Match Recap: Philadelphia Union Start Season Strong with 4-2 Win Over Orlando City
Tai Baribo Scores Brace as Dániel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre Also Find the Net in Bradley Carnell’s First Match as Union Head Coach.
Orlando — The Philadelphia Union started the Bradley Carnell era in scorching fashion, defeating Orlando City 4-2 thanks to a brace from Tai Baribo, as well as goals from Dániel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre.
In Bradley Carnell’s first official XI as Union head coach, Andre Blake captained the side in his 300th club appearance. Frankie Westfield debuted at right back, while Olwethu Makhanya made his first appearance since signing in summer 2023, partnering Jakob Glesnes at center back. Kai Wagner started at left back. Jovan Lukić also debuted, playing alongside Danley Jean Jacques as the two sixes. Quinn Sullivan and Dániel Gazdag started as the attacking midfielders, with Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo up top.
Orlando City opened the scoring first with a goal from new designated player signing Marko Pašalić. The Union answered right back with a goal from Tai Baribo after an assist from Kai Wagner. Andre Blake was called into action for the first time in the 36th minute to keep the game tied at 1-1. The Union struggled for the remainder of the half to generate another shot on target, heading into halftime level at 1-1.
Bradley Carnell couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half, as Dániel Gazdag scored off a fantastic cross from Quinn Sullivan in the 48th minute, marking the Union’s first shot of the half. Three minutes later, Mikael Uhre capitalized on a giveaway by Orlando City’s Rodrigo Schlegel in the defensive half, extending the lead to 3-1. Orlando nearly pulled one back in the 62nd minute when Alex Freeman's header struck the post following a free kick.
Tai Baribo put the game out of reach for Orlando City in the 64th minute, finishing inside the 18-yard box after a well-placed cross from Frankie Westfield, marking Westfield’s first Union assist. Andre Blake made another crucial save in the 69th minute, denying a free header from Luis Muriel. Baribo and Uhre were subbed off in the 71st minute, with Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Donovan entering the match as the Union switched from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-2-3-1. Orlando made things interesting in the 79th minute with Pašalić scoring again to make it 4-2.
As the Union looked to secure the victory, loanee Ian Glavinovich made his debut in the 84th minute, replacing Gazdag. In the 88th minute, Olivier Mbaizo came on for Frankie Westfield as the Union closed out the 4-2 win.
Key Moments
Orlando City opened the scoring in the 8th minute through newcomer Marko Pašalić. Kai Wagner stepped up to challenge Dagur Thorhallsson, leaving Olwethu Makhanya in a 2v1 situation. Martín Ojeda received a pass from Eduard Atuesta and found Pašalić streaking behind Makhanya in the 18-yard box, where he slotted it home to make it 1-0.
The Union equalized in the 23rd minute through Tai Baribo. Quinn Sullivan pressed high, won the ball in Orlando City's half, and played it out wide to Dániel Gazdag. Gazdag returned the pass, but Sullivan mishit his shot. Kai Wagner kept the play alive and sent a low-driven cross to Baribo, who finished at the near post to make it 1-1.
Andre Blake made a key save in the 36th minute, stopping a long-range shot from Pašalić to keep the game tied.
After seeing plenty of shots blocked and only one shot on target in the first half, the Union wasted no time in the second half. Dániel Gazdag scored two minutes and 43 seconds into the half after a perfectly crossed ball to the back post by Quinn Sullivan.
Three minutes later, Mikael Uhre doubled the Union's lead to 3-1 after Orlando City center back Rodrigo Schlegel failed to control a David Brekalo pass. Schlegel’s heavy touch allowed Uhre to capitalize, blasting a first-time shot from outside the 18-yard box. This marked the first time since September 22, 2024, against D.C. United that all three of Baribo, Gazdag, and Uhre scored in the same game.
Orlando City had a chance in the 62nd minute when Alex Freeman’s header hit the crossbar. Mikael Uhre cleared the danger away for a corner kick, keeping the Union's lead at 3-1.
Two minutes later, the Union attacked down the right side with Homegrown right back Frankie Westfield. He found Tai Baribo in the middle of the field, then continued his run forward, eventually receiving the ball back from Dániel Gazdag. Westfield's initial cross was blocked, but he retained possession and sent in a second cross that found Baribo, who finished first-time with his left foot to make it 4-1.
Andre Blake would once again be called into action, this time in the 69th minute as Rafael Santos sent a whispering cross into the box for Luis Muriel, who beat Jakob Glesnes to the header, but Blake would sent his header out for a corner kick.
Olwethu Makhanya had another nervy moment, this time off a corner kick by Orlando City. Martín Ojeda sent a cross into the 18-yard box, where David Brekalo headed the ball inside the 6-yard box, leaving Luis Muriel completely unmarked by Makhanya. Muriel’s effort struck the crossbar, and the ball fell to Mark Pašalić, who hit the left post with his first attempt but managed to convert the rebound, making the score 4-2.
Frankie Westfield Shines on His First-Team Debut
Frankie Westfield had a phenomenal season last year for Union II, where he earned a Union II deal on July 5, 2024. He appeared in 30 matches (30 starts) for Union II, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in 2,823 minutes. Those performances earned him a spot in the MLS Next Pro Best XI and his first call-up to the U-20s for a training camp in Chile. All of that eventually led Westfield to earning a Homegrown contract 15 days ago.
With injuries to both Nathan Harriel and Olivier Mbaizo in preseason, Westfield has taken advantage of his opportunities and has played more than he likely expected.
Westfield was tasked with defending the speedster Ivan Angulo, holding up well for 88 minutes before cramps forced Carnell to sub him out. During his debut, he registered one assist, led the team in touches (72), completed 32 of 48 passes, recorded the most passes into the final third (8), and played solid defensively, clearing two balls off the line, blocking three shots, and making five ball recoveries.
Westfield’s strong debut didn’t go unnoticed by head coach Bradley Carnell, who praised the young defender’s commitment and performance, and admitted he knew Westfield was ready for the moment four and a half weeks ago.
“Four and a half weeks ago—yeah, I mean, he's just showing commitment to the process. He's committed to the principles, and we always said that if you commit to the principles, this game model will reward you,” said Carnell after the game. “So I'm happy for Frankie—he gets himself an assist as well. What a memorable day for him and his family.”
Andre Blake Shines in 300th Appearance For Club
Nobody has appeared more in the Philadelphia Union’s history than Andre Blake, as his appearance against Orlando City was his 300th for the club across all competitions.
Since making his debut on July 18, 2014 against Harrisburg City Islanders in the U.S. Open Cup, where he helped lead the Union to a 3-1 victory, Blake has won 138 games as the Union’s goalkeeper, and kept 96 clean sheets in the process.
You can argue that there has been no player more important than Andre Blake in the clubs history, as he’s seen it all during his time with the club.
Andre Blake only appeared in 24 out of the Union 45 games last season due to various injuries. And even in three of those 24 games he couldn’t play the full 90 minutes due to a concussion against Minnesota United, and knee injuries against Atlanta United and Seattle Sounders.
Some fans argue that the Union would have made the playoffs if Blake had been available for more matches—a fair bet considering his impact.
Against Orlando, Blake was once again crucial, making five key saves to secure the Union’s victory. The more games he plays this season, the better the Union’s chances of winning.
What’s Next?
The Philadelphia Union will take on FC Cincinnati on Saturday, March 1 (7:30 PM kickoff) for their home opener at Subaru Park. The match will mark Bradley Carnell’s and several new Union players' home debut as they look to continue their winning streak.