Recap | Union wrap up preseason in style, defeat Colorado 4-1

With the start of the 2023 MLS schedule around the corner Philadelphia Union looks to finish its preseason strong as they take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday morning. The match will not be streamed by either side but we'll provide you the play by play starting at 10:30AM ET with another edition of our live blog in Florida presented by Cintron.

Saturday's preseason friendly will take place at the ChampionsGate Sports Complex outside of Orlando.

The Union have had an impressive start to the year in exhibition play with a 3-1-2 record that has seen 12 goals scored by the Boys in Blue. The Union's only last came last time out in a 120-minute friendly where three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake played 90 minutes and made seven saves to leave the contest with the match scoreless. 2022 leading goalscorer Daniel Gazdag is having a strong start to the year leading the way with three goals so far while Julian Carranza and Jesus Bueno are just behind with a pair of DOOPs as well.

Mini Recap: Philadelphia Union put on quite the show to conclude its 2023 preseason with a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday afternoon in Florida. After a scoreless first 45-minute period, the Boys in Blue jumped out to the lead when Mikael Uhre picked out the far post run of Daniel Gazdag for the opening goal in the 48th minute. After some major lineup changes for the final period, the Union's depth racked up a trifecta of goals with homegrown Nathan Harriel doubling the Union advantage in the 102nd minute that was set up by Chris Donovan. Joaquin Torres extended the lead just four minutes later with a PK finish but Colorado answered just 90 seconds later to make it a 3-1 contest. The Boys in Blue kept pushing to the final whistle with Chris Donovan making it a 4-1 scoreline after a perfect pass from homegrown Jack McGlynn.

1:34PM: Union looking to see this one out with possession and passing to make the Rapids run all over.

1:28PM: UNION GOAL!! Jack McGlynn with a beautiful volley over the top that Chris Donovan smashes home to make it 4-1 Philly in the 125th minute!!

1:24PM: Fingertip save by Bendik gives the Rapids a corner kick chance. 

1:19PM: Philly with back to back corner kick chances with homegrown Jack McGlynn doing the service but the second one has a little too much mustard on it.

1:17PM: Back to back big plays in net from Joe Bendik. Makes a diving stop to concede a corner kick and then on the next kick comes flying off his list to punch away a scoring chance.

1:13PM: Joe Bendik with a big save as Colorado looked like they were on their way to a one-goal deficit.

1:12PM: Colorado picks up their second yellow card of the today's friendly.

1:10PM: Colorado gets on the board with a free kick goal in the 108th minute.

1:08PM: UNION GOAL!!! Torres send the keeper the wrong way we've gone from 1-0 to 3-0 in a matter of moments. 106 minutes played.

1:07PM: PENALTY! Perea gets taken down in the box after a nice pass from Torres.

1:06PM- Lowe with a quick ball up to Torres. He quickly turns and goes out  to Bueno cross off the mark

1:05PM- UNION GOAL!!! Chris Donovan times up a perfectly threaded through ball to the far post and its finished off by Nathan Harriel in the 102nd minute.

1:04PM- What you've missed during the lineup graphic exporting: Donovan tried to spring a counter but called offside, Harriel fouled quite hard in a transition moment. Rapids got a breakaway on the flank but the cross hit nobody and was out for a goalkick.

1:03PM- Laptop certainly cannot wait to return to a press box so it took awhile to remake the graphics but we're sticking with the 4-4-2 diamond for this final period.

Joe Bendik; Matt Real, Brandan Craig, Damion Lowe, Nathan Harriel; Jesus Bueno, Jack McGlynn, Andres Perea, Joaquin Torres; Chris Donovan, Quinn Sullivan.

12:54PM- As you'd expect in the final preseason match with an extra period, there we massive changes. Will get the full lineup typed out shortly but for you folks keeping track of playing time, you can start your 45' clock now as the Boys in Blue start up the final 45 period.

12:46PM- Two periods down, one to go but this 45-minute section saw the Boys in Blue break through with a goal from Daniel Gazdag in the 48th minute off an Mikael Uhre assist!

12:42PM- Looks like there will be added time for this period, no fourth official so not going to take a guess.

12:40PM- Yellow card shown to Colorado. 

12:35PM- Gazdag goes looking for the brace as he tries to chip the Colorado keeper but its saved.

12:34PM- Torres goes for a repeat performance like he had against FC Cincinnati with a golazo but the shot just over the crossbar this time out. Great vision to drift over to the right side and then cut onto his left for the curler.

12:31PM- Torres finds out how physical this game is currently and draws a free kick opportunity for the Boys in Blue. Wagner lofts it up for the big bodies but Colorado clears.

12:28PM- Head Coach Jim Curtin makes his second change of the friendly as Joaquin Torres enters for Mikael Uhre in the 78'.

12:26PM- Free kick chance from 20 yards out for the Rapids.

12:19PM- Long spell of possession for Colorado nets them a corner kick chance. Service is easily dealt with by the Union defenders.

12:14PM- ANDRE BLAKE! Rapids look to equalize but Blake makes the full-stretch diving save to keep it 1-0!

12:09PM- Carranza has space at the top of the box and blasts a right-footed shot that forces a tough save by the Rapids keeper.

12:07PM- Union make a substitution as Andres Perea replaces Jose Martinez. The move sees Leon Flach drop back to the No. 6 slot and Perea on the left side of the diamond.

12:01PM- Insert physicality text here.

11:57AM- Union GOAL!!! Uhre receives it on the flank after the defense regain possession. The forward races up the left side and picks out the run from Daniel Gazdag to make it 1-0 for the Boys in Blue after 48 minutes! Gazdag with his fourth preseason goal.

11:54AM- Second 45' period kicks off with Colorado getting it rolling.

11:44AM- Lot of possession and set piece chances for the Boys in Blue but after 45 minutes we are scoreless.

11:42AM- Rapids clear the Union corner kick chance and look to counter late in the half but it sputters out.

11:41AM- Have lost count of how many Kai Wagner set piece chances we are up to in this first period. Wagner with another great volley and it earns yet another corner kick for the Boys in Blue.

11:38AM- Union with a combination play on the right side of the box as Gazdag, Bedoya and Carranza distributing quick passes. Carranza has a go on goal but its just wide of the near post.

11:35AM- Union with three straight corners to keep the pressure inside the Colorado box but unable to cash in. 

11:34AM- Wagner with a beauty of a set piece chance that sees some friendly fire by the Rapids but the keeper makes the reaction save that'll set up a Union corner.

11:25AM- Make that two saves in two minutes for the defending MLS Goalkeeper of the Year as the Rapids again try from the right side.

11:24AM- 25 minutes in and Colorado finally gets their first shot on frame. Attack comes up the right side of the pitch and is crossed in for a shot but Blake makes the stop. 

11:22AM- Carranza not taking it lightly and gets up into the attack and unleashes a shot from the right side but its wide of the post.

11:21AM- Things getting quite physical as we add Julian Carranza to the list of players drawing hard fouls.

11:17AM- Wagner provides the service but the play is called dead for a foul in the box.

11:16AM- Gazdag draws a dangerous free kick opportunity for the Boys in Blue about five yards outside the 18. 

11:11AM- Uhre times his press perfectly and he forces a Rapids turnover as they looked to build out of the back. Lays off a pass for Daniel Gazdag on the counter but the Hungarian opts for a cross instead of a shot and the possession comes to an end.

11:08AM- Uhre heavily involved over the last few minutes as he draws a foul about 35 yards out. Wagner and Glesnes stand over it but the left back has the go.

11:07AM- Union look to play very direct after stealing back the long goal kick but the chance of waved off for offside on Uhre.

11:07AM- First set piece chance for Kai Wagner and he connects with Jakob Glesnes' run to the near post but it's just wide and out for a goal kick.

11:06AM- First shot on frame comes from the captain Alejandro Bedoya. Finds some space just outside the box and unleashes a right-footed shot that is saved and earns the Union the first corner of the match.

11:04AM- First five minutes of the match has seen both sides just trying to get into a rhythm but unable to really generate any chances into the attacking third.

10:59AM- The final preseason friendly of 2022 has kicked off from Orlando with the Boys in Blue getting the opening touch.

10:55AM- Head Coach Jim Curtin makes just one change from last match with Julian Carranza back into the lineup alongside Mikael Uhre in our 4-4-2 diamond. Here is how the Starting XI will shape up for the start of the first 45-minute period.

Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Jose Martinez, Leon Flach, Alejandro Bedoya, Daniel Gazdag; Mikael Uhre, Julian Carranza.

10:53AM- We see you Jack McGlynn. Warmups about to wrap up here!

10:45AM- BREAKING: Both technical staffs have agreed that today's friendly will consist of three, 45-minute periods!

10:42AM- Warmups are a go for the last time in the Sunshine State.

10:37AM- All smiles today from the lads. Also there is a meeting taking place with both technical sides to lock in the format for today's friendly. Will be sure to announce that when we receive word.

10:35AM- Blake streak continues for the live blogs. Also want to give a shoutout to all our fans coming out to the 2023 Kit Launch Event happening at Subaru Park!

10:30AM- Good morning Union fans! We are just one week away from the Boys in Blue back at Subaru Park for the 2023 season opener but first we close out the preseason with a friendly against the Colorado Rapids. It's currently 59 degrees with some cool breezes coming into play.