Philadelphia Union completed the home stand sweep, taking down rivals D.C. United by a 3-0 margin on Saturday afternoon.
As the Union celebrated its youngest fans on Kids’ Day, the Boys in Blue saw one of its homegrowns help set up the opening goal. Battling an early downpour, Frankie Westfield picked out Jakob Glesnes in the 15th minute for a volley finish that had the Union rolling early against their I-95 rivals. The Boys in Blue carried the lead into the break and doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute as Danley Jean Jacques scored for the second-straight contest with an exciting run forward before kissing a shot off the post and in. Substitute forward Bruno Damiani made it back-to-back three-goal victories for the homeside with a smooth finish inside the box in the 77th minute secure the three points.
The victory extends the Union’s dominance over their rivals, with the Union’s home unbeaten streak against D.C. United extended to a MLS-record 14 home matches.
After a two-game home stand in front of the Union faithful, Philadelphia Union hits the road for a showdown in Canada next weekend against CF Montreal. Kick off from north of the border is set for 7:30PM ET with the action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Bradley Carnell sent out a never-before-seen crew to take on D.C. United on Saturday night, making multiple changes to the group that defeated Atlanta United 3-0 a week prior.
As usual, three time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake started in net, but in front of him, Nate Harriel stepped in at center back for a second time this season, joining Jakob Glesnes while Frankie Westfield took over at right back opposite Kai Wagner.
For the first time this season, Jovan Lukic was missing from the starting XI, instead serving a suspension in the club’s Charmain’s Suite after picking up a red card against Atlanta United. In his absence, 26-year-old Venezuelan Jesus Bueno got the nod, starting in the midfield with Indiana Vassilev, Quinn Sullivan, and Danley Jean Jacques. Another change from last weekend’s lineup came up front – after scoring off the bench against Atlanta United, Tai Baribo reclaimed his spot in the opening group, paired with Mikael Uhre.
After three weeks as a starter, Bruno Damiani returned to the bench, sitting alongside Cavan Sullivan, Jeremy Rafanello, Olivier Mbaizo, David Vazquez, Chris Donovan, Olwethu Makhanya, Neil Pierre, and Andrew Rick
15', Glesnes Golazo | Whenever Jakob Glesnes gets possesion of the ball in the attacking end, it's Union supporter tradition to yell 'shooooooot', but before fans could even get the chance, that's just what he did on Saturday night to give Philadelphia Union the 1-0 lead. Persevering through sporadic downpours, Frankie Westfield threw the ball in to Indiana Vassilev on the right side, who immediately passed it back to him for a soaring service into the box. The young Homegrown's ball found Glesnes perfectly, and he completed the play with a powerful one-touch finish past D.C. United Goalkeeper Luis Barraza.
40', Big saves from Blake | With halftime looming, Union shot stopper Andre Blake made a important save in the 41st minute. The Jamaican international denied a strong effort from D.C.'s Jabob Murrel's that stiffled any momentum for the road team heading to the locker room.
52', Another Danley DOOP | For the second straight match, Danley Jean Jacques scored for the Philadelphia Union shortly after halftime, once again doubling the team's lead to 2-0. In the 52nd minute, the 24-year-old Haitian midfielder received a quick pass from Sullivan, then made a move around Jacob Murrell before swiftly advanced toward the top of the box, where he booted a shot that hit off the right post then in.
62', Double sub for Philly | Carnell made his first changes in the 60th minute, exchanging Jesus Bueno and Tai Baribo for Cavan Sullivan and Bruno Damiani.
77', Damiani makes it three | The substitute forward needed little time to extend the Boys in Blue advantage with his second goal of the 2025 campaign in the 77th minute. Uhre won a header and flicked it centerally to the Uruguayan forward who boxed out his defender insid the box. As the ball arrive, Damiani quickly spun and poke it past the keeper for the 3-0 to firmly secure the three points at home.
With the result locked up, Head Coach Bradley Carnell turned to more reserves to see out the victory with a busy May ahead for the Union. Olwethu Makhanya, Chris Donovan and Jeremy Rafanello took to the pitch with big cheers from the Union faithful after strong shifts from Mikael Uhre, Kai Wagner and Indiana Vassilev.
Philly nearly made it 4-0 for the second-straight season against D.C. United in stoppage time with Cavan Sullivan hitting a pass to the edge of the box for a Rafanello curler that was somehow denied by a leaping attempt by Luis Barraza.
