Thoughts on Philadelphia Union’s draw with Columbus

The Philadelphia Union’s 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew may leave fans and players feeling disappointed, but the frustration comes from a place of hope rather than concern. A late miss from Mikael Uhre and a subsequent Columbus equalizer stole two points from a strong Union performance. However, there’s a growing sense of belief and unity within the team and among its supporters – something that hasn’t been felt in quite some time.

Resilience, Unity, and a Renewed Project

The Union looked well-drilled throughout the match. Defensively solid, quick on the counter, and tactically disciplined, the team delivered a performance that deserved more than just a single point. Yet it was the emotional tone that stood out even more than the on-field tactics.

Mikael Uhre’s missed opportunity late in the game, followed by a Columbus equalizer, was a gut punch. After the final whistle, Uhre remained frozen on the field in disbelief, mirroring the feelings of fans in the stands. But this collective heartbreak signaled something deeper: passion. For the first time in a while, the team’s energy and the crowd’s voice felt aligned. That was most evident when midfielder Jovan Lukic rallied the crowd after his substitution, drawing a roar in response. Up until the final goal, the match screamed “belief” and “unity” – two words that rarely described the previous Union campaign.

Union Player Performances: Midfield Excellence 

The midfield duo of Danely and Lukic deserves major praise. Just like in their recent showing against Atlanta United, the pairing controlled the center of the park with sheer intensity.

• Danely drove the tempo, using his long strides to transition the ball quickly from defense to attack. He was central to the Union’s second goal, making the line-breaking run that set up Westfield’s thunderous finish. His profile continues to resemble a more composed, forward-thinking version of José Martínez – perhaps the perfect replacement. 
• Lukic, on the other hand, played a more defensive role. His positioning and anticipation helped stifle Columbus’ central threats before they could get going. His tactical awareness is far beyond his age, and his emotional connection with the fans is already evident.
  

Manager Bradley Carnell also deserves credit. Aware that Columbus would control possession, he set the team up in a more counter-attacking shape. The Union pressed high selectively but were also comfortable defending deep. In the second half, a tactical switch to a 5-3-2 formation helped contain the Crew’s front three, with Makahnya slipping in seamlessly as the central defender to bolster the back line.

Less Wagner Dependence

A major tactical positive was the reduced reliance on Kai Wagner down the left flank. While Wagner still had an excellent game defensively – largely neutralizing Mo Farsi, who often made threatening runs from deep, he wasn’t the focal point of the Union’s buildup. In previous matches, his deep crosses were the team’s main creative outlet, but this time the Union found ways to build through the midfield and right side as well. The team’s ability to create danger from a more balanced shape bodes well for long-term consistency.

Daniel Gazdag: A Familiar Face, A Different Fit

Many Union fans feared the worst when Daniel Gazdag, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, was sold to a direct Eastern Conference rival. But if his performance against Philly was anything to go by, the Union may have gotten the better end of the deal.

Gazdag looked lost. With Columbus dominating possession, he struggled to influence the match against a gritty Union defense. At Philly, he thrived in a system that maximized his strengths: pressing, late box runs, and space in transition. Columbus, however, asked him to be a creator in a slower, more methodical setup, which is proving to be something outside his comfort zone.

It’s still early in his tenure with the Crew, but the early signs suggest Gazdag may not fit as naturally into their style. Meanwhile, the Union received $4 million for a 29-year-old who may not have fit into their evolving system. That’s excellent business, and more importantly, they haven’t skipped a beat without him.

Areas for Improvement: Composure and Execution

Despite the positives, there are still clear areas to address:

• Passing Composure: Both Danely and Lukic, as impressive as they were, turned the ball over in simple passing situations. Small errors like these can be costly in high-pressure matches, especially during transitions. 
• Decision-Making in Transition: In the first half, the final ball often let the team down. Vassilev, in particular, struggled to pick the right option, often forcing passes into covered spaces rather than exploiting open lanes. Counter-attacking soccer requires a perfect mix of urgency and composure, and the Union leaned a little too far into chaos at times. Perhaps this habit is a part of the old Union playstyle that hasn’t been shaken yet. Or it could be a part of a larger picture – the frenetic pace at which the entire league itself is often played at.

Looking Ahead

The Union face the LA Galaxy on Wednesday before a road trip to Atlanta on the weekend and another mid-week match in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 against Pittsburgh on May 21. May is shaping up to be a demanding month, but so far, the Union is showing they have the depth, identity, and belief to keep pushing forward. The road to success is never easy, but if last night proved anything, the club is heading in the right direction.