We knew they weren’t going to go 34-0 this season but Nashville SC kicked the Union in the teeth - with a big assist from the referee - to send the surging boys in blue back to earth. Some of the problems Sporting Director Ernst Tanner noted in the firing of Jim Curtin were on display in the match: defense was unorganized, offense was too predictable and the response to adversity just wasn’t there. Ironically, it was the former Curtin assistant - BJ Callaghan - who got the better of his former team in a game plan executed to near perfection.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Too Many Mistakes

By Matteo Ventresca

The Philadelphia Union fell to Nashville SC on Sunday in a frustrating match filled with mistakes, missed opportunities, and controversial officiating. While referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere made several questionable calls, the Union’s struggles went beyond officiating—they failed to find consistency on either side of the ball. 

Throughout the game, the Union relied heavily on crosses to generate scoring chances, but Nashville shut them down one by one. The Union insisted on sending balls into the box, only for Nashville’s defenders to cut them out with ease. Instead of adjusting their approach, the Union struggled to break through Nashville’s backline. This over-reliance on crossing made their attack predictable, allowing Nashville to position their defenders perfectly to clear away dangerous balls.

“They played the same way we did. I think they scouted us really well. They knew what we were going to do,” Union goalkeeper Andre Blake said. “But they had a game plan, and they were very physical, and we just weren’t able to match their physicality, and they got the better of us.”

In the 58th minute, a Union forward sent a beautiful cross into the box for Daniel Gazdag, who found himself open in a one-on-one against Nashville keeper Joe Willis. But Gazdag’s weak shot went right into Willis’ legs, resulting in a wasted opportunity. It was one of the Union’s best chances of the afternoon, and had Gazdag put more placement behind the shot, the game could have taken a different turn. 

This moment highlighted the Union’s struggles with finishing. Willis, to his credit, read the play well and made himself big in goal, but Gazdag will surely regret not capitalizing on the moment.

“I thought we created a bit of momentum. We created some set pieces. Credit to the boys that they didn’t fold. We could have created enough chances today to walk away with at least a point,” Union head coach Bradley Carnell said in a post-game press conference.

Read More >

2. 🏆 Loudoun United Comes to Town

For the third year in a row, West Chester United will host the first round of the U.S. Open Cup at YSC Sports, welcoming what promises to be their toughest test yet in professional USL Championship side Loudoun United.

If the third time is a charm - they lost to Ocean City in 2023 and to pro team Maryland Bobcats last year - they are going to have to hope the quick turnaround for a Loudoun United team that is near the top of their league’s power rankings and their own preparation are enough.

Though the teams have never met on the pitch, there is familiarity on both sides. Former Union II midfielder Drew Skundrich is one of Loudoun’s veterans and former Union homegrown Cole Turner is also on the team though he is coming back from an injury plagued 2024 season.

Loudoun was in town just last month for a preseason scrimmage with the Philadelphia Union, which ended in a 4-4 draw. They’ve started their USL Championship campaign with a pair of wins, outscoring opponents 5-2 in those matches.

West Chester United, meanwhile, has had a bright start to their spring with three wins back in APSL play and a semifinal win in the EPSA Open Cup. They’ve outscored opponents 15-3 in those three APSL matches to hold onto the top spot in the Delaware River conference standings.

Former Union Academy and North Texas SC midfielder Dylan Lacy has been a big addition to the team and will be a danger man on the ball for the Predators tonight. Ridge Robinson recently hit the century mark in goals for West Chester while players like Josh Luchini and Ken Roby give oomph to the attack but on the tight pitch at YSC you’ll likely see West Chester play patient and sit in looking for the counter attack.

If they are all available, the trio of Drexel grads - Colin Davis, Ori Arzi and Yassine Elkahloun - might be the most important players for the defensive side of the field to limit Loudoun’s chances.

If you can’t make it to YSC, the game will be streamed live on YouTube.

3. 🌭 Social Post of the Day: Defensive Player of the Game

4. 💧 Water Cooler: Player Ratings

Weigh in on the individual performances of the players, Bradley Carnell and the referee crew in our Player Ratings Poll.

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Greg Oldfield talked with Manola Zubiria, Chief Tournament Officer for FIFA World Cup 2026, about the Club World Cup and World coming to Philadelphia.

• Six first team players will be away on international duty this weekend.

• It wasn’t a great weekend for former Union players overseas.

• Luke McClung has a new U.S. Open Cup poster for tonight’s first round game between West Chester United and Loudoun United at YSC Sports. Posters (8.5×14) will be available for $2 at the game but you can also grab a much larger version online.

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