Philadelphia Union saw its 2024 campaign conclude on Saturday evening, falling to FC Cincinnati.
The Boys in Blue jumped out to an early lead through its 22 Under 22 honorees as Jack McGlynn hit a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Quinn Sullivan who deposited the ball inside the far corner with a left-footed finish. The early goal didn't put the Ohio on their heels as they grew into the match and found an equalizer from Yamil Asad in first half stoppage time. After scoring to end the half, FC Cincinnati's deciding goal came 45 seconds into the final half as a back pass found its way into the back of the net.
How The Match Unfolded
Curtin had an entirely healthy group to choose from for Decision Day, and it showed in his Starting XI. Days after returning from international duty with Jamaica, Andre Blake started in net, and he was protected by a strong backline that featured Kai Wagner on the left, Homegrown Nate Harriel on the right, plus Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes paired at centerback.
In the midfield, Curtin opted for a young crew; 23-year-old Leon Flach made the start alongside award-winning Homegrown pair Jack McGlynn and Quinn Sullivan, who claimed top 10 spots in Major League Soccer’s 22 Under 22 list. As for the front three, it remained the same as usual, featuring Daniel Gazdag at the 10 spot and Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre up top.
2', Sullivan sends Subaru Park into a frenzy | Philadelphia Union boasted a sold-out stadium for their final regular season home match, and that crowd erupted in emphatic cheers just two minutes into the match when Quinn Sullivan secured an early lead with a perfectly placed shot.
The team strung together quick passes near the top right corner of the box after a Nate Harriel throw-in, but a final pinpoint pass between two Cincinnati defenders from Jack McGlynn to Sullivan gave the Homegrown the perfect opportunity for a blast to the opposite post.
9', Blake makes massive save | DeAndre Yedlin took a promising shot on goal in an attempt to level the score, but Andre Blake reminded fans why he'd been named Major League Soccer's Goalkeeper of the Year three times, with an impressive block in the middle of the net. Blake's defense matched his energy -- one minute later, Flach slid for a block to stop a shot from Yamil Asad.
15', Daniel Gazdag makes early exit | Daniel Gazdag was taken down in the defensive end of the field, and after time down, he walked off the pitch with his own strength, exited the match with an injury. He was replaced by Danley Jean Jacques, who made his 10th appearance since signing with the Union in August.
23', Celentano saves Baribo's boot | Tai Baribo's bagged a brace in each of the Union's outings against FC Cincinnati this year, and his attacking effort on Decision Day began with a strong shot on target in the 23rd minute, but it was stopped by Cincinnati's Roman Celentano in net.
38', Getting chippy against Cincy | As was anticipated, the match was intense from the start, and the chippiness continued through the first half. Baribo was the first to be shown a yellow card, picking up the discipline in the 38th minute.
45+4,' Cincinnati equalizes | The visitors snatched momentum right before both teams left for the locker room as Yamil Asad scored in added time. The midfielder was in the right place at the right time as a Union clearance was blocked to allow a last second shot on the pitch that snuck inside the far post to level the score at 1-1 ahead of halftime.
46', Visitors take the lead | The away side grabbed the lead right as the final half began as a mistimed and miscommunicated back pass between Andre Blake and Jakob Glesnes resulted into a deflating own goal.
60', Free kick chance | Obinna Nwoboda was shown a yellow card caution that gave Philadelphia Union a free kick chance. Jack McGlynn tapped it to Kai Wagner, but the left back's strike was blocked.
65', Curtin makes a change | Needing two goals to grab the lead and potentially a playof spot, Curtin sent in team captain Alejandro Bedoya for Jakob Glesnes The swap put the Union into a whole new look, transforming from the 4-4-2 diamond to a 3-4-3 with Bedoya and McGlynn acting as wingbacks.
86', Philly tries to find an equalizer | Over the course of the final 10 minutes the Boys in Blue kept pushing for a second goal. Kai Wagner had a go with a free kick chance that crashed off Cincinnati wall. With the fans pushing for a goal, team captain Alejandro Bedoya had a go from 30 yards out to force a diving stop by the keeper.
