Philadelphia Union vs San Jose Earthquakes – The Philly Soccer Page

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 night time showdown at Suabru Park that sees the Union seeking to break a two sport dropping skid. San Jose has had one of many brighter begins this yr, profitable their opening two fixtures with out conceding a aim, and may depend on new DP Timo Werner. The Union are nonetheless gelling, however will profit from membership file signing Ezekial Alladoh’s return from suspension and the potential debut of U22 Initiative signing Phillipe Ndinga.

Scouting report: San Jose (WW)

2025 & Offseason Round-Up

San Jose have been a bit Bi-Polar final season. They had a very electrical assault between Josef Martinez, CJ Espinoza, and Cristian Arango. However, regardless of scoring 60 targets, additionally they conceded 63, which induced them to finish 2025 simply outdoors the playoff bubble.

You’d assume that might sign sweeping modifications forward of 2026 and you would be proper… partially.

Externally, the Quakes gave the impression 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 alternatives (together with 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 greatest strikes this previous offseason, however there’s extra occurring within the Bay Area.

New-look Quakes

Call it addition by subtraction or simply Bruce Arena’s magic, however unexpectedly the Quakes protection has been rock stable. 0 targets allowed of their first two matches. The swap from an assault minded 3-4-3 to the ever pragmatic 4-2-3-1 in all probability performed a task. 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 strategy of bottoming out – however final season they’d have conceded sloppy targets in these matchups.

This yr, to date no less than, the Quakes are defensively secure. Goalkeeper Daniel’s kind 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 a giant step up. Munie and Roberts are the group’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 yr’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 virtually everybody’s season predictions at this level.

Of course, it is solely been two weeks. San Jose has undoubtedly benefited from a simple opening run of video games. But, with Werner ready within the wings, and Arena’s long-term improvement of youthful expertise evident, San Jose could possibly be a extremely stable group. Either approach, they will pose a superb problem to a Philadelphia Union aspect that has struggled to begin the yr.

Injury report: OUT: Earl Edwards Jr. (decrease physique), OUT: Ronaldo Vieira (decrease physique)

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union (LL)

What’s Gone Wrong

Things haven’t gone Philly’s option to begin the yr – in league play no less than. Back-to-back crimson playing cards for what quantities to psychological errors – every from two of the group’s most vital 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 remains 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 group choice, Bradley Carnell might need to get artistic once more with how he units up the backline on Saturday. With that being mentioned, Andre Blake remains to be a beast, and even when the defensive unit is shakier than final yr, they need to be capable of do sufficient to maintain the group on this one.

What’s extra urgent has been how tough this group seems in assault. Yes, the brand new additions are nonetheless gelling, and clearly Ezekiel Alladoh’s crimson card stopped a few of that course of, however no targets from open play in 2 video games is just not a superb 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 sphere.

The Case for Cavan

While he is nonetheless creating – each bodily and as a participant – I believe Cavan Sullivan deserves an prolonged run in opposition to San Jose. Indiana Vassilev is a key a part of Carnell’s press – which has additionally not been as efficient as final season – however his capacity as a playmaker is restricted at greatest. Iloski is sweet, however he cannot be the only real artistic outlet for your complete 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 does not begin, but when the Union wants 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 lift critical questions of why he was even signed within the first place. This group dedicated to the Red Bull mannequin. Look at what’s occurring up in Harrison. 16 and 17 yr olds are beginning and profitable them video games. It’s time to tug the set off and see what occurs.

Overview

This matchup sometimes produces shut affairs. Both groups have very even stats within the all-time collection, every coming in with 5 wins every, combining to tie on 4 events. There has solely been one sport with a margin of victory better than one aim: a 4-2 Union win again at then PPL Park in 2014 (Not-so Fun Fact: That sport was truly Raïs M’bholi’s debut for the Union).

The most up-to-date end result was a 2-1 victory for San Jose within the 2023 season at PayPal Park. Most of this collection’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 delicate rebuild. Expect San Jose to threaten the Union, particularly by overloading the broad areas and on recycled set-pieces. As at all times, Philly will reside and die by their press, so mentally put together for the Union to should develop into this sport – as they’ve had sluggish 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 ought to be an incredible battle between two bodily gifted, younger skills. Alladoh is a real target-forward the likes of which the Union have not 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 critical hazard to the Union’s considerably shaky backline.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes

It’s robust to see the Union profitable this one primarily based on kind. There’s simply too many query marks. It’s clear the group remains 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 may nonetheless discover the again of the web. Union get their first level of the season, however stay winless.