Young stars shine in Union friendly victory over Atlas FC

The Philadelphia Union won Saturday night’s friendly vs. Atlas FC by a score of 2-1 via goals by substitutes Markus Anderson and Eddy Davis.

The match had a very different feeling than the last and only time Atlas visited Subaru Park. The two clubs met in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in April 2023, with the first leg in Philadelphia ending with a scoreline of 1-0 to the Union. Atlas were coming off of a stellar season. This time, not so much, as the Guadalajara side failed to qualify for the playoffs in the Liga MX Clausura, the half-season ending in May.

A quiet first half started to rise in intensity around the 24th minute, when Kai Wagner combined with Ben Bender to create a point blank shot for Wagner, who put his shot off the face of the goalkeeper Antonio Sanchez. Both teams traded a couple yellow cards, and Bender pulled a shot just wide in the 43rd minute. Bender was one of the most active Union players going forward in the first half. Semmle made a nice close range save on Atlas right wingback Orrantia to close out the half.

Both teams made a flurry of changes to start the second half, with Atlas subbing in an entirely new set of outfield players. Notably, Neil Pierre made his return from injury for the Union. The Union put out somewhat of a makeshift back four, with Olivier Mbaizo filling in for Jakob Glesnes’ typical spot at right center back while Nick Pariano played on the right side. The substitutions brought a completely new energy to the game, as Jovan Lukic found substitute Markus Anderson on the left side of the field, who cut in and scored a brilliant goal to put the Union ahead.

Atlas substitute and right winger Diego Gonzalez, on loan from Lazio, caused issues for the Union defense with his first touches of the half as a failed offside trap played him through on goal in the 49th minute. Semmle made a great save, diving to his right to deny the left footed shot. The breakthrough for Atlas eventually came in the 63rd minute through Gonzalez, as he combined well with former CF Montreal forward Matías Cóccaro before finishing past Semmle, knotting the game at 1-1.

Immediately after the goal, manager Bradley Carnell made three substitutions, bringing in Eddy Davis, Stas Korzeniowski and Indiana Vassilev into the match for Chris Donovan, Ben Bender, and Alejandro Bedoya. This paid off almost instantly, as the active Anderson found Vassilev about 25 yards from the goal. Vassilev was able to slip in the new substitution Davis, who finished calmly in the 65th minute, putting the Union up 2-1.

In the 76th minute, a poor tackle from Atlas midfielder Alonso Jimenez left Jeremy Rafanello in lots of pain, requiring a substitution. Union fans held their breath in the 87th minute, as the line dropped deeper trying to protect the lead. Again, the danger man for Atlas Gonzalez was causing issues. A deft backheel flick found Atlas #8 Mateo Garcia completely free in the box. His attempt on goal was stopped by Semmle, who stood tall late in the match. The Union went on to close out the match, winning it 2-1.

Markus Anderson had the match ball after the game. When asked what this friendly and performance did for him, he answered “as much confidence as possible. I’m not with the first team guys all the time, but I’m still working hard, and this proves that”. Anderson adds a goal and an MLS assist tonight to his tally after a goal and two assists vs. FC Cincinnati 2 on Tuesday.

Eddy Davis III was the matchwinner. The goal was a left footed finish from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner – nearly identical to the goal he scored against FC Cincinnati II earlier this week. When asked about these goals, and how his time with Union II prepared him for a stronger opponent like Atlas, he answered “It’s just consistency. I’ve been working on it after training, before training, so I know when the time comes and I’m in a game situation, I knew it was going to happen”. Davis has bounced back after an injury-plagued start to the season.

The Union are in action next on Saturday, June 14 against Charlotte FC at Subaru Park.

Union Lineup
Oliver Semmle; Olivier Mbaizo, Jakob Glesnes © (Nick Pariano 45’), Olwethu Makhanya (Neil Pierre 45’), Kai Wagner (Isaiah Leflore 45’); Jesús Bueno (Jovan Lukic 45’), Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello (Leandro Soria 78’), Ben Bender (Stas Korzeniowski 64’); Bruno Damiani (Markus Anderson 45’), Chris Donovan (Eddy Davis III 64’)