The Union fell 3-1 to Nashville SC on Sunday, but still remains atop the Eastern Conference with nine points. Let’s wrap on the sights and sounds of the match:
Welcome to MLS
In the 15th minute, Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) scored from the centre of the box to give Nashville SC the early 1-0 lead. It was a beautiful individual effort for Surridge and a bit of a “welcome to the bigs” moment for Union rookie Frankie Westfield.
Philadelphia was caught up field on the play and Westfield, 19, had little support back. He ended up one-on-one with Surridge and the Nashville striker ended up faking out Westfield and tucking the ball pass Andre Blake.
Walker Zimmerman also picked up the assist on the play as well. Westfield has had positive showings in last few games so he’ll likely use this moment as a learning experience.
The Jovan Missile
Down by one in the 33rd minute, Union midfielder Jovan Lukic crushed a ball with a right footed shot from the right side of the box to level the set piece. The volley was one of the better we’ve seen in MLS this season, as one could hear the thud as Lukic struck the ball all the way up in the press box.
“Yeah, I mean that’s amazing,” Lukic said of his goal. “But we lost the game so the feeling is like I didn’t do anything. I can’t be that happy.”
Nevertheless, Lukic now has goals in back to back to games and is very much looking like a positive addition through four matchdays.
1-V-1
In the 82nd minute, Hany Mukhtar scored from penalty after winning a free kick on a foul by Jakob Glesnes. Mukhtar and Glesnes both attempted to play a ball and knocked heads on the play. At first glance, it appeared to look like your typical aerial duel between two players, but the officiating saw otherwise.
Moreover, as Jacob Glenes and Hany Mukhtar were both checked and cleared after the collision, Mukhtar was able to return to the game and take the PK as Nashville’s designated PK taker, but Glesnes was not until few minutes had passed.
Post-game, Glesnes cited this as a new rule, which added some confusion to the play.
They Said It
Bradley Carnell on the Penalty Decisions in the Game: “Momentum goes against us in certain ways. However I see the plays, regardless, they are the plays we’re given.”
Jakob Glesnes on the Locker-Room Mentality: “No one should like to lose. So now we are allowed to be angry today and then we start with a new day tomorrow.”
Andre Blake on Other Teams Scouting the Union: “Football is a game of chess. As I said before, it’s no secret what we’re doing, other team’s are scouting us so it’s going to get more difficult. But again, the real teams find ways to win different ways.”
Did You Know?
Union forward Mikael Uhre is sitting on 33 career goals with Philadelphia. His next tally will tie him with former teammate Julian Carranza.
On Deck
The return to the pitch next Saturday, March 22nd, for a date with St. Louis at Subaru Park. The match is set for a 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
