Strong defensive effort overshadowed by scoring drought in Philadelphia Union draw

The Philadelphia Union put up a strong defensive performance against Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC on Saturday but could not find the decisive goal yet again in another 0-0 draw at home.

While the clean sheet was a sign of improvement after the Union conceded 5 goals across two matches last week, the offensive woes continued for yet another week as the Union remain winless at home in MLS play.

Nashville S.C., led by New Jersey native and former Union assistant B.J. Callaghan, sported a heavily rotated side in the midst of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal legs against Tigres. While the Union’s frustration at home continued, they came much closer to a
breakthrough in their match against the rotated Nashville side than they were previously against D.C., hitting the woodwork twice.

Despite the near misses, Philly’s poor home record continued, as their goalscoring record now stands at 2 goals in 5 home MLS matches.
Bradley Carnell spoke about the performance after the match.

“We hit the target three times, and it bounces three inches right off the post. If it’s three inches left of the post, it bounces in, and
these are some of the things that we have to fight against,” Carnell said.

The Union had 16 total shots against Nashville, but only 4 were on target. The Boys in Blue created three big chances but were unable to cash in on any of them. “I feel really sorry for the guys, because you can see the spaces we created. Whether it was Bruno, Eze [Alladoh], Auggie [Anello], Cavan…which shows that the game plan was right. On another day, this looks and feels more like us from last year.”

Despite having the chances, the finishing touch was once again lacking. Strikers Alladoh and Damiani both had quiet nights again, remaining goalless on the season. Damiani, who came in as a substitute in the second half, spurned a golden chance created by Anello, firing it well over the bar and into the River End. Carnell was asked if Damiani was perhaps overthinking, or trying to be too perfect, after the match.

“That’s the reason we made the change [in the lineup] tonight, because there’s moments when a striker needs to see the game from the outside first, and see the gaps and the moments,” Carnell explained, trying to build back confidence in his young striker. “Then he comes in, and he creates for himself, he gets the moment, he creates the separation he needs. Unfortunately, these are some things we will continue working with Bruno for. We know he’s carrying a lot on his shoulders. He knows that he can do better. We’re all in this together and we all support Bruno, and we’ll all celebrate with Bruno together at some point.”

Agustín Anello was a bright spot for the Union off the bench. As a quick, right-footed player, Anello likes to cut in and shoot on his right foot, giving the Union a winger-like profile that they have previously lacked. A teammate of Damiani in 2024 at Boston River of Uruguay, he spoke about his teammate’s struggles after the match.

“Bruno’s a very close friend of mine. He’s a goal scorer, so I have no doubt that when one goes in, there’s going to be a lot more of that. We help each other a lot, and I think it’s going to come sooner rather than later.”

Anello was one of two players singled out by Carnell for providing creativity in attack. “I think Cavan created havoc, and I thought Anello created havoc later in the game as well. Credit to them for playing out the gameplan as well as they did,” Carnell explained. Sullivan was
rewarded with his second consecutive MLS start on Saturday, as his minutes begin to ramp up. “We designed the gameplan around Cavan. We tried to get him in more space. We tried to get him a little bit more on the ball, and I think in certain moments, you could see that.”

Despite the attacking woes, it was a reassuring defensive performance against a Nashville attack that was weaker than usual. Woobens Pacius and Warren Madrigal started in place of Hany Mukhtar and the injured Sam Surridge, and Shak Mohammed was awarded his first NSC start over Cristian Espinoza, one of the top wing creators in MLS. Still, the Union prevented Mukhtar and Espinoza from scoring after they were subbed in around the 60th minute mark.

Frankie Westfield spoke about the Union’s improved defensive organization after the match.

“There was one important week of training that we had… We had a very, very long talk and long meeting as a team that helped us out a lot. I think guys are willing to run now. Guys are willing to go the extra mile,” Westfield explained. “I think as a collective, we’re all in. We’re all in now, and [forgetting] the first six games of the season. You look at it, we’re heading in positive directions, and we’re going up, rather than back down.”

There was some concern for the Union back line, as Japhet Sery Larsen exited with an injury in the first half, clutching his shoulder. “Japhet, in that moment where he gets fouled with [Jamal] Thiaré last weekend, he hurt his shoulder,” Carnell explained. Sery Larsen was shown a red card at Colombus after getting tied up with the Crew striker late last weekend, but the suspension was rescinded after it was reviewed by the league. Sery Larsen was injured on the same play. “He tried to play with medication and what have you, and on the very first action, he got tugged on that arm again. We knew there was going to be a gamble with having him on the field, but we just wanted the continuity.” The continuity was a change from the early-season Union, where a constantly rotating back four leaked goals.

Geiner Martínez stepped in for Sery Larsen, and the young Colombian center back was a bright spot for Philadelphia. Without minutes in MLS since March 1 st against NYCFC, Martínez stepped in for Sery and didn’t miss a beat. “Geiner did all the reps Thursday and Friday. He thought he was starting, and he was a real pro about the decision to let Japhet start,” Carnell explained after the game, indicating a late decision to run Sery Larsen back in the starting lineup.

“But man, what a game [Martínez] had. I thought he was excellent on the night. He commanded the space very well, he defended the forwards very well. He used his body excellently, and he creates a different physicality on that back line.”

Westfield also commended the physicality of Martínez. “He’s going to go out there, and he’s going to hit them, which I love. First play. He comes in, wins a header right away, and I knew from there he was going to be amazing tonight. It’s hard to come into a game like that and step up against a really good Nashville side, and I think he did very, very well tonight.”

Despite the strong defensive performance, the Union were once again left with just a draw. “We do know that there’s a long break as well. And if you look at our last four games, you can see the team digging really deep and fighting against the adversity,” Carnell said, looking forward to the World Cup break that could give the Union an extended time to work together in training. “We have another four games until that stretch. And for us, it’s four moments to right the ship.”

The Philadelphia Union will have their first chance to right the ship on Saturday, May 9 at New England, who currently find themselves 2 nd in the Eastern Conference. The Boys in Blue will look for a win to move up from the bottom of the east.