Union Defeats Tampa Bay 2-0 in First Florida Preseason Friendly

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Most Philadelphia Union fans had their first glimpse of the revamped 2026 team Saturday night, and the performance may have been as expected. In a mixed-squad friendly against USLC side Tampa Bay Rowdies, Alejandro Bedoya and Danley Jean-Jacques scored second half goals while Andrew Rick stopped a penalty in the first to lead the Philadelphia Union to a 2-0 victory.

Last week, the Philadelphia Union returned from their training camp in Marbella, Spain to their Florida base in Clearwater, where they will remain until their Concacaf Champions Cup opener against Defense Force Wednesday February 18th in Trinidad.

Following their 4-0 win over FK Budućnost Podgorica in the final Spain friendly, the Union started with a majority of their reserves, which the exception of Olewethu Makhanya in the center back. Alongside Makhanya, Rafael Uzcátegui started as the second center back with established reserves Jesus Bueno and Jeremy Rafanello in front of them. With a front four of Union II players Stas Korzeniowski, Sal Olivas, C.J. Olney, and Cavan Sullivan, the Union mustered only a few decent chances in the first half, the best coming from an Olivas header off a floated scoop from Bueno that Rowdies keeper Jamahli Waite pushed off the woodwork.

A questionable no-call on a challenge against Olivas inside the box was the only other good look at goal. Meanwhile Tampa had several of the half’s best chances early with Union keeper Andrew Rick pushing aside a powerful volley inside the game’s opening minutes. But his penalty save early in the second half on Marco Micaletto kept the score deadlocked. New signing Geinér Martinez was called for the penalty on a reckless challenge, which expressed some of the Colombian defender’s valued grit but perhaps also some of his youth.

A majority of the Union starters entered in the 62nd minute, along with Kellen LeBlanc and Jordan Griffin, and injected some much needed energy into the game. Asserting their press early and often, the Union finally found their first on a well-executed press that started with a Tampa Bay defensive throw that went back to the keeper. Eventually, Jovan Lukic won the ball just outside the box, and the Union’s marquee signing of the offseason, Ezekial Alladoh, held the ball up before slipping a pass to Bedoya for the tidy finish.

The Union weren’t done pressing and a short time later created their second. An effective counter-press set up a midfield to forward combination that led to Frankie Westfield all alone out wide with plenty of time to pick out Danley Jean-Jacques at the penalty spot. The Haitian international’s header found the bottom corner to extend the Union lead.

With the loss of several core members, including Kai Wagner, Jakob Glesnes, and Tai Baribo, this preseason is meant to answer how Union coach Bradley Carnell can lead his team back to the Supporter’s Shield and a chance at redemption in the MLS Cup playoffs. Alladoh has waved some of those concerns for now. However, squad depth will be more important this year as the Union prepare for a return to the Concacaf Champions League Cup, a competition in which they reached the semifinals in 2021 and 2023.

The Union will wrap up preseason against CF Montréal on February 10th from Clearwater. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Union Lineup:

Rick, Bender, Makhanya (Martinez 31’), Uzcátegui, Mbaizo, Bueno, Rafanello, Olney, C. Sullivan, Korzeniowski, Olivas

62’: Blake, Westfield, Harriel, Griffin, Rafanello, Lukic, Danley, Bedoya, LeBlanc, Alladoh, Iloski

Tampa Bay Lineup:

Waite (Pack 45’), Acoff (Trialist 62’), Schaefer (Ostrem 45’), Archer (Wyke 62’), Rodriguez (Dossantos 30’), Schneider (Cruz 62’), Hilton (Dolabella 45’), Mendez (Trialist 62’), Micaletto, Cicerone (Trialist 62’), Myers (Henderlong 45’)

 

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