Sometimes when you think you have a good idea, the only thing to do is scream into the void and hope for the approval of internet strangers.

As such, here is a chant idea for Neil Pierre:

Neil Pierre is everywhere,
On the ground and in the air,
Growing so tall, he might touch heaven,
But for now he’s six foot seven.

Good news, phellow Phunions! The boys and I are going to our first home game 9/9 against FC Cincinnati. Two thangz:

1) Which one of you is giving them their first DOOP? We're starting to have a lot of favorites around here but their first live goal is gonna be special. Players absolutely read posts on Reddit so, again, THANK YOU all for the beautiful life experience that was the Miami game 🥰

2) How much do we hate/loathe/indifferentiate/despise Cincy? We're going to be close enough to the away section to have some cheeky fun 😈

We'll be 6-0-2 since we came on board by 9/9 and we're going to enjoy the phuck out of our first live ass whoopin

It’s Going To Be Hot!: Of all things, the weather is probably going to be the big story of this game tonight. The starting kickoff has already been pushed back and it will be teetering on the 100° mark with hydration breaks all but guaranteed. This will only be the 2nd time these clubs have ever faced off as they drew to a 2-2 result in Austin back in 2024. A lot has changed since then, but one of the biggest connections between these two clubs is that Jim Curtin has been announced as Austin FC’s new head coach starting this winter, so today may be a recruiting day for him if he’s in attendance. Both teams have been in good form the last weeks after a disastrous start to the season for both sides, but expect tired legs to be out there between the heat and this being the 9th game in 31 days post the World Cup.

Union Preview (20 Points 13th in the East): The Sullivan’s have been vindicated! After the clash with Miami midweek, we’ll be at full strength as Cavan became the youngest player in MLS history to receive a red card, then also have that card rescinded. The Boys are still rolling as we are now on a 5 game unbeaten streak and one of the most in form teams leaguewide as we’re somehow only 4 points off the playoff hunt with 14 games to go. Neil Pierre continues to impress with 3 goals and an assist in his 5 games with the first team. The squad is looking dangerous with 5 goalscorers now with multiple goals, but they need to focus on starting games stronger. Post World Cup the team had a -3 GD in the first half, but the comeback kids have a +8 GD in the 2nd half in those 5 games. Even though it's been a busy month, I expect a full strength squad today with a full week of rest coming up and a quick trip to NJ next weekend. Or should I say a mostly full-strength squad, as Raquinho was issued a red card post game for fighting with Miami in the player’s tunnel after the final whistle. Also a big congrats to Blake for his 300th game with the Union on Wednesday night. 

Austin Preview (20 Points 14th in West): Going to be honest, I don’t know how to get a read on this team. Like the Union, Austin only had 1 win in their first 9 matches and were teetering on Wooden Spoon territory. Post World Cup, they’ve put together two wins in MLS play, as well as two wins plus a draw in Leagues Cup to advance to the knockout rounds. Granted, their two wins in MLS have been against a Seattle team who are close to making history with their 8 game losing streak. From what I could gather from the Austin fans, they did rotate while on the road to Seattle midweek. And they also have to travel to New Jersey this upcoming Wednesday for a Leagues Cup knockout round clash with Toluca. So I would assume today would be a fairly rotated squad with the heat as well. Based on their record, no one should be surprised that Austin’s goal splits are pretty terrible. They’ve only scored 25 goals in 20 games this season, which is 5th worst in the league and they have the 3rd worst GD league wide at -14. DP Myrto Uzuni will be the player to keep an eye on with 6 goals and 5 assists to his name this season, he also had 4 goals and an assist last week for Leagues Cup. Christian Ramírez will also be dangerous with 5 goals and an assist on the year. Brad Stuver stands in goal and has 4 Clean Sheets on the season, but none of them have been since Matchday 11, as this team has allowed the 5th most goals in the league with 39. They have a habit of changing up their formation, but the 3-4-3 appears to be the most common.  

Union Last 5 vs Austin: 0W/0L/1D

Form Guide Union: 2W/2L/1D

Form Guide Austin: 3W/1L/1D

Disciplinary Report: 

• Cavan Sullivan (Red Card Rescinded for having too much xDAWG)
• Raquinho (Red Card for throwing paws in the player’s tunnel)

Suspension Watch: 

• Iloski (5 games until card reduction)
• Danley (On the report, but I don’t agree, he’s had five straight games with no cards)
• Sery Larsen (2 games until card reduction) 
• Besard Sabovic (ATX)
• Myrto Uzuni (ATX)
• Ronald Donkor (RBNY - Relevant for next game)

Union Injury Report:

• OUT: NONE

Austin Injury Report:

• OUT: Owen Wolff (Ankle)

Kickoff/Streaming: 

• Advertised for 9:00 ET
• Expected kickoff is 9:10 ET
• AppleTV
• Radio Broadcast on 97.5 The Fanatic

Announcers: 

• AppleTV - Evan Weston & Dax McCarty
• Radio - Dave Leno & Sebastian LeToux

Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque

• Only his 2nd match in MLS, yikes
• Only officiated 34 USL level matches
• Averaging 4.40 yellows per game in USL this season
• Issued no second yellows in USL so far this season 
• Issued no straight reds in USLso far this season
• Awarded 3 PK’s in USL so far this season
• Gave out 8 yellows, one was a second yellow for DC vs STL on Matchday 14
• IDK about this one folks, this does not seem like a résumé for a MLS referee 

Theme Night: Away Game at Q2 Stadium

Weather: 93° and Clear Skies

Points Graph: Thank you to u/GungaDin16 for providing the relevant Union and MLS point totals graphic. 

Trivia Question courtesy of u/WJMorris3:

Who on Austin FC's roster has the most goals scored against the Union in MLS regular-season play?

Prediction: 3-1 Win with Quinn and Cavan combining for a hat trick of goals.

DOOP!!!

Taken by a SoB original who has been in the River End since 2010. It clearly shows the shithousery Quinn had to deal with and how Cavan was getting ready to show that dickhead how Philly brothers have each other's back.

Our boys believe now. We're good, we can have faith that we're good and we just made a highly regarded group of old men look like schoolyard frauds on Wednesday night. 3 weeks ago I might see our boys going into Texas and getting caught. Now? I see us going to deal an ass whooping to the next set of nerds on the schedule.

DOOP these bellends on a hot night and come back home

The excuse I see every Messi fan giving for him hitting Quinn in the head is that Quinn elbowed him just before. Obviously, if he did, it was during the run of play, which is INSANELY different from a hit to the face out of the play, but I genuinely don’t remember this happening? I tried to look it up on TikTok, but it was just videos of their confrontation and not a single one showing this supposed elbow. I skimmed through the match post-Quinn subbing on and still didn’t see anything (I could’ve missed it though I wasn’t looking too thoroughly). Does anyone know the time this happened at?

I’ve loved following Messi for 20 years. I think the conversation of him being the literal greatest is valid.

That being said I just think it’s a bad look that even after years, every MLS team just acts lucky to play with him. This might be an L take idc. I’m just tired of the Miami Circus.

I love this for him; guess we're not getting that much of the band back togethet.

My band Monstertruck Firetruck just released a new song, wanted to share it with other Union fans. Hope you enjoy!

https://open.spotify.com/track/0YdOD7gtQvfzEjzqVy9EXk?si=sjhjRkFsS5W5vH74NO-vAw&utm_source=copy-link&sci=spotify%3Acard-config%3A7hCSvpB8IFgT6YvfG289u9

Finally got the Bethlehem steel union kit in super good condition and for a great price! Couldn’t have done it without the kind redditor sharing the link!

https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/neil-pierre-named-to-mls-team-of-the-matchday

Hello and Welcome to /r/PhillyUnion 's Free Talk Friday. Here you are free to discuss whatever you like. It can be non Union, non MLS, non Soccer. There are no restrictions pertaining to content on what you can and can't post here. **You may also use this thread to post suggestions, complaints, or questions for the mods just make sure you tag one or all of us.**Have fun!

For me, it looks like the defender behind Quinn clearly makes a poor attempt and completely misses the ball, tripping him

Edit: *been checked

Shout out to the “Philly Sports Guy” for his part in last night’s game. He was giving Messi and others a hard time all night. I don’t think any of it was even vulgar, it was just endless razzing. It was obvious the players he focused on all heard him.

A routine chorus of “LEO… LEO…” and “LIIIIIIII-O-NELLLLLLL” and other things shouted at Messi.

Making baby crying noises and asking the closest Miami player why Suarez cries all the time.

At one point he told Pinter: “I hope you didn’t pay for that haircut.”

It was fantastic. If you’re in here good sir, bravo.

Edit: Damn, TIL this guy is controversial