On March 22, 2025, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Union claimed a decisive 1-0 victory over their opponents St. Louis City SC. This match was pivotal for several reasons, not the least of which was that it marked the first-ever competitive meeting between the two MLS teams. The Union's important win came during a time when they were heavily impacted by player absences, missing eight athletes due to international duty.
Early in the match, Ian Glavinovich made his mark, scoring the only goal in the eighth minute. Off a well-placed corner kick from Kai Wagner, Glavinovich, who was stepping in as a starter due to Olwethu Makhanya’s suspension, connected with a header that found the bottom left corner of the net. This score was particularly significant as it represented his first goal for the Union and his first league goal of his career.
The match featured a tactical matchup that showcased the styles of both teams. The Philadelphia Union, led by head coach Bradley Carnell, employed a counter-pressing strategy. Despite missing key players, this approach allowed them to control the game. The Union outshot City SC, notching 18 total shots, 9 of which were on goal, compared to St. Louis's mere 6 shots and only 1 finding the target.
St. Louis City SC, starting their season with a record-tying four clean sheets, faced a formidable challenge without their regular starting goalkeeper, Roman Bürki, who was missing due to a broken hand. Despite Ben Lundt's impressive performance, making eight saves and keeping the scoreline respectable, their defensive streak ended at 368 minutes with Glavinovich's opening goal.
This match also highlighted the contrasts in each team's style. St. Louis, coached by Olof Mellberg, typically focuses on a defensive strategy, relying on counterattacks to score. However, in this match, they struggled to gain possession, finishing with just 27.2% compared to the Union's commanding control.
The turning point for St. Louis came in the 66th minute when midfielder Eduard Löwen received a red card, effectively leaving the team a man down. His dismissals stemmed from grabbing a Union player to thwart a counterattack and kicking the ball away after a referee's call. This red card compounded the difficulties faced by City SC and limited their attacking options late in the game.
The substitutions made by St. Louis after Löwen’s dismissal were strategic yet insufficient to change the momentum of the match. Although they made attempts to adapt by bringing in players like Klauss and Yaro, the changes didn’t yield the necessary offensive spark.
As the match progressed, it became clear that despite their earlier defensive successes, St. Louis struggled to keep up with Philadelphia's vigorous pressing. With the Union eager to capitalize on every opportunity, they maintained pressure and limited City SC's chances.
With both teams looking to secure essential points early in the season, this match could have long-term ramifications for their campaigns. Next, City SC will head back home to face Austin FC on March 30, marking another opportunity to begin anew after this disappointing loss. Meanwhile, the Union claimed a valuable win that could set the tone for their remaining fixtures in the MLS season.
The final scoreline of 1-0 told the story of a well-fought game where Philadelphia's unfaltering spirit and tactical discipline prevailed on home turf. As they celebrate this victory, the Union's coaching staff will be eager to analyze and prepare for their next challenge, ensuring they remain competitive in a season filled with potential. With both teams regrouping for their upcoming matches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how each team rebounds from this exciting yet revealing encounter.
