Philadelphia Union is back on the pitch Friday morning as they face off against Eastern Conference foe FC Cincinnati in Clearwater. The match will not be streamed by either side but we'll provide you the play by play starting at 11:30AM ET with another edition of our live blog in Florida presented by Cintron. Friday's match will be 120 minutes in length as agreed upon by both coaching staffs with the format being two 45-minute periods followed by a 30-minute period.
The Boys in Blue are on a roll in preseason with a four game unbeaten streak to start off 2023. The unbeaten streak that started with a 3-2 victory over Austin FC and were followed up with a pair of 2-2 draws against St. Louis CITY SC and Minnesota United. Last Sunday, the Union started the second leg of their preseason with a 2-0 shutout victory against the New England Revolution.
The Union have combined for nine goals so far this preseason with midfielders Daniel Gazdag and Jesus Bueno each with a pair of DOOPs.
Mini Recap: Philadelphia Union extended its preseason unbeaten streak to five with a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati. The contest which was 120 minutes to allow for 60 minutes for every play saw the Boys in Blue jump out to an early lead with a golazo from Joaquin Torres. Torres scored his first DOOP in Union style, intercepting a poor clearance and then dribbling to his left to set up a left-footed curler from the top of the box.
The Union doubled its lead the 49th minute with Julian Carranza scoring his second goal of the preseason after smashing home a cross from right back Olivier Mbaizo.
The two sides exchanged goals from the penalty spot with FC Cincinnati converting in the 56th minute to make it 2-1 but Daniel Gazdag regained the two-goal lead with a 60th minute finish from the PK spot.
2:15 PM - Crossbar is unkind to the Union...Damion Lowe nearly gets his first DOOP but his header rings the crossbar with just three minutes to play.
2:08 PM - Richard Odada enters the match in place of Nathan Harriel. That sees Matt Real shift to right back.
2:04 PM - Bueno nearly gets another goal this preseason. Sweet buildup between Uhre, Bueno and Rafanello but the keeper gets to it before Bueno can make it 4-1.
2:03 PM - [admin]- computer wasn't really meant for a 120 minute live blog 😕
2:01 PM - FC Cincinnati draws a second yellow card of the match after taking down Rafanello.Â
2:00 PM - Uhre just a tad too eager to get on a breakaway and he's called offside.Â
1:58 PM - Soccer pinball in the box off a FC Cincinnati corner kick. Opposition tries to get a goal but in the end the defense stands strong we clear it out.
1:55 PM - Nathan Harriel gets up into the attack but sees his cross intended for Uhre go over the end line and out for a Cincinnati goal kick.
1:53 PM - Jack McGlynn and Brandan Craig standing over the free kick. Craig does the dummy and McGlynn unleashes a rocket that crashes off the crossbar. Keeper got a touch on it and that'll set up a Union corner.
1:52 PM - Matt Real gets taken down from behind and it draws FC Cincinnati into the referee's book for a yellow card.
1:50 PM - Union throw in lands at the feet of Uhre who spins quickly and sends a pass for Rafanello but the Cincinnati defense clears out the pass.
1:48 PM - Final 30 minutes is underway.
1:40 PM - After 90 minutes, the Boys in Blue have extended their advantage behind goals from Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag.
1:39 PM - McGlynn comes over for the corner and the first service is cleared out by FC Cincinnati. Sorenson tries to restart the attack but the opposition snuff out the chance.
1:38 PM - Perea looking to add to the lead as he tries to pick out a pass for Anton Sorenson but its blocked out for a corner.
1:30 PM - 80 minutes down and the Union are leading 3-1. Reminder that we're going 120 minutes today in this one so both starting XI maximize their time on the pitch.
1:23 PM - Uhre and Rafanello going to work up top. The Danish striker gets out on the left side and crosses it centrally for Rafanello but the keeper claims it.
1:21 PM - McGlynn tees up the service but puts a little too much power behind it.
1:20 PM - Union earn a corner after a strong run by homegrown Jeremy Rafanello where he plays it off a defender to earn a set piece.
1:16 PM - Both sides finding their footing as it feels like a whole new match has kicked off.
1:11 PM - Here comes the anticipate massive lineup change. Union stay in the 4-4-2 diamond.
Joe Bendik; Anton Sorenson, Brandan Craig, Damion Lowe, Nathan Harriel; Jesus Bueno, Matt Real, Andres Perea, Jack McGlynn; Mikael Uhre, Jeremy Rafanello.
1:09 PM - Gazdag steps up and he converts to make it 3-1 in the 60th minute.
1:09 PM - PENALTY, this time in the Union's favor.
1:08 PM - Carranza races into the attack with a through ball from the midfield. Crosses it to the far post where Leon Flach makes a run. Flach goes for the extra pass to Gazdag but its blocked out.
1:07 PM - Union looking to get that two-goal lead back with Jose Martinez unleashing a shot from the top of the box but it's saved by the keeper.
1:05 PM - FC Cincinnati awarded a penalty kick and they convert to make it 2-1 in the 56th minute.
1:03 PM - Union earn a free kick opportunity and Kai Wagner is standing over it. Left footed volley goes into the red zone but is cleared out by FC Cincinnati.
12:58 PM - UNION GOAL! Union double the lead with a goal from Julian Carranza! Mbaizo whips in a cross and Carranza smashes it into the net for a 2-0 lead in the 49th minute.
12:57 PM - Third yellow card shown to the Boys in Blue as Jose Martinez joins the list.
12:55 PM - Back underway with Carranza taking the first touch and it's the same Starting XI on the pitch as we kick off.
12:46 PM - That's the whistle with the Union ahead 1-0 after 45 minutes behind a beaut of a goal from Joaquin Torres.
12:42 PM - Gazdag and Carranza combo action that nets the Boys in Blue a corner after a block in the box.
12:39 PM - Cincinnati plays a ball into the box and nearly tie it up by Jack Elliott makes the goal line clearance to keep concede a corner instead of a goal.
12:37 PM - Union defense and midfield staying in sync as Cincinnati keeps possession trying to find somewhere to attack. So far this half, not many places.
12:32 PM - Olivier Mbaizo into the referee's book with a yellow card.
12:30 PM - Quick combo into the box form Cincinnati but Blake sees it the pass and jumps off his line to prevent a shot on goal.
12:28 PM - Exchanging some pleasantries with our favorite Eastern Conference club.
12:26 PM - ANDRE BLAKE! Cincinnati nearly ties it up with what could have started a riot if it had gone in..but Blake makes the save!
12:25 PM - Cincinnati tries to go long over the defense but Mbaizo reads it and chops down the counter.
12:20 PM - Union race up the left flank with Wagner leading Carranza into space. Carranza has a go for the goal but its blocked out for a Union corner. Wagner serves it in but Cincinnati clears it out.
12:17 PM - Gazdag gets through on a breakaway after a perfect turn and pass from Carranza. Keeper makes himself big and makes the save with a shot off the chest. Nearly 2-0 for the Union.
12:16 PM - First card of the match shown to Philadelphia Union's Jakob Glesnes with a yellow. Sets up a dangerous free kick spot for Cincinnati but the Union lock it down and prevent any sort of chance.
12:15 PM - Another long possession by Cincinnati but the Boys in Blue try to spring a counter and rotate the attack to the right side where Mbaizo lifts in a cross that is off the mark.
12:10 PM - UNION GOAL!!! Joaquin Torres gets his first DOOP with the Boys in Blue. Carranza fights near the endline and FC Cincinnati tries to clear. Ball goes right to Torres and he takes three dribbles to get into the top of the 18 and unleashed a blast that curled in from 18! 1-0 Union after 10 minutes.
12:09 PM - Throw-in for the Boys in Blue and we go quick into
12:08 PM - Quick combo on the left side between Torres, Flach and Wagner but the play comes to an abrupt end with an offside flag against Carranza.
12:06 PM - Free kick chance for FC Cincinnati. Again they look to space things out with a short pass. Try to cross into the box a few times but MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes with a pair of blocks.
12:05 PM - High press from Cincinnati but Gazdag dribbles out of it to break the pressure.
12:03 PM - Long spell of possession by Cincinnati and they go for the through ball to force Dre off his line but play called offside against the Orange and Blue.
12:01 PM - FC Cincinnati gets the ball rolling and we're underway!
11:55AM - Head Coach Jim Curtin going with the 4-4-2 diamond for today’s contest. Here is how the Starting XI will shape up.
Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Jose Martinez, Leon Flach, Alejandro Bedoya, Daniel Gazdag; Joaquin Torres, Julian Carranza
11:40 AM - All smiles because it's another beautiful day for the beautiful game.
11:35 AM - Best keeper in the league getting set to go against the Eastern Conference foe.
11:30 AM - Good morning Union fam and happy Friday! We're at our home camp inside the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex for today's friendly against FC Cincinnati. Boys in Blue are making their way out onto the pitch for warmups where it is currently 78 and cloudy with some wind but not nearly as bad as the past few matches.
