Philadelphia Union's scoring trio kept their form as the Boys in Blue lit up the scoreboard for a resounding 4-0 victory over rivals D.C. United on Sunday night at Subaru Park.
Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag got the scoring started early with the duo combining for a pair of goals inside the first 16 minutes of the contest. The Boys in Blue then bagged another pair of goals in quick succession in the final half as Tai Baribo made it back-to-back matches with the front three scoring together. The Union's Hungarian midfielder added a brace 17 minutes after Baribo to push the Union's strong form against their I-95 rival to 13 wins in the last 17 contests dating back to May 2017.
The Boys in Blue look to continue their push for the MLS Cup Playoffs with another six pointer on Saturday night as they welcome Atlanta United FC for Hispanic Heritage Night presented by Bimbo Bakeries USA. Tickets for the contest at Subaru Park on Saturday, September 29th, are available for purchase by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
Philadelphia Union had a complete roster available for Sunday night’s matchup, and Jim Curtin took advantage of the depth fielding his strongest lineup so far this month.
Andre Blake started in net for the first time since returning from international play with Jamaica injured, and in front of him, Jack Elliott returned to the backline after missing Wednesday's match at New York City FC due to yellow card accumulation. The 29-year-old was paired with Jakob Glesnes at centerback, while Homegrown Nate Harriel shifted back to his natural right back spot opposite Kai Wagner on the left.
In the midfield diamond, Curtin started Homegrown Jack McGlynn, who scored in the team’s last showing against D.C. United, along with fellow academy product Quinn Sullivan and Leon Flach. The front three featured Daniel Gazdag at the No. 10 plus Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre, all three having scored at Yankee Stadium just four days prior.
11', Blake makes a big save | When public address announcer Kevin Casey read three-time Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake's name when listing the starting XI, Subaru Park welcomed him back between the posts with an eruption of applause. In the 11th minute, he responded with a diving save to stop Mateusz Klich.
13', Mikael Uhre magic | For a fourth straight match, Mikael Uhre hit the back of the net in the first half for the Philadelphia Union, giving the team an early 1-0 lead in front of a packed stadium of supporters. Quinn Sullivan drove up the right sideline and through a pair of D.C. defenders, speeding toward the net for a pass across the box toward Uhre, ready for the tap in. With the goal, Mikael Uhre hit the back of the net in four straight games for the first time in his Union career.
16', Daniel Gazdag goal | Daniel Gazdag doubled the lead three minutes later, building off the early attack with a powerful shot past Alex Bono. Swedish defender Christopher McVey attempted to clear the ball out of the box, but Gazdag pounced on his mistimed pass, firing it toward the opposite corner of the net for his 16th goal this season.
51st, Baribo makes it three | Philadelphia Union entered the second hallf with the same energy they displayed in the first, quickly extending their lead to three by way of a Tai Baribo goal. The Israeli striker received a pinpoint laser pass from Quinn Sullivan across the box with his head, knocking it in for his ninth regular season goal this year.
64' DC denied by the post | With the visiting side down a trio of goals, the committed numbers into the attack with Benteke winning another aeriel duel to push it out wide to Boris Enow. The DC attacker ripped a shot that crashed off a recovering Nathan Harriel and off the woodwork the keep D.C. off the scoreboard. After the stoppage in play, Head Coach Jim Curtin made his first two changes of the evening with fresh legs in the middle of the pitch to see out the contest. Danley Jean Jacque and Alejandro Bedoya took field to a roar of applauses in place of Jack McGlynn and Uhre.
69' Dani gets a brace | Philly continued its streak of unloading goals against its I-95 rival as the Hungarian doubled his account on the evening with a counter attacking finish set up by Baribo.
72' Union make second change | Curtin wanted to give another breather to Kai Wagner who wouldn't take the mantle as the club's all-time leader in assists in MLS regular season play on Sunday night against D.C. United as he was relieved in defense by Olivier Mbaizo.
88' Cavan Sullivan makes another cameo | With the match well in hand and the Union faithful asking for the youngest player in MLS to make another appearance, Curtin obliged the crowd with Cavan Sullivan taking the place of Gazdag late in the contest. Cavan nearly got his first DOOP in MLS in second half stoppage time as his brother Quinn Sullivan dribbled into the box and sent a centering pass to the 14-year-old. Cavan unleashed a one timer that glanced off a D.C. defender and went just over the crossbar.
