Box Score | Philadelphia Union 2, FC Cincinnati 1

Cincinnati, Ohio (October 9, 2021) – The Philadelphia Union rolled to a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati Saturday evening. With the away win, the Union remain in third place in the Eastern Conference, now only trailing second place Nashville by two points. With many starting mainstays away on international break, some young homegrown players were given a chance to make an impact and made the most of the opportunity. In a fairly even first half that saw goalkeeper Matt Freese make two crucial saves, Kacper Przybylko broke the deadlock in added time. Paxten Aaronson, off of a pass from Jack McGlynn, found an open Przybylko in the middle of the box. Przybylko faked out a defender, then rocketed a strike past Tyton to give the Union the 1-0 lead heading into the half. 

Paxten Aaronson brought the Union lead to two in the 56th minute. The homegrown midfielder’s second goal of the season was assisted by Nathan Harriel, the homegrown defender’s first assist for Philadelphia. Harriel’s cross from the right-hand side found Aaronson unmarked in the box with Aaronson calmly placing a header into the bottom left corner for the goal. Cincinnati cut the lead in half in the 82nd minute, with former Union midfielder Haris Medunjaninfloating a shot past the keeper from the top of the box. The Union’s defense would hold up over the remaining minutes, preserving the hard earned three points on the road. The Union are now unbeaten in their last five matches.

The Union are on the road at Stade Saputo on Saturday, October 16, where they will play Montreal in an Eastern Conference Clash. (1:00 p.m. ET / PHL17). 

Philadelphia Union 2 – FC Cincinnati 1
TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)
Saturday, October 9, 2021

TODAY’S MATCH INFO

Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Kieso, Ian McKay
Fourth Official: Chris Penso
VAR:  Chico Grajeda
Ast. VAR: Gjovalin Bori
Weather: 77 degrees and partly cloudy.

GOALS/ASSISTS

PHI – Kacper Przybylko (unassisted) 45+3’
PHI – Paxten Aaaronson (Harriel) 56’
CIN – Haris Medunjanin (unassisted) 82’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
CIN – Edgar Castillo (Caution) 68’
PHI – Matt Freese (Caution) 80’

LINEUP

Philadelphia Union: Matt Freese; Stuart Findlay, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes; Leon Flach, Jack McGlynn (Matt Real 66’), Alejandro Bedoya (Jesus Bueno 84’), Nathan Harriel; Paxten Aaronson; Kacper Przybylko, Sergio Santos (Quinn Sullivan 15’).

Substitutes not used: Joe Bendik; Aurelien Collin, Anthony Fontana, Matheus Davo.

FC Cincinnati: Przemyslaw Tyton; Zico Bailey (Chris Duvall 73’), Gustavo Vallecilla (Geoff Cameron 31’), Tyler Blackett, Edgar Castillo; Haris Medunjanin, Caleb Stanko (Kamohelo Mokotjo 45’) ; Yuya Kubo (Isaac Atanga 31’), Luciano Acosta, Alvaro Barreal (Brandon Vazquez 64’); Brenner.

Substitutes not used: Kenneth Vermeer, Calvin Harris, Arquimides Ordonez, Allan Cruz.

Team Notes

• With a plethora of starters away for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Head Coach Jim Curtin shifted to a 3-4-1-2 formation. This is the second time in 2021 that Philadelphia Union have deployed a three back system with the other occurrence coming against the New England Revolution in August.
• Homegrown Paxten Aaronson made his third start of 2021 for the Union, scoring his second goal of the MLS season.
• Homegrown Nathan Harriel made his second professional start for the Union, with his first start coming last month at home against the Revolution. Harriel provided his first assist of the season.
• Kacper Przybylko scored his 10th goal of the MLS season.
• Homegrown goalkeeper Matt Freese completed his 10th career start for Philadelphia Union and his fourth in 2021.
• Team Captain Alejandro Bedoya completed his 150th MLS appearance, joining Ray Gaddis, Sebastien Le Toux, Brian Carroll and Andre Blake as the only players in Union history to achieve the milestone.
• Center back Jack Elliott earned his 125th league appearance with a start in the center of the Union's three back system.
• Fellow center back Jakob Glesnes completed his 45th MLS start tonight.
• Homegrown Jack McGlynn earned his 15th MLS appearance with a start in the midfield.

The Union are on the road at Stade Saputo on Saturday, October 16, where they will play Montreal (1:00 p.m. ET / PHL17).