The Philadelphia Union’s horrid start to the season continued with a sixth loss in a row, this time on the road at Charlotte FC. Playing through some dreadful weather in a back-and-forth game, the Union were unable to summon the quality necessary to secure their first points of the 2026 season.
First Half Review
The match started at a high pace. Charlotte saw a pair of chances from Pep Biel and Djibril Diani in the 4th and 6th minutes, but both missed narrowly wide. On the other end, Milan Iloski slotted the ball home after a through ball from Indiana Vassilev, but his goal was called back for offside.
As the rain turned torrential, Charlotte took control of the game and found it much too easy to pass through the Union’s defensive lines. It paid off in the 30th minute as Tim Ream and Charlotte effortlessly played into Philadelphia’s box, and after a brief scramble, the ball was slotted home by Charlotte captain Ashley Westwood.
Charlotte almost added another in the 44th minute on a breakaway after a Union corner left Zaha alone in the box, but Blake made a terrific save down to his left to keep the game in reach.
Second Half Review
The Union came out much stronger in the second half with a flurry of chances, including an acrobatic effort from Damiani in the 50th that went just wide, and a free kick from Iloski in the 62nd that narrowly missed the top corner.
The Union finally found their breakthrough in the 78th minute. A cross from Nathan Harriel on the right was flicked on by Cavan Sullivan, springing Danley Jean Jacques in the box, where he smashed the equalizer past Kristijan Kahlina.
But it was not to last, as Charlotte almost immediately went back in front. Pep Biel collected the ball alone on the right, cut inside, and picked out a wide-open Wilfried Zaha at the back post, who one-touched his finish past Blake.
Both sides pushed hard over the final ten minutes, and Charlotte had another goal called back for offsides, but ultimately the Union were unable to find an equalizer and fell to their sixth defeat of the season.
Post Match Thoughts
Defensive Positioning: The Union’s defensive positioning was a mess all night, with huge gaps at the back that made it far too easy for Charlotte to play through the midfield and the center of the defense. The backline clearly misses Glesnes’ leadership and organizational skills.
Play the Kids: Three of Bradley Carnell’s four substitutes were promising young homegrown attackers Cavan Sullivan, Malik Jakupovic, and Stas Korzeniowski. With the veterans playing so poorly, and the team severely lacking in creativity, it is time for them to get more involved.
Alladoh’s Struggles Continue: Ezekiel Alladoh has struggled so far in his time on the field, and has already been suspended by the league for a red card. Alladoh missed the Union’s March 21st match against the Chicago Fire for what Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell cited as personal reasons. Bleacher Report’s that said Alladoh missed the game as a disciplinary measure for having been late to training that week. At the end of the day, the Union need more from this offseason’s club-record signing.