiani had a headed chance off an Iloski cross in the 69th minute and Frankie Westfield created a shot for himself near the corner of the 18 that went over the bar in the 70th minute. Damiani flicked a throw from Westfield back to Bueno for another attempt that went right at Kahlina in the 74th minute.

Carnell went to his bench again in the 77th minute, inserting Cavan Sullivan into the lineup to replace Vassilev and seconds after entering the pitch his flick off a cross from Nathan Harriel found the feet of Jean Jacques in front of goal. A similar chance to the one that fell to Iloski, Jean Jacques got his chance past Kahlina to tie the game 1-1.

The joy on the faces of the Union players celebrating Jean Jacques' strike quickly sunk to horror as Charlotte retook the lead off the ensuing kickoff with a finish from Zaha past Blake off a curling cross into the box from Biel. Charlotte's 2-1 lead nearly stretched to 3-1 minutes later when Liel Abada broke through the defense but Blake was able to make a big stop to deny the Iraeli international and keep alive hope of a result.

Three more subs from Carnell - Stas Korzienowski, Malik Jakupovic and Philippe Ndinga - helped push the Union toward another equalizer but the 10 minutes of regulation and 9 minutes of stoppage time after the Zaha goal wasn't enough time to find that illusive second goal they have yet to find through their first six games of the MLS season.

With Columbus Crew beating Atlanta United earlier in the evening, the Union remain the last winless team in MLS for the season and at 0-6 are already 16 points behind the Supporters' Shield-leading LAFC, 13 points behind conference leaders Nashville and six points from 9th place New England Revolution.

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2. 🏆 Philadelphia Union U-18s win Dallas Cup final on penalties

Another successful penalty shootout lifted the Philadelphia Union U-18s to the Gordon Jago Super Group championship at the Dallas Cup on Sunday afternoon at Toyota Stadium.

As he did in the semifinal against CF Monterrey, Union U-18 goalkeeper Alex Smith came up with a crucial save and watched a penalty kick soar over the bar that decided the shootout in the Union's favor over defending champions SAF Botafogo.

Botafogo scored early in each half to grab a 2-0 lead but the Union refused to go away and got a lifeline when John Ruf was taken down in the box by Botafogo keeper Matheus Lima inside the box. Lima was shown a yellow card for the collision and Willyam Ferreira converted the penalty past Lima to cut the lead to 2-1.

The penalty kick shifted momentum to the Union's favor and after creating a number of chances Tyler Gladstone delivered the equalizer in the 92nd minute with a right footed shot that Lima got two hands to but couldn't keep out of the goal. Following two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods the game went to penalties. Lima and Smith each made a save and the Union took a 6-5 lead on Nick Greer's penalty in the 7th round when Botafogo captain Danillo stepped to the line. Danillo's attempt skied over the bar to end it and an ensuing skirmish put a damper on the festivities. Emotions had been boiling up between the two teams with the benches clearing following the end of regulation and players had to be separated on more than one other occasion.

When the dust settled, the Union lifted their second trophy of the year to go with their Snow Bowl victory in February and became just the third U.S. team to win the Super Group title and first since FC Dallas in 2017. Dallas Texans also won it in 2006. Botafogo was denied back-to-back titles and what would've been a 14th win for teams from Brazil.

3.💧Water Cooler: Mood Check Results

4. 😜 Social Post of the Day: Getting Ridiculous

Twitter tweet

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The USMNT is a team still searching for itself after back-to-back losses to World Cup-qualified teams.

• This Saturday is Youth Day at Villanova with the women’s team hosting the Spring Cup starting at 9 a.m. The men’s team will also be playing later in the day too.

• Defending champions Saint Joseph’s and newcomer Lehigh lead their groups in the Philly Spring Cup heading into the final games of group play.

• West Chester men followed up a 2-0 win over Delaware with a 4-0 win over Goldey-Beacom on Friday.

• Ronan Sullivan was a star and he and twin brother Declan won a trophy their first time representing Bangladesh at a youth tournament.

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Photo by Carl Gulbish

From a season where it felt like the Philadelphia Union were going to always find a way to win to this season, the decline has been swift and inexplicable. Five games into the MLS season, the Philadelphia Union have zero points. Zero. The international break appears to be the only defense against losing at this point. Time to get things right.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union Woes Continue with Loss to Chicago

The Philadelphia Union keep digging a deeper hole for themselves, losing for the fifth straight time on Saturday to the Chicago Fire at home in a match where the game felt further out of reach in the second half than the scoreline suggests.

Coming off a respectable 1-1 draw to Club America in their Champions Cup exit in Mexico, the Union looked like the better team in the early stages of the match on Saturday afternoon but it was the Gregg Berhalter-coached Fire that struck first in the third minute of stoppage time when Hugo Cuypers headed in an Andrew Gutman cross from the left flank.

Stunned after conceding first for the fifth straight game – and for the fourth time in the first half – the Union took advantage of a lengthy chunk of stoppage time added for a head injury to Philip Zinckernagel to find an equalizer.

Milan Iloski was the beneficiary of a flick from Alejandro Bedoya off a long throw from Frankie Westfield into the box and Iloski was able to loop a header in to tie the game 1-1 in the 7th minute of stoppage time. Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady initially took a step forward on the play and was unable to keep the ball from going in.

Where the Union have been better in the second half than the first this season, the second half did not build on the late heroics of the first. Instead, the Union looked flat and likely tired from the midweek travel to Mexico City.

After finding a goal on one of their few clear chances in the first half, the Fire attack created multiple opportunities in the second, including the game-winning goal produced in the 58th minute by Jonathan Bamba. Sloppy play in the Union attack created the opportunity for the Fire going the other way and a ball played in by Robin Lod to Cuypers set up a cross that Bamba volleyed past Andre Blake at the back post.

The Union had opportunities in the final half hour to level the score but it was Chicago that looked the likelier to tack on with Maren Haile-Selassie just missing wide in the 63rd minute and Lod hitting the crossbar in the 83rd minute. Iloski had a couple of looks and Nathan Harriel nearly connected from close range but the xG battle won by Chicago 2.8-0.8 was indicative of the way the second half and the season so far has gone for the reigning Supporters’ Shield winners who five weeks in at the international break are the only team in MLS without a point.

You have to go all the way back to the inaugural season for a comparison to the futility of the Union’s start. The Union lost five of their first six games but at least could hang their hat on the 3-2 win in the home opener at the Linc thanks to a Sébastien Le Toux hat trick. This team has to replay highlights of their 12-0 thrashing over two legs against Defence Force FC to find a pulse.

Saturday’s latest disappointment – on Kids Day of all days – closes the book on March. They’ll open April with a visit to Charlotte FC on April 4 in a building they’ve never won in.

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2. 🏋️ Union Enter International Break with Work to Do

The Philadelphia Union’s 2-1 loss to Chicago Fire FC on Saturday was a bitter ending to a positive beginning. After taking the first-half momentum with an equalizer deep in stoppage time, the Union were overpowered by the Fire in the second half.

This loss marks the Union’s fifth MLS loss in a row and keeps them at the bottom of the MLS. The Union is also the only MLS team with 0 points after the first five games.

Union head coach Bradley Carnell went with Alejandro Bedoya as the starting captain for this match, giving him and Cavan Sullivan their first MLS start of the 2026 season. Carnell also returned to the 4-4-2 formation with another defensive lineup: Frankie Westfield, Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, and Philippe Ndinga.

The first half was a good showing for the Union. They showed high energy and high pressure as they did in past games this season. The game seemed to be played mainly on Chicago’s side of the field.

Looking at the first half from a tactical perspective, the fullbacks, Westfield and Ndinga, pushed really high, while Danley Jean Jacques covered the back when the Union had possession. This ultimately left a three-back defense to defend the Fire’s counterattacks.

Something that doesn’t go unnoticed with the Union’s defense is the marking on crosses and through balls. Multiple marking mistakes this season led to multiple goals. Chicago’s two goals were both a result of bad marking on crosses from the Union’s defensive line.

“You have to be the better defensively, but you have to be better on both ends of the ball,” Bedoya said. “It’s just simply not good enough from guys that we expect to do better. The quality has to be better.”

The Union’s goal came right before halftime. A long throw-in from Westfield and a pop-up header from Bedoya found Milan Iloski, who headed the ball over the Fire’s goalkeeper, Chris Brady, to tie the game.

The second half was where things started to fall apart for the Boys in Blue, particularly in the final third. The passes were moving upfield, but the passes into the box and into shooting range were not connecting.

“Unfortunately, we made too many mistakes with the reactions that got away from us. You know, the follow actions to the bad pass or the bad touch or whatever it was… We can’t get shots off. We can’t organize and arrange our feet and what have you,” Carnell said in his post-game conference.

In the post-game conference, Carnell said that the team is “a little fragile.” However, he notices the players are still putting in their 100% during this downward slope.

“I don’t see anyone shying away. I don’t see anyone not taking responsibility. I don’t see anyone not taking ownership or accountability,” Carnell said. “The guys are hurting, but it’s my job to help them with the basics and kind of go down two levels.”

This was the last game before the international break, which comes at a very important time for the Union.

“We need a mental and physical break, I think, from how we started, and just make sure that we can finally put in a proper week of full training,” Bedoya said. “We haven’t been able to properly work on things because of the Champions Cup… But now it’s time to turn the page, we’re out of that competition. The focus has to be on league play now and make sure we get proper training sessions in.”

This break is crucial for the Union. Carnell said this time needs to be “a calibration.” It needs to be an assessment of where the team stands and what needs to be done to reverse the downward slope.

For Bedoya, the message is simple.

“Like I said, from top down, man, the club, the team, everybody’s got to take a hard look in the mirror at how the season has started and where we are at this moment,” Bedoya said. “…the fans deserve a lot better than this. It’s simply not good enough. This is supposed to be our fortress at home, and we’re losing, cheaply. It’s ridiculous.”

3.💧Water Cooler: Mood Check Results

Wonder if the results would be different after Saturday.

Did performance against America give you hope?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ A Little (9)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Ask Me After Saturday (9)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 They Still Didn't Score from Open Play (11)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Talked Me Down from the Ledge (2)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Let's Go Win MLS Cup!!!! (0)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (3)
34 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. ⛓️‍💥 Social Post of the Day: No Union Game

Twitter tweet

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Greg Oldfield profiled Philadelphia Union II head coach Ryan Richter for Backyard Pitches.

• George Marks stood on his head (and scored in the shootout) to lead Union II to a thrilling two-point performance at Red Bull II.

• Five players from Princeton University helped bolster West Chester United in their cupset bid last week against Loudoun United in the U.S. Open Cup.

• Andre Blake and the Reggae Boyz have a massive game tomorrow against New Caledonia in a FIFA World Cup playoff semifinal.

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Photo courtesy of Concacaf.com

After Saturday’s unfortunate visit to Atlanta resulted in a 3-1 loss, Philadelphia Union fans would be forgiven if they were expecting a Club America thrashing in Mexico City last night (something 41 percent of readers predicted in our poll). For much of the first half it looked like the Union might be heading down that exact path but VAR came to the rescue to waive off a second goal and a second half turn around where even the TV commentators wondered if the two teams had swapped jerseys nearly resulted in an unlikely scenario.

In the email today:

1. 🏆 Union battle back but come up short in Champions Cup exit

The Philadelphia Union overcame an early set piece goal and made a game out of their second leg Round of 16 Concacaf Champions Cup match with Club America in Mexico City Wednesday night but a 1-1 draw wasn't enough to knock off the Liga MX giants.

Raphael Veiga, the goal-scorer in the first leg at Subaru Park last week, found the head of Rodrigo Dourado in the sixth minute on a curling set piece into the box and Dourado was able to head the ball with pace past Andrew Rick to make it 2-0 on aggregate.

America nearly put the game out of reach minutes later through U.S. international Alex Zendejas but VAR came through for the visitors to confirm an offside and take the goal off the board.

Zendejas and the America attack continued to threaten through the rest of the half while the Union struggled to string passes together and create mismatches in transition until Cavan Sullivan slipped ball to Stas Korzienowksi in the box that had equalizer written all over it in the first minute of stoppage time. Korzienowski had trouble getting the ball out of his feet and Rodolfo Cota was able to make the stop.

VAR came into play once more before the break when Jovan Lukic was whistled for a handball in the box. A quick video review confirmed that Érick Sánchez's shot had hit Lukic in the armpit and not the arm. Another potential crisis avoided.

Heading into the second half still in search of an equalizer, the Union quickly turned the tide and Jesus Bueno hit a diagonal ball toward substitute Frankie Westfield streaking into the box. Zendejas clumsily toppled Westfield over in an attempt to deny him the ball and VAR wasn't needed to call the obvious penalty. Bueno calmly stepped up to convert the penalty and put the Union within striking distance of advancing through the away goal tiebreaker.

That would-be defining moment nearly came at the hour mark when Sullivan danced toward the end line and sent a low cross in the box with Bruno Damiani charging that found its way to Nathan Harriel in the box. Harriel's shot went agonizingly wide of the mark.

Nine minutes later Westfield had a good look from outside the box on a ball played to him by Bueno but his attempt sailed over the bar. Milan Iloski had several chances to create off set pieces and the team as a whole showed a lot more bite in the second half than they did much of the first half, making things interesting the rest of the way.

Though the Union was only one goal away from pulling off the comeback, America was content slowing things down and spending much of the rest of the way baiting the referee into blowing his whistle. Teenage striker Malik Jakupovic, making his second first team appearance, had a half chance in the box he wasn't able to redirect on frame in the 87th minute but the final minutes of the match were marked more by America employing stalling techniques than the Union threatening a smash and grab.

In the end, the early Champions Cup exit in a game that felt winnable for the Union had several positives to take away and one still burning question of how the Union can find more success scoring from the run of play. Wednesday's game in Mexico City was an improvement from the 3-1 loss in Atlanta over the weekend but still not enough to turn around a frustrating month.

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2. 🇻🇪 Bueno ‘emptied the tank’ in standout performance

Some of Jesus Bueno’s best moments in a Union shirt have come during cup competitions and Bueno’s performance Wednesday night was easily one of his best since joining the club in 2021.

Head coach Bradley Carnell said Bueno has been in top form in recent weeks and he rewarded the 26-year-old Venezuela international with a tough assignment against Club America.

“Credit to him,” Carnell said post-game. “He took this personal tonight. He played like it meant the world to him and he emptied the tank.”

Bueno’s work rate in the first half and his contributions in the final third in the second half - his pass to Frankie Westfield in the box led to the penalty and he converted from the spot - kept the Union in the match and put them a goal away from advancing to the quarterfinals.

“Coming from a different climate and altitude was tough for the team but we showed our mettle,” Bueno said post-game in Spanish (translated by Google Translate). “That’s what’s important and I’m happy for them, for how the team performed.”

Bueno was chosen as the designated penalty kick taker before the game and leveled the score in the 49th minute, then was instrumental in a second half turnaround that led the commentators to ask if the teams had swapped jerseys at halftime. Though Club America isn’t the dominant force of year’s past (they’re currently in 7th), managing the moment and keeping the belief were critical and on a team as young as its ever been Bueno’s leadership was invaluable.

“They're a top, top team, and I think we learned a lot today, and I think we we can also hold our heads high,” Carnell said. “We have respect for the opponent, but when the whistle blows, we give it a good game and I think that's what we did tonight.”

3.💧Water Cooler: Mood Check

4. ⚽️ Social Post of the Day: Coach Throw-In

Twitter tweet

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The Views From the Bridge podcast crew reacted to the news of Ernst Tanner being suspended without pay through June 1.

• Philadelphia Soccer Now writer Matt McClain called for the Union to Turn the Page on Tanner after the news of his suspension broke.

• West Chester United gave Loudoun United a run for their money in a 2-1 loss in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup at YSC Sports on Tuesday.

• One of West Chester United’s former players has found a new home in the professional game in Connecticut and has already made an impact.

• Four Philadelphia Union alums are on the USMNT roster for upcoming games against Portugal and Belgium.

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Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Supporters’ Shield to Wooden Spoon slide continued yesterday for the Philadelphia Union in a deflating 3-1 loss on the grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. What looked on paper like it might be what the Union needed to kickstart their attack, it proved just the opposite as Miggy Almiron put in a vintage performance setting up three goals for the Five Stripes. At 0-4, the Union are off to their worst start in club history.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union Reach New Low in Loss to Atlanta

In a battle of 0-3 teams where something had to give it was the Philadelphia Union defense that folded, conceding three goals to a previously mostly dormant Atlanta United attack on the recently installed natural grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The 3-1 loss on Saturday put the Philadelphia Union in territory not even the teams of the early 2010s encountered, an 0-4 start that is the worst in team history.

The first 15 minutes looked like the pendulum might be swinging the other way as the Union forced a number of mistakes and had a few good looks in the early going. Atlanta’s big money men had looks of their own but the slippery pitch and the shaky defense of the hosts tilted in the visitors’ favor. Until it didn’t.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his first MLS goal since last July on a perfectly weighted through ball from Miguel Almirón and Atlanta was off and running. With the momentum shifted to the hosts they created multiple chances to stretch the lead but a silly foul from Elías Báez, who may have deserved more than a yellow for his punch to the back of Bruno Damiani’s head, gave the Union a lifeline in the 40th minute.

Milan Iloski stepped to the spot with the equalizer at his foot and was denied by the left post. An ample amount of stoppage time after a long video review of a Frankie Westfield shirt tug that was not ruled a penalty was still not enough for the Union to find an equalizer. The 1-0 lead was fortunate for the Union but it didn’t last long in the second half. Two minutes in Almiron carved apart the Union defense again with a pass to Tomás Jacob at the back post for the easy finish.

The Union finally started to see a way back into the game with the introduction of Alejandro Bedoya, Ezekiel Alladoh and Agustin Anello just before the hour mark but it was Lath and Almirón combining again on the counter and Alexey Miranchuk finishing off Almirón’s third assist of the match in the 68th minute.

The final 20 minutes of the match was a chance for the Union to get the proverbial monkey off their back of no goals from open play to start the season and it was Bedoya’s cross and Westfield’s header to Anello that created the long-awaited breakthrough. It was a bright moment in an otherwise frustrating game to watch, especially for an afternoon nationally televised contest on FOX.

The challenge will be greater still when the boys in blue travel to Mexico City ahead of the second leg of their Round of 16 Concacaf Champions League match-up with Club America on Wednesday night before a return home for another Saturday afternoon game. America only leads 1-0 so there’s plenty to play for in Mexico, if nothing else to prove a fanbase jaded by the early season returns that there are good reasons to continue tuning in.

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2. 🎙️Carnell: Getting back to basics key to overcoming slow start

Facing a winless Atlanta United team was supposed to be a perfect opportunity for the Philadelphia Union to course correct an MLS season that has resembled the early salad days of the club more than the recent era of competing for trophies.

Instead of waking up the Union’s season, a disjointed defensive performance helped to wake up Atlanta United’s high-priced attack to the tune of three goals in a Saturday afternoon match played on the recently installed grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After a missed penalty in the first half the Union finally scored their first goal of the season from the run of play when Agustin Anello found the back of the net in the 87th minute but by then the result had already slipped out of reach.

“I just think it’s about being braver in the final third, to get balls in the box, especially when we’re playing two strikers framing the box, keeping it nice and tight, and to mitigate the transitional moments,” head coach Bradley Carnell said post-game. “I don’t want to say anxiety, but there’s a lot of that floating around, especially when things don’t go your way and where it feels like every bounce is going to the opponent.”

Conceding first has been one of the issues of the 2026 edition of the Philadelphia Union. The Union are built to play ahead and have struggled in the past when conceding early, something the brilliance of Andre Blake and a stingy defensive line has limited. Blake made a stop early to deny Emmanuel Latte Lath early but was hung out to dry on the three goals.

Cohesiveness seems to be one of the issues with the back line. Carnell has rotated the squad to account for midweek Champions Cup matches but some early season injuries also led to game day shuffling.

In seven matches to start the season, Carnell has had seven different back line configurations. Nathan Harriel slotted in at center back on Saturday afternoon for the third time in all competitions. New acquistion Philippe Ndinga made his second straight start at left back and his first in MLS play. Ndinga is one of five defenders who have made their Union debuts this season.

The departures of Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner have loomed large in a defense that has conceded an uncharacteristic 7 times in four games.

“These are growing moments,” Carnell said of Saturday’s loss. “We’re waiting for a lot of leadership on and off the field.”

Carnell noted that a key to rebounding from the early funk is to focus on the basics.

“We’re letting ourselves down with the basics right now,” he said.

3.💧Water Cooler: Predictions/Player Ratings

Champions Cup Aggregate Prediction

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ +1 Club America (0)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ +2 Club America (4)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 +3 or more Club America (7)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ +1 Union (4)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ +2 Union (1)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ +3 or more Union (1)
17 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

Weigh in with your player ratings from yesterday’s loss in Atlanta in our Reader Player Ratings poll.

4. ⚽️ Social Post of the Day: Other Teams

Other teams that don't try to do things on the cheap keep the Glesnes while they develop the Neil Pierre. They keep Baribo while they see if Alladoh/Anello can do the job

The Union need to sell one to afford the others. So none of it matters because they'll never truly compete

— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd.bsky.social)
9:07 PM • Mar 14, 2026

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The trophies keep coming for West Chester United, which won their fifth straight EPSA Amateur Cup on Friday night at Bryn Athyn thanks to a last second Funsia Donzo winner.

• Aboubacar Camara (Upper Darby, Pa.) signed with Portland Hearts of Pine and scored his first professional goal Saturday against the New York Cosmos.

• Kyle and Jillian caught up with Jackson Gilman after he made his professional debut for Toronto FC II against his old team at Subaru Park.

• Larry Henry Jr. recently caught up with Paxten Aaronson in a feature for SBI Soccer.

• Quentin Hall was impressed with new left back Philippe Ndinga in his debut against Club America.

• Philadelphia Union II will take on CT United FC this afternoon and they might have a new face in the lineup after announcing the signing of Mali youth international Mamoutou Berthé.

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Club America fans took over Subaru Park last night for the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 but the story of the night on the pitch was more the missed opportunities by the home side than the disappointing support in the stands. Raphael Veiga’s classy finish put the Liga MX giants ahead in the first half but an injury to their starting goalkeeper and a gift-wrapped chance to Indiana Vassilev left the door open for the Union, which will now need to get a result in Mexico City next week to keep their Champions Cup campaign going.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union scoring woes continue in 1-0 loss to Club América

By Evan Konigsberg

The struggling Philadelphia Union fell 1-0 to Club América on Tuesday night. A first half goal from Raphael Veiga was enough to defeat the Union, who saw their attacking dry spell continue, failing to score for the third time already in 2026.

The Philadelphia Union’s Tuesday night match was the first of a two-legged tie, looking for revenge against Club América in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. The Mexican juggernauts returned to Subaru Park to face the Union in the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time in 2021, when Las Águilas won both legs of the semifinal 2-0. The Union earned a berth to the Round of 16 after handily defeating Defence Force F.C. of Trinidad and Tobago by a 12-0 aggregate scoreline.

Bradley Carnell named a rotated starting eleven for the Union, featuring young players such as Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, and Cavan Sullivan, who have not been frequent starters for the Union thus far in 2026. New left back signing Philippe Ndinga also made his Union debut.

Carnell also started out the match with a rare change in tactics. Milan Iloski played just behind striker Ezekiel Alladoh with Cavan Sullivan and Agustin Anello flanking them, appearing as a 4-2-3-1 instead of the typical 4-2-2-2.

Despite the shakeup of the formation, the Philadelphia Union still struggled to connect passes early, with the lack sharpness seen across the early parts of the season ever-present. América took control of the early parts of the match, threatening the Union on the counterattack. Geiner Martínez, trusted to make the start against the record Concacaf Champions América, drew a yellow card in the 18th minute after a chaotic sequence just past the center circle. Just after, América cashed in on their momentum. The young Martínez was pulled out of position, and a great pass from the visitors cut through the Union defense. Brian Rodriguez found Raphael Veiga, who was unmarked in the box. Veiga took a touch before finishing past Andrew Rick, giving América a 1-0 lead.

América continued their momentum, with the visiting fans ole’ing the Union as early as the 25th minute. USMNT international Alejandro Zendejas had a shooting chance from the right side of the box, but his shot missed just wide of Rick’s post. The Union began to gain momentum around the 30th minute, winning a flurry of free kicks in the attacking half that they failed to convert into quality chances.

A strange sequence occurred in the 37th minute. Club América were playing the ball out of the back after a goal kick. The ball went back to América keeper Luis Malagón, who stepped back to fire the ball forward, but fell grabbing the back of his ankle. Appearing to suffer a serious injury, the Costa Rican referee Keylor Herrera blew the play dead despite the ball being loose in the América penalty area. The Union appealed to the referee, but after Malagón was stretchered off, a drop ball was awarded to América and play continued.

Early in first half stoppage time, the Union came close to a breakthrough. Cavan Sullivan beat his man down the right side and crossed low to Ezekiel Alladoh. Alladoh pivoted and shot on his right foot, missing wide but earning a corner after a deflection. Just before halftime, an Iloski free kick was sent in dangerously from the right, begging to be tapped in. Geiner Martinez stretched for it but couldn’t get the finishing touch on the ball. The Union went into halftime 1-0
down.

Bradley Carnell made some halftime adjustments, pulling Sullivan and record signing Alladoh for Frankie Westfield and Bruno Damiani. The Union also shifted back to their traditional 4-2-2-2 shape. Still, the Boys in Blue struggled to create quality chances. One of the Union’s best opportunities came from Agustin Anello, who received the ball on the right side, cutting in before firing his shot wide of the top right corner.

In the 63rd minute, Danley Jean Jacques and Indiana Vassilev entered for Martinez and Anello, both of whom were on yellow cards. After the substitution, the Union returned to using a central attacking midfielder, with Jean Jacques deployed just behind Damiani.

A great chance fell to the Union in the 70th minute following a flurry of tactical changes. Frankie Westfield, at this point deployed as a right back, played a brilliant low cross to Bruno Damiani.

Damiani took a touch, but fired his right footed shot over from very close range. In the 82nd minute, an even better chance fell to the Union, but it went begging once again. Milan Iloski pressed an América center back into a turnover just on the edge of the box, but Indiana Vassilev pushed his left footed shot from the edge of the box well wide. In stoppage time, the Union created a final opportunity when a long switch found Nate Harriel. He put the ball into the mixer, and after it bounced around, it fell to Iloski. The Union number 10 ripped a first time shot, but it was blocked after a great recovery by América. That was the last chance for the Union, who dropped the first leg of the match 1-0. For the fourth time in six matches this season, the Union failed to score a goal from open play.

The Union are back in action next on Saturday afternoon, facing Atlanta United in Mercedez-Benz Stadium. The match will kick off earlier than usual at 3:15 p.m. EST (Apple TV). The Union will have a chance to avenge their loss in the second leg against América next Wednesday, facing América in the second leg at 9 p.m. The match will take place in Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes as Estadio Azteca undergoes renovations prior to the World Cup.

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2.💧Water Cooler: Player Ratings

3. ⚽️ Social Post of the Day: Might Never

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• One of the Philadelphia Union Academy’s early success stories turned into a cautionary tale with the announcement Monday that Derick Jones has been suspended for life for gambling on his own team. The irony/hypocrisy pointed out by many commenters is that the league is banning players for gambling while also partnering with gambling companies.

• Olwethu Makhanya has finally gotten some love from the South Africa team, making the preliminary roster for upcoming friendlies.

• West Chester United and VE play this Friday night for the EPSA Amateur Cup final and will also meet in the EPSA Open Cup final. Greg Oldfield covered the Open Cup semifinals for his new website Backyard Pitches.

• Penn Rising XI, a new club forming via partnerships based in the Lehigh Valley is joining the homegrown division of MLS Next in 2026-27. Reading Rage Surf is joining the academy division.

• Freddy Cavin has a new podcast he’s launched called Play Free FC. His first two guests are Union Academy coach Phil Karn and CF Montreal defender/midfielder Brandan Craig.

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Photo by Mikey DeAngelis

The Philadelphia Union are 0-3 after a 1-0 loss to San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at Subaru Park, marking their worst start since 2012 and the worst start to the season for a reigning Supporters’ Shield winner since 2008. Three games in, the Union haven’t scored a goal from open play and while things may be fine in the long run once the left back comes and the squad gets better acquainted future promise is doing little to convince the Union fanbase that all is well, no matter the “excellent job” spin the head coach puts on it.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union Lose Again at Home

The Philadelphia Union's woes to start the season continued on Saturday night with a 1-0 loss to San Jose Earthquakes that stretched their winless streak to three to open their Supporters' Shield defense.

Though too early to call any game a must-win, the Union's inability to find the back of the net with an attack they spent $7 million in the offseason to reinforce was again a running theme with the team now 270 minutes into the season without a goal from the run of play.

The Union did win the xG battle 1.4 to 0.8 and outshot the Earthquakes 13-7 but the visitors won where it matters most to make it three wins out of three to start their season for the first time in club history. Veteran coach Bruce Arena dusted off some painful memories of the 2020 playoffs in handing the Union something they managed to avoid all of the regular season last year - a second loss at Subaru Park.

A moment of diagonal brilliance from German international Timo Werner set up Ousseni Bouda in the box for a first time finish just before the hour mark and the Union weren't able to muster enough of a response with the introduction of Ezekiel Alladoh and Stas Korzienowski to the attack across the remaining half hour.

Indiana Vassilev, who had the best chance in the first half to open the scoring, forced Earthquakes keeper Daniel into a save and Alejandro Bedoya and Korzienowski each had headers toward goal but not the breakthrough desperately needed and called for by the increasingly frustrated crowd.

Cavan Sullivan, who is tied with Korzienowski with a team-leading 2 goals this season (all against Defence Force in the Concacaf play), didn't even make a cameo for the Union in the match. The game, however, did mark the MLS debut of 20-year-old Gio Sequera, who started at left back on short-term loan from Philadelphia Union II.

Sequera's deployment on the left side gave Frankie Westfield the start in his natural right back position and produced a couple of promising moments in the first half where Westfield whipped in a pair of dangerous crosses into the box. Sequera also had a go at goal from a tight angle in the second half that Daniel tipped but wasn't credited with saving because of a call for a goal kick instead of a corner.

Milan Iloski had a couple of key passes in the match as the team's playmaker, including one just after halftime that found the head of a diving Nathan Harriel. Daniel denied Harriel on the play with one of his three credited saves on the night.

Though three games definitely don't make or break a season, the Union do have fellow 0-3 team Atlanta United on their league schedule in a week after they host Club America in the Champions Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday night in Chester. America hasn't been the dominant team they've been in the past but did snap a two-match losing streak in Liga MX play with a 2-1 win over Querétaro on Saturday night.

2.💧Water Cooler: Player Ratings

Weigh in on the individual performances in Saturday’s loss with our Reader Player Ratings poll.

3. 🥤 Social Post of the Day: Energy Drink Soccer

The problem with EnergyDrinkSoccer is that it can be effective (our record over the last 6yrs)

But it is not particularly attractive soccer

That gets magnified when the team goes 0-3 to start the season...

#doop

— SilverRey (@silverrey.bsky.social)
4:57 AM • Mar 8, 2026

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Delco Times: Less than ‘excellent’ blanked again in third straight loss

• The Free Kick: Union Stumble to 0-3 Start

• Wrexham is returning to Subaru Park this summer to take on another UK team with a popular soccer documentary.

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Photo by Carl Gulbish

The feeling around Subaru Park after the late letdown Sunday night against NYCFC had a familiar ring to those of who remember the early days of the team underachieving in home openers. But for many of the fans in the stands - including my 8 and 10-year-old children - the very late letdown, the puzzling refereeing and the 0-2 hole the loss put the Union in to start the season was an unfamiliar one. The Supporters’ Shield hangover is in full effect and for the first time since 2019, the Philadelphia Union are point-less after two matches in MLS play.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union fall at home to NYC on stoppage time goal

A goal 9 minutes into second half stoppage time gave NYCFC and their traveling fans plenty to celebrate and left Philadelphia Union fans with more questions than answers after a 2-1 loss Sunday that put the reigning Supporters' Shield winners at 0-2 to start the season.

Tayvon Gray scored the late winner for the Pigeons with a strong header off a cross from Agustín Ojeda 10 minutes after an Indiana Vassilev penalty had leveled the game.

Vassilev's penalty - the team's first goal of their MLS campaign - was set up by a foul drawn in the box by substitute Stas Korzienowski but wasn't the first or last call from referee Chris Penso that left a stamp (or stench if you ask most Union fans) on the game.

Penso had denied the hosts a penalty in the 65th minute after taking a long look at contact on Jovan Lukic in the box, whistled a play dead for a head injury as the Union were breaking into the final third and in the second minute of stoppage time sent Olwethu Makhanya off with a second yellow after he protested a call for a goal kick. Makhanya's first yellow was arguably a harsh call for a clip on Maxi Moralez in NYC's half of the field.

The Union controlled the early part of the match - Danley Jean Jacques had a couple chances, Milan Iloski another - and looked more poised to score than they did in their 1-0 loss in D.C. to open the season but it was NYCFC who struck first in the 36th minute following a sustained period of possession on a goal from Hannes Wolf. Wolf hit woodwork in the 29th minute and Andre Blake made three saves in the build-up to the eventual breakthrough, two on Kevin O'Toole and one on Nicolás Fernández's initial attempt that led to Wolf goal.

Playing behind as they did in D.C. in week 1, the Union struggled to create clear chances on goal until the introduction of Korzienowski, who nearly found an equalizer with one of his first touches. Matt Freese was there to deny him a dream first MLS goal and the Philadelphia Union Academy grad stretched out to deny Nathan Harriel a promising look in the 81st minute.

With the Union pressing numbers forward, Seymour Reid had a golden opportunity in the 82nd minute to double NYC's advantage but it was Blake again who stepped up to deny Reid and keep the Union within striking distance. The Reid denial was one of 8 saves on the evening for Blake. Freese made three stops on the day against his former team.

The Union finished with a slight 2.1 to 2 xGA for the game but the rebuilt backline looked shaky and having a player sent off for the second straight game in MLS play for referee dissent (Ezekiel Alladoh was suspended after a straight red for dissent in D.C.) raises questions about the maturity and fortitude of a team that got substantially younger both in age and experience after their Supporters' Shield-winning 2025.

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2.💧Water Cooler: NYC Player Ratings

Weigh in on the individual performances in Sunday’s game with our Reader Player Ratings poll.

Who Was Your Most Outstanding Player from Round 1 vs Defence Force

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Cavan Sullivan (15)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Milan Iloski (0)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Stas Korzienowski (2)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Ezekiel Alladoh (3)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Alejandro Bedoya (0)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Jeremy Rafanello (1)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (0)
21 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

3. 📸 Social Post of the Day: 8 Years Ago

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Writer Greg Oldfield reacts to the Philadelphia Union’s start to the season on his new Backyard Pitches website.

• Evan Konigsberg was covering Sunday’s game for Philadelphia Soccer Now and filed this report: Union Equalize But Collapse Late.

• Todd Lewis of The Free Kick had three goals to breakdown in Sunday’s game.

• Mike Biggs, who held the scoring record at Delaware for 46 years and won a pair of National Amateur Cups with Philadelphia Inter, recently passed away.

• Leon Flach scored a banger, Kai Wagner avoided serious injury and more are in Owen Boyle’s latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Malik Yakupovic continued where he left off in MLS Next Pro at the end of last season with a goal to lead Philadelphia Union II to a season opening 1-0 win over Jackson Gilman and Toronto FC II.

• Stefan Chirila scored in FC Cincinnati 2’s opener, Paxten Aaronson had a hockey assist and more in the latest round-up of domestic pros with local ties.

• Fellow LEGO and soccer enthusiasts out there: the World Cup trophy and soccer ball sets are now available.

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Photo by Don Robson

The Philadelphia Union took care of business last night, tacking on seven more goals to defeat Defence Force 12-0 on aggregate and roll into the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Cavan Sullivan stole the headlines with a pair of goals in the second half after recording a pair of assists and Stas Korzienowski, Ben Bender and Geiner Martinez also found the back of the net for the for the first team (officially) for the first time. All in all a good night at The Soob.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Sullivan shines, Stas strikes twice as Union advance in Champions Cup

By Evan Konigsberg

The Philadelphia Union handled business in the second leg of their tie in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Defence Force, winning the second leg 7-0, good for an 12-0 aggregate victory.

Young star Cavan Sullivan was the focal point of the match, claiming his first goal for the Union and tallying four total goal contributions. First half goals from Geiner Martinez, Jovan Lukic, and Stas Korzeniowski were followed by goals from Sullivan and Ben Bender to secure the win for the Union.

The Union started out on the front foot, dominating possession for much of the first half. The Union started off the scoring in the 7th minute, earning a corner kick and playing it to Jovan Lukic at the edge of the box. Lukic took a shot that deflected to the right, and center back Geiner Martinez fired to the far post, finishing on his weaker left foot. On his first Union start, the young center back claimed his first Union goal.

Only minutes after the opener, Jeremy Rafanello was taken down in the box, and the referee awarded the Union a penalty. Jovan Lukic, making a return to the squad, took the penalty kick, which snuck past the goalkeeper to give the Union a two-goal lead.

Just two minutes after the penalty, the Union continued to apply pressure on Defence Force. Alejandro Bedoya picked up the ball on the right side, finding Cavan Sullivan in the half-space. Sullivan pulled off a back-heeled flick, which ran through straight into the path of Korzeniowski. The big striker powered a low shot into the bottom left corner, kissing the post and going in for his first Union goal. When the dust settled, the Union had a three-goal lead after only twelve
minutes, good for an 8-0 aggregate lead.

The Union shook up the lineup at halftime, bringing in the young Sal Olivas for Jovan Lukic and replacing Olwethu Makhanya with Ben Bender. Bender slotted in at left back, outside of his natural position but filling in where he was deployed in preseason. Olivas, typically a forward who plays on the shoulder, played as an attacking midfielder.

The Union started the second half the same way they began the first. Giovanny Sequera, who shifted to right back at halftime, played a hopeful cross into the box. After initially being dealt with by Defence Force, Alladoh picked up the loose ball and squared to Korzeniowski, who finished confidently for his second goal, increasing the lead to 4-0. The fifth came in the 53rd minute, when Alladoh was involved again. He picked up the ball with his back to goal finding Sullivan at the edge of the box. Sullivan lofted a wide ball to Bender, who took it down excellently before finishing on his left foot.

With the match now far out of reach for Defence Force, the highly touted Malik Jakupovic made his Union debut in the 59th minute, replacing Korzeniowski.

Soon after, a long-awaited moment for many Union fans finally arrived. Ezekiel Alladoh pounced on another loose ball, and Cavan Sullivan picked it up and drove at the defense. After beating his defender, the young Sullivan took the ball around the goalkeeper before finishing the Union’s 6th goal of the night, and more importantly, Sullivan’s first ever senior goal. The stadium erupted in cheers as Sullivan celebrated in the corner. Sullivan added to his tally in the 88th minute, finishing a brilliant Union counterattack that was assisted by Olivas, good for Olivas’ first Union goal contribution. Sullivan ended the night with 2 goals and 2 assists.

Next, the Union advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup where they will face Club América in a two-legged tie from March 11-19. The Union faced América in the 2021 edition of the tournament, where they fell in the tournament semifinals by an aggregate scoreline of 4-0.

Order the new 1776 Jersey

2.💧Water Cooler: Player of the Round

3. 📁 Social Post of the Day: Business

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Philadelphia Union legend and former Bethlehem Steel player and current Sporting Athletic coach Nick Bibbs will be honored at Starfinder Foundation’s annual Cocktails with a Kick event on March 12.

• Radnor native Tim Holt has been named the new president and general manager of Sacramento Republic.

• Former Philadelphia Union midfielder Nick Pariano was officially announced as an addition to Huntsville City FC.

• Allentown native Stefan Chirila scored his first goal for FC Cincinnati and he shared the field with his younger brother Andrei Chirila in their blowout Champions Cup win on Wednesday.

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Tai Baribo scoring in his DC United debut against the Philadelphia Union felt like an inevitability so it wasn’t surprising when he opened his scoring account in the first half on Saturday night at Audi Field. What was more surprising was Ezekiel Alladoh getting sent off with a straight red for dissent, which contributed to a rare loss on opening day and to D.C.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union Drop Season-Opener at DC United

Tai Baribo scoring against the Philadelphia Union in his DC United debut was always a likely possibility and the striker did just that Saturday night, handing his former team their first season-opening loss since 2020 in a 1-0 victory at Audi Field.

Baribo was sold to the Union's Eastern Conference rivals in the offseason for $4 million and he looked like a breath of fresh air to a DC attack that struggled mightily in a Wooden Spoon-winning 2025 season. His former team looked less the defending Supporters' Shield winners and more a team trying to find its footing after a midweek trip to Trinidad & Tobago. A banged up team at that.

Jovan Lukic missed his second straight game with injury and Frankie Westfield was a late scratch - his replacement Finn Sundstrom left at halftime after rolling his ankle.

Ezekiel Alladoh, the Union's record-breaking offseason acquisition was sent off with a straight red card for dissent in the 59th minute. Despite the unexpected setback, the Union were still able to create some chances in the final half hour after Alladoh's exit. They finished the game with 1.2 xG to DC's 1.3 but it wasn't enough to avoid a rare loss to DC, their first at Audi Field since 2021.

Cavan Sullivan had two set pieces into dangerous spots and Alejandro Bedoya nearly set up Agustin Anello on a crafty play in the box but the Union didn't challenge veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson enough in his DC United debut. They ended up outshooting the hosts 13-7 but had just three shots on target right at Johnson.

Baribo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a tidy finish in the left side of the box off a feed from João Peglow. Earlier, he put the ball in the back of the net but the Union back line was bailed out by an offside flag. Baribo also hit the post and forced Andre Blake into a lovely diving save to his right, but that play - and what would've been Blake's only save of the night - was waived off by an offside flag.

The Union will return home for the second leg of their first round Champions Cup match with Defence Force FC before welcoming NYCFC for their home opener on Sunday.

Order the new 1776 Jersey

2. 📈 Rate the U

Weigh in on individual performances from last night in our player ratings poll.

3.💧Water Cooler: Results

Where Will the Union Finish in 2026?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 1st-3rd (11)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 4th-7th (20)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 8th-11th (4)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 12th-15th (1)
36 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 📰 Social Post of the Day: Left Back

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Todd Lewis recaps last night’s game for The Free Kick.

• Japhet Sery Larsen had a team high 7.2 FotMob rating from last night. Olwethu Makhanya had a team-high 7.0 WhoScored rating.

• Our friends at The District Press recapped the match from a DC United point of view.

• Of course, Tai Baribo burning the Philadelphia Union gets top billing on the MLS website.

• It was a big week for Philadelphia Union Academy and YSC Academy alums. Jack Jasinski signed with San Jose, Jackson Gilman signed with Toronto FC II, Andrew Johnson signed with Charlotte FC and Andrei Chirila made his first team debut for FC Cincinnati in Champions Cup.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email phlsoccernow@gmail.com.

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After 87 days off, the Philadelphia Union are back in action with their first official match of 2026. They take on Defence Force FC tonight at 6 p.m. in Trinidad & Tobago in a first leg Concacaf Champions Cup tie. Let’s goooooooo!

In the email today:

1. 🇹🇹 Union open 2026 campaign against Defence Force FC

By Brady Ferguson

Philadelphia Union soccer is back! The Boys in Blue return to Concacaf Champions Cup play following a year away, opening their campaign against Defence Force FC. Fresh off capturing the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2025 to secure their place in the tournament, the Union is in Trinidad and Tobago for the first leg of a two-match series against the leaders of the TT Premier Football League.

The match will be the first for the U against a side from Trinidad and Tobago, so let’s get to know the club that has been taking Caribbean soccer by storm over the last few years. 

Philadelphia Soccer Now connected with Nigel Myers of Soca Warriors Online to discuss the club and their return to the Champions Cup in over two decades. The club qualified for the tournament after finishing third in the 2025 Caribbean Cup and remains unbeaten in the TT Premier Football League this season. Bolstering an 11-3-0 record in 2025-26, Defence Force FC remains a difficult team to crack across the island nation. In 2024-25, the club did not lose in league play, topping the table with 62 points in 22 matches and scoring 81 goals across that span.

Much of this success can be attributed to captain Kevin Molino, who is no stranger to MLS opponents. Molino played 13 seasons in the MLS, featuring for Orlando, Minnesota, and Columbus across his tenure in the United States. The Trinidad and Tobago national returned to his country at 34 to compete for Defence Force, becoming the heartbeat of the club. He is joined in the attack by two-time MLS Cup Champion Joevin Jones, who split his MLS tenure between Chicago, Seattle, and Miami before returning to his home country.

At the back, Defence Force FC is anchored by Sheldon Bateau, a veteran center back who spent much of his career competing in Belgium, Russia, and Turkey. The club thrives on applying waves of pressure, attacking in numbers, and refusing to back down from any opponent. Expect relentless energy and quick, fast-paced attacks, likely unfolding from a 4-2-3-1 formation.

On the other side of the pitch, Philadelphia Union kick off their 2026 campaign with a refreshed lineup. After the departures of key attackers like Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre, as well as defensive mainstays Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner, the reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winners will lean on a wave of new signings and squad rotations to define this next chapter.

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2. 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire to train in Chester

Côte d’Ivoire is going to be calling Chester, Pa. and Wilmington, Delc. home for FIFA World Cup 2026™ this summer, utilizing the Philadelphia Union’s facilities for training and preparation while staying in Wilmington, Del.

‘Les Éléphants’ will be playing two of their group matches – against Ecuador on June 14 and Curaçao on June 25 – at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philly. They are playing Germany in their other Group E match on June 20 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario.

“When one of France’s all-time great defenders and a 1998 FIFA World Cup™ champion in Marcel Desailly says the Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has what it takes to reach the last four of this tournament, it’s easy to understand why the Côte d’Ivoire Federation would select such an elite Team Base Camp in the Philadelphia Union’s Stadium,” Meg Kane, Host City Executive/CEO, Philadelphia Soccer 2026, said in a news release.

Côte d’Ivoire, aka Ivory Coast, coming to Chester will be a feather in the cap of the Philadelphia Union as they continue to look for ways to showcase their new expanded facility to the world. WSFS Bank Sportsplex last week played host to the Snow Bowl tournament with several international youth clubs taking part.

“Hosting Côte d’Ivoire on our campus is a tremendous honor for the Philadelphia Union and our entire region,” Union President Tim McDermott said in a news release. “We’ve built one of the most unique sports campuses in North America specifically to support and develop world-class soccer, and there’s no better validation of that vision than welcoming recent African champions to train here. From Chester to Wilmington to Philadelphia, this is an incredible opportunity to showcase the passion, hospitality, and excellence of our facilities and our soccer community on the global stage.”

3.💧Water Cooler: Where Will the Union Finish?

4. 🐕‍🦺 Social Post of the Day: My Dogs

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Check out Philadelphia Soccer Now’s season preview coverage at philadelphiasoccernow.com/tag/season-preview.

• Todd Lewis of The Free Kick thinks the current roster might be the deepest yet for the Philadelphia Union.

• Marcelo Balboa has the Union finishing 13th this season. Kaylyn Kyle has them finishing second. Most other MLS commentators are on the higher end of that spectrum.

• Kai Wagner and Brenden Aaronson met in the FA Cup and more in the latest installment of DOOPing Overseas.

• Keep track of summer team roster announcements with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Summer Roster Tracker.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email phlsoccernow@gmail.com.

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It’s been a busy week in Chester with the announcement of new signing Agustin Anello, the unveiling of the 1776 Kit, Snow Ball and more. With less than a week to go until the team heads to Trinidad & Tobago to kick off the Champions Cup campaign, it’s almost go time!

In the email today:

1. 🇺🇸 Union Go 'All In' With 1776 Kit

By Casey Hughes

After 16 years, the Philadelphia Union finally stopped playing it safe and went all in with the unveiling earlier this week of their new primary jersey for the 2026-2027 seasons.

The “1776 Kit” features a plethora of references to the city’s importance in the formation of the country in which it resides. 

The Union have always kept a theme of the revolutionary spirit primarily utilizing bits and pieces of Benjamin Franklin’s 1754 “Join or Die” political cartoon to do so. It depicts a snake sectioned off into the British colonies and was a prominent figure in the prelude to the American Revolution.

To connect American roots to modern-day soccer, the club features “Join or Die” banners hanging around Subaru Park, merchandise with antiquated political rhetoric, and the coveted rattlesnake mascot: Phang.

A mere walk around Subaru Park could give a foreigner a basic U.S. history lesson.

Since their first season in 2010 the Union have had a generic navy and gold kit. But heading into a summer that will bring the FIFA World Cup to town, the club is finally embracing boldness, fully rounding out their revolutionary theme.

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2. 🐍 Union Roster Not Quite Complete

With the start of the Philadelphia Union season now less than a week away, the roster is nearly full but not quite complete.

The team announced the addition of striker Agustin Anello on Tuesday.

The Miami-born 23-year-old was acquire from Boston River in Uruguay for $2.5 million, which brings the offseason transfer fee spend to around $9 million.

But the signing of Anello and the recent announcement of center back Geiner Martinez hasn’t address the biggest hole in the roster heading into the 2026 campaign: left back.

Frankie Westfield, Nathan Harriel and Ben Bender have all played left back in preseason but none seem the ideal replacement for Kai Wagner, whose magical left foot led so much of the Union’s attack down the left flank.

Reports surfacing Friday morning indicate that 20-year-old Congolese left back Philippe Ndinga is the latest potential signing. The reports say the transfer fee could be around $2.2 million to acuire Ndinga from Degerfors in Sweden.

A left back acquisition would signal the end of a big offseason with the potential for additional lower profile additions still a possibility, whether via promotion from Union II or via intraleague trade.

While it remains to be seen how the team will rebound from the turnover, the 2026 edition of the Philadelphia Union is far younger with a potential ceiling perhaps higher than any team in club history.

3.💧Water Cooler: New Addition Results

Which New Addition to the Union Are You Most Excited About?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Ezekiel Alladoh (17)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Japhet Sery Larsen (0)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Geiner Martinez (3)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Stas Korzienowski (3)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Finn Sundstrom (0)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Whoever the new left back is (2)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (0)
25 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 📱 Social Post of the Day: Fanzone

Our fanzone at @fantasyutd.bsky.social is live!

Join us!

futd.app/fanzone/phil...

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow.bsky.social)
4:06 PM • Feb 13, 2026

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Milan Iloski had a brace and then the wheels came off in a 4-2 loss to CF Montreal in the Union’s final preseason match on Tuesday. Check out Evan Konigsberg’s match report.

• After suffering his fifth concussion last season, West Chester native and former Union II midfielder Zach Zandi made the difficult decision during the offseason to retire from the game but he’s also continuing with Colorado Springs Switchbacks as a member of the technical staff.

• It was anything but pretty but the U.S. Under-17s qualified for the FIFA World Cup with Malik Jakupovic leading the way with his 8th goal of the competition.

• Roland Alberg has been back in town this week, reliving some of his fondest memories of his playing career now as a coach and academy director at the Snow Bowl in Chester.

• Keep track of summer team roster announcements with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Summer Roster Tracker.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email phlsoccernow@gmail.com.

Want to support this newsletter? Upgrade your account 
for $1 per month or $10 per year.

The Philadelphia Union returned to Al Lang Stadium for a preseason friendly against Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night and rode a huge night from Andrew Rick and a pair of late goals to a 2-0 win in a match that had a U.S. Open Cup survive-and-advance feel to it. Meanwhile, down in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Union II forward made it 7 goals and 8 goal contributions in two games of U-17 World Cup qualifying.

In the email today:

1. 🥒 Andrew Rick Shines in 2-0 Win Over Tampa Bay

Andrew Rick put in a man of the match performance in goal and Alejandro Bedoya and Danley Jean Jacques each put the ball in the back of the net in the second half to lead the Philadelphia Union to a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a preseason friendly on Saturday night in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Union head coach Bradley Carnell fielded a reserve-heavy starting XI against a retooled Tampa Bay Rowdies team in the Union's fourth preseason match. Just Olwethu Makhanya was a regular starter last season. The hosts were on the front foot early and nearly connected with an early strike created by two of their newcomers in the attack in Union Academy grad MD Myers and veteran Russell Cicerone. Rick was quick to react on the Cicerone volley and keep the zero but it was a sequence of events in the second half that proved vital, including a penalty kick save to deny Cicerone from the spot and a quick reaction save minutes later.

The Union attack wasn't able to get much going the other way in the first half beyond a penalty shout after Sal Olivas went down in the box. After the break Stas Korzienowski had a good look with a rocketed shot from distance after shaking off a defender. The introduction of 10 substitutes off the bench after the hour mark ultimately made the biggest difference as the Rowdies dug into their bench and Union veteran Alejandro Bedoya found the back of the net after being set up by good ball movement from Jovan Lukic to Ezekiel Alladoh to Bedoya in the 70th minute.

With many of their starters in and the momentum from Bedoya's breakthrough at their back, the Union doubled the lead when Frankie Westfield sent a long cross in from the right flank to a wide open Danley Jean Jacques in the box. Jean Jacques perfectly redirected the cross past Austin Pack, who replaced another newcomer with Union Academy ties in Jahmali Waite.

Blake, who came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, preserved the clean sheet late with a vintage double save.

Carnell used 21 players in the match, including Rafael Uzcátegui, Kallan LeBlanc and Jordan Griffen by Philadelphia Union II. Recent center back signing Geiner Martinez got his first minutes with the Union in the match and Jeremy Rafanello played both in the midfield and at center back.

Twitter tweet

Starting XI
Andrew Rick (Andre Blake 62'), Ben Bender (Jordan Griffin 62'), Rafael Uzcátegui (Nathan Harrriel 62'), Olwethu Makhanya (Geiner Martinez 30'), Olivier Mbaizo (Frankie Westfield 62'), Jesus Bueno (Jovan Lukic 62'), Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan (Danley Jean Jacques 62'), CJ Olney (Kellan LeBlanc 62'), Sal Olivas (Ezekiel Alladoh), Stas Korzienowski (Milan Iloski 62')

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2. 🇺🇸 Malik Jakupovic Scores Five in Another U.S. Blowout

Philadelphia Union II forward Malik Jakupovic can't stop scoring.

After recording a brace in the United States' U-17 World Cup qualifying opener on Thursday, the 16-year-old chipped in a first half hat trick and a second half brace on Saturday to make it 7 goals in two games. Jakupovic also added an assist in the 10-0 blowout of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Philadelphia Union Academy goalkeeper Matthew White earned the start in goal and recorded the clean sheet for the U.S. without having to make a save.

Through two games the U.S. top Group E with six points and a staggering plus-18 goal differential. They'll face a Dominican Republic side on Tuesday that outscored Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Kitts & Nevis 15-0.

3.💧Water Cooler: New Addition

4. 🐍 Social Post of the Day: No. 76

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The long awaited announcement of Chris Donovan signing with Louisville City came on Friday. The Paoli, Pa. native signed a two-year deal with the USL Championship club, which now has three former PIAA stars on their roster in Conestoga grad Donovan, West Chester Henderson grad Aiden McFadden and North Penn grad Josh Jones.

• Highly rated defensive mid Jett Harrison has joined the Philadelphia Union Academy. He’s a 2009 born player and a 2027 graduate.

• Keep track of summer team roster announcements with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Summer Roster Tracker.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email phlsoccernow@gmail.com.

Want to support this newsletter? Upgrade your account 
for $1 per month or $10 per year.

Delran, N.J. native and Union Academy grad MD Myers is settling in with his new team in Tampa Bay. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The snow still hasn’t melted here in Philadelphia but the Philadelphia Union are back in warmer weather in Clearwater for their second leg of preseason and prepping for a preseason friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday morning. The roster is filling out with the addition of center back Geiner Martinez and another attacking piece close to being finalized but left back remains a question mark with the season set to kick off in Trinidad & Tobago on Feb. 18.

In the email today:

1. 🏝️ Union to Face Tampa Bay on Saturday

Three preseason games down two to go, starting with a match-up against Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday evening.

The match will be streamed, too, giving fans a formal look at the squad as the prep for their Champions Cup opener in Trinidad & Tobago on February 18.

The Union and the Rowdies have had a number of connections over the years, including Rowdies legend Leo Fernandes and many others but one of their latest additions to the squad is one who is no stranger to the Union or the back of the net. Delran, N.J. native MD Myers joined the Rowdies in the offseason from Charleston Battery. The Philadelphia Union Academy grad has scored goals in bunches every stop he’s made since graduating the academy, from High Point and Rutgers to Ocean City Nor’easters, NYCFC II and Charleston.

Fellow Union Academy grad Jahmali Waite also joined the Rowdies in the offseason and will have a chance to face fellow Reggae Boy Andre Blake. Waite joined the Rowdies after two seasons in El Paso.

The match is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

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2. 🇨🇴 Union Announce Signing of Geiner Martinez

The Philadelphia Union back line has added another important piece with the signing of 23-year-old Colombian center back Geiner Martinez.

Martinez comes to the Union via CA Juventud in the Uruguayan top flight. Though the fee wasn’t disclosed in the announcement it’s believed to be just under $1 million. The Union signed him through the 2027-28 season with two additional club option years.

“Geiner is a young, strong player who brings intensity and a physical presence to our backline,” Philadelphia Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell said in a news release. “The experience he’s gained through earning promotion in two consecutive seasons is valuable, he is a competitor and dedicated to defending within our identity. We look forward to getting him integrated quickly with the team.”

The 6-foot-3 Martinez gives Carnell four center backs on the first team roster with returning starter Olwethu Makhanya and fellow newcomers Japhet Sery Larsen and Finn Sundstrom. He will occupy an international roster spot.

3.💧Water Cooler: Preseason Outlook Results

How are you feeling about the Union?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Good but we need a left back (5)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Cautiously optimistic (9)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ High on the new additions but worried about depth (7)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ They exceeded expectations last year, why not again? (2)
🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Ask me again in a month (8)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Not great (7)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (0)
38 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 🗺️ Social Post of the Day: Depth Chart

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Catch up on former Philadelphia Union players playing abroad in the latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Philadelphia Union II striker Malik Jakupovic had a brace off the bench in an 8-0 blowout for the U.S. U-17s in World Cup qualifying last night.

• The Snow Bowl international academy event kicks off Monday at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex.

• The Sportsplex will play host again to the final of the Philly Soccer Spring Cup in April. This year’s edition has eight teams with Lehigh and Lafayette joining the fray.

• Keep track of summer team roster announcements with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Summer Roster Tracker.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email phlsoccernow@gmail.com.

Want to support this newsletter? Upgrade your account 
for $1 per month or $10 per year.

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

Preseason is underway at the Marbella Football Center in Spain and thanks to SK Sigma Solomouc Philadelphia Union fans were able to get their first glance at the 2026 team, which included three newcomers and a couple familiar faces from Philadelphia Union II. It looked like you would expect for a team playing its first game in preseason but there were plenty of positives and developments from the first of five preseason matches.

In the email today:

1. 👕 Union Open Preseason with 1-1 Draw

Stas Korzeniowski picked up right where he left off late in the season with Philadelphia Union II, scoring the Philadelphia Union’s first goal of 2026 with a first half goal against Sigma Olomouc in a preseason friendly on Tuesday morning at Marbella Football Center.

Captain Alejandro Bedoya registered the assist on Korzeniowski’s goal in the 9th minute and fellow Union II standout Giovanny Sequera started the goal-scoring play with an interception on the right flank.

Twitter tweet

The Union held onto the lead past the hour mark but Tihomir Kostadinov headed in the equalizer in the 73rd minute off a long cross. The Czech Republic team had several chances to add another but Union goalkeeper George Marks stepped up to make a couple key saves.

Union head coach Bradley Carnell fielded two XIs, swapping out the team in the second half and also used academy striker Malik Jakupovic, CJ Olney and Sal Olivas off the bench.

Newcomers Japhet Sery Larsen, Ezekiel Alladoh and Finn Sundstrom all saw their first action in a Union uniform while Ben Bender and Frankie Westfield each took a half playing left back. Andre Blake, Neil Pierre (on his way out on loan?), Quinn Sullivan (injured) and Markus Anderson are the only currently rostered players that didn’t make an appearance in the first of five preseason matches scheduled.

While the result was respectable the game looked like a first preseason match for the Union, which had some good moments but also some sloppy lapses too, which is not unexpected at this point in their preparations for the 2026 campaign. They’ll get a couple more days of training in before their next match at Marbella against FC Nordsjælland on Friday morning.

Lineups
First Half Starting XI: Andrew Rick, Gio Sequera, Japhet Sery Larsen, Olwethu Makhanya, Ben Bender, Danley Jean Jacques, Jesus Bueno, Alejandro Bedoya, Milan Iloski, Stas Korzeniowksi, Ezekiel Alladoh

Second Half Starting XI: George Marks, Olivier Mbaizo, Finn Sundstrom, Nathan Harriel, Frankie Westfield, Jovan Lukic, Jeremy Rafanello, Indiana Vassilev, Cavan Sullivan, Eddie Davis III, Bruno Damiani

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2. 🏟️ Bradley Carnell Preaching Positional Flexibility

By Owen Boyle

Philadelphia Union head coach, Bradley Carnell, and Director of Academy and Professional Development, Jon Scheer, met with the media on Friday morning for the Union’s preseason press conference, addressing offseason arrivals and departures, player development, and the club’s overall strategy heading into a season that will see the team participate in three major competitions. 

The Union will participate in Major League Soccer’s 34-game 2026 season, is guaranteed at least two games in the Concacaf Champions Cup and three Phase One matches in the Leagues Cup. There is a strong chance the Union will play more than the already guaranteed 39 competitive fixtures, with opportunities to advance in all three competitions. 

The last time the Union participated in those three competitions in a single season was 2024. They played 45 games, but missed the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Union played 41 games last season, only participating in MLS play and the U.S. Open Cup. 

With additional games comes the need for a bigger squad. The Union’s roster currently sits at 25, with an appetite to add more. 

“We want to look at our whole squad in terms of the first team and the second team in a way that we feel we have enough pieces to help us in what will be a busy first half of the season, leading into a World Cup where there is a break,” Jon Scheer said. “As we mentioned, we are not done, we’re gonna be adding, and there will be news here shortly where you’ll start to see some of those pieces come in.”

Read More

3.💧Water Cooler: Outlook

4. 🎤 Social Post of the Day: You’ll Never Sing That

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Catch up on former Philadelphia Union players playing abroad in the latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Get Concacafed has a feature on Philadelphia Union and Jamaica star Andre Blake.

• South Jersey native Kelli McGroarty is continuing her soccer career down under.

• Mackenzie Pluck announced her retirement from professional soccer, the founder of Shawnee girls soccer passed away, the PIAA soccer finals are moving to Pittsburgh and more in the latest Philly Soccer notebook.

• Philadelphia-based Love City FC is joining the WPSL ahead of the 2026 season.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email phlsoccernow@gmail.com.

Want to support this newsletter? Upgrade your account 
for $1 per month or $10 per year.

Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Boys in Blue are back and while there are still some spots to fill, a few questions were answered last week with announcements that captain Alejandro Bedoya is back on the field for another season along with Ben Bender and Mikael Uhre is back in Denmark. The Union have a preseason date set with SK Sigma Olomouc in Spain a week from tomorrow.

In the email today:

1. 👕 The Boys in Blue Are Back

In an offseason marked by notable departures - Jakob Glesnes, Tai Baribo and Kai Wagner - the Philadelphia Union announced the return of veteran captain Alejandro Bedoya and reserve midfielder Ben Bender last week ahead of the start of training camp. Bedoya and Bender were among the four players out of contract negotiating a return. George Marks was the first to sign a new deal and Mikael Uhre opted to return to Denmark, signing with FC Midtjylland.

The move puts the Union at 24 players on the first team roster heading into preseason with reports of additional additions forthcoming. Danish center back Japhet Sery Larsen seems to be close to an announcement and reports indicate interest in 18-year-old central midfielder Gibril Sosseh. There hasn’t been any chatter of late on 23-year-old Colombian center back Geiner Martinez.

The Union were able to move up in the waiver order by trading the rights to Isaiah LeFlore to Nashville SC (which signed the left back last week) so there are clearly things in the works.

As with any offseason, the group that reports to Chester ahead of preseason trips to Spain and Florida will look different than the squad once the season kicks off in Trinidad and Tobago on February 18. Left back remains the biggest question mark with Kai Wagner off to England but there are also spots on the roster to fill going into a season that includes Concacaf Champions Cup, a long World Cup break and Leagues Cup.

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2. ⚽️ United Soccer Coaches Convention Week

The United Soccer Coaches Convention is back in Philadelphia this week. The convention will be held in the city from Wednesday to Saturday and will feature a number of presenters with ties to the Philadelphia Union and the region.

Presenters include Union head coach Bradley Carnell, assistant coach Phil Wheddon, Union II head coach Ryan Richter, Union Academy director Jon Scheer, former Philadelphia and Eagles quarterback AJ Feeley and former USWNT standout Heather (Mitts) Feeley, Pennridge HS and Hex FC coach Audrey Anderson, YSC Academy head of school Dr. Nooha Ahmed-Lee and many others.

Home - United Soccer Coaches Convention

Join us at the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Convention January 14-17, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA.

unitedsoccercoachesconvention.org

3.💧Water Cooler: Wagner Reaction

Thoughts On Wagner Transfer

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It's An Offer They Can't Refuse (2) 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 It Was Going to Happen Sooner or Later (12) 🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ This Is Going Too Far (8) 🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ I Get It But I'm Still Not Happy About It (9) 🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (2) 33 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 🍕 Social Post of the Day: First Meme in Months

— Union Memes (@philaunionmemes.bsky.social)
5:19 PM • Jan 1, 2026

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Philadelphia native Sammy Castellanos was named the new head coach of FC Cincinnati 2. Castellanos has spent the last decade coaching in MLS academies and will be reunited in Cincinnati with former FC Delco teammate Jeff Larentowicz.

• Four players with local ties and a fifth who spent time in the Union Academy were part of recent call-ups for a combined U.S. Youth National Team camp for the U-18, U-19 and U-20 age groups.

• Quakertown native Dylan Marco is making the jump from York College to Division 1 UMass.

• Keep track of local college soccer signings and transfers with the Philadelphia Soccer Now College Signing Tracker.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

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Photo by Carl Gulbish

Hello, 2026! As we said goodbye to 2025 last night - many of us by watching the Stranger Things finale on Netflix - news of another potential big departure from the Philadelphia Union was spreading online. Nearly a year to the date of hiring a new head coach, uncertainty greets the Union fanbase as we head into a World Cup year.

In the email today:

1. 💰 Report: Birmingham City Finalizing Kai Wagner Transfer

Kai Wagner transfer rumors online have become a holiday tradition for Philadelphia Union fans but news first reported by Jose Nunez on New Year’s Eve that Birmingham City is finalizing a deal to acquire the star left back is far from a rumor this time.

Birmingham City is fighting for relevancy in the Championship and while Birmingham, England isn’t exactly a dream destination, Wagner has long expressed a desire to be playing at a higher level back over the pond (while making closer to the dollar figure he has shown he deserves). Promotion to the Premier League may not be likely this season for a team that just dropped to 16th place a January transfer could put the 28-year-old German in a great spot to acclimate to the Championship ahead of the 2026-2027 campaign.

The sale of the Union’s best player would be another windfall (one report states Birmingham is forking out around $3 million for a release clause) for a team that is already approaching a 2026 season with far less institutional knowledge and experience on the field. The back line has already lost its veteran leader with Jakob Glesnes sold off to LA Galaxy and leading goal scorer Tai Baribo sent to D.C. United in a $4 million deal the Union really couldn’t refuse.

Wagner, who was both a defensive force and offensive leader, will be nearly impossible to replace. While Nathan Harriel and Frankie Westfield have played left back, there isn’t a natural left back on the first team roster. Union II left back Jordan Griffin has a ton of promise but is only 17. Westfield did well in his one season there with Union II but he also excelled in his rookie season at right back so you might not want to try to “fix” that. Look for at least one more incoming transfer at left back if this deal goes through.

While the “good business” moniker Union fans have grown accustomed to using when explaining offseason moves of beloved players will again apply, a move of this nature has the real potential to lower the bar on what the Union will be able to achieve in 2026. They’re already out Quinn Sullivan for part of the season as he recovers from an ACL injury and there are going to be a number of players to acclimate to the team while also playing in Champions Cup.

Head coach Bradley Carnell - his firing as underserved in St. Louis as Jim Curtin’s in Philadelphia - was a breath of fresh air in his first season but he had a stacked roster and no Champions Cup or Leagues Cup to slow down the Supporters’ Shield quest. His tendency to roll the dice and dare teams to score on them and his currently on leave boss’s seeming refusal to acknowledge the MLS Cup as a bigger prize than Supporters’ Shields and personal accolades for transfer deals may all be too much to overcome in 2026.

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2. 🐍 The Year of the Snake: Looking Back at 2025

The Year of the Snake was a season of tremendous ups and not so great downs bookended by news of a new coaching hire and the potential departure of the team’s best player.

After a preseason that involved saying goodbye to Jack McGlynn and leading goal scorer Daniel Gazdag via a new cash transfer system, the Union started off strong, had an incredible month of May and went on to win their second Supporters’ Shield but the knockout competition draught continued with a semifinal loss in the U.S. Open Cup and a conference semifinal loss at home to NYCFC in the MLS Cup Playoffs. It was a year of wildly exceeding overly pessimistic preseason expectations but somehow ending up right back where the team has been before: cup-less.

Winning trophies wasn’t a problem for West Chester United, which reached a new level of success in 2025, winning the American Premier Soccer League in their first season and repeating as USLPA champions while capturing division titles in the NPSL and USL2 and the National Amateur Cup. It was the first win for a local team in the competition since Philadelphia Inter in 1973 and clinched a berth into the 2026 U.S. Open Cup.

The college season brought with it plenty of interesting storylines but the struggle for national relevance for the Philly Soccer 6 on both the men’s and women’s sides continued. Delaware’s men’s and women’s team reached new levels of success in their new leagues but came up short when it counted while Villanova women deserve a ton of credit for how they recovered from a brutal road loss at Xavier.

Dickinson men were the class of college soccer in the region again, making it back to the Elite 8 only to fall in a heartbreaking penalty shootout while Penn State Harrisburg women reached new heights with their first NCAA tournament win and a trip to the Sweet 16. West Chester women made another deep run in the Division II Tournament but had their season ended the same way Jefferson’s impressive year was cut short: by Franklin Pierce.

The high school season saw Paul VI girls building on their first state championship with a second state title and first South Jersey Coaches Cup championship won on the same night head coach Karen Anderson’s son Ayden Anderson scored the game-winner in the boys final for Washington Township.

Randy Garber leading Abington to their first Class 4A state title was a story that transcended every level of local soccer in 2025 and CB East girls took out their frustration from districts on CB South in the most lopsided girls state final since 2016. The DeGeorge family’s commitment to Archbishop Wood girls soccer was also capped in 2025 with Wood’s first state title. Head coach Maria Kosmin, who took over for brother Tom DeGeorge after her niece had graduated, led a team that featured daughter Mia Kosmin, a key contributor in the state title run.

Local youth and academy soccer produced another MLS Next Cup winner with the Philadelphia Union U15 team and national championships for Penn FC Youth, Lower Merion SC and Carlisle Youth. Lower Merion’s 007s made veteran head coach Charlie Dodds a state cup winner for the first time en route to their National Presidents Cup trophy.

Other notable local soccer stories - from great to tragic - include Voorhees, N.J. native Riley Tiernan’s incredible rise in LA, the tragic death of Rutgers-Camden goalkeeper Julian Naumenko, Ernst Tanner’s still unresolved nightmare boss fiasco, Ryan Richter leading Union II to another impressive season in his first year as head coach, Cavan Sullivan leading the U.S. in the U-17 World Cup and Matt Freese taking over the starting job for the USMNT.

3.💧Water Cooler: Baribo/Wagner

Thoughts On Baribo Transfer

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 It Was An Offer They Couldn't Refuse (10) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Tai Baribo Peaked So I'm Okay With It (6) ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It Will Give More Opportunities to Alladoh (0) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I Get It But I'm Still Not Happy About It (5) ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (1) 22 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 👀 Social Post of the Day: No Next Man Up

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• The Union also made a signing this week, adding 19-year-old center back Finn Sundstrom from now defunct USL Championship club North Carolina FC.

• Saint Joseph’s head coach Tim Mulqueen is leaning heavily on local academy talent to construct his first recruiting class.

• Brenden Aaronson and Stuart Findlay taking star turns and more are in the latest DOOPing Overseas column.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

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Photo by Carl Gulbish

It was an offer the Philadelphia Union couldn’t refuse but for the second time this month Union fans had to say goodbye to a key player in their Supporters’ Shield-winning season. Tai Baribo’s sale to D.C. United for $4 million plus a potential $600k more in incentives connected to performance also marked the second season in a row that the Union have sold away their top goal-scorer.

In the email today:

1. 🇮🇱 Tai Baribo Sold to D.C. United

By Evan Konigsberg

Philadelphia Union striker Tai Baribo is officially off to D.C. United in a cash-for-player trade that is netting the Union $4 million with potential for an extra $600,000 in performance incentives.

Baribo’s new contract with D.C. elevates him to Designated Player status, earning a raise from his contract in Philadelphia.

Baribo was acquired by the Union in 2023 in a deal that cost around $1.5 million. After a slow start to his Union career, Baribo caught fire in the 2024 season, finally earning the trust of manager Jim Curtin. The Israeli striker continued his hot streak into the 2025 MLS Season, involving himself in the golden boot race. Baribo was selected to the 2025 MLS All-Star roster, making an appearance off the bench and scoring the winning goal. Baribo was named the MLS All-Star Game MVP for his cameo, the first Union player to ever win the award. Baribo’s 34 Union goals place him 7th all-time in Union history, in between C.J. Sapong and Alejandro Bedoya.

Head Coach Bradley Carnell spoke about the move.

“Tai is a true professional and gave everything he had during his time here… At this time, we believe this move is in the best interest of both the club and player,” Carnell said. “This provides financial opportunities to continue to invest in the team this offseason while providing space for emerging talent on our roster. It also allows Tai to continue the next phase in his career. We wish him and his family all the best in the next chapter of his career.”

The sale of Baribo comes at an interesting time for Philadelphia. In the first season with new manager Carnell, the Union won the MLS Supporters’ Shield but could not get over the hump in the playoffs. Similar to the disappointing 2024 season, the Union have chosen to retool once again, moving on from stalwart center back Jakob Glesnes earlier this week. The decision also comes at a time after Baribo seemed to have figured it out in Philly. Baribo’s 18 MLS goals this year is a number bested by only Dániel Gazdag in a single season in Union history.

For the second consecutive season, the Union have parted ways with the team’s leading goal scorer. The finances of the deal are notable and may indicate the Union’s plan to replace Baribo. First, the Union paid only $1.5 million for Baribo, who proved to be a valuable investment.

The signing of Ghanaian striker Ezekiel Alladoh was announced earlier in the month. The transfer fee was reported at $4.5 million, almost identical in price to the Baribo sale including add-ons. The Union may see the 20-year-old Alladoh as a younger replacement for the 27-year-old Baribo, with a potentially higher ceiling.

The Union’s first match of the 2026 MLS season is on February 21 in D.C., where they will face their former striker to open their season.

Updated 2026 Philadelphia Union Roster

Twitter tweet

2. 🐍 Two Union Academy Grads Chosen in MLS SuperDraft

Philadelphia Union Academy grads Jackson Gilman and Jack Jasinski were among the players chosen in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft.

Jackson Gilman went to Toronto FC in the second round with the 36th overall pick and Jasinski was selected by San Jose Earthquakes five picks later. Goalkeeper Mitch Budler surprisingly went undrafted.

The Philadelphia Union's three picks in the draft were all traded to the Colorado Rapids in December 2024. The Rapids selected Clemson forward Wahabu Musah with the first round pick (No. 26), Washington defender Asher Hestad with the second round pick (No. 56) and Xavier defender Jabari De Coteau with the third round pick (No. 86).

Read More about Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft.

Twitter tweet

Twitter tweet

3.💧Water Cooler: Glesnes/Baribo

Thoughts on Jakob Glesnes Transfer Results

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I Get It But It Still Makes Me Sad (20) ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Perfect Timing (1) 🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It's the Union Way, Why Fight It? (7) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ The Team Needs to Get Bigger Not Smaller with Champions Cup in Play Again (12) ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (0) 40 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 🇻🇪 Social Post of the Day: Gio

Twitter tweet

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Philadelphia Magazine takes a look at inequality in youth sports.

• Jovan Lukic’s first goal in a Union uniform is the team’s Goal of the Year.

• Quinn Sullivan was named the team’s Player of the Year.

• Philadelphia native Femi Awodesu has made a move from Houston Dynamo to Helsingborgs IF, signing a three-year deal with the Swedish club.

• Keep track of local offseason local player movement with the Philadelphia Soccer Now Offseason Transfer Tracker.

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Photo by Carl Gulbish

The transfer of Jakob Glesnes to the LA Galaxy was made official on Monday and it included an add-on with the MLS rights for academy prospect Jamir Johnson. The Union will get a hefty sum of general allocation money from the deal - $1.1 million with another $1.1 million tied to performance incentives - but they also lose a player who was central to the Union’s defensive success over the past six seasons and have traded away the rights to another promising youth prospect (albeit with a sell-on fee).

In the email today:

1. 🚀 Glesnes Gone to LA Galaxy

A Best XI defender and promising youth prospect have been transferred from the Philadelphia Union organization to the LA Galaxy in a deal that could bring in as much as $2.2 million in general allocation money.

Glesnes, 31, was previously reported to be going to LA but the inclusion of Jamir Johnson’s MLS rights in the deal came as a bit of a surprise with the announcement Monday evening. Glesnes, who was named the MLS Defender of the Year and Best XI in 2022 and Best XI in 2025, said goodbye to fans on social media earlier in the day Monday.

“Jakob has been an integral part of our defensive unit and the success they have had during his time with the club,” said Philadelphia Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell. “Since joining the Union, he has played a major role in the team’s success, and we remain grateful for his leadership on and off the field. This move provides significant financial opportunities to continue to invest and strengthen our roster while reinforcing our competitive strategy. This also allows Jakob to continue competing at a high level in MLS where we’re confident he’ll continue to be successful. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.”

The club will receive $500,000 in 2026 GAM and $600,000 in 2027 GAM. The Union may acquire up to an additional $1,100,000 in GAM if certain performances metrics are met by Glesnes and Johnson and will receive a future trade and sell-on percentage of Johnson.

Johnson, a pacy 17-year-old winger, made his professional debut with Philadelphia Union II in 2024 and had a pair of goals and an assist in 12 appearances in MLS Next Pro in 2025. He’s logged 21 appearances and 2 starts over two seasons in Next Pro. He’s also received call-ups to U.S. Youth National Teams camps and was part of the U.S. team at the recent U-17 World Cup.

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2. 🏆 Union Back in Leagues Cup in 2026

While there will be no U.S. Open Cup for the Union in 2026, they will (for good, bad or indifferent) be back in the Leagues Cup.

The Union are among 18 MLS teams that will compete against all 18 Liga MX teams in the competition kicking off on August 4. Three qualifying spots for Concacaf Champions Cup will be up for grabs in the competition.

3.💧Water Cooler: Glesnes Transfer

Thoughts on Glesnes Transfer

3. 🏟️ Social Post of the Day: Never Louder

Never heard Subaru Park louder than the night Glesnes scored against RBNY in the playoffs. I will miss him.

— Paul (@paulin105.bsky.social)
12:14 AM • Dec 16, 2025

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Check out the latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Need gift-giving ideas for the soccer fan on your list? We have a couple ideas.

• The EPSA Amateur Cup final was postponed on Sunday due to the snow storm. The game is now slated for February 22.

• Delran, N.J. native MD Myers is on the move, signing with Tampa Bay Rowdies after two seasons with Charleston Battery.

• USL Tactics caught up with former Philadelphia Union II head coach Marlon LeBlanc, who was recently named manager of USL Championship newcomer Brooklyn FC.

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Fans who didn’t get enough of the endless waiting and cringy moments of the FIFA World Cup draw last Friday were dealt a second dose with last night’s Concacaf Champions Cup draw. There weren’t any presidents pulling ceremonial balls but there’s was a whole lot of Alexi Lalas talking and when it was finally over we learned that the Philadelphia Union will be playing Trinidad and Tobago club Defence Force FC in the first round in February.

In the email today:

1. 🇹🇹 Union to face Defence Force FC in Champions Cup first round

The 2026 campaign for the Philadelphia Union will include a new opponent and a new away trip to Trinidad and Tobago club Defence Force FC, the Union’s round one opponent in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The Union will visit the TT Premier League club for the first leg of the first round in February and return home to Subaru Park for the second leg.

Defence Force is the island nation’s most successful club, having won 20 national championships and has twice won Concacaf – in 1978 and 1985.

Defence Force earned the final spot in the 2026 edition of the cup via a third place finish in the Caribbean Cup so on paper it’s a favorable first round draw. But the road for the Union only gets tougher with the winner of Club America and CD Olimpia waiting in the second round and Inter Miami, Nashville SC or Forge FC in the quarterfinal.

Concacaf will announce the complete schedule for Round One and Round of 16 in the coming days.

The 2026 competition will be the Union’s fourth appearance. They qualified for the 2021, 2023 and 2024 competitions, falling to Club America and LAFC in the semifinals of the 2021 and 2023 competitions and in the Round of 16 to Pachuca in 2024.

2. 🏆 ‘Breakfast at Bryn Athyn’ EPSA Amateur Cup Final Set

By Greg Oldfield

In the blink of an eye, West Chester showed why they are the defending USASA National Amateur Cup Champions.

Scoring three goals within the first ten minutes and another before the half, the top seed ran through and over the Ukranian Nationals en route to 7-1 victory in the second EPSA semifinal at Bryn Athyn College Sunday afternoon.

“I told the guys before the match started, let’s focus on all the simple things,” West Chester coach Blaise Santangelo said after the game about his team’s quick start. “Let’s be clean. Let’s move the ball fast. Let’s defend. Put pressure on the ball. These are all the things that you need to do to be playing for a final next week.”

West Chester, the lone local participant in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, will have a busy spring ahead and will learn their first round opponent in January. They secured their Open Cup berth after winning the USASA Amateur Cup last August, beating RWB Adria 4-3 in extra time. A mainstay in the historic United Soccer League of Pennsylvania, West Chester has won the last three league titles. West Chester is also back in the American Premier Soccer League after winning the regional league title last season and tops the Delaware River Conference with an 11-0 record.

The first EPSA semifinal had much more drama as Vereinigung Erzgebirge came from behind to top Philadelphia SC 4-2.

VE is currently on top of the USLPA with a 4-1-0 record, their only blemish a 2-2 draw with Colonial less than a month ago. The Warminster club also reached the Third Round of qualifying for the Open Cup, crashing out 3-1 to Oaklyn United, who also plays in the APSL with Philadelphia SC. West Chester trails VE in the USLPA with a 4-1-0 record but will be ready to beat their rivals after an early season loss in the league.

“VE’s the top team in the fall,” Santangelo said about Saturday’s matchup. “They got us early, and we played a lot of soccer and different competitions to try to get us up, bringing in some new players, college grads are coming now, so it’s always going to be a battle.”

“It’s a perfect state cup final, the two best teams in the state” VE captain Kevin Smolyn said. “We’re looking forward to it. We love playing them.”

West Chester and VE will be back for “Breakfast at Bryn Athyn” this Sunday, December 14 Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. Though both teams may have already qualified to the USASA Region I competition, there is no doubt they will be eager to celebrate a trophy in front of their rivals. Last season, West Chester defeated VE in the group stage of the Amateur Cup, handing them an 8-2 thumping. West Chester also beat VE in the EPSA Open Cup final last spring, capping their fourth consecutive cup double, one of the more impressive stretches for an amateur team in the area’s history.

3.💧Water Cooler: MLS Cup Final Results

Well at least not everyone who reads this newsletter was unhappy about Saturday’s result.

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3. 🙀 Social Post of the Day: Yikes

I don't know much about "Defence Force" (will research later) but YIKES to our half of the bracket #DOOP

— TechnicalCakeMix (@technicalcakemix.bsky.social)
1:34 AM • Dec 10, 2025

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Quentin Hall scouts the Union’s newest striker.

• Need gift-giving ideas for the soccer fan on your list? We have a couple ideas.

• West Chester University women came up short in a heartbreaking overtime loss to Franklin Pierce at home. The loss marks the end to a remarkable season and era for the Golden Rams.

• While the MLS season has ended, Owen Boyle’s DOOPing Overseas column continues.

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