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Ilsinho ended the Philadelphia Union’s preseason scoring draught with an equalizer 15 minutes in and Kacper Przybylko and David Accam tacked on goals in the second half to seal a 3-1 win over Birmingham Legion on Wednesday night.
The Union came into the game looking to find the back of the net after being held to a scoreless draw by the University of South Florida on a rain-soaked field on Saturday night. But it was the USL Championship expansion side that struck first with a goal in the 8th minute from 30 yards out by former Philadelphia Union forward Chandler Hoffman.
“After conceding a 30-yard bomb of a goal from Chandler Hoffman I thought we had a good response,” head coach Jim Curtin said after the match.
CJ Sapong found Ilsinho in the box after a run down the wing from Fafa Picault and the Brazilian volleyed home the equalizer in the 15th minute.
He broke Schweini's ankles, he spun NYC in circles, and he's on the board against @bhmlegion! Ilsinho after a great fight from @BigAfrika88 in the box!
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 7, 2019
That levels the score at 1-1. Follow along: https://t.co/vpC4JGrs3e#DOOP #ThisIsPhilly pic.twitter.com/OXbIPYyYxj
Alejandro Bedoya had a chance to give the boys in blue the lead 15 minutes later when he chipped the keeper but his bid for goal was cleared off the line by a defender.
The lead would eventually come around the 72nd minute on a curling shot from Przybylko, who was set up by a pass from Anthony Fontana to his left.
Accam made it 3-1 with about five minutes left on a strong finish in the box.
Angles? We don't need no stinkin' angles! @iamdavidaccam with the far post laser to seal the deal. Union win 3-1 over @bhmlegion. Great match, much fun!
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 7, 2019
Catch up: https://t.co/vpC4JGrs3e#DOOP #ThisIsPhilly #HammerDown pic.twitter.com/C66tw97YAw
Head coach Jim Curtin used 22 players on the night, including new left back signing Kai Wagner. Two Bethlehem Steel FC players — Ben Ofeimu and Michee Ngalina — played for Birmingham Legion.
“A solid performance from the guys, still preseason, still a lot we can improve on,” Curtin said after the match. “We’re three games in now and have a couple wins, which is good for guy’s confidence but we all still now and recognize we can be a lot better.”
The team will have a couple days off and return home for a few days before heading back to Florida for the second leg of preseason on Monday. Their next game is a closed-door scrimmage against Orlando City on Tuesday.
Philadelphia Union Lineup
Andre Blake (Carlos Miguel Coronel), Fabinho (Kai Wagner), Aurelien Collin (Mark McKenzie), Jack Elliott (Auston Trusty), Raymon Gaddis (Matthew Real), Haris Medunjanin (Anthony Fontana), Warren Creavalle (Derrick Jones), Alejandro Bedoya (David Accam), Ilsinho (Brenden Aaronson), Fafa Picault (Kacper Przybylko), CJ Sapong (Sergio Santos)