The 2023 Philadelphia Union preseason slate kicks off on Saturday when the Boys in Blue take on Austin FC at IMG Academy at 12 p.m. ET. The match will not be streamed but we've got you covered on PhiladelphiaUnion.com with the return of our live blog from Florida.
Be sure to follow along as we update you with what's happening in the Union's preseason scrimmage against the Western Conference opponent with updates starting around 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.
Saturday's match will be the first of seven preseason friendlies for the Union as they prepare for the 2023 MLS season that'll kick off on February 25th against the Columbus Crew. Limited tickets remain for the home opener, so click here to reserve your spot!
1:40 p.m. ET- Perea's chance will be the final action of the day as Philadelphia Union rallies back from a pair of one-goal deficits for a 3-2 victory over Austin FC in the first game of his preseason schedule. Alejandro Bedoya, Jesus Bueno and Chris Donovan got their first goals of 2023 with assists credited to Kai Wagner, Quinn Sullivan and Brandan Craig.
The Union will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon with a 4 p.m. ET kick off against MLS-newcomers St. Louis CITY SC.
1:39 p.m. ET- Perea really looking for a goal this afternoon. Quinn Sullivan with a strong cross that Perea smashes with a header but the keeper makes the finger tip save.
1:38 p.m. ET- Andres Perea with a blast from outside the box to force a tough save by the keeper.
1:32 p.m. ET- Union not sitting back with the one-goal lead as Jeremy Rafanello goes for goal but sees his effort saved and out for a Union corner. Brandan Craig serves it in with his left-foot but Austin FC clears it away.
1:29 p.m. ET-Â UNION GOAL! Chris Donovan puts the Boys in Blue ahead with a beautiful breakaway finish to make it 3-2 in the 80th minute. Brandan Craig with a beautiful volley over the entire Austin FC defense to spring the forward into the open space.
1:22 p.m. ET- Anton Sorenson enters the match in place of Gino Portella. The change sees Matt Real shift next to Brandan Craig as Union center backs.
1:19 p.m. ET- Corner kick for Austin FC. Chris Donovan intercepts it and tries to hit Quinn Sullivan on the solo breakaway but the defense clears it away.
1:16 p.m. ET- UNION GOAL! Chris Donovan starts the play with a dangerous cross to Quinn Sullivan who fires it on frame. The keeper makes the save but Jesus Bueno reacts first for the equalizer in the 67th minute!
1:10 p.m. ET- Trent Holden's 30-minute shift comes to an end as Joe Bendik takes his place in goal.
1:09 p.m. ET- Brandan Craig has a go with the free kick but Austin FC clears.
1:08 p.m. ET- Chris Donovan sparks a counter attack that puts Austin FC on their heels. Tries to hold up play and finds Jesus Bueno outside the box but he gets fouled.
1:03 p.m. ET- Austin FC retake the lead with a scramble goal inside the box that snuck through the defense.
12:59 p.m. ET- Chris Donovan earns the Union the first corner kick of the second half. Brandan Craig flicks in the serviceÂ
12:58 p.m. ET-Â Quick throw in from Matt Real and he gets it to the feet of fellow homegrown Jeremy Rafanello who has a go on goal but its blocked in front.
12:53 p.m. ET-Â Andres Perea tries to spark a counter attack but gets taken down to set up a free kick chance.
12:50 p.m. ET- Second half about to start up. Here is the second half starters for the Boys in Blue.
Holden Trent; Matt Real, Brandan Craig, Gino Portella, Nathan Harriel; Jose Martinez, Andres Perea, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello; Quinn Sullivan, Chris Donovan.
12:45 p.m. ET-Â UNION GOAL!! Wagner serves in a perfect free kick and it's the captain Alejandro Bedoya with the headed finish just before the halftime whistle.
12:44 p.m. ET- Union really turning up the pressure now on Austin FC and win a dangerous free kick chance from 35 yards out.
12:41 p.m. ET- Union with their first corner of the afternoon is taken by Kai Wagner. He connected with Glesnes but the Norwegian's header is just wide of the far post.
12:40 p.m. ET- Jack McGlynn, Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes all standing around a dangerous free kick around 20 yards out. Glesnes has a go but its blocked out for a Union corner.
12:38 p.m. ET- Union stepping up the attack and owning the majority of the possession since conceding the opening goal. The Union's front three leading the way and Gazdag gets clipped as he tries to launch a counter attack.
12:33 p.m. ET- Holden Trent called into action early and he makes a big save that'll set up a corner kick for Austin FC. The hosts serve it in but the Union defense comes up with a clearance.
12:30 p.m. ET- Union looking to respond quickly and Julian Carranza gets fouled. Kai Wagner steps in for a left-footed free kick that is cleared out for a Union throw in. Before the Union take the throw in, MLS SuperDraft selection Holden Trent replaces Matt Freese in net in a pre-planned sub.
12:27 p.m. ET- Free kick opportunity for the Texas side. Union win the initial ball but Austin FC capitalizes on a second service chance with a header that sneaks by Freese. 1-0 to Austin FC.
12:24 p.m. ET- Austin FC awarded a free kick opportunity right near the corner flag They serve it in but the Boys in Blue defense clears it away.
12:23 p.m. ET- Mikael Uhre fires a right-footed shot just as he gets into the box but it's saved by the keeper.
12:21 p.m. ET- Austin FC playing a high defensive line and it catches Julian Carranza offside as he sought to break in on goal.
12:20 p.m. ET- Bedoya and Mbaizo combined on the right side and charge into the offensive third of the pitch. Mbaizo tries to thread the needle with a pass into Uhre but the Union forward is called for a foul.
12:13 p.m. ET- Uhre with a shot on goal in the 13th minute that forces a tough save, he gets the rebound but is called offside.
12:11 p.m. ET- Austin FC has a go from outside the box but the shot is deflected on its way and out for a Union goal kick.
12:08 p.m. ET- Union win a free kick opportunity just past the center stripe. Jakob Glesnes stands over it and goes long for a ball to the edge of the box but Austin FC clears it.
12:07 p.m. ET- Mikael Uhre called for a foul battling a little too aggressively for the referee's liking.
12:05 p.m. ET- Both teams looking to find a rhythm early with battles in the midfield constantly and some uneven play.
12:01 p.m. ET- Julian Carranza tries to break in on goal but the assistant referee calls the Union forward offside just 61 seconds into the contest.
12:00 p.m. ET- Whistle rings out and we are underway with Austin FC getting the first touch of the day.
12:00 p.m. ET- Today's Starting XI for the Boys in Blue: Matt Freese; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Leon Flach, Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Bedoya, Daniel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre, Julian Carranza.
11:55 a.m. ET- Final few shots before the squad hits the pitch for real.
11:50 a.m. ET- Team captain Alejandro Bedoya and the Union are paying tribute to Anton Walkes today with his initials and number on the armband for today's friendly.
11:40 a.m. ET- Because everyone loves some fresh pics!
11:35 a.m. ET- The Boys in Blue are on the field getting set for pregame warmups. While the Union are considered the road team for this friendly, they'll be wearing their navy primary kits for today's friendly.Â
11:30 a.m. ET- Good morning Philadelphia Union fans! We are reporting to you live from IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL where the Boys in Blue kick off their preseason slate. It's right now 68 with some clouds here at the pitch with a light breeze ahead of our noon kick off.
