Two early goals proved the difference as Philadelphia Union extended its unbeaten run against rivals New York Red Bulls with a 2-0 win on Saturday night.
Mikeal Uhre needed just four minutes to put the Boys in Blue ahead with a long-range finish from the top of the box for the Danish forward’s seventh goal of the campaign. Ten minutes later, Uhre and Daniel Gazdag combined to set up Tai Baribo for another long-range goal to give the Union the multi-goal lead.
With the victory over their Eastern Conference rival, Philadelphia Union extended its unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls to 14 matches, dating back to 2019.
Philadelphia Union will be back in action after the FIFA International break with a road trip to Inter Miami CF on Saturday, September 14th. Kick off from Florida is set for 7:30PM ET.
How The Match Unfolded
With eight games remaining and a spot in the playoffs still in reach, Philadelphia Union sent out a strong lineup featuring Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo paired up top. Danley Jean Jacques made his second consecutive start in the midfield, lining up with Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Bedoya, and Daniel Gazdag. After leaving their most recent match with back spasm, Nate Harriel started on the bench, and Olivier Mbaizo took over the right back spot opposite Kai Wagner on the left. As usual, Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes were paired at centerback in front of Andre Blake in net.
4', Uhre scores early | The hosts entered Saturday’s match with the only undefeated home streak left in Major League Soccer, and although Red Bull Arena boasts one of top home field advantages so far this year, Philadelphia Union made the crowd go silent early. In the fourth minute Mikael Uhre, confidently scored a perfect placed shot from distance for a 1-0 lead.
14', Baribo doubles the advantage | 10 minutes later, Philadelphia Union extended their lead to two when Baribo shot from nearly the same spot, sending the ball to lower left corner for a 2-0 lead and 14 all-time Union goals.
18’, Brick Wall Blake | Philadelphia wasn’t just in top form on the attacking end – Andre Blake made a pair of momentous stops in the 18th minute that stifled on target efforts from Elias Manoel and Kyle Duncan from close range.
46' | New York Red Bull sought to begin their comeback to extend their unbeaten form at home early in the second half with Scottish international Lewis Morgan finding space but sending a shot off the woodwork.
53', Union first change | Head Coach Jim Curtin made his first change of the match in the 53rd minute, replacing team captain Alejandro Bedoya with Homegrown Quinn Sullivan.
60' | Down by a pair of goals and time running out, Manoel finally got his chance 1v1 against Blake once again. This time he was able to sneak a shot past the Jamaican keeper but the ball crashed off the post for the second time of the half.
70' | Ten minutes after seeing his shot crash off the post, Manoel again was left wondering what it would take to break the scoring open for the hosts as he saw another effort denied by the woodwork.
73' | With their defense under pressure for much of the second half, the Union nearly put the match away. Substitute Quinn Sullivan got space on the right side of the attack and snuck a hard cross into the box where Baribo made a back post run however hte effort just went just wide.
73', Union second change | Head Coach Jim Curtin made his second swap of the evening shortly after Baribo's attempt, sending in Samuel Adeniran in place of Uhre.
78' | Baribo nearly make it 3-0 with just over 10 minutes left in the contest as he saw another back post cross played to him which rang the post.
80', Union final changes | The final substitution for the Boys in Blue saw some fresh legs in the middle of the pitch to see out the result as Leon Flach and Jeremy Rafanello entered for Jack McGlynn and Daniel Gazdag.
86' | With time running out, the homeside continued to push all their efforts into the 18. Andre Blake wasn't about to lose his road shutout as he made a reaction stop to deny.
