Philadelphia Union closed out its regular-season road schedule with a 1-0 setback against FC Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon at TQL Stadium.
The Boys in Blue generated the better of the opportunities throughout a scoreless opening half, repeatedly testing the Cincinnati defense but were unable to find the breakthrough.
Philadelphia continued to push after the restart, with Cavan Sullivan and Jesús Bueno entering on the hour mark as the Union searched for the opening goal.
Cincinnati found the opener in the 70th minute when Ayoub Jabbari finished from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage. Philadelphia pushed numbers forward in search of an equalizer over the final 20 minutes but couldn't find the finishing touch.
The Union now turn their attention to Decision Day, returning to Subaru Park on Saturday, November 7 to close out the 2026 regular season against Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET as the Boys in Blue look to finish the regular-season campaign strong in front of the Union faithful.
The regular-season finale will also serve as U Thank U Night presented by Independence Blue Cross, featuring discounted concessions and merchandise along with special fan experiences throughout the match. Be there as the Union celebrate the fans who have supported the club all season long — secure your tickets today.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
Head Coach Ryan Richter sent out another never-before-seen lineup for Saturday's match against Cincinnati in the face of a suspension and multiple injuries.
Bruno Damiani returned to the XI after missing Wednesday's midweeker against Nashville, starting up top alongside Ezekiel Alladoh.
Quinn Sullivan, Indiana Vassilev, Ben Bender, and Jovan Lukic made up the midfield in the absence of Danley Jean Jacques, out due to yellow card accumlation.
The backline featured the Homegrown centerback duo of Nathan Harriel and Neil Pierre, plus Frankie Westfield on the right opposite Kai Wagner.
Andre Blake started between the posts as usual, sporting the captain's armband.
On the bench, Andrew Rick backed up Blake, sitting alongside Philadelphia Union Academy product Jordan Griffin with the first team on a short-term call-up, Geiner Martinez, Finn Sundstrom, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan, and Agustin Anello, and Malik Jakupovic.
2’, Bender shot | In his second match with minutes straight, Bender was active in the action early, shooting from the left half space outside the box but the shot was blocked by his teammate.
5’, Damiani chance | A Damiani header from the center of the box was saved by Cincy's keeper Roman Celentano.
12’, Union shot | In his second consecutive start, Ezekiel Alladoh shot and missed just left.
18’, Westfield opportunity | Bender found the ball at the top of the box, hesitating to take the shot of his own after a difficult touch, instead passing to Westfield for a line drive on the ground saved by Celentano.
21’, Promising corner | A corner from the right executed by Wagner found Harriel's head for an smashing header chance toward the net, but his attempt in front of the goal was prevented by the post and a dilligent effort from Celentano.
28'. Cincy finds first shot | Pavel Bucho took Cincinnati's first shot of the day, sending the ball over.
36', Sullivan shot | From the left, Bender booted the ball into the box for Sullivan, but the Homegrown midfielder sent his shot over the net.
45', Big Cincy block | Another shot from Sullivan was blocked by Teenage Hadebe.
45+1', Corner chance | A corner from the right sent in by Wagner toward the back post found Pierre this time, but the 6-foot-7 Homegrown's header was saved by Celentano, then went out of play for another corner. Westfield took it from the left, but the Union were unable to create from it.
Halftime | Philly and Cincy retreated to their respective locker rooms for halftime after a scoreles opening 45' minutes. While Cincinnati maintained 61% of possession, Philly outshot the hosts 10-2, forcing Celentano to make five saves.
46', Cincy sub | Head Coach Pat Noonan made his first change of the day at half, replacing Gidi with Evander. The team's leading contributor had only started on the bench due to a lingering illness that he'd been dealing with since Tuesday.
53, Corner chances | The latter in a pair of corners nearly found Philly the lead with Wagner sending it in from the right to find Damiani fighting through the box for a header chance, but his strong shot was denied by the crossbar.
57', Sullivan shot | Pierre tapped the ball toward Sullivan to set him up for another shot, which was again ultimately saved by Celentano.
60', Union subs | Richter sent on Cavan Sullivan and Jesus Bueno for their respective returns from injury, replacing Alladoh and Bender.
61', Blake save! | Kenji Mboma Dem's shot was saved by Blake.
64', Cincy subs | Noonan made another pair of impact changes, sending on Ender Echenique and Ayoub Jabbari for Tom Barlow and Mboma Dem.
70', Cincinnati goal | The hosts took the lead in the 70th minute, with Evander drawing multiple Union players then taking a shot that forced Blake to dive for a stop. Philly's three-time keeper of the year got a hand on it, but Jabbari, six minutes into his shift, rebounded the deflection to finish it off for a 1-0 lead.
74', Union sub | Richter sent on Agustin Anello for Vassilev, opting for fresh legs for the team's late push for an equalizer.
80', Cincy subs | The hosts made a change on the back line with 10 minutes left, battling to maintain their lead and secure a playoff spot of their own as Alvas Powell entered for Hadebe.
84', Philly header | Philly kept pushing for the game-tying goal with a headed effort from Harriel going just wide.
90', Union sub | The final change of the game for the Boys in Blue was again offense-minded with homegrown Malik Jakupovic replacing Lukic.
