Philadelphia Union
Carnell: Getting back to basics key to overcoming slow start
Facing a winless Atlanta United team was supposed to be a perfect opportunity for the Philadelphia Union to course correct an MLS season that has resembled the early salad days of the club more than the recent era of competing for trophies.
Instead of waking up the Union’s season, a disjointed defensive performance helped to wake up Atlanta United’s high-priced attack to the tune of three goals in a Saturday afternoon match played on the recently installed grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After a missed penalty in the first half the Union finally scored their first goal of the season from the run of play when Agustin Anello found the back of the net in the 87th minute but by then the result had already slipped out of reach.
“I just think it’s about being braver in the final third, to get balls in the box, especially when we’re playing two strikers framing the box, keeping it nice and tight, and to mitigate the transitional moments,” head coach Bradley Carnell said post-game. “I don’t want to say anxiety, but there’s a lot of that floating around, especially when things don’t go your way and where it feels like every bounce is going to the opponent.”
Conceding first has been one of the issues of the 2026 edition of the Philadelphia Union. The Union are built to play ahead and have struggled in the past when conceding early, something the brilliance of Andre Blake and a stingy defensive line has limited. Blake made a stop early to deny Emmanuel Latte Lath early but was hung out to dry on the three goals.
Cohesiveness seems to be one of the issues with the back line. Carnell has rotated the squad to account for midweek Champions Cup matches but some early season injuries also led to game day shuffling.
In seven matches to start the season, Carnell has had seven different back line configurations. Nathan Harriel slotted in at center back on Saturday afternoon for the third time in all competitions. New acquistion Philippe Ndinga made his second straight start at left back and his first in MLS play. Ndinga is one of five defenders who have made their Union debuts this season.
The departures of Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner have loomed large in a defense that has conceded an uncharacteristic 7 times in four games.
“These are growing moments,” Carnell said of Saturday’s loss. “We’re waiting for a lot of leadership on and off the field.”
Carnell noted that a key to rebounding from the early funk is to focus on the basics.
“We’re letting ourselves down with the basics right now,” he said.
