Match Recap: Union Collapse in Stoppage Time, Draw 3-3 with Inter Miami
Baribo’s Brace, Sullivan’s Strike Not Enough Against Miami’s Late Surge
Chester — Once again, having a two-goal lead proved to be the worst lead in soccer, as the Union conceded an equalizing goal to Miami in the 95th minute, resulting in a 3-3 draw.
Quinn Sullivan opened the scoring in the 7th minute with his second goal of the season, followed by Tai Baribo just before halftime to make the score 2-0 for the Union. That was Baribo’s 12th goal of the season. Miami pulled within one thanks to a Tadeo Allende header in the 60th minute, but the Union went up by two again in the 73rd minute thanks to Baribo’s second goal of the match. Messi finally got on the scoresheet with a free kick in the 87th minute, and Miami drew level in the 95th minute with a powerful strike from Telasco Segovia.
Andrew Rick started in goal for Andre Blake, who has now missed seven games across all competitions due to injuries. The backline consisted of Kai Wagner, Olwethu Makhanya, Jakob Glesnes, and Nathan Harriel, who made his first start at right back since April 12 against NYCFC. Danley Jean Jacques and Jovan Lukić both started at the No. 6 position, while Indiana Vassilev and Quinn Sullivan started as the two No. 10s. Up front, Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre led the line for the Union.
The Union opened the scoring in the 7th minute to take a 1-0 lead over Inter Miami thanks to Quinn Sullivan’s second goal of the season. Kai Wagner took the corner kick quickly to an unmarked Sullivan inside the 18-yard box. Sullivan took a touch, opened his hips, and hit a curling effort past Oscar Ustari’s left post. Wagner registered his fifth assist of the season, and the Union scored their league-leading ninth set-piece goal.
Miami got their first shot on target in the 33rd minute with a long-distance shot from Lionel Messi, but it was saved comfortably by Andrew Rick.
The Union had a chance to take a 2-0 lead with a Nathan Harriel header in the 40th minute from a Kai Wagner corner. Harriel separated himself from Jordi Alba and had a free header, but his attempt went straight at Ustari.
Tai Baribo scored in the 44th minute to give the Union a 2-0 lead. Jovan Lukić played a floated ball to Indiana Vassilev, who won the header over Ian Fray. Mikael Uhre hustled to keep the play alive, and his effort found Tai Baribo, who took two touches and shot for his league-leading 12th goal of the season.
The Union headed into halftime up 2-0 over Miami, marking the second time this season they went into the half up by multiple goals (March 1 against FC Cincinnati being the first). The Union led Miami in shots 10 (4 on target) to 5 (1 on target), tackles won 6-3, and interceptions 8-2. Miami outpossessed the Union 61-39%. With Miami trailing at halftime, it marked their fourth time this season in 15 games.
Miami pulled one back with a header from Tadeo Allende. Tomás Avilés collected the ball in his own half, dribbled through the midfield, and found Jordi Alba unmarked. Alba passed to his left, finding Noah Allen, who sent a perfect cross for Allende to head home, making it 2-1 in the 60th minute.
The Union went back up by two goals thanks to Tai Baribo’s second goal in the 72nd minute. Nathan Harriel threw the ball in from the right sideline, with Miami poorly clearing the throw-in. Jesús Bueno kept the play alive with the Union’s first attempted shot, but his effort was blocked. Danley Jean Jacques stole the ball off Sergio Busquets’ foot and found Baribo with the pass. With that goal, the Union went up 3-1, and Baribo recorded his 13th goal in 14 games for the Union.
Miami pulled within one again after Lionel Messi converted a free kick in the 87th minute to make the score 3-2. Jakob Glesnes stuck a leg out and fouled Messi just on top of the penalty arc. Andrew Rick got a hand on Messi’s free kick but was unable to keep it out.
Jovan Lukić had a chance in the 93rd minute to put the Union up 4-2, but he struck the crossbar with his effort.
Miami found the equalizing goal in the 95th minute through Telasco Segovia after Jovan Lukić missed a tackle on him. Miami moved from right to left, with Jordi Alba finding Messi, who played a give-and-go with Fafa Picault. Segovia ran into the space between Lukić and Danley, with Messi finding him with a pass. Lukić attempted a tackle on the ball but was unsuccessful, and Segovia struck from the top of the penalty box to make the score 3-3.
The Union got one last chance in the 96th minute with Danley, who had a free header from a Frankie Westfield cross, but he was unable to put it on target, and the game ended 3-3.
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Indiana Vassilev (caution) 41’
MIA – Ian Fray (caution) 42’
PHI – Jesus Bueno (caution) 75’
MIA – Jordi Alba (caution) 76’
PHI – Jakob Glesnes (caution) 86’
MIA – Federico Redondo (caution) 90+2’
PHI – Danley Jean Jacques (caution) 90+7’
With the 3-3 result, the Union have extended their unbeaten run in MLS to seven games. With three more goals on the night, the Union have taken their goal total to 30, second most in MLS, trailing the San Jose Earthquakes by two. The Union are off to their best start to a season through 15 games with 30 points. The club’s previous best was 28 points in 15 matches back in 2020. After the weekend’s results, the Union remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 9-3-3 record, trailing the Vancouver Whitecaps by one point for first place in the Supporters’ Shield Standings.
Key Moments
7’ - Quinn Sullivan gives the Union the 1-0 lead with curling effort past Oscar Ustari.
33’ - Andrew Rick would make his first save of the game, saving a long range Messi shot to keep the score at 1-0 for the Union.
44’ - Tai Baribo would score just before halftime to make the score 2-0.
60’ - Tadeo Allende would put away Noah Allen’s cross to make the score 2-1 Union.
72’ - Tai Baribo would score his brace to make the score 3-1 with 18 minutes left in the game.
87’ - Messi strikes from a free kick to make the score 3-2 Union.
93’ - Jovan Lukić hits the crossbar.
95’ - Telasco Segovia would strike to tie the game at 3-3.
96’ - Danley with a header attempt that he was unable to put on target.
Dropping Points In Stoppage Time
With the Union conceding an equalizing goal in the 95th minute, it marked the second time this season they’ve allowed a late equalizer in stoppage time. The first instance came three weeks ago against the Columbus Crew when Sean Zawadzki beat Kai Wagner on a corner kick to score in the 93rd minute. On the flip side, the Union have also capitalized on late drama. Against Montréal, Mikael Uhre scored a go-ahead goal to secure a 2-1 victory. More recently, Tai Baribo’s 96th-minute strike against LA Galaxy clinched a thrilling 3-2 win.
These moments are part of soccer’s unpredictability, and for the Union, they’re opportunities to learn. Just 15 games into the MLS season, few would have predicted the Union would be in first place in the Eastern Conference with 30 points, especially with young players like Frankie Westfield, Olwethu Makhanya, and Andrew Rick playing pivotal roles.
Head coach Bradley Carnell sees these late-game challenges as chances for growth. “Listen, we beat Galaxy at the death. So, this is the type of game that, that’s what it is, right? So, to be where we are after four, five, six months, I say it every week: What a group we have here and the gentlemen that we have, and I have the opportunity to coach these guys, and it’s amazing to see their growth,” Carnell said.
He remains optimistic about his young squad’s development, embracing the ups and downs. “It’s amazing to see Frankie Westfield, Makhanya, these guys who’ve never had the experiences of high-level MLS games that they are now getting; of course, it’s going to be growing pains, and this we have to embrace,” Carnell continued. “One half of me is still smiling ear to ear; the other side is now pushing the professionalism of the game and how we can dictate the play. I’ve seen a lot of both, right? I’ve seen us close out games in Orlando, I’ve seen us close out games in different ways and be really ruthless. That we have fluctuations, it’s going to be totally normal and natural, and this is part of the journey as well, and I think it’s pretty cool.”
Despite the Union’s four dropped points against Columbus and Miami, they are tied for the most points gained after the 75th minute with six. The Union have scored the third-most goals in the final 15 minutes of games with eight, trailing the San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC by one and two goals, respectively.
This Philadelphia Union team has proven to everyone that they are a good team, a deserved top-four team in the Eastern Conference. It’s great that the Union have taken care of business against teams they should beat, but if they want to be great and among the best teams in MLS through the rest of the season, they will have to learn to hold onto leads against the stronger teams in MLS.
What’s Next?
The Philadelphia Union will take on Toronto FC (3-8-4, 13 pts) on Wednesday night at BMO Field. Toronto is coming off a tough 2-1 loss at home against Nashville and is currently on a three-game losing streak. Toronto will be without Federico Bernardeschi and Kosi Thompson, as they both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season, meaning they will be suspended for the game against the Union. The Union will look to snap a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) away against Toronto, dating back to October 2020.
Video Credit: MLS Season Pass/Apple TV and Philadelphia Union