With both sides that featured sides more comfortable without the ball, Philadelphia and New York kicked off their latest chapter with a thundering crowd at Subaru Park. The first 10 minutes was a track meet with end to end action as both sides tried to make the most with the crowded space. The tackles came early as well with Omir Fernandez dispossessing Daniel Gazdag just before the Hungarian could start a Union attack. Seconds later, Red Bulls’ own counter was snuffed out with a perfectly timed challenge by Jose Martinez.
Match styles from both sides saw teams creating half chance after half chance with the midfield turning into a battlefield as the powerful midfield engines tried to find space. On duel No. 40, the referee was forced to go to his pocked after Dylan Nealis took down Julian Carranza in the 25th minute.
The first 45 minutes saw both head coaches dead set on making the match all about set pieces as any chance ending with a clearance outside the white lines. The Union nearly converted in the 22nd minute as a Wagner corner kick service led to a scramble in front of goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel.
Andre Blake’s defensive line was on their toes to protect the net in the first half as well with homegrown Nathan Harriel making a hustle play to deny a Red Bull counter attack in the 37th with a timed slide.
When the team from New Jersey did finally break through, the two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year was ready with a reaction stop in the 41st minute. Set up off a Red Bulls free kick, Blake was ready at the near post to make the reaction save on Patryk Klimala.
Andre Blake’s defensive line was on their toes to protect the net in the first half as well with homegrown Nathan Harriel making a hustle play to deny a Red Bull counter attack in the 37th with a timed slide.
When the team from New Jersey did finally break through, the two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year was ready with a reaction stop in the 41st minute. Set up off a Red Bulls free kick, Blake was ready at the near post to make the reaction save on Patryk Klimala.
During the break the Boys in Blue gameplan turned into focusing on making the most of second chance balls. That focus on positioning was rewarded two minutes in the final half with Gazdag continuing his strong start to the 2022 campaign. Jose Martinez fired a volley at the Red Bulls’ backline that was headed centrally just above New York’s 18. The clearance fell perfectly to the Hungarian international quickly sprung into the attack. Seeing Sergio Santos backing down his defender the duo played a quick 1-2 with Gazdag finishing it off for his 10th goal with the Boys in Blue in regular season play.
Seven minutes later the rivalry between the two clubs bubbled over with both sides exchanging pleasantries for quite awhile that even saw the Union center backs join the conversation alongside the Red Bulls’ keeper. After a pause in play, New York found itself not only down a goal but down a man with Dylan Nealis shown his second yellow of the match.
With the man advantage the Boys in Blue looked to pounce with a chaotic scene in front of the Red Bulls’ goal. Santos looked in on goal with a heavy touch allowing for the keeper to race off his line and shut down the angle. Seeing no shot, the Brazilian flicked a cross to Carranza but saw his blast denied with an impressive effort by Sean Nealis.
The big defensive effort disadvantage didn’t the visitors back as they tallied an equalizer in the 66th minute with a one-time finish from Luquinhas.
The Union fought back with the grit of the city on their heart, pushing through until the final whistle and notched another goal in the 80th minute. After a Cory Burke header was saved at the post on yet another second ball opportunity, Carranza smashed home the ball that sent Subaru Park into a frenzy. As the ball returned to the center circle, the referee remained with his hand to his ear and was summoned for a look by the Video Assistant Referee. After a lengthy look, the ref retreated back to the field overturned the goal due to offside.
As the visitors sought to see out the clock with some gamesmanship, the Union continued to press for the go-ahead. With a lengthy seven minutes of added time to the final half, the Union created one final scoring chance against the former Union keeper. Homegrown Jack McGlynn set up the chance, floating a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Burke. The Reggae Boyz striker had a go with a left-footed try but once again was denied by the keeper that saw the two rivals nab just a point.
The Boys in Blue continue their very busy May schedule on Wednesday night as they play host to Inter Miami CF. Tickets for the midweek match are still available so be sure to secure your seat now by clicking here! Coverage will start at 7 p.m. ET with Union Pre-Kick Live exclusively on PhiladelphiaUnion.com with PHL17 taking over at 7:30 p.m.
