Match Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Atlanta United

The Union defense faces a tough matchup against the Five Stripes at Subaru Park.

The Philadelphia Union come into Saturday’s game with Atlanta United in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

But they sure don’t feel like a fifth-place club in their current form.

The Union have lost three of their last five games, earned four points in that span, and oh yeah they traded away their all-time leading scorer last week.

The abundance of scoring that was there in the first month has evaporated as well.

That’s all a long-winded way to say three points would be really nice for everyone to see inside Subaru Park.

On record, Saturday’s game is the perfect matchup to help the Union get back on track.

Atlanta only has two wins and is tied for the second-worst goals against total in the Eastern Conference.

However, the Five Stripes can score, and they have expensive firepower, led by offseason signing Emmanuel Latte Lath, that can take advantage of the Union’s defense.

One of the Union’s worst-case scenarios going into the 2025 season was that the center-back play wouldn’t be good enough.

And, well, the warning flags are certainly being waved.

What’s most concerning is the similar type of goals the Union have let up as a product of Bradley Carnell’s system.

Jakob Glesnes isn’t fast enough to recover from his mistakes when pressing up the field and the defenders behind him have either been out of position or too flat-footed to catch up to opposing attackers.

That’s really the massive concern going into Saturday and beyond.

Sure, the Union have to replace Daniel Gazdag’s impact, but if the center-backs aren’t up to snuff, finding a player with a high output from the No. 10 won’t matter.

The goal drought is concerning, for sure, but the expected goals number is still high.

The Union are getting into the final third and creating dangerous chances, but they aren’t finishing the high-danger looks.

It’s a concern, but it’s not as worrying as what’s going on in the back right now.

That’s why Saturday’s game is such a huge test.

If the center-backs pass the test against Atlanta, it’s a sign that the issues are fixable.

What worries me from watching the film is that the adjustments won’t be made. The Union will keep playing Carnell’s way, and because they are committed to the system, the same errors will appear.

To me, that’s the biggest thing I want to see from Carnell. How does he make the adjustments within the system to make the center-back pairing less vulnerable.

Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya should start again at center-back. I think we’ll see Neil Pierre at some point during the congested May schedule.

Ian Glavinovich is off crutches, per Carnell’s Thursday press conference, so that’s a good sign in his recovery from meniscus surgery. Glavinovich’s absence is more short-term than long-term.

Olivier Mbaizo is also out with a hamstring issue. Jesus Bueno is listed as questionable.

And then there’s the big one: Andre Blake is questionable with an adductor injury.

Carnell said on Thursday that Blake would be evaluated on Friday to see if the Jamaican would be available for Saturday. The Union manager called Blake “day-to-day”, so even if he sits out the Atlanta game, he won’t be out for long.

Andrew Rick displayed improvements from last season, and while no one is comparable to Blake, the Homegrown goalkeeper has done a good job this season.

At minimum, a strong defensive showing at home, led by Rick and the center-backs, is required against Atlanta, especially if the significant chances aren’t finished at will.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.