Union Survive Late Surge Over Fire, Win Game 1 in PKs
(Philadelphia Union/X)
The Philadelphia Union opened their postseason with a win that tested every ounce of their composure.
The first half was cagey and physical. Possession stayed in midfield, neither side finding rhythm, and the Fire failed to put Andre Blake under real pressure. The crowd at Subaru Park sat in that uneasy quiet that comes when one goal could tilt everything.
The Union took Game 1, 2-2 after regulation and then 4-2 in penalties. It was not easy for the Supporters’ Shield winners, though.
When the teams came out for the second half, the pace quickened, with both teams looking for the huge first goal. This opening strike would come at 70′ into the match with Indiana Vassilev weaving through traffic and shooting a laser beam past Fire keeper Chris Brady. While Vassilev finished it, the chance came off of a pressure turnover in the midfield. Milan Iloski, the “statement signing” that coach Bradley Carnell spoke of, lived up to that billing by scoring a statement goal at 75′ of the contest. The energy in the building was incredibly high, and the fans in the stands could finally breathe.
This excitement was short-lived. The Union seemed to progressively play with less and less pressure and intensity after the second Iloski goal was scored. This gave the Fire an opening, and in the 84th minute, Jonathan Bamba snuck a shot by Blake for the first goal that the Fire have scored on the Union this season in three games. There was a tightening of zone play, but in a storybook moment, former Union star Jack Elliott pushed a shot past Blake at 90’+3. Momentum was now on the side of the Fire, and the stunned fans could feel it.
About a minute later, the tension boiled over when Kai Wagner and Brian Gutierrez got tangled up, and tempers flared a bit between the two, but Sergio Oregel shoved Wagner to the ground, earning a red card and the rest of the night off. Wagner and Gutierrez both got yellow cards.
The regular time ended without further incident, but not without things getting tense and chippy in the penalty kicks. Iloski again scored in the PKs, and upon celebrating by giving the ball to Blake, Fire keeper Brady took exception to this and pushed Iloski, taking the ball. To the credit of the Union, they stayed focused, Blake stonewalled Waterman, and Tai Baribo and Jesus Bueno closed it with shots past Brady to seal the win.
The game was what we’d expect from MLS Playoff action. But when the Union took a 2-0 lead with 16 minutes of regulation to play, that normally signals the end of the night for the opponents. Tonight, they seemed to lose focus after the Iloski goal, and I am sure that will be addressed this week in practice. I know in Carnell we trust, but that had to be concerning for him, as it was for all of us watching.
Game 2 shifts to Chicago on Saturday, November 1, at 6:30 pm Eastern. The Union will punch their ticket to Round 2 with a win, or we fly back to Chester for an all-or-nothing Game 3.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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