Three different scorers found the back of the net as Philadelphia Union knocked off Atlanta United, 3-0, in front of the home fans at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
Homegrown Quinn Sullivan continued his remarkable 2025 campaign, finding the back of the net in the first half for his first goal of the season and then added his third assist on a dime to Tai Baribo. Philly jumped out to the lead in 27th minute with Sullivan finishing off a chaotic Union attack with a volley finish. The Boys in Blue doubled their lead early in the second half with midfielder Danley Jean Jacques scoring his first Union goal with a finish between the keeper's legs. With the Union down to 10 men after a second yellow card, Tai Baribo added to the Union's scoreline in the 84th minute for the Israeli forward's seventh goal of the season.
The Boys in Blue wrap up their April homestand with Kids Day Presented by Nemours Children’s Health against rivals D.C. United next weekend. The contest sees the return of the fan-favorite postgame kick with all kids 14 and under invited to take a shot on goal following the contest. Tickets are on sale now for the April 26th contest, with registration for the postgame activity required. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 4:30PM ET.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out a never-before-seen lineup on Saturday night against Atlanta United, making three personnel changes to last week's starting crew.
Andre Blake, a team captain and three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, reclaimed his spot between the posts, starting in net after missing last weekend's match due to injury.
In front of Blake Carnell opted to use Nate Harriel, a natural right back, as a centerback alongside Jakob Glesnes for the core of the back line while Kai Wagner and Frankie Westfield were the starting outside backs.
For a second straight match, Jovan Lukic, Indy Vassilev, Danley, and Quinn Sullivan made up the midfield, but Carnell opted for a different attacking duo in front of them. After starting the last two matches on the bench, Mikael Uhre returned to the starting XI, this time alongside Bruno Damiani.
16', Close chance for Philly | The new trio of Uhre, Damiani, and Vassilev showed a promising flash in an early counter attack, nearly putting their team on the board in the 16th minute. Damiani battled Atlanta center back Noah Cobb to gain possession off a clearance from Kai Wagner, finding Uhre in stride for a 1v1 opportunity against only Stian Gregersen. Brad Guzan stopped the Danish striker's first shot, but Vassilev kept play alive, sprinting toward the Atlanta keeper to recover possesion for the Boys in Blue. After battling Cobb himself, Vassilev set Uhre up for another shot, this time at the top of the box, but the chance went wide left.
27', Quinn Sullivan makes it 1-0 | Just over 10 minutes later, homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan scored his first of the season, sending Subaru Park into a celebratory frenzy. The play started with Wagner, who dribbled up the left sideline before sending the ball into the box toward Damiani. Atlanta's Bartosz Slisz won the header, attempting to send it away from the net, but instead found Sullivan unmarked in the box. The 21-year-old recieved it with his chest, then volleyed it with force to the opposite corner, giving Guzan no chance to stop it.
50', Danley scores first Union goal | The Union continued to build on their momentum in the start of the second half, finding their second goal of the night in the 50th minute. In a joint effort with Lukic, Wagner claimed possession for the Union near midfield, then sent a pass toward Uhre and Damiani. Danley sprinted the left, where Uhre found him for an uncontested shot through Brad Guzan's legs.
56', Union go down a man | After picking up a yellow card in the first half, Philadelphia was forced into a tough position at home just before the hour mark when Jovan Lukic was shown a second yellow. With the midfielder forced off the pitch, the Union were down to 10 men to see out the contest and will be without the Serbian international agianst rivals D.C. United next weekend as well.
61', Union sub | When Lukic retreated to the locker room, Carnell made a tactical decision to help hold the 2-0 lead, subbing striker Mikael Uhre for centerback Olwethu Makhanya. The South African defender's addition to the pitch put the Boys in Blue into a three-man back line with Makhanya on the right side of Glesnes while Harriel went to the Norwegian's left.
74', Another Union sub | With just over 15 minutes remaining in the contest, Carnell went for fresh legs atop the 5-4-1 formation with a like for like swap of Tai Baribo for Damiani.
76', Atlanta kisses the post | Looking to get one back late in the match, substitute Saba Lobjanidze found himself in with a chance to make it 2-1, but the midfielder's shot from close range crashed off the post and stayed out.
85', Baribo makes it 3-0! | 11 minutes after taking to the field, Baribo put the cherry on top of the Union's evening with a headed finish past Guzan for his seventh goal of the 2025 season. Homegrown Quinn Sullivan provided the service on the Union's third goal, tracking down the ball and keeping it in bounces before hitting a cross into the six that Baribo sent home.
