It’s Friday and that means it’s Philadelphia Union Game Day Eve. The Union will be in Nashville on what is sure to be a fun day in the Music City for soccer fans with the Premier League Fan Fest also on tap.

In the email today:

1. 🎸 Union Look to Stay Unbeaten Against Banged Up Nashville

The Philadelphia Union look to stay unbeaten in MLS and at Geodis Park with a visit to Nashville SC tomorrow.

It comes nearly two years after they opened Geodis and Mikael Uhre scored the first goal in stadium history in a 1-1 draw and nearly a year since Daniel Gazdag had a brace from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win. Wyndmoor native Daniel Lovitz had a horror show of a game on the day with two penalties and a sending off after taking down Uhre in the box.

While the Union are one of three unbeaten teams left in MLS and are riding high after two straight wins, Nashville has just one win to their name on the season and has a number of injured or players questionable heading into the match. That includes captain Walker Zimmerman and defenders Lukas MacNaughton and Shaq Moore.

The Union’s main injury concern is Andre Blake who left the game Saturday with a head injury.

“Head injuries are something we take very seriously the Philadelphia Union and in the league, but he has progressed and felt better each day,” head coach Jim Curtin said yesterday. “Good enough to be out on the field today but still now the final test is what goes on, you know, with the medical staff, and if he passes that day, he'll be good for the game.”

Nashville’s only loss on the year was a 5-0 stinker at LAFC but they are showing vulnerability defensively at home with 5 goals conceded in three games - 2 draws and a win.

The match is slated for 8:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on MLS Season Pass.

2. 🏆 Union U17s Into the GA Cup Quarterfinals

Jamir Johnson scored a late goal to lift the Philadelphia Union U17s into the quarterfinals of the Generation adidas Cup with a thrilling 1-0 win over a resolute Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors side from South Korea.

Johnson and company had been knocking repeatedly on the door but it was after a flurry of chances that finally fell into place when substitute Lennon Harrington sent a failed clearance back in to the back post where Johnson was able to stay onside and play the hero for a team looking to repeat as champions at the U17 age group.

The U17s will be back on the pitch today at 5 p.m. against HNK Hajduk Split of Croatia, which secured their quarterfinal spot via a penalty shootout win over New York Red Bulls.

While the U17s are still on track to make a return to the GA Cup final for the second straight year, they won’t have company this year if they do.

The U15 team was knocked out earlier in the day on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire.

The Union is looking to be the first academy to repeat as GA Cup champions since River Plate won three straight years from 2015-2017 and the first MLS academy since DC United won it in 2009 and 2010.

3. 🎤 Tweet of the Day: 235 Taylor Swift Song Titles

4. 💧 Water Cooler: MVP So Far

5. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Region 1 Amateur Cup play kicks off on Sunday with three local teams taking on teams from the DMV in the Round of 16. West Chester United and VE will be hosting while Lancaster City FC is in Virginia.

• University of Delaware men’s soccer will be racking up the miles for road conference matches beginning in 2025 when they will join The Summit League.

• Chuck Booth profiles Danny Cruz and Louisville City.

• West Ham United is reportedly in talks with former Philadelphia Union defender and Delaware native Mark McKenzie.

• If you didn’t get one of the US Open Cup posters we gave out last week (or if you want a higher quality larger version) you can order them in the Printify shop.

April Member Giveaway! Toy Brick Chester Stadium. All monthly and annual Philadelphia Soccer Now members and annual subscribers to The River End will be entered into the drawing.

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