Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Mar 15, 2025 1:23 pm

Tai Baribo, Union aim to continue dominant start against Nashville

Tai Baribo

The Philadelphia Union aim to extend their perfect start to the season on Sunday afternoon when they host a Nashville SC side showing signs of coming into their own as well.

Philadelphia (3-0-0, 9 points) has been dominant, outscoring its opponents 10-3. Tai Baribo has scored an MLS-leading six goals, a total higher than 21 MLS teams had reached entering the league’s fourth matchday.

And while early expectations around the Union were modest following the departure of longtime manager Jim Curtin this winter, new head coach Bradley Carnell says he can feel his team’s sights begin to rise higher.

“I think there’s growing hunger, growing appetite, and ambition,” Carnell said on Friday. “This group’s got a level head about them, a very business mind-like attitude. It’s very positive around the camp at the moment, and the boys are full of energy and full of fun right now. Winning helps do that.”

All three wins have come by multiple goals, including a 2-0 victory at New England last Saturday. Baribo broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, and offseason signing Jovan Lukic added the first of his MLS career deep in second-half stoppage time.

The same night, Nashville (1-1-1, 4 points) earned a 2-0 win over the visiting Portland Timbers with a performance that was even more commanding than the final score suggested.

The Coyotes had two first-half penalties saved before Andy Najar scored a fortuitous goal moments before halftime. Ahmed Qasem added the second on a header in his MLS starting debut.

Nashville hadn’t scored until the victory, though. And while the hope is Qasem’s addition will help unlock an attack that struggled last season, manager B.J. Callaghan knows his side can’t afford to get caught in a track meet with Philadelphia.

“They’re obviously very dangerous. And not only is it how many goals they’ve scored, but the goal-scoring chances they create through all phases of play is something that we need to be mindful of,” Callaghan said. “So yeah, of course we’re going to have to try and get pressure to them and deny, I would say, the supply chain of how they create scoring chances.”

–Field Level Media

You may also like

los angeles fc
Mar 15, 2025 6:06 pm

Austin FC protects early lead, slips past LAFC 1-0

Guilherme Biro scored an early goal and Austin FC protected the advantage to earn a 1-0 victory over host Los Angeles FC on Saturday afternoon. Brad Stuver made three saves…

New York Red Bulls, Orlando City
Mar 15, 2025 5:02 pm

Red Bulls, Orlando City draw 2-2 in playoff rematch

Dennis Gjengaar scored the game-tying goal in the 47th minute and the New York Red Bulls rallied for a 2-2 draw with Orlando City on Saturday afternoon at Harrison, N.J….

Toronto FC, Chicago Fire
Mar 15, 2025 5:01 pm

Fire pick up 2nd straight win with 2-1 victory over Toronto

Hugo Cuypers scored his fourth goal of the season and the Chicago Fire reversed an early deficit to complete a 2-1 victory at Toronto FC on Saturday. Andrew Gutman also…

More Soccer News

los angeles fc
Mar 15, 2025 6:06 pm

Austin FC protects early lead, slips past LAFC 1-0

Guilherme Biro scored an early goal and Austin FC protected the advantage to earn a 1-0 victory over host Los Angeles FC on Saturday afternoon. Brad Stuver made three saves…

New York Red Bulls, Orlando City
Mar 15, 2025 5:02 pm

Red Bulls, Orlando City draw 2-2 in playoff rematch

Toronto FC, Chicago Fire
Mar 15, 2025 5:01 pm

Fire pick up 2nd straight win with 2-1 victory over Toronto

messi
Mar 15, 2025 3:20 pm

Inter Miami, Atlanta United clash in MLS Cup rematch

Isaiah Parente
Mar 15, 2025 1:56 pm

Galaxy, Timbers try to move past slow starts

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds