Match Recap: Markus Anderson Scores Union’s Latest Game-Winning Goal in 2-1 Victory Over Charlotte
Markus Anderson, back from a June 2024 benching under Jim Curtin, delivered a 98th-minute winner for Carnell against Charlotte.
Chester — Two of the unlikeliest goal scorers stepped up when the Union needed it most. The Union were without leading goal scorer Tai Baribo (13), who is out with a calf injury; leading assister Quinn Sullivan (6), who is away at the Gold Cup with the USMNT; and Mikael Uhre, who is out with an adductor injury. Jesús Bueno opened the scoring for the Union two minutes into added time in the first half, while Markus Anderson scored the game-winning goal in the eighth minute of added time in the second half. With their goals, they became the 14th and 15th different players to score for the Union in MLS this season.
With seven players out for the Union due to international duty and injuries, Bradley Carnell opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Andrew Rick making his eighth start of the season in goal. Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, and Olivier Mbaizo—who made his second start of the season, his first since March 22 against St. Louis CITY—formed the backline. Jesús Bueno and Jovan Lukić started as the two No. 6s in midfield, while Alejandro Bedoya, Indiana Vassilev, and Ben Bender—who made his second consecutive start for the Union—started as the three No. 10s. Bruno Damiani started up front as the lone striker.
The Union’s most promising chance came in the 43rd minute, with Bruno Damiani seeing his shot saved by a kick save from Charlotte goalkeeper David Bingham. Ben Bender received a pass from Jovan Lukić; a couple of step-overs later, Bender found Damiani free just above the six-yard box.
Jesús Bueno opened the scoring in the second minute of added time in the first half, scoring a golazo outside the 18-yard box. The Union started out of the back with Andrew Rick finding Olivier Mbaizo out wide on the right in Charlotte’s half. After some good passing, Kai Wagner sent in a cross that was poorly cleared away by Charlotte. Bueno took a touch and unleashed a left-footed strike to make it 1-0 Union. With his goal, Bueno became the 14th different Union player to score this season in MLS play.
The Union headed into the half up 1-0 over Charlotte. This marked the seventh time the Union have gone into the half with a lead in 18 games. The Union struggled much of the half to break down a strong Charlotte team that was disciplined defensively. The Union led in shots 11 (3) - 4 (0) and in possession 57-43.
The Union made two changes at the half, which saw Chris Donovan and Frankie Westfield replace Alejandro Bedoya and Olivier Mbaizo.
Bradley Carnell made his third change of the game in the 57th minute, bringing on Markus Anderson for his first appearance this season to replace Jesús Bueno. Prior to the play, Bueno had pulled up holding his hamstring in the 52nd minute. Bueno tried giving it a go, but he was unable to continue the game.
Just like the first half, the Union had to wait a while for a meaningful chance in the second half. Jakob Glesnes and Indiana Vassilev tackled the ball off Wilfried Zaha, with Glesnes finding Chris Donovan streaking behind the Charlotte backline. Donovan had his shot saved in the 73rd minute, with Charlotte hitting on the counter with Idan Toklomati sneaking in behind the backline, but Kai Wagner was able to put in a last-minute tackle to keep the game at 1-0.
Charlotte found the equalizing goal in the 78th minute with Wilfried Zaha, who, for the most part, was kept in check by the Union prior to the goal. Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty found himself in space on the right-hand side when he crossed the ball to Zaha at the back post, who had created just enough separation from Frankie Westfield to tie the game at 1-1.
Andrew Rick came up with his first save in the match in the 86th minute, saving a Liel Abada shot. Charlotte blocked Jakob Glesnes’ free kick and proceeded to hit the Union on the counterattack.
The Union got one more chance late in the game, eight minutes into stoppage time, with Markus Anderson scoring off a Frankie Westfield header. Jeremy Rafanello whipped in a cross that was poorly cleared away by Charlotte’s Andrew Privett. Westfield headed the ball back into the 18-yard box, where Anderson had space between himself and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty. Anderson hit a volley into the ground that snuck under David Bingham to win it 2-1 for the Union.
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
CLT – Kerwin Vargas (caution) 29’
PHL – Olwethu Makhanya (caution) 33’
CLT – Wilfried Zaha (caution) 33’
PHL – Ben Bender (caution) 45’
PHL – Frankie Westfield (caution) 74’
PHL – Bruno Damiani (caution) 81’
With their 2-1 win over Charlotte, the Union saw their record improve to 11-3-4 with 37 points, two points above Vancouver Whitecaps for first place in the Supporters’ Shield Standings. The Union are now unbeaten in 10 games, which is a club record, and they also improved to 6-1-3 at Subaru Park. With Markus Anderson making his 2025 debut, he became the 24th different Union player to play a game this season in MLS, and he became the 15th different goal scorer for the club this season. His goal in the 98th minute became the latest game-winning goal in club history.
Key Moments
45+2’ | Jesús Bueno goal to make it 1-0 Philadelphia Union
73rd’ | Chris Donovan miss / Kai Wagner tackle
78’ | Wilfried Zaha goal to make it 1-1
90+8’| Markus Anderson with the goal to give the Union a 2-1 lead
All In This Together
Eighteen games through the season, and the Philadelphia Union continue to find themselves on top of the Supporters’ Shield Standings. A few weeks ago, we were talking about the Union dropping points late in stoppage time against Columbus Crew and Inter Miami. Since then, the Union have scored game-winning goals in stoppage time against Toronto FC with Kai Wagner in the 92nd minute, and now Markus Anderson with the game winner in the 98th minute. This is a team that, no matter who is on the field, will continue to fight no matter what.
Once Anderson scored that game-winning goal in the 98th minute, that was the loudest that Subaru Park has been this season. The roar from the crowd after the game echoed that of a playoff game victory. Even the celebrations from the players and the staff after the game, where they walked along the sidelines applauding the crowd, were notable. It was such a big moment that the Apple cameras decided to pan to Bradley Carnell and the players to capture the moment.
"It's pretty emotional for my staff and for me personally," said Bradley Carnell after the match. "I think in the first three games when we were here at Subaru Park, 82 minutes in, the fans were leaving despite us winning. I was told it's the Philly culture, right? It's just the way it is. To see all the fans staying tonight was massive. To see them rallying late in the game gives me goosebumps. So, this is amazing. If we can collectively make this place a really tough place for teams to come and play, yeah, it makes me feel like we're all in this together."
And “all in it together” is the perfect way to put it, by Carnell.
The Union lead all of MLS with points gained after the 75th minute, with nine points. The Union are tied with LAFC and San Jose Earthquakes for the most goals scored in the final 15 minutes, with 11 goals. Carnell has used 24 different players this season in MLS, with 15 of those players scoring a goal—which is the most in MLS (Vancouver Whitecaps - 14, San Jose Earthquakes - 13, LAFC - 13, and Inter Miami - 12).
Tai Baribo Update
Tai Baribo missed the game officially because of a calf injury, but even if he wasn’t injured, he is currently stuck in Israel. All you have to do is search online to see the situation going on right now in the Middle East, and you can see why it is difficult for Baribo to get back to the United States.
"He is still in Israel, and we are monitoring the current situation,” said Carnell. “We are in contact every single day—more often than not. We’re not sure when he is going to return. We are monitoring his situation as it develops."
During his midweek press conference, Carnell had said that Baribo was over in Israel dealing with appointments he had set up. Carnell never specified what those appointments were, but Joe Tansey of Union Soccer Blog reported last night that Baribo is currently in Israel for a green card appointment.
What’s Next?
The Union have 10 days until their next game, when they will travel to Chicago to take on the Chicago Fire (7-6-4, 25 pts). The Fire are coming off a 2-0 loss to Nashville SC at Soldier Field. The Fire are 3-2-0 in their last five games, with only one of those games being played at Soldier Field (most recent loss to Nashville).
Video Credit: Apple TV/MLS Season Pass and Philadelphia Union