Union hold rotated Nashville SC to scoreless draw

With Sam Surridge out injured and several of Nashville SC’s key starters rotated after a midweek Champions Cup match, the Philadelphia Union had an opportunity to score a big win at home on Saturday night and despite coming close to finding a goal they had to settle for just a point in their second straight scoreless draw at home.

Indiana Vassilev and Agustin Anello each hit the post and Bruno Damiani had a chance set up late by Anello that he skied over the bar for a Union team that outshot Nashville 17-9 on the evening and finished with a 1.4 to 1.1 advantage in xG.

Nashville also had a chance hit the post and Andre Blake was there to deny two other close calls in a game that started to shift slightly in favor of the visitors with the introduction of Christian Espinoza and Hany Mukhtar just after the hour mark.

With Espinoza pulling the strings Nashville inched close to finding a late winner but it was Anello going the other direction who looked most likely to play the hero for the hosts when he fired a shot that hit the far post of the goal just after coming on and squared a ball to Damiani’s feet in the 85th minute.

Damiani’s shot was one of three he recorded in the final 10 minutes of regulation after coming off the bench. His strike partner Ezekiel Alladoh started the game and was finally able to record his first shot on goal when he was played into the box on a ball from Frankie Westfield and beat a defender but not Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake.

Westfield in his return to his natural right back position also had a long ball forward played into the path of Milan Iloski that Iloski tried to hit early but was unable to redirect onto frame. Nathan Harriel played left back for the evening and mostly stayed home to defend with Cavan Sullivan playing out wide before Anello’s introduction. Sullivan had a solid outing in his second straight start with a shot on goal off a set play and several interceptions and 50-50 balls won that led to promising moments. Jovan Lukic also had a strong run forward into the box in the first half that had everything in it but an accurate shot attempt.

One early blow came when head coach Bradley Carnell was forced to use a substitute, replacing center back Japhet Sery Larsen after he picked up what appeared to be an arm injury in the 15th minute. Geiner Martinez came off the bench to replace Sery Larsen – who was able to play after his red card against Columbus was rescinded – for just his third appearance of the season and first since March.

Though the match had its fair share of positives for the Union, it marked the fifth time this season they were unable to find the back of the net and after five home games the Union have just two goals – one off a penalty kick and the other off a throw-in – and are still looking for their first home win of the 2026 season.

Saturday night’s one-point outing – while probably deserved for both teams – was especially frustrating for the Union given Nashville’s changes to their lineup and the three points that were there for the taking.

They’ll head out to Foxborough in a week and Orlando midweek before returning home to face Columbus in their final home match before the World Cup break on May 16. They’ll pay Inter Miami a visit on May 24 before the two-month break.