Uhre scores, but Union loses in Inter Miami CF

Mikael Uhre found the back of the net early but Philadelphia Union couldn’t get past Supporters’ Shield Leading Inter Miami CF, falling by a 2-1 scoreline at Subaru Park on Saturday night.

Philadelphia Union
16/06/2024

In addition to Damion Lowe Jose Martinez, and Daniel Gazdag away with their respective national teams, Philadelphia Union sent out an updated Starting XI featuring Homegrown Jeremy Rafanello who made his first appearance at home and was his third of the season. The 24-year-old replaced Gazdag at the no. 10 position in the team, and he was joined by his fellow Homegrown Quinn Sullivan and Danish Designated Player Mikael Uhre at the offensive end. Leon Flach and team captain Alejandro Bedoya manned the midfield while the defense was paired with a centerback duo from the second time. With Lowe out as well as Jack Elliott suspended for the game following an injury in the second half in the match against CF Montreal, Homegrown Nate Harriel was moved to centerback along with Jakob Glesnes, as he did in 2024 when he played Pachuca in Concacaf Champions Cup play. Olivier Mbaizo took over Harriel’s normal right back position opposite Kai Wagner creating a starting backline to defend Major League Soccer rookie Oliver Semmle in the net. The German goalkeeper earned his 12th beginning for the Union and held the post while Andre Blake continued his recovery from meniscus surgery.

Inter Miami was without three players due to national team duties also The three players Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Matias Rojas were not part of Miami’s matchday squad, which caused some reshuffles in their squad also.

Philadelphia Union started hot, reaching the the net after the 3rd minute the help of Uhre. Glesnes discovered the ball in the defensive area of Philadelphia, picking it in the middle and then putting it forward using an exquisitely weighted pass to Uhre who sprinted towards Drake Callender in net. After being snatched by Tomas Aviles and Julian Gressel, Uhre smartly took his time and turned to the left, drawing the keeper only long enough to get the ball into the corner of the back. This goal gave the Union’s most rapid scored lead of the season, and put them ahead by 1-0 in front of a huge Subaru Park crowd.

Semmle was able to match the intensity and saved a shot from Leo Campana in the 10th minute. Philadelphia did not manage to take the ball away from their defensive side and caused the German goalkeeper to grab the ball and put it in play to settle both sides.

A few minutes later after that, after three minutes, Boys in Blue got another chance to score in transition This time, it was a result of an Rafanello possession. The Homegrown took the ball in a calm manner before spotting Sullivan ahead. He completed the pass with Sullivan having a run that was similar to Uhre’s and beating Aviles who knocked his shot down mid-air. He put the ball left of the contact area and missed the net, despite no penalty to his advantage.

It was a back-and-forth battle was continuing with Semmle summoned at the end of 23rd minutes to take the ball by Gressel. In the next Miami play, he and Nate Harriel collided in an attempt to block the ball, which could have been a costly conflagration, however the Homegrown quickly regrouped and was able to get to the ball and changed the direction of the ball.

Flach was able to get himself in the open on the left edge in the final minute receiving a ball from McGlynn to shoot his own. The shot made it through the traffic without Miami having a chance to touch the ball, but it was taken away from play at the final line, missing all over the field.

Philadelphia Union was relentless on the offensive end, despite having an advantage, and continued to play a creative attacks throughout the second half. McGlynn utilized his deadly left foot to deliver a powerful delivery into the box and Bedoya attempted to strike the ball into the goal for a scoring however the ball was pushed out of the game. This gave Philly the chance to score an Wagner corner however Callender blocked it. They had a chance on the other side of it, however this time, it was going away from the box. Mbaizo was quick to take the rebound and he complied with the demands of the crowd to shoot, but his effort was a miss as it sailed over the net.

Inter Miami took a shot from their next position but Semmle was able to save it and then quickly tossed it towards the right side before bringing the ball back in play to strike Miami during the transition. When Philadelphia was chasing across on the field David Ruiz took down Sullivan who was able to earn the yellow card, which allowed the home team to take an opportunity to kick. Philadelphia was unable to take advantage of the opportunity as the captain of the team was given a warning of his own following the sighting of his shot go across the field and was sure that Callender was able to get a hand on the ball. Bedoya had another scoring chance at the end of 32nd minutes. He was trying to redirect a ball made by Olivier Mbaizo past Callender with his head, but the goalkeeper took a hold of it, blocking the opportunity.

They Boys in Blue continued to press the Florida backline for a couple of minutes later, as Raffanello continued to look for space back of his Miami backline. Bedoya made a sly play into the wing of the homegrown, which opened up the Union attack to create a cross chance. Other homegrowns stepped up with Sullivan playing centrally, while McGlynn ran forward to complete an back post run. Rafanello hit a powerful cross that was thwarted by a defender, however the rebound fell straight to Sullivan for a one-time shot, however the shot smashed off Marcelo Weigandt, who stayed out.

In the first minute of the second period Inter Miami’s scoring offense was able to find the net when Gressel got his goal for the first time goal of his 2024 campaign. After a series of Miami moves in the Union’s box, Benjamin Cremaschi crossed the ball into Gressel who smashed the ball past Semmle and into the top of the goal. The goal affirmed Miami’s status as the top second-half offense in Major League Soccer.

The 52nd second minute Curtin was quick to respond to Bedoya’s motion to substitute him, and he replaced his colleague Jesus Bueno for his fifth appearance in the league. The captain’s armband was handed over for Glesnes while the players continued to fight to get ahead. Philly kept attacking from outside while Sullivan was chasing an attacking ball from the midfield. He attempted to get in touch with Uhre near the post, but was unable to get it disappear.

As Philly tried to solve the puzzle set in the head coaching position by Tata Martino to score a decisive goal, the visitors attempted to take the lead, but were stopped by a slick goal from Semmle when he smothered Campana with a counter attack.

Philly enjoyed an advantage numerically during the subsequent play, as Leon Flach cleared out the corner before being taken away to be replaced by David Ruiz in the 68th minute. The head referee was quick in his pockets as he handed out the second yellow yard to the midfielder, revealing the Florida team have to end the match with just 10 players.

The game continued to heat up between the two sides of the Eastern Conference as both sides were able to trade go-ahead goals in a matter of seconds. Then it was that the Supporters’ Shield leaders having the first chance in launching counter-attacks after Campana sent a ball in the wrong direction to goalscorer Gressel. The midfielder raced to the right-hand side with a 3v2 advantage, and sent a cross towards the post to which Cremaschi was the first to hit but the ball went across the bar. Philly had a chance to score in the following possession when replacement Tai Baribo got into the action. The forward was close to scoring on his first attempt as he was able to slip inside the box before attempting an effort after completing 180 degrees.

The game was further to offer during the 83rd minutes when the center-back Tomas Aviles was shown his second yellow of the game for the visitors to be forced to go by scoring just nine goals.

While Philly took on all its resources in the hopes to give the fans a win two substitutes benefited from an exciting game. Yannick Bright snatched a ball in the top box, then took on two Philly players before sending an open ball to the newly arrived Leo Afanso. With just Glesnes as well as the Union goalkeeper on the field, the 22-year old was able to dribble before delivering the game winner by gently rubbing over Semmle as he sped away from his line.

Philadelphia Union continues a busy month of games in June as they head out on the road to play FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night. They will be taking on FC Cincinnati. Boys in Blue look to match the league record for the most unbeaten start away from home in the match that kicks off at 7:45 PM at EST on the FS1 channel and is available for free for those who subscribe to MLS Season Pass.