Philadelphia Union’s pair of Olympic homegrowns found the back of the net however the club concluded its final regular season road match with a 3-2 setback at the Columbus Crew.
The defending MLS Cup Champion Crew needed little time to find the back of the net with MVP candidate Cucho Hernandez sending the Ohio fans into a frenzy in the third minute. The Boys in Blue battled back with a first-half response in the 25th minute as homegrown Nathan Harriel pounced on a rebound attempt after Jack Elliott saw his free kick saved. Just before the halftime whistle it was Columbus regaining momentum with a second-effort goal of their own as outside back Mo Farsi re-established the home team’s lead. Cucho notched his second goal of the evening off another set piece finish midway through the second half before the Union again responded with a quick finish as Kai Wagner set up a long-range finish from homegrown Jack McGlynn.
Philadelphia Union wraps up the 2024 MLS Regular Season with a playoff spot on the line when they host FC Cincinnati for U Thank U Night presented by Independence Blue Cross. The MLS Decision Day clash from Subaru Park is set to kick off at 6PM with the match broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Jim Curtin made three changes to his starting xi for the Saturday showdown in Columbus, crafting a strong first group to take on the 2023 MLS Cup Champions and the 2024 Leagues Cup Champions for a third time this season.
Curtin opted for a backline featuring Nate Harriel, who came off the bench as a 63rd minute sub against Orlando on Wednesday. He lined up opposite Kai Wagner, while Jakob Glesnes and Jack Elliott were paired at centerback as usual. In the midfield, Danley Jean Jacques made his second straight start, alongside Quinn Sullivan and Leon Flach who made their return to the Starting XI. As expected, Daniel Gazdag started at the 10, while Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre were paired up top as usual.
4', CLB Goal | Columbus Crew had a hot start on their home pitch, claiming their first lead of the match just four minutes into the action. Cucho Hernandez darted into the box to redirect a corner kick past Andre Blake to the back of the net for his 18th goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage.
6', Blake keeps it 1-0 | Christian Ramirez tried to make it 2-0 for Columbus, but Blake went airborn for a leaping save to stop his effort.
10', Union seek quick response | Quinn Sullivan attempted to score his second goal in as many games with a blast from just past midfield in the 10th minute. Catching Schulte off his line, the Homegrown powered the ball from distance, but his effort soared above the net.
25', Harriel finds the equalizer | Nate Harriel created much-needed momentum for the Philadelphia Union in the 25th minute, leveleing the score with a rebound shot in the box. The equalizing play started with a Columbus foul on Daniel Gazdag, spurring the ref to award Philly a free kick chance. Jack Elliott took the initial shot, powering it toward Patrick Schulte forcing him to dive for the stop. Elliott's effort riccocheted of Schulte into chaos in the box, and while Tai Baribo tried to track it down, Harriel descended into the box for a shot that landed in the opposite corner as the Columbus' keeper.
41', Columbus reclaims the lead | Mo Farsi created and capped off the hosts' second goal of the night just before halftime. In the 40th minute, he slowed down play outside of the box, waiting for the right opportunity to pass the ball in between Kai Wagner and Jack Elliott. He found Andrés Herrera in the mix for a shot first stopped by Blake, but as the keeper got back to his feet, Farsi tracked the ball down amidst a scramble in the box, pushing it forward before Blake had a chance to get back in front of the net.
76', Cucho bags the home brace | The Crew notched an all important insurance goal with just over a quarter hour left with another set piece headed flick from Cucho Hernandez off a corner from Dylan Chambost again.
78', Union battle back with McGlynn blast | Trailing by a pair of goals, the Union quickly trimmed the lead back to one with Wagner and McGlynn combining for the homegrown's fourth goal of the season.
