In partnership with

The Philadelphia Union finally returned to their winning ways and also got back on the get other teams’ coaches fired train with a 2-1 comeback victory at Stade Saputo in Montreal on Saturday. The win stopped the bleeding, gave record-setting striker acquisition Ezekiel Alladoh his first goal contribution and got the Montreal coach fired but there’s still plenty of work and convincing to be done.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Philadelphia Union come from behind to grab first win of the season in Montreal

A pair of goals off set pieces in the second half erased a one-goal deficit and finally gave Philadelphia Union fans something to cheer about as the Union were able to grab three points with a 2-1 win over Montreal on Saturday afternoon.

The first half looked like it was following the same tired script that has been the story of the 2026 season when CF Montreal was awarded a penalty in the 11th minute on a coming together in the box by Andre Blake and Iván Jaime but video review confirmed that Blake had gotten to the ball first and the danger was avoided.

Jaime would factor in again though 12 minutes later when he got on the end of a long forward pass from Efraín Morales and was able to beat Blake to his left and give the hosts – playing at home for the first time this season – the early lead.

The Union had a couple of bids to equalize before halftime with Frankie Westfield hitting a shot from inside the box just wide of the mark and Jesus Bueno rocketing a shot that Thomas Gillier was able to stop with a diving two-handed save.

Montreal had chances early in the second half to add to their lead but a good clearance from Olwethu Makhanya with a Montreal attacker bearing down in front of goal and Andre Blake’s save on the ensuing corner kick were a shot in the arm to the Union team. Two minutes later Jesus Bueno drew a foul near the sideline and Milan Iloski floated a free kick into the box that Japhet Sery Larsen ran onto and headed past Gillier for the equalizer. From a possible 2-0 deficit on one side of the field to a 1-1 tie the Union rode the momentum to nearly finding another goal seconds later from Iloski but the offside flag was up.

The first lead of the season would come via Bueno on a throw-in from nearly the same spot as the free kick that substitute Ezekiel Alladoh was able to head down into the path of Bueno, who finished with a shot with pace off the half volley that Gillier wasn’t able to keep out of the net. Channeling his standout performance in Champions Cup at Club America, Bueno ran to the corner with his signature hands to his ears celebration and the team celebrated like a huge weight had been lifted. Which it had, of course. After six games where they failed to find a second goal and had failed to register a single point in the standings the boys in blue finally had a lead to hold and Montreal’s struggles as a team with just three points through six games proved larger to overcome than the visitors.

Smart starts here.

You don't have to read everything — just the right thing. 1440's daily newsletter distills the day's biggest stories from 100+ sources into one quick, 5-minute read. It's the fastest way to stay sharp, sound informed, and actually understand what's happening in the world. Join 4.5 million readers who start their day the smart way.

Join for free today!

2. ❌ CF Montreal Manager Fired After Union Win

CF Montreal’s home opener started well enough with a 1-0 lead they took into the locker room but the second half went the opposite direction as Montreal conceded twice off dead balls and lost 2-1.

Following the game, speculation started to swirl around the fate of manager Marco Donadel, who didn’t speak to media after the match.

Then came the official announcement:

“CF Montréal Managing Director, Recruitment and Sporting Methodology, Luca Saputo has announced that Marco Donadel has been relieved of his head coaching duties effective today. Philippe Eullaffroy will assume the team's head coaching responsibilities until a permanent head coach is hired.

Assistant coaches Jacopo Falanga and Lorenzo Pinzauti are also no longer with the Club.”

3.💧Water Cooler: Biggest Concern Results

Note: This was before the win on Saturday but there one would think there wouldn’t be too much of a change in sentiment considering the opponent.

What Is Your Biggest Concern with the Union Right Now?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Damiani/Alladoh Partnership (16)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ They're Too Predictable (3)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Cavan Sullivan Isn't Starting (2)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Defense Conceding in First Half (6)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Bradley Carnell Sophomore Slump (2)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Other (6)
35 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 🍫 Social Post of the Day: Bueno

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Philadelphia Union II returned to the win column with a commanding performance against Carolina Core at Subaru Park yesterday.

• Todd Lewis took a look at Ezekiel Alladoh’s “breakthrough moment.” He also broke down the goals.

• Nathan Harriel, one of the longest tenured players on the team, has signed a contract extension with the club through the 2028-2029 season.

• Catch up on Union alums overseas with the latest DOOPing Overseas.

• Check out the latest news from the world of soccer.

• 9 players from the area have been called up for a regional U.S. Girls National Team U-14 training camp.

Thanks for reading! Have an item or suggestion for the newsletter? Want to become a sponsor? Email [email protected].

Want to support this newsletter? Upgrade your account 
for $1 per month or $10 per year.