Philadelphia Union impress in gritty win Over Atlanta United

In an exciting encounter between the Union and Atlanta United, fans left Subaru Park thoroughly satisfied with the home side’s performance. The match was fiery, and despite going down to 10 men, the Union walked away with far more positives than negatives. Considering the quality Atlanta boasts, Philly executed the game plan nearly perfectly. Here’s a look at what went right:

Relentless Pressing

The Union’s pressing in their 4-2-2-2 shape was exceptional, constantly pinning Atlanta into their half. The first half, in particular, showcased their intensity, as Atlanta struggled to advance past the front line and often coughed up the ball in dangerous areas.

Jovan Lukic and Jean Jacques Danley were instrumental in this. Their ability to shift laterally and pounce on loose balls disrupted Atlanta’s rhythm. Both aggressively stepped out of deeper roles to trap Atlanta in, leaving their midfielders little time to turn or play forward. Even after Lukic received a red card in the 56th minute, Danley held the midfield down brilliantly, capping his night with a right-footed strike between Brad Guzan’s legs. 

It wasn’t just the midfield that made the difference—Philly’s fullbacks were also key in dictating the match. Rather than sticking tight to Atlanta’s wingers, they smartly stepped forward into open spaces, applying additional pressure and forcing turnovers. Their positioning left Atlanta’s wide players isolated and flustered, contributing to the flurry of loose balls that the Union consistently pounced on.

Frankie Westfield, in particular, continues to flourish in this new system. With the freedom to command the entire right flank, he showcased both discipline and aggression. Head coach Bradley Carnell’s trust in Westfield speaks volumes—not just about the player, but about the club’s overall philosophy. The Union has long been committed to youth development, and Westfield is the latest example of that belief paying dividends.

Physical Edge

Philly didn’t just press—they outworked and outmuscled Atlanta. The squad’s commitment to high-intensity runs and physical challenges was clear from the opening whistle. Bruno Damiani led the charge with a bruising performance up top. He battled for every 50/50, did the dirty work, and set the tone with his physicality.

Damiani is beginning to look more and more at home, drawing comparisons to former Union striker Julián Carranza. Much like Carranza, Damiani thrives on contact, using his frame to shield the ball and link up play. His profile adds a gritty, hold-up option that the Union have deeply missed since Carranza’s departure—something that hasn’t quite been matched by the more direct runs of Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre.

Kai Wagner is a player who brings the edge—and tonight, he proved it once again. Late in the second half, he was throwing his body in front of crosses, absorbing tough challenges, and putting in the gritty work that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. Moments after taking a heavy hit, Wagner was back on his feet, rallying the crowd with pure passion. That kind of energy was contagious throughout the team, but coming from a veteran like Wagner, it carried even more weight.

Carnell’s Tactical Masterclass

After the red card, it never truly felt like the Union were in danger. Head coach Bradley Carnell made smart, decisive changes—shifting to a five-back formation by bringing on Olwethu Mahkanya as an extra center back. The midfield narrowed, with Quinn Sullivan moving to the right and Indiana Vassilev to the left, and only one forward remained up top.

That forward ended up being Baribo, who capitalized on a swift counterattack to score a header assisted by Sullivan. To close out the match, Carnell brought in Alejandro Bedoya and Jeremy Rafanello—two subs who perfectly balanced energy and experience. Rafanello injected fresh legs, while Bedoya brought the composure and leadership needed to see out the result.

This marked a clear departure from the previous era under Jim Curtin, where late-game subs were less frequent and sometimes costly. With Carnell at the helm, in-game management looks like a growing strength. As the Union pushes toward a deep playoff run, having a squad with minutes under their belt will prove vital.

Looking Ahead

Next up, the Union faces rivals D.C. United at Subaru Park. After their 2–1 win over the Red Bulls, D.C. will arrive with confidence, but if Philly can replicate the intensity and cohesion shown against Atlanta, it’ll be a tough night for the visitors.

Lukic will miss out due to suspension, but fans can trust Bradley Carnell to make the right calls moving forward. If this match was any indication, the Union is rounding into form at just the right time.