Know Thy Enemy: Revolution vs Fly Union Fly Editon
The Philadelphia Union made the very interesting decision to move on from Jim Curtin, but two games into the Bradley Carnell era they're atop the East with six points.
If you had told anyone a few years ago that a New England Revolution-Philadelphia Union matchup (730 PM, MLS Season Pass) would not have either Bruce Arena or Jim Curtin on the sidelines…you would have been sent home from work sick.
The Union under Jim Curtin were the definition of a successful and well run team. They routinely made the playoffs, were generally at the top of the conference standings, developed and sold a ton of homegrowns. Basically from 2019-2023 the team did everything except win a cup, not helped by that 2020 first round exit the Revolution put on the Shield winners, which…we know that feeling too.
But after a fairly calamitous 2024 in which perhaps the relationship between Curtin and the Union became strained and the team missed the playoffs for just the third time in a full Curtin season and first since 2017. The team moved on and seem to have quickly rediscovered their usual form with Bradley Carnell, former RBNY assistant and St Louis City head coach.
Now it’s just two games in, but scoring an average of four goals a game so far in 2025 seems pretty good. The Union have always done well at the whole team is better than the parts thing.
They’re not massive spenders when it comes to salary, usually in the bottom five in the league. They added Young DP Bruno Damiani, and loanee Ian Glavinovich on a TAM deal, and Jovan Lukic is on regular salary and an international roster spot.
Breakout star Tai Baribo is a TAM player and none of their three DP’s make a base salary above $2 million though Mikael Uhre does make slightly over that $2M number in total compensation. All signs point to a general return to form for the Union as far as being a playoff team again. Whether or not they can finally make a run against the high salaries of Miami and others will always be the question.
For now, the Union have themselves figured out and now come up against the New England Revolution who have only allowed one goal so far in 2025 but have yet to score and only have one point to show for their campaign. Another home loss for the Revs would put them eight points behind the East leading Union and would start to signal some sort of alarm in Revsland.
As always, we got to chat with our good friend Joe Lister of Philadelphia Soccer Now who was gracious enough to break away from his Penn State homerism and other throwball celebrations to answer some questions. Be sure to check out their site for coverage from the Union side of today’s matchup.
1) Jim Curtin is not walking through that door...can't believe I just typed that. What are the early returns on Bradley Carnell and the biggest differences for the Union on the field so far?
Jim not being on the sideline is a big switch for all of us. I wasn't even 10 years old when Jim was named head coach, so now everyone reading this feels a little older, myself especially.
Carnell has been really solid. He got the Union an impressive win against Orlando, picked up another against Cincinnati, and now the Union are rolling at the top of the table. The team is playing incredibly fluid soccer that almost makes you wonder if Jim was the problem (he wasn't). The back line has been strong, the midfield has distributed and distributed well, and the attackers have played off each other in an unselfish manner. It's great stuff.
2) A lot of roster turnover with regulars like Jack Elliott, Leon Flach, and Jack McGlynn moving on, who are some of the new faces that are expected to contribute?
Tai Baribo isn't a new face — and we'll talk about him in a bit — but know his name. You should also know Frankie Westfield, who was supposed to play for my Nittany Lions before taking a contract with the Philadelphia Union II. He started in both and looked great at right back. He's strong and knows it. Great on defense and decently progressive - especially for a youngster.
Also, know Olwethu Makhanya, who has played well on the back line, and Jovan Lukic, who is strong in central midfield.
3) Tai Baribo is on a heater with five goals in two games, how has he been so successful early on this year and who is likely to help him carry the scoring load this year?
Baribo has been so good because the people around him are making him that way. Daniel Gazdag was laying off passes he could've scored on to Baribo, and Mikael Uhre is drawing bodies in the box overlapping runs have been some really good stuff. The Union are pouncing on every opportunity, and Baribo's put himself in good positions and taken quality shots. It won't last forever, but man, he's looking great.
Bonus) Talk about your Penn State dude Saquon Barkley’s historic 2024 season and new contract assuming Philly is still standing after the parade.
I just got a Saquon hat for my birthday, and I could talk about this dude all day. Not only is he one of my favorite Eagles of all time, but he's a Penn Stater, too. That means everything to the large population of "outside of Philly" kids who live in Happy Valley.
(JC: This is absolutely helping the cause of the custom Nick Foles away Pines shirt I really want…)
Lineup/Injuries/Predictions/Etc
No major injuries, and I expect the Union to line up as they have in the past two games.
Blake; Wagner, Glesnes, Makhanya, Westfield; Gazdag, Jean Jacques, Lukic, Sullivan; Uhre, Baribo. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
3-1 Union with another brace from Baribo and a goal from Gazdag. Let the hits keep rolling.