After giving up a two-goal lead in the second half of their match against FC Cincinnati, Philadelphia Union scored another pair of goals in a span of two minutes to defeat the home side 4-2 at TQL Stadium in the Leagues Cup Round of 16. With the win, the Union clinched a quarterfinal berth for the second year in a row.
The first half had plenty of balance and plenty of action. Both teams were able to find enough space to generate solid chances in the first half, and both teams were denied goals. For the Union, it was a goal in the 4th minute by Mikael Uhre that was disallowed for offside. The post was the culprit for FC Cincy’s denial, as Yuya Kubo’s effort in the 35th minute bounced off the metal.
As entertaining as the first half was, the second half was beyond incredible.
The fun started before the half started, as reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta was subbed into the match. Despite his presence, Philadelphia got on the board first. Dániel Gazdag sent a perfectly weighted toe punch right into Mikael Uhre’s stride. Uhre wasted no time and sent a low near post stinger into the net. After 51 minutes, it was 1-0 to the Union.
10 minutes later, Gazdag found Tair Baribo near the top of the box. Baribo launched a bender that nestled into the upper 90 to put Philly 2-0 up.
It only took FCC five minutes to answer. Acosta’s penetration and shot led to scramble in front of the Union goal. Pavel Bucha pounced on the loose ball to hammer it in and cut the deficit in half.
Bucha’s goal energized FCC, and for the next fifteen minutes, Cincinnati would mount an all-out assault on the Philadelphia goal. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake was able to hold them off several times, but could only watch helplessly as Acosta attracted a host of defenders near the end line before threading the ball past Blake to DeAndre Yedlin for a tap-in. Cincinnati drew level 2-2 after 80 minutes.
Baribo was not done, though. Philadelphia regained the lead when the Israeli forward knocked in his 2nd goal of the night, and 5th of the Leagues Cup, with another shot from outside the box in the 82nd minute. Two minutes after that, Quinn Sullivan, who assisted on Baribo’s second, also netted a shot from outside the box.
Philadelphia’s fourth goal took all the air out of the stadium and came closer to finding a fifth than FCC did in looking to mount another comeback.
“It was a really good, exciting match. I am sure the fans enjoyed it. A little too exciting for me, but overall, showed some character, showed some grit.” Stated Union coach Jim Curtin after the match. “It’s an important win for our group. We’ll continue to try and survive and advance in this competition; looking forward to getting back to Subaru Park.” Curtin added.
Philadelphia will next host Mazatlán, who defeated Cruz Azul in penalty kicks, in the quarterfinals.
