Union gets first preseason scrimmage out of the way against Champions League-bound Atlanta

An experimental lineup for the Philadelphia Union was outmatched by an Atlanta United squad in full preparation mode for their upcoming Champions League match in the Union’s first preseason scrimmage on Wednesday in Florida.

Head coach Jim Curtin fielded what looked every bit like a first scrimmage lineup, pairing Cole Turner and Aurelien Collin in the back in front of Andre Blake with Olivier Mbaizo and Matt Real as outside backs and filling out the midfield around Alejandro Bedoya with Warren Creavalle, Anthony Fontana and Jack de Vries while also starting Ilsinho and Sergio Santos.

Atlanta United on the other hand fielded a lineup Atlanta Journal Constitution beat writer Doug Roberson said could very well be the team that lines up against Motagua in the Round of 16 Concacaf Champions League match on February 18.

Josef Martinez opened the scoring and after an own goal Atlanta tacked on two goals from Pity Martinez to make it 4-0 at the break.

Curtin made some changes at halftime that aside from Kacper Przybylko resembled a Union II lineup from last season more than a first team one. Joe Bendik came on for Blake, Union II contracted players Jamoi Topey and Issa Rayyan checked in along with El Brujo and a trialist who was likely Ibrahim Conteh, the Sierra Leone international who was with the team in Wilmington last week.

The only other change reported from the team was Union II forward Shaynder Borgelin subbing in for Rayyan in the second half.

That means that in addition to Mark McKenzie and Brenden Aaronson, who are away with USMNT, the following players didn’t play: Jamiro Monteiro, Matej Oravec, Kai Wagner, Andrew Wooten, Ray Gaddis, Matt Freese, Jack Elliott and Michee Ngalina.

The Union take on the Chicago Fire on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater. The game, like Wednesday’s game, is closed to the public.