They can’t be stopped! The boys in blue extend their unbeaten streak to 10 MLS matches with a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC on Saturday night. This victory marks their longest MLS unbeaten streak in club history. Let’s wrap:
Markus at the Death
In one of the most thrilling finishes you’ll see, Markus Anderson scored his first MLS goal with a right footed shot from the center of the box with just seconds on the clock in stoppage time. If you recall, Anderson also scored in Philadelphia’s friendly with Atlas F.C. so perhaps this is the beginning of a bit of a hot streak for Anderson. The 21-year-old, of course, has bounced between the Union and Union II this season with playing time being sparse with the first team.
“It’s not easy for those guys, you know?” Bradley Carnell said. “They’re training with us, they empty the tank early in the week and then when we trim the team down to 20 players for the roster, you can either be demoralized and go down to Union II with your tail between your legs and play or will you commit to the process and the journey?”
Carnell continued:
“I think you see the way we’ve rotated in the month of May, we’ve started different players, we’ve been brave enough to play different players in different positions. So everyone knows they have to stay dialed in because they could be coming.”
Carnell speaks a lot about the internal competition in the club and how it’s greatly benefitted his players. Throughout this season, we’ve seen that come to fruition time and time again, with some of the most unlikeliest of hero’s emerging. Obviously, from the big club down to the Union II, the players have bought in to this philosophy. Likewise, it’s perhaps the main reason Carnell’s squad sits a top of the Eastern Conference this season.
Depth of Life
It’s just that time of year.
Due to injuries and international duty, the Union we’re missing seven regulars on Saturday evening. However, as mentioned above, the Union continue to receive contributions up and down their lineup this season. Carnell switched his formation to account for what he had on-hand for the match.
“I think you put teams in a certain game,” Carnell said. “We know they want to control the game in different ways ways, but if the more chaos you can create, the more intensity you put them under, you hope they won’t just bend, but also break.”
Charlotte is among the lowest in the league in both interception and tackles. Philadelphia’s aggressive nature exploited that in key moments in this game and is big reason the U walked away victorious.
Club Level 300
Club captain Alejandro Bedoya appeared in his 300 career match in Saturday’s win. Bedoya, 38, played 45 minutes in the match and connected on six passes before subbing out.
In addition to playing, Bedoya continues to serve the Union in myriad of ways. He fulfills a Player Development role as a Player Development and Front Office Specialist, and contributes across multiple departments in the organization. He’s been a consummate pro for the club for a long time.
There’s no one more deserving of such a pristine milestone than Bedoya. His commitment to the club goes far beyond the pitch.
Bueno Balling
Keeping with the motif of the match, midfielder Jesus Bueno opened the scoring with a shot from outside of the box in first half stoppage time. Like Anderson’s, the tally was Bueno’s first of the year with the first team and just his fourth career marker.
“When I saw the midfielder had the ball, I’m always looking to close the point,” Bueno said through a translator. “At that point, I was just going forward.”
Moreover, Bueno picked up a hamstring knock late in the match. He attempted to gut it out, but didn’t last very long before being pulled from the match. With the amount of players the Union are down, the two-week break is likely coming at a good time. However, something to monitor with the Venezuelan National when the club returns later in the month.
They Said It
Bradley Carnell on the fans Support: “If we can try and collectively make this place a real tough place for people to come to and teams to play at, it makes me feel like we’re all in this together.”
Jesus Bueno on the Union’s spirit this season: “I think we’re bonding like a family and that’s just showing in our results.”
Markus Anderson on making an impact in the minutes he’s given: “I need minutes, obviously, to get in rhythm, get into form, play with the guys, it’s honestly been great. Bradley’s been helping me on the mental factor. He’s just been an amazing coach in general, just helping me with the small details.”
Cavan Sullivan on Anderson’s game winning goal: “I’m really proud of him. Super excited for what’s to come. He’s been through a lot. Some injuries, some time off the field. A lot of stuff gets thrown at us, professional soccer players. So to see him fight back, hopefully he will continue that.”
Did You Know?
Per MLS Communications, Markus Anderson’s game winning goal at 97:58 is the latest game-winning goal in Union history.
On Deck
The Union return to the pitch on Saturday, June 25th, when they head to the windy city to take on the Chicago Fire at Solider Field in MLS play. Matchday 20 is set for a 8:30 kickoff and will broadcast on Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass.
