Jovan Lukic delivered another spectacular goal but Philadelphia Union saw it’s perfect start to 2025 come to an end, falling to Nashville SC by a 3-1 margin.
For the second-straight contest the Serbian midfielder scored on a long-range blast which tied the contest at 1-1 just past the hour mark. The visitors regained the lead right before the break on a finish from Ahmed Qasem.
Sunday’s match saw a pair of interventions from the Video Assistant Referee with Quinn Sullivan’s clash with Daniel Lovitz requiring a lengthy look before the call on the field was upheld. Late in the contest VAR was called upon again with a penalty awarded to the Tennessee side after a collision between Hany Makhtar and Jakob Glesnes.
With 11 minutes of added time
Philadelphia Union wraps up its quick two-game homestand with a Saturday night showdown against St. Louis CITY SC. Kick off for the March 22nd contest which serves as Irish Heritage Night presented by College Ave is set for 7:30PM. Tickets for the East vs West clash are available for purchase by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out an unchanged lineup on Sunday afternoon, using the same group he has in every match so far in the 2025 season. It was the first time the team's sent out identical groups for four straight matches since spring 2022 (April 9th,16th, 23rd, and May 1st).
As usual, Andre Blake started in net, protected by the backline anchored by centerbacks Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya, plus Kai Wagner and Frankie Westfield as outside backs.
Once again, Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Quinn Sullivan, and Daniel Gazdag made up the midfield, while Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo started up top.
Oliver Semmle appeared on the bench as backup keeper for the first time in 2025, sitting alongside Nathan Harriel, Olivier Mbaizo, Jesus Bueno, Alejandro Bedoya, Indiana Vassilev, Cavan Sullivan, Bruno Damiani, and Chris Donovan.
15', Nashville's Surridge scores first | The match was physical from both sides from the start, but it was Nashville who struck first, finding the back of the net in the 15th minute. After a mistimed jump from Glesnes near the center of the field, Sam Surridge found himself 1v1 with Frankie Westfield, forcing him to slide, then juking opposite toward the center of the box to take a shot past Blake for the 1-0 advantage.
33', Lukic banger to equalize! | For a second straight match, Jovan Lukic hit the back of the net, this time in front of Union faithful at Subaru Park. Down a goal, The Boys in Blue earned back to back corners, and on the second Wagner whipped it but it was headed away. Lukic vigilantly tracked the rebound, powering it toward the Riverend before Nashville keeper Joe Wills could stand back up after falling and colliding with a teamate admidst the original service.
44', Nashville pull ahead | Shortly before both teams retreated to their the locker rooms for halftime, Ahmed Qasem got one back for Nashville, beating Jakob Glesnes for an open shot.
58', Gazdag denied by Willis | With Nashville clogging the middle of the pitch, the Union were able to create with a swift attack just before the hour mark after Danley regained possession near the center stripe. The midfielder quickly sent it forward to Baribo who shot a soft pass to his right for Sullivan to race into space on the flank. Teeing up a weighted cross into the box, Uhre flicked it to the Hungarian for the scoring chance at the back post. Unmarked, Gazdag settled the ball at his feet and fired a shot that was denied by Nashville SC's reaction stop at the back for Joe Willis
61', Union change | Carnell was gearing up to make his first changes of the match in the 61st minute when the stadium erupted into dissaproval after what looked like a missed call when Sullivan was taken down by Daniel Lovitz the box. Shortly after, VAR was called on to check for a possible penalty, but it didn't end in favor of the Boys in Blue. The subs went in at the 66th minute mark, with Bruno Damiani and Nate Harriel replacing Mikael Uhre and Frankie Westfield.
75', Adding in Indy | Carnell made another change in the 75th minute, swapping Danley out for Indiania Vassilev.
82', Nashville makes it 3-1 | After a collision between Glesnes Mukhtar, VAR was called on again, and the officials ruling was in favor of the visitors again. They were awarded penalty, and it was converted by Mukhtar.
85', Another Union change | Carnell made his final changes of the match in the 85th, swapping Baribo and Gazdag for Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Donovan.
Stoppage Time | The official ruled that there would be 11 minutes added, and in that span, Philadelphia Union earned and missed a penalty kick, then saw Makhanya issued a red card just before the whistle making the South African center back ineligible for next weekend's match.
