Glesnes scores early, but Union fall 4-1 to FC Cincinnati in 120-minute game

Jakob Glesnes put the Philadelphia Union in front early with a goal off a corner kick delivery from Kai Wagner, but playing 120 minutes short-handed proved to be too tall a task in a 4-1 loss to FC Cincinnati in Clearwater, Florida on Friday.

Glesnes #DOOP! pic.twitter.com/KtODpYOYti

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 8, 2025

New signing Jovan Lukic paired with Danley Jean Jacques in the starting XI for the Philadelphia Union in a 4-2-2-2 with Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Glesnes and Frankie Westfield across the back line in front of Andre Blake. Quinn Sullivan and Daniel Gazdag paired as the attacking midfielders and Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo started up top. Depending on the availability of the injured Nathan Harriel, Olivier Mbaizo and Ian Glavinovich the lineup could look very similar when FC Cincinnati comes to Chester for the Union’s home opener on March 1.

Lukic and Jean Jacques showed that they have the potential to be a formidable pair in front of the back line and the high pressure was causing Cincinnati all kinds of problems in the early stages of the contest. As with the first two preseason matches, the returns started to diminish as head coach Bradley Carnell rotated in players, particularly with so many absences on the back line. Nick Pariano again stepped into the right back spot and Jeremy Rafanello ended up as an emergency center back at one point.

All four of Cincinnati’s goals came after the hour mark. The equalizer came off a mistake from Blake that Pavel Bucha pounced on and converted. Obi Nwodobo put Cincy in front three minutes later and Bret Halsey and Mboma Dem tacked on goals before the full time whistle.

The Chirila brothers – Allentown natives who played previously in the Union’s academy – both featured for Cincinnati. Andrei Chirila, who is signed to FC Cincinnati 2, had an assist on the fourth goal while older brother Stefan Chirila contributed to the FC Cincinnati attack after subbing into the match in the 43rd minute.

Carnell used 25 players in the match, including 2024 MLS SuperDraft pick Stas Korzeniowksi. The Penn grad from New Jersey has been in preseason camp with Philadelphia Union II.

Carnell struck a positive tone in a post-game interview by team media, which inspired a meme, but the third straight loss in preseason remains a meaningless stat. The starters showed well for the most part – though it wasn’t Blake’s best day – and CarnellBall is starting to take shape as February 22 inches closer. The Union have one last preseason match on the slate against CF Montreal on Feb. 14 in Orlando.

Philadelphia Union Lineup
Andre Blake (Oliver Semmle 90′); Kai Wagner (Isaiah LeFlore 75′), Olwethu Makhanya (Alejandro Bedoya 75’), Jakob Glesnes (Neil Pierre 45′), Frankie Westfield (Nick Pariano 75′); Danley (Jeremy Rafanello 62’), Jovan Lukic (Jesus Bueno 45′), Quinn Sullivan (David Vazquez 62′, CJ Olney 98’), Daniel Gazdag (Cavan Sullivan 75’); Mikael Uhre (Markus Anderson 75’, Eddy Davis III 90’), Tai Baribo (Chris Donovan 45’, Stas Korzeniowski 98’).