Match Recap: Philadelphia Union Down D.C. United 3-0 for First Back-to-Back Wins Since March
Glesnes, Jean Jacques, and Damiani Shine in Dominant Victory
Chester — The Philadelphia Union have won back-to-back games for the first time since March 1 and March 8, defeating D.C. United 3-0 with goals from Jakob Glesnes, Danley Jean Jacques, and Bruno Damiani.
It wasn’t always a pretty game for the Union, and one could argue that D.C. United had clearer chances in the match. However, the Union capitalized on two set-piece opportunities and a moment of individual brilliance from Danley to secure all three points.
With the win, the Union sit in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 6-3-1 record and 19 points (though they could drop to fourth depending on Sunday’s Inter Miami result). The Union have also secured their fourth home win at Subaru Park this season, matching their total home wins from last year.
Bradley Carnell made two changes from last week’s team that faced Atlanta United, with Jesús Bueno replacing the suspended Jovan Lukić and Tai Baribo replacing Bruno Damiani. The backline consisted of Andre Blake in goal, Frankie Westfield at right back, Jakob Glesnes and Nathan Harriel as center backs, and Kai Wagner at left back. Starting as the No. 6s were Danley Jean Jacques and Jesús Bueno, who made his first start since August 24, 2024, in last year’s third-place game against the Colorado Rapids in the Leagues Cup. Quinn Sullivan and Indiana Vassilev started once again as the two No. 10s. Mikael Uhre, who has five career goals against D.C. United, and Tai Baribo started up front.
After a sloppy first 14 minutes from both teams, marked by poor possession and misplaced passes, the Union struck first in the 15th minute with Jakob Glesnes scoring his first goal of the season. Frankie Westfield opted for a short throw-in to Indiana Vassilev, who returned the pass to Westfield. Westfield delivered a first-time cross to an unmarked Glesnes, who volleyed it home with his laces to make it 1-0.
D.C. United had a chance to equalize in the 41st minute when Jacob Murrell went one-on-one with Andre Blake, but the Jamaican goalkeeper made his second save of the half to deny the Forest Hill, Maryland native.
The Union went into halftime up 1-0, marking the fourth time this season they’ve led at the break. D.C. United led in shots 5 (2 on target) to 2 (1 on target), while the Union slightly edged possession 52-48. Notably, both teams completed below 70% of their passes, with the Union at 114 (67%) and D.C. United at 98 (64%).
The Union doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Danley Jean Jacques scored in his second consecutive game. Jean Jacques nutmegged D.C. United’s Hosei Kijima during the buildup and unleashed a left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box. The ball struck the left post and deflected into the net, giving the Union a 2-0 lead.
Bradley Carnell made his first two substitutions in the 62nd minute, bringing on Bruno Damiani and Cavan Sullivan for Tai Baribo and Jesús Bueno.
Bruno Damiani scored in the 77th minute to make it 3-0 after Mikael Uhre flicked on Jakob Glesnes’s free-kick with a header toward the Uruguayan forward. Damiani held off and spun past D.C. United center back Lucas Bartlett, finishing with a precise left-footed strike.
Carnell made two more changes in the 81st minute, with Olwethu Makhanya and Chris Donovan replacing Kai Wagner and Mikael Uhre.
Carnell made his final substitution in the 90th minute, bringing on Jeremy Rafanello for Indiana Vassilev.
With the 3-0 victory, the Union remain unbeaten at home against D.C. United since 2015 and improve to a 21-9-7 record overall against them in MLS.
In keeping a clean sheet, Andre Blake earned his fourth shutout of the season and his 80th in MLS, becoming the second-fastest goalkeeper to reach 80 clean sheets in MLS (253 games).
Key Moments
15th minute - Jakob Glesnes scores his first goal of the season off a Frankie Westfield cross, marking the homegrown player’s second assist of the season.
41st minute - D.C. United had a chance to level the score at 1-1, but Jacob Murrell’s one-on-one opportunity was saved by Andre Blake.
52nd minute - Danley Jean Jacques doubled the Union’s lead to 2-0 with a left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box.
77th minute - Bruno Damiani added the third and final goal after Mikael Uhre flicked on Jakob Glesnes’s free-kick with a header to the Uruguayan forward.
Getting Goals From Other Players
Every team expects their strikers to be among the top goal scorers by season’s end, and that’s no different for the Philadelphia Union. Through 10 games, Tai Baribo leads the Union with seven goals, while Bruno Damiani is tied for second with two. However, the Union have shown they can get goals from other players, particularly in midfield. Danley Jean Jacques has scored in back-to-back games, giving him two goals this season. Midfielder Quinn Sullivan scored his first goal of the season last year, Jakob Glesnes netted his first against D.C. United, Jovan Lukić has scored twice, and defender Ian Glavinovich has also contributed a goal. Through 10 games, the Union are tied for the second-most goals in MLS with 19, trailing the league-leading San Jose Earthquakes by one.
When asked after the game if Danley Jean Jacques has the “green light” to shoot from outside the 18-yard box, Carnell simply said, “Yeah.” He explained that the team’s philosophy and style of play create opportunities for non-traditional goal scorers, and the Union have been rewarded this season with five players outside their typical scorers contributing goals.
“I mean, part of the philosophy we want to finish with final plays,” said Carnell. “If that’s one more pass to the next guy who’s got a better position, or if it’s brave and sees a gap and from the top of the box to let loose, why not? We’ve been rewarded in many ways with the flexibility we have and the freedom that we have in the front line.”
It’s now been back-to-back weeks that the Philadelphia Union have had a striker come off the bench and score a goal. Last week, it was Tai Baribo against Atlanta, and in this game, it was Bruno Damiani’s turn to make his mark. Though Damiani’s goal didn’t change the outcome of the match—with the Union already leading 2-0—his strike effectively sealed the victory, extinguishing any hope for D.C. United. The opposition had their chances, and perhaps a stronger team might have capitalized on them. However, credit must be given to the Union’s substitutes for their relentless energy and ability to keep the pressure on, making it nearly impossible for D.C. United to mount a comeback.
Head coach Bradley Carnell emphasized the team’s dynamic approach to substitutions, likening their strategy to a relay race or high-speed teamwork.
“They’re sprinters; when one gets a little tired and the other one goes to the back or, you know, in the slipstream of a Formula One car, right? And teammates help each other along the way,” Carnell said. He highlighted the impact of players like Chris Donovan, who embody the team’s ethos when entering the game. “Chris Donovan does a great job as well coming on in the game and plays exactly how we like him to play and makes himself a nuisance and a menace for the defenders again. You could see automatically we take another stranglehold on the game and things are a little bit more controlled against a line that maybe an opposition line that’s maybe a bit tired and fatiguing. So I think we just have another wave of energy coming off the bench, whoever’s starting and whoever’s on the bench.”
This “wave of energy” from the bench has become a hallmark of the Union’s recent performances, allowing them to maintain control and capitalize on fatigued opponents. Whether it’s Baribo, Damiani, or Donovan, the Union’s substitutes are proving to be game-changers, ensuring the team remains a formidable force even in the latter stages of matches.
What’s Next?
After concluding a two-game homestand against Atlanta United and D.C. United, where the Union earned six points, they will head north next Saturday (May 4) to face CF Montréal (0-7-3, 3 points). Montréal is one of only two MLS teams without a win this season and was the first to fire their manager (March 24). The Union have a 3-9-2 away record in Montréal, with their last win there coming on March 5, 2022, at Stade Olympique.