You’d have to go all the way back to March 30th(!) to find the Union’s last home win. We’re down bad, Union faithful. Down real, real bad. Here’s all the sights and sounds of the match:
Uhre Strikes First
If you’ve followed along with our Union coverage this season, Philly has had one difficult time getting on the scoreboard first. Against an Inter Miami CF squad without Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, that changed. After a beautiful service from defender Jakob Glesnes, Uhre went in all alone on keeper Drake Callender for the tally. The goal is Uhre’s 6th of the season.
Unfortunately, this would be the lone highlight of the night.
You Get a Red, You Get a Red!
In the 70th minute, a 2nd yellow went to Miami’s David Ruiz which then led to a red card ejection for his foul on Leon Flach. Then, in the 90th minute, a Tomás Avilés is also shown the second yellow (red) card for poor sportsmanship. Yet, despite a two-man advantage for extended length of time, the Union faltered.
“It’s very difficult right now,” Jim Curtin said of the Union home struggles. “The group is shorthanded and has a lot of things going on, on and off the field, but we need to find a way to get three points.”
Of course, one could insinuate that Curtin means much of the noise surrounding striker Julian Carranza, who has all but been confirmed to be moving onto Feyenoord, a Dutch football club out of the Netherlands.
Afonso Wins it Late
In the 94th minute, Leo Alfoso made quick work Union defender Jakob Glesnes to score the backbreaker for Philly. Glesnes was defending a 2-on-1 break by Miami, after the Union weren’t able to take care of the ball on the other end of the pitch.
“He had a good play to set up the first goal,” Curtin said. “I thought he won a lot of his duels. Jakob is a fighter, a guy that I always believe in. Tough play at the end there, but he’s dealing with a 2-on-1 with 60 yards of space, which should never happen when we are up the way we are.”
Union Add Vazquez Before Match Against Miami
Prior to Saturday’s match, Philly decided to sign academy product and recent Homegrown signing David Vazquez to a short term agreement. The 18-year-old California native was available for the match against Inter Miami CF, but not play.
Per the 2024 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, a club may roster up to four Short-Term Agreements per MLS league season match, so long as they are Homegrown Players of Players earning less than or equal to the MLS Senior Minimum Salary.
They Said It
Jim Curtin on the Fans Booing the Union at the end of the Match: “It’s Philadelphia. You’re going to hear it when you don’t perform and that’s fair. I’ve known that through the years.”
Jeremy Rafanello on Being Tasked with Defending Sergio Busquets: “It’s a difficult challenge. I thought we did well shutting down the middle.”
Kai Wagner on the Union’s Roster Makeup: “I think we should see now that we need to invest in the team. We need players that can help us. We should not just believe in our young guys, that’s not how it is. This league is extremely hard to play at.”
On Deck
The boys in blue will return to action on Wednesday, when they head to Ohio to take on Cincinnati FC.
