Kai Wagner became the club's all-time leader in assists but the evening saw Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United collect just a point each via a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park on Saturday evening.
The Union's left back made history in the 61st minute as he delivered a perfectly weighted cross to the top of the 18 to set up a one time blast from homegrown Nathan Harriel to put the Union ahead. Wtih the assist, Wagner notched his 51st career assist to pass Sebastien Le Toux for the club record. Atlanta United FC would spoil the festivities however as Brooks Lennon connectted with Saba Lobjanidze for a headed finish in the 72nd minute to level the contest.
The Boys in Blue have just three games left, and they'll begin their final road trip of the regular season in quick fashion as they take on Orlando followed by Columbus Crew three days later. Philly opens October's calendar on Wednesday, October 2nd, as they battle Orlando City SC. Don't miss the action -- tune in with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV starting at 7:30PM ET.
How The Match Unfolded
Less than a week after their dominant 4-0 win against D.C. United, Head Coach Jim Curtin decided to send out the exact same starting group against Atlanta United.
The 11 featured Andre Blake in net, behind Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, and Nathan Harriel forming the back line.
Quinn Sullivan, Jack McGlynn, and Leon Flach made up the midfield along with with Daniel Gazdag at the 10 spot, while Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre were paired up top as usual.
19', Philadelphia caught offsides | Philadelphia laid on the attack in the opening 20 minutes, but when Nate Harriel finally hit the back of the net off a rebound shot outside the box, Daniel Gazdag was caught offsides, keeping the game scoreless.
45', Scoreless at halftime | Although Philadelphia Union outshot Atlanta United 7-1 and maintained possession for 53% of play, neither team found the back of the net in the first half, sending both squads to the locker room with no goals to show from the opening stretch.
54', Another one called back | Philadelphia Union missed another opportunity to pull ahead in the 54th minute when a series of touches around the box found Mikael Uhre with the ball and clear line to Gazdag, who descened on the Dane's pass for a shot pass Atlanta United's goalkeeper Brad Guzán, but he was found offsides again.
61', Wagner makes history on assist to Harriel | Just past the hour mark the Boys in Blue got the go-ahead goal with their outside backs chipping in on the offensive side of the pitch. Kai Wagner made history on the play as he notched his 51st career assist to pass Sebastien Le Toux for the club record with a perfectly weighted cross to the top of the 18 to set up a one time blast from homegrown Nathan Harriel that he deposited into the back of the net.
70', Philly makes some changes | With a one goal lead at home, Head Coach Jim Curtin turned to fresh legs into the middle of the pitch as he sent in Alejandro Bedoya and Danley Jean Jacques in place of Mikael Uhre and Jack McGlynn.
72', Atlanta finds the equalizer | Less than a minute after the substitution by the Boys in Blue, Atlanta mounted an attack to try and salvage their postseason aspirations. The quick attack netted an equalizer as quick passes to the end line saw Brooks Lennon connect with Saba Lobjanidze in front of goal.
77', Union make their second change | Knowing that three points are crucial for postseason aspirations, Curtin turned to Samuel Adeniran as a late substitute in place of Leon Flach.
86', Adeniran denied a winner | The Union forward nearly bagged his first goal with the Boys in Blue late in the contest, ripping a shot that forced a diving stop by Brad Guzan.
90+', Union nearly grab a winner | In one of the final attacks of the contest of the match, the Union committed everything into the attack but came up hungry for more as Baribo saw a headed flick inside the box go over the bar. In the waining seconds the Union again had a chance to snatch all three points but a blast from Gazdag went wide.
