Union return to winning ways, beat St. Louis 1-0

Ian Glavinovich connected with a Kai Wagner corner kick eight minutes into his first start and helped the Philadelphia Union defense pitch their second clean sheet of the season with a 1-0 win over St. Louis City SC on Saturday night at Subaru Park.

Coming off a disappointing home loss to Nashville SC six days ago, the Union put their stamp on the game early pinning St. Louis into their own end. Retaining possession for an extended period to open the game, the Union was able to create a number of dead ball chances both from corner kicks and long throw-ins from Nathan Harriel, playing in in advanced role on the right side of the midfield.

Like they did against FC Cincinnati, the Union’s high pressure and numbers against the ball forced St. Louis into poor clearances, missed passes, erratic play and soon enough ushered in the blaring of “Maria (I Like it Loud)” on the Subaru Park sound system. The early breakthrough got the River End properly rocking and also denied St. Louis a place in the MLS record books.

Needing 68 minutes to set a new record for most minutes to start an MLS season without conceding, the St. Louis defense stood less than 8 minutes to the Union and their attack did little to relieve that pressure. After weathering the early storm, the Union came close but never did find that second goal in part because of a standout performance from former Reading United goalkeeper Ben Lundt in goal. St. Louis were able to create few chances and only one shot on target on a play where Andrew Rick looked beat but was able to get a hand up to deny a shot in the box.

The Union finished the night with 72.8 percent of the possession and St. Louis only mustered .5 xG what little they did have the ball. Their evening went from bad to worse when Eduard Löwen picked up a second yellow 11 minutes after going in the book the first time with a senseless play to kick the ball away in frustration over a foul called against St. Louis. There was a short-lived surge after going down a man, but the game mostly became a pedestrian affair the final 20 minutes plus stoppage time with both managers going to the sub bench. A half chance here and there for both teams but little drama – or need to go to VAR, thankfully – en route to three points and a return to the top of the conference standings for the U.

The first meeting between the two teams in an official game did end with some intrigue though as Union head coach Bradley Carnell was greeted with a bump from St. Louis striker João Klauss. Carnell declined comment about the incident post-game. Both Carnell and midfielder Indiana Vassilev – who earned his first Union start – were playing against their former team Saturday night.

With four wins in five games to start the season, the Union now head back to Florida to take on Inter Miami on Saturday night.