Philadelphia Union started its three-game road trip with a 2-0 setback at Atlanta United FC.
Both sides trotted out unique tactical formations for the Sunday matinee with competing five back systems. With left back Kai Wagner sidelined with a hamstring injury and center back Damion Lowe at the Concacaf Gold Cup alongside Andre Blake, Head Coach Jim Curtin turned to homegrown Nathan Harriel as the third center back and shifted Leon Flach to left wing back. Atlanta United tested the duo early -- Thiago Almada's first touch of the match was a flicking volley into the box where the Union homegrown and Atlanta forward Giorgos Giakoumakis came together in the fourth minute of play. The initial call saw the Five Stripes awarded a point to the post, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened with the foul occurring outside the Union’s 18. With a free kick 19 yards from goal, Almada ripped a shot that crashed off the wall but bounced right back to the FIFA World Cup Champion. With the Union scrambling from their defensive wall, the midfielder unleashed a rope with his right boot that snuck through the traffic and inside the post for the early lead for the home side just seven minutes in.
After falling behind, the Boys in Blue sought a quick response with an all-out attack into Atlanta’s box. Harriel sent a hard forward pass on the Atlanta turf to get Flach into the space on the flank. Seeing numbers, the midfielder cut a hard pass back to Mikael Uhre but the shot was blocked.
The goal also saw the Union settle back into their 4-4-2 diamond to slow down the quick attacks that had both sides turning the match into a track meet.
The hosts had their chance to double their advantage in the 23rd minute as Brooks Lennon hit a perfectly placed cross from the right side to the penalty spot. Sneaking it under the boot of Jack Elliott, Giakoumakis struck a shot for the one-timer but right to Bendik.
Atlanta United was forced into an early change with Giakoumakis departing the match at the half hour mark. With the air taken out of the crowd, the Union got a half chance with a strong run up the right side from Oliver Mbaizo. The Cameroonian split a pair of defenders with a crafty touch and quickly sent a pass to his left to the feet of Daniel Gazdag. With a run to his right from Carranza, the midfielder tried to chip the defense but the turf got involved with the ball trickling right to Brad Guzan.
With the Union committing numbers forward, Atlanta United opted to attack on counters and got a good look in the 41st minute. Going up the right side with Machop Chol the winger hit a centering pass toward Almanda who tipped it back and into the path of the substitute Berry. Seeing the play coming, Bendik made himself large in the middle of the goal and made the reaction stop.
The Boys in Blue came out of the locker room in Atlanta on the front foot attacking the host’s wingbacks. The change in attack saw Mbaizo and team captain Alejandro Bedoya more involved with the duo combining in the 50th minute with the Union veteran picking out Uhre’s run but the forward’s run was offside. Less than a minute later, Philly had a set piece chance that was ran perfectly with Gazdag connecting with Bedoya at the near post but the header went over the cross bar.
Unfortunately for the Union the third time wasn’t the lucky charge as Gazdag sent Bedoya once more into space on the right side of the attack. Racing to the end line, the captain turned back time with a quick touch inside to race toward the middle of the box. With Guzan retreating from the near post, Ale tried for the left-footed curler but saw it just wide.
With the momentum going toward the visitors, Atlanta turned to Almada to create chances and he did just that with a world-class pass in the 70th minute to switch the attack from one side of the pitch to the other. Lennon went 1v1 against Harriel and tried to slide a pass for a potential tap in but the left back timed his sliding tackle that deflected it off the mark.
In the 73rd minute, Curtin turned to the homegrown duo of Jack McGlynn and Quinn Sullivan to make an impact on the match and draw the contest level. Seconds after entering McGlynn combined with Gazdag to send Carranza in on Guzan but the final pass to the Union’s leading scorer was inches off the mark. McGlynn took over the set piece duties and ripped a long cross from the center stripe that connected with Jakob Glesnes who headed it to the back post and ultimately saw a shot from Leon Flach rise over the crossbar.
Atlanta United put the match away in the 79th minute with Almada setting up the insurance goal. Attacking after a long spell of possession, the Argentine playmaker pulled the Union defense toward him and saw Lennon open on the other side of the play. One touch and a pass later, Lennon was 1v1 against Bendik and ripped a shot that deflected off Bendik’s glove but had enough strength to go in for the 2-0 lead.
Trailing by a pair of goals, the Union went all out offensively with Harriel racing into the box in the 85th minute but seeing his shot rip over the upper 90.
Philadelphia Union continues its three-game road trip next weekend with the cross-country trip to Los Angeles for a showdown against the Galaxy. Kick off from California is set for Saturday, July 8th at 10:30 p.m. ET with coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
