Photo by Stephen Speer
Who: Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose Earthquakes
What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 3
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
When: Saturday, March seventh, 7:30 PM
Watch: MLS on Apple TV, Radio Call on 97.5 The Fanatic
Whistle: REF: Armando Villarreal, AR1: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho, AR2: Diego Blas, 4TH: Rodrigo Albuquerque, VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero, AVAR: TJ Zablocki
The Philadelphia Union (0-0-2) will host Western Conference opponents San Jose Earthquakes (2-0-0) in a Saturday evening showdown at Suabru Park that sees the Union trying to break a two recreation dropping skid. San Jose has had one of many brighter begins this 12 months, successful their opening two fixtures with out conceding a aim, and might depend on new DP Timo Werner. The Union are nonetheless gelling, however will profit from membership document signing Ezekial Alladoh’s return from suspension and the potential debut of U22 Initiative signing Phillipe Ndinga.
Scouting report: San Jose (W-W)
2025 & Offseason Round-Up
San Jose have been a bit Bi-Polar final season. They had a really electrical assault between Josef Martinez, CJ Espinoza, and Cristian Arango. However, regardless of scoring 60 targets, additionally they conceded 63, which prompted them to finish 2025 simply exterior of the playoff bubble.
You’d assume that will sign sweeping adjustments forward of 2026 and also you’d be proper… partially.
Externally, the Quakes seemed to be having a fairly terrible offseason. Their departures doubled their incoming transfers. Many key items, together with that electrical entrance line, left. Reportedly, the membership’s FO straight up forgot to pick up Espinoza’s contract option.
Conversely, their solely acquisitions have been two SuperDraft picks (inlcuding former Philadelphia Union II and Academy product Jack Jasinski) and a handful of free transfers which included a participant from Earthquakes II in Next Pro, Jonathan Gonzalés from Juárez… oh yeah and Timo Werner. Werner is clearly the headline there, and one of many largest strikes this previous offseason, however there’s extra happening within the Bay Area.
New-look Quakes
Call it addition by subtraction or simply Bruce Arena’s magic, however suddenly the Quakes protection has been rock stable. 0 targets allowed of their first two matches. The change from an assault minded 3-4-3 to the ever pragmatic 4-2-3-1 most likely performed a job. Admittedly although, each of their matches got here in opposition to the likes of Sporting Kansas City and Atlanta United – two groups which are nonetheless within the means of bottoming out – however final season they might have conceded sloppy targets in these matchups.
This 12 months, to date not less than, the Quakes are defensively steady. Goalkeeper Daniel’s type seems to have picked up. Daniel Munie, Reid Roberts, and Jamar Ricketts – three first spherical SuperDraft picks from the final couple years – have all taken an enormous step up. Munie and Roberts are the staff’s heart again pairing and Ricketts, a flexible risk on the left aspect, has bagged an help in every of the opening video games. Niko Tsakiris, who caught some consideration for his performances with the USA U-20 finally 12 months’s World Cup, has been given the keys to the ten spot. Preston Judd has scored in again to again video games. The Quakes look able to trash nearly everybody’s season predictions at this level.
Of course, it’s solely been two weeks. San Jose has positively benefitted from a straightforward opening run of video games. But, with Werner ready within the wings, and Arena’s long run improvement of youthful expertise evident, San Jose might be a extremely stable staff. Either manner, they’ll pose a great problem to a Philadelphia Union aspect that has struggled to start out the 12 months.
Injury report: OUT: Earl Edwards Jr. (decrease physique), OUT: Ronaldo Vieira (decrease physique)
Scouting report: Philadelphia Union (L-L)
What’s Gone Wrong
Things haven’t gone Philly’s approach to begin the 12 months – in league play not less than. Back-to-back purple playing cards for what quantities to psychological errors – every from two of the staff’s most essential gamers no much less – is unacceptable. Even extra regarding nonetheless, has been the disjointed performances throughout the primary 180 minutes in MLS.
While the protection continues to be a piece in progress – and Ndinga’s arrival will make it a extra full unit – the depth is dangerous within the quick time period and regarding in the long term. With Olwethu Makhanya suspended, and Olivier Mbaizo off form and largely frozen out of the staff choice, Bradley Carnell may need to get inventive once more with how he units up the backline on Saturday. With that being stated, Andre Blake continues to be a beast, and even when the defensive unit is shakier than final 12 months, they need to be capable of do sufficient to maintain the staff on this one.
What’s extra urgent has been how tough this staff seems in assault. Yes, the brand new additions are nonetheless gelling, and clearly Ezekiel Alladoh’s purple card stopped a few of that course of, however no targets from open play in 2 video games is just not a great signal. The Union are clearly affected by the lack of Kai Wagner and the absence of Quinn Sullivan. They want one other likelihood creator on the sector.
The Case for Cavan
While he’s nonetheless growing – each bodily and as a participant – I feel Cavan Sullivan deserves an prolonged run in opposition to San Jose. Indiana Vassilev is a key a part of Carnell’s press – which additionally has not been as efficient as final season – however his potential as a playmaker is proscribed at greatest. Iloski is nice, however he can’t be the only real inventive outlet for all the offense. Cavan has proven a willingness to drive ahead with the ball, and one eye on progressive passes, two traits the Union desperately want extra of.
Maybe he doesn’t begin, but when the Union want a aim, he must be the primary off the bench. If he’s restricted to a different 10 or 15 minute cameo, it begins to boost severe questions of why he was even signed within the first place. This staff dedicated to the Red Bull mannequin. Look at what’s taking place up in Harrison. 16 and 17 12 months olds are beginning and successful them video games. It’s time to tug the set off and see what occurs.
Overview
This matchup usually produces shut affairs. Both groups have very even stats within the all-time sequence, every coming in with 5 wins every, combining to tie on 4 events. There has solely been one recreation with a margin of victory higher than one aim: a 4-2 Union win again at then PPL Park in 2014 (Not-so Fun Fact: That recreation was truly Raïs M’bholi’s debut for the Union).
The most up-to-date consequence was a 2-1 victory for San Jose within the 2023 season at PayPal Park. Most of this sequence’s main aim scorers are lengthy retired. MLS legend Chris Wondowloski tops the chart with 4. Steven Lenhart, Andrew Wenger, Conor Casey, and Alejandro Bedoya are tied for second place with 2.
All-in-all, this matchup will present a lot wanted information on Philadelphia’s continued changes as they navigate a mushy rebuild. Expect San Jose to threaten the Union, particularly by overloading the huge areas and on recycled set-pieces. As all the time, Philly will reside and die by their press, so mentally put together for the Union to must develop into this recreation – as they’ve had gradual begins in every of their league video games.
Injury report: OUT: Eddy Davis III (quad), OUT: Quinn Sullivan (knee)
Key matchup
Ezekiel Alladoh vs Reid Roberts
This needs to be a terrific battle between two bodily gifted, younger abilities. Alladoh is a real target-forward the likes of which the Union haven’t had since Conor Casey.
Player to Watch: Timo Werner
The Champions League winner and worldwide star already grabbed an help in his debut for the Quakes final week. Whether he begins or comes off the bench, he’ll pose a severe hazard to the Union’s considerably shaky backline.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
It’s powerful to see the Union successful this one primarily based on type. There’s simply too many query marks. It’s clear the staff continues to be adjusting to the departures of key gamers, whereas their replacements are settling in. Meanwhile, San Jose has a stronger protection than final season, and might nonetheless discover the again of the web. Union get their first level of the season, however keep winless.
