Philadelphia Union faced off against Charlotte FC on Wednesday night at Bank of America Stadium, resulting in a 2-2 draw. With this result, the Union secured their sixth consecutive trip to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. In the first half, Charlotte's Justin Meram opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a right-footed shot from the center of the box. Charlotte extended their lead to 2-0 in the 61st minute with a goal by Karol Swiderski. In the 70th minute, Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan narrowed the deficit to 2-1 with a right-footed shot from the side of the box. The Union were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, which midfielder Daniel Gazdag successfully converted to secure the equalizer and clinch their spot in the postseason.
The Union return to Subaru Park to face LAFC on Saturday, September 23 (7:30 p.m. / Apple TV).Â
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Charlotte FC 2 – Philadelphia Union 2
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
TODAY’S MATCH INFO
REF: Guido Gonzales Jr
AR1: Jason White
AR2: Jeffrey Swartzel
4TH: Chris Penso
VAR: Greg Dopka
AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
Weather: 74 degrees and clear.
GOALS/ASSISTS
CLT – Justin Meram 55’
CLT – Karol Swiderski (Bronico) 61’
PHI – Quinn Sullivan (Carranza) 70’
PHI – Daniel Gazdag (PK) 90+’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Jose Martinez (caution) 52’
CLT – Kamil Jozwiak (caution) 89’
CLT – Ashley Westwood (caution) 90+7’
CLT – Patrick Agyemang (caution) 90+10’
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Damion Lowe, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Jose Martinez (Jack McGlynn 67’), Jesus Bueno, Alejandro Bedoya ( Quinn Sullivan 66’), Daniel Gazdag; Chris Donovan (Julian Carranza 56’), Tai Baribo (Mikael Uhre 56’).
Substitutes not used: Joe Bendik; Matt Real, Nathan Harriel, Jeremy Rafanello, Joaquin Torres.
Charlotte FC: Kristijan Kahlina, Jere Uronen, Andrew Privett, Adilson Malanda, Nathan Byrne, Ashley Westwood, Brandt Bronico, Justin Meram (Brecht Dejaegere 68’), Karol Swiderski (Scott Arfield 86’), Ben Bender (Kamil Jozwiak 77’), Enzo Copetti ( Patrick Agyemang 86’).
Substitutes not used: Harrison Afful, George Marks, Jaylin Lindsey, Kerwin Vargas.
Team Notes
- By clinching a spot in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs tonight, head coach Jim Curtin becomes just the seventh manager in MLS history to lead a single club to six-straight postseason appearances.
- With his penalty kick goal tonight, midfielder Daniel Gazdag surpassed Nicolás Lodeiro (18) for the most consecutive penalty kicks converted from the start of his MLS career. He also scored his 13th goal of the season, the third most in the league.
- Forward Julian Carranza registered his fifth assist of the season tonight.
- Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan scored his first goal of the season tonight.
- Forward Tai Baribo registered his first career MLS start.
The Union return to Subaru Park to face LAFC on Saturday, September 23 (7:30 p.m. / Apple TV).
