After being held scoreless in Columbus, Philadelphia Union rebounded by blowing out the rival New York Red Bulls, 3-0, Sunday night at Red Bull Arena. Led by homegrown Brenden Aaronson’s long range curler to open the scoring, the Boys in Blue never looked back as Kacper Przybylko and Matt Real finished things off for the big victory.
The Union made one change to their first eleven following the close match with the Crew as Jakob Glesnes entered for Jack Elliott, who was available off the bench at both the center back and holding midfield positions.
Philadelphia clearly came into the match with a point to prove about their status as an Eastern Conference contender, while the Red Bulls limped in after parting ways with former head coach Chris Armas. Przybylko nearly opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he swung at a looping ball at the top of the box and blazed the volley just over the bar. Alejandro Bedoya was the first player to test a goalkeeper when he worked Ryan Meara from outside the box in the 23rd. The Union were ascendant but a long run from Sergio Santos that created a chance for Przybylko left the Brazilian clutching his hamstring in pain. Andrew Wooten entered and immediately gave the home side trouble with his movement off the back line.
A fine move up the right wing saw Ray Gaddis pick out Wooten with a long pass, and the striker turned it past the defense to let Bedoya in behind. The captain centered the ball for Aaronson and the homegrown midfielder tore through a shot that spun away from Meara and nestled just inside the far post.
Philly never looked back.
In the second half, another organized passing sequence up the right allowed Bedoya to tuck Wooten into the box. Wide of the goal frame, the striker flipped the ball back into the center for Przybylko to push into the far side of the net.
New York huffed and puffed but never troubled Andre Blake’s goal, finishing with zero shots on frame. Matt Real and Anthony Fontana entered for Olivier Mbaizo and Aaronson, and the two homegrowns immediately put the final nail in the Red Bulls’ coffin.
Fontana’s quick counterpressure created a turnover at the top of the Red Bull box. Ilsinho collected the loose ball and laid in Real as he ran behind the back line. Real didn’t have a runner so he drilled a low left-footed shot across frame and inside the post for his first MLS goal.
The win moves Philadelphia to second place in the Eastern Conference standings with one match remaining in the first set of regular season matches following the MLS Is Back tournament in Orlando. They next play on PHL 17 on September 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Subaru Park against New England Revolution on Kick Childhood Cancer Night.
