Philadelphia Union 0-1 Slavia Prague – The decisive match!

This Sunday morning, the Philadelphia Union began its 2025 preseason campaign against Slavia Prague, who play in the Czech Republic, at the Marbella Football Center in Málaga, Spain. Bradley Carnell’s first match as Union head coach ended in a 1-0 loss to Prague.

The meeting was broadcast by Slavia Prague on CT Sport, a Czech television network which allowed this online broadcast.

During their stay in Marbella for pre-season training, Slavia Prague enjoy a five-week break from their regular championship. On Thursday, the team will face PAOK Thessaloniki FC of Greece in the seventh round of the Europa League. Currently, they occupy 29th place, just three points from the playoff zone of the round of 32. In the Chance Liga, they are at the top of the standings with 50 points in 19 matches (16W-2D-1D).

Philadelphia Union and Slavia Prague both saw notable departures during the January transfer window. For the Union, the absence of Leon Flach and Jack Elliott, two players very popular with supporters, proved to be a challenge. However, Carnell tested Olwethu Makhanya and new loanee Ian Glavinovich in central defense, while also providing Jesus Bueno with the opportunity to play at the base of the diamond.

The most notable departure for Slavia Prague was that of Antonin Kinsky, their starting goalkeeper, who moved to Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for a considerable fee of €16.5 million. Three days after his arrival, he took his place in goal in a match against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final without conceding a goal. Kinsky’s replacement is Ales Mandous, who has been at the club since 2021.

Shaking off rust in the first half

Slavia Prague started the match with intense pressure on the Union defense, but the central defender duo of Makhanya and Glavinovich held on, supported by Andre Blake. These two defenders were comfortable on the ball and competed in aerial duels.

Slavia Prague opened the scoring in the 23rd minute following a cross from their left flank. The ball traveled from one side of the field to the other in the Union half before being sent into the box. Frankie Westfield was slow to close the space on the striker who provided the assist. The defense on crosses was a weak point throughout the first half; striker Mojmir Chytil was left unmarked to take the cross and score.

The Czechs had another chance in the 32nd minute, but Andre Blake managed to block a one-on-one before the referee ruled offside. Four minutes later, a goal was also ruled out for offside on a free kick. Bradley Carnell then decided to rotate his team, replacing the goalkeeper and giving Semmle the chance. Jakob Glesnes replaced Glavinovich, who did not make any major mistakes in his first outing with the Union, and Alejandro Bedoya was replaced by Jeremy Rafanello. Bedoya’s only highlight was a missed shot after a free kick in favor of the Union.

The youngsters take over in the second half

Union made five substitutions at halftime, including giving Eddy Davis his first senior minutes as a forward, while Nick Pariano took over at right back. Their presence immediately instilled more confidence in the attack, passing smarter passes between them, while Cavan Sullivan missed a shot that went over the crossbar from outside the area with his left foot. The diamond seemed less rigid, with Danley, Rafanello, Cavan Sullivan and Quinn Sullivan in constant motion in transition. Creativity in midfield helped generate more attacking opportunities.

Even more youngsters entered in the 62nd minute, including Andrew Rick in goal. Oliver Semmle wasn’t really tested during his time there. Eddy Davis was also substituted after just 17 minutes; like Glavinovich, he showed signs of promise without making any mistakes.

Andrew Rick made a dangerous clearance in the 72nd minute, avoiding two unmarked attackers. This latest rotation of players, with the exception of Danley, Glesnes and LeFlore, was comprised of Union 2 players who played together cohesively and effectively.

Union’s final substitutions came in the 76th minute, with Olivier Mbaizo on the field in place of Jakob Glesnes in central defense and Sal Olivas coming on for Markus Anderson. Philadelphia had several chances to equalize, but failed to score. However, they managed to keep Slavia Prague from taking off. Rick was decisive in goal, making numerous saves to keep their deficit at 1-0. Mbaizo in central defense had some difficulties, but Danley’s speed and defensive qualities helped to compensate for Mbaizo’s shortcomings. Rick also handled the situation well.

Although Union lost the match, every player had the opportunity to participate and they managed to limit an in-form team to a 1-0 scoreline. For the group’s first match under the direction of a new coach, this meeting can still be considered a success. The Union will play another friendly match against AGF of Denmark the following Sunday.

Three points to remember:

• Central defense: Ian Glavinovich and Olwethu Makhanya started together and comfortably handled aerial duels and contact. Glavinovich looked particularly comfortable on the ball, looking for solutions higher up the pitch. He had the opportunity to put himself forward during the early stages of the match, while Makhanya also showed some good qualities, even if he left Glavinovich alone against two attackers in the conceded goal. All central defenders who participated were allowed to project forward to support the play.
• Involvement of young people: The second period allowed four young people from the Union training center to stand out, with an immediate impact. The team had smoother ball circulation and this proves the effectiveness of implementing the diamond formation at all levels of play in the Union. The young players show great confidence in this tactical scheme.
• Unused players: Nathan Harriel and Chris Donovan were the only members of the team who traveled to Marbella without coming on as a substitute. Donovan was present on the bench during the broadcast, but he did not appear during the match, while Harriel was also absent.

Lineups

Philadelphia

Starters : Andre Blake (Oliver Semmle– 37”) (Andrew Rick– 62”), Frankie Westfield (Isaiah LeFlore– 62”), Olwethu Makhanya (Neil Pierre– 62”), Ian Glavinovich (Jakob Glesnes– 37”) (Olivier Tomorrow– 76”), Kai Wagner (Nick Pariano– 45”), Jesus Bueno (Danley Jean Jacques– 45”), Quinn Sullivan (CJ Olney– 62”), Alejandro Bedoya (Jeremy Rafanello– 37”), Daniel Gazdag (Cavan Sullivan– 45”), Tai Baribeau (Eddy Davis – 45”) (David Vazquez– 62”), Mikeal Uhre (Marcus Anderson– 45”) (Sal Olivas– 76”)

Unused substitutes: Chris Donovan

Slavia Prague

Titulaire: Mandous, Konecny, Ogbu, Zima, Doudera, Zafeiris, Oscar, Diouf, Lingr, Chytil, Botos

Replacements: Markovic, Fila, Michez, Moses, Prebsl, Teah, Pech

(Slavia Prague’s tweet regarding their roster cited their lack of depth due to “viruses”).

Summary of goals:

Prague : Caught – 23″

Disciplinary summary:

Philadelphia: CJ Olney– 65”

Philadelphia : Jeremy Rafanello – 65”

Prague: Staff member – Red Card