Led by Cory Burke’s 20th career goal, Philadelphia Union continued its best start in club history as they defeated the San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0 on Saturday night. The win was a special one for Union Head Coach Jim Curtin as it marked his 100th regular season win of his career.
With a crisp wind blowing off the Delaware River on an extremely cool evening, the Union brought the heat as they attacked the Earthquakes man-marking defense early, often, and directly. Four minutes after the opening whistle, left back Kai Wagner made the first move, sending Sergio Santos in on goal with a ball over the defense. Santos looked set for the opener but was denied by a last-second tackle from behind from Francisco Calvo.
The Union kept the Quakes under duress with hungry homegrown Nathan Harriel nearly bagging his first MLS goal in the 18th minute. Set up by a timely interception from Cory Burke that earned the Boys in Blue a corner, Harriel connected with the perfect ball in from Gazdag, at the edge of the six and flicking it to the far post only to see it saved by a last-ditched effort from Marcinowski.
Jim Curtin’s squad stuck with their gameplan and it paid off in the 30th minute with both strikers sending Subaru Park into a frenzy. A high-press from Leon Flach earned a deflection 20 yards out from goal and immediately Santos was in. Seeing his shooting angle narrow, the Brazilian sent a cross in front of goal that Burke tapped home for the opener.
Santos and the Union continued to emphasize speed over the top as the first half came to a close, as the Brazilian again broke free but sent his shot crashing off the far post and out.
The second half began with no changes to personnel, so San Jose looked to change the scoreline with more chaotic counterattacking. Two minutes into the half, Jeremy Ebobisse popped free on the right but saw his shot blocked away.
Then, after Jack Elliott ran the ball upfield with a mazy dribble, the Quakes countered with numbers but Cristian Espinoza could not break through a swiftly-organized defense.
In the 56th minute, Alejandro Bedoya maneuvered into central space and spotted a route through the back line for Santos. Leading his striker up the middle, Bedoya threaded the ball into the box but when Santos lifted it to beat Marcinowski, he saw the ball pushed away.
Daniel Gazdag and Leon Flach hunted the loose ball on the left and eventually turned it back into the box. When it was half-cleared out again, Jackson Yueill’s attempt to control the high, looping ball failed and it deflected off his arm for a penalty.
Stepping to the spot with confidence, Gazdag flipped his finish up the center for the second goal of the match.
The goal put San Jose on edge, and on their free kick in the 62nd minute, Francisco Calvo began yelling and pointing after an aerial challenge left a player on each team down. Brujo Martinez was the injured Union player, but he was back in action after a short time on the sideline. After the injury break, Paxten Aaronson joined the fray with Burke making way.
Santos and Gazdag linked up in the 70th minute after the striker bullied his way down the left channel before centering for the Hungarian. Gazdag dragged the ball forward and tried to dink it over the goalie but it popped up and stayed out, leading to a scrum that ended when the ball was pushed out for a corner.
Trailing by two, the Quakes continued to push for a goal but rarely got within the confines of the Union box. Bedoya, Flach, and Martinez made a formidable trio in front of Philly’s back line, and Andre Blake never seemed troubled by the shots from distance that sought his goal.
Quinn Sullivan stepped on for Gazag and, after a late knock, Flach made way for Matt Real.
Philly no longer controlled the match near the end, but San Jose was so stretched front-to-back, that they could build nothing consistent enough to worry the home side.
In the final moments of eight minutes of extra time, Paxten Aaronson skinned Yueill and sent Santos in again at a wide angle. The striker once again couldn’t find the angled finish and saw an excellent match end without a goal to his name.
As time wound down in the chilly March air, the relentlessness of the Union’s homegrown subs showed just how dangerous the team can be when playing with a lead. Every clearance was chased, and every lost cause fought for as Jim Curtin’s side flexed on their opponent to earn a first home win of 2022.
The unbeaten Philadelphia Union now turn their attention with an early season showdown against the defending MLS Cup Champions, New York City FC. The Union look to avenge their season-ending loss to NYCFC from the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday, March 19th. Kick off from Yankee Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET with coverage on 6abc and PhiladelphiaUnion.com.
