Union Return Strong After Heartbreaking End to Last Season

The Philadelphia Union kicked off their 2023 season against Columbus Crew, Saturday night, at Subaru Park.

It took some time for the Union to shake off their first game of the year sloppiness and Columbus was in control for the majority of the first half. In the 28th minute, Union center-back Jakob Glesnes scored an unfortunate own goal, that gave Columbus the lead. However, the Union continued to play their way back into the game. During the first-half stoppage time, the Union were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box by a Columbus defender. The Union’s new number 10, Daniel Gazdag, stepped up and put away his penalty that would send the Union into the tunnel leveled at 1.

The Union came out of the tunnel for the second half back and returned to their dominance. In the 52nd minute, Julian Carranza gave the Union the lead off captain Alejandro Bedoya’s cross.

The Union continued to dominate for the rest of the half and in the 72nd minute, Daniel Gazdag secured his brace by putting his second penalty of the night away to put the Union up 3-1.

To seal the Union’s victory, in the 80th minute, Julian Carranza secured himself a brace. Carranza’s goal came from a beautiful play by Joaqin Torres with his first-ever touches in a Union kit.

The Union are the team to beat in the East this year. They are out for revenge after the rough end to the season last year. Hopefully, a great season from the boy’s this year.