Full Time: The Union take down the mighty Atlanta United (on short rest) to go back to the top of the Eastern Conference thanks to a masterful second half with three goals to tie the franchise record with 15 wins and five games still to go.
Speed. Pass. GOAL! Santos makes it 3-1 in the clash for first!#DOOP | #PHIvATL 3-1 pic.twitter.com/jQCUR9e0ad
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) September 1, 2019
88’ Kacper sets up Santos off the counter attack to make it 3-1 to the Union. Santos shown yellow for taking his shirt off.
Of course it had to be Kacper Przybylko! #PHIvATL pic.twitter.com/NpvB2p5MF4
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 1, 2019
87’ KACPERRRRRRRRR! Union lead 2-1 after Kacper Przybylko fires home a cross from Sergio Santos. Unreal goal.
85’ Anthony Fontana into the match for Fabian. Union all out of subs now.
80’ Nervy moment in the back as Elliott and Blake not on the same page, Josef picks off the pass and then somehow his shot hits the post. Josef is down now receiving treatment.
79’ Hyndman in behind but Blake stops the shot for his third save of the night
78’ Yellow card to Fabian
77’ Sergio Santos into the game for Brenden Aaronson. Santos’ first first team appearance since July 13. He was ejected here on Sunday in a game for Bethlehem Steel FC for a hand to the face against a Birmingham Legion player.
Medunjanin --> @AaronsonBrenden
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 1, 2019
We're level in Philly! #PHIvATL pic.twitter.com/C39IVGRQHw
61’ Aaronson ties the game up off a lovely ball in from Haris, who collected the ball from Elliott after he made a big tackle near the middle of the field. Kacper was offside on the play but the ball went to Aaronson and he tucked it away for his second goal in as many games and second this season against Atlanta.
58’ Ilsinho into the game to replace Fafa Picault. Escobar into the game for Atlanta Gressel, who limps off.
46’ Second half underway
Halftime
@JosefMartinez17 can't stop & won't stop. #PHIvATL pic.twitter.com/j92YYMkkgQ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 1, 2019
45’ + 2 Josef Martinez makes it 13 games in a row with a goal. All those bright attacking moments for the Union and Josef just needs one chance to give the visitors the lead right before the halftime whistle. That hurts.
45’ Another chance for the Union but Kacper’s shot clangs off the post and goes out for a goal kick.
44’ Brenden with a nice move to dribble himself out of danger in the middle of the field but he isn’t able to get the pass right.
41’ Fafa played into the box by Monteiro but Guzan is able to make the stop. Fafa caught Guzan’s head with his trailing foot. River End is chanting “VAR! VAR!”
36’ Union put the ball in the back of the net but it’s called back for an offsides after video review
31’ Kacper with a shot from distance that Guzan stretches out to save and then Monteiro draws a free kick, but Haris misses the target on the set piece. Good spell for the Union here.
28’ Josef with a chance off the corner kick put his shot misses the mark.
20’ Dangerous cross across the face of goal but Wagner is there to clear it out of danger. Wagner has made a couple key defensive plays already tonight.
10’ Fabian hits woodwork with the first shot of the night for the Union.
4’ Andre Blake with the first save of the night. Martinez with the bike attempt but it goes wide. Gressel with the shot.
1’ We’re underway in Chester
Starting Lineups
Two changes to the lineup from last week’s 3-1 win over D.C. United. Marco Fabian and Fafa Picault are in for Ilsinho and the suspended Alejandro Bedoya. Curtin stays with the 4-2-3-1 formation. Note: Haris Medunjanin is in yellow card jeopardy. If he goes in the book he’ll miss the game against LAFC on August 31.
Squad's set. Now we just need YOU get this house rockin' ⚡️⚡️
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) August 31, 2019
1️⃣1️⃣ notes: https://t.co/v1KEn6V8BV#DOOP | #PHIvATL pic.twitter.com/BKLnxYvy1i
West Chester, Pa. native Jeff Larentowicz is starting at center back and wearing the armband for tonight’s game. He has a cheering section that brought a big Jeff Larentowicz sign.
#ATLUTD’s Starting XI vs @PhilaUnion pic.twitter.com/UkJJd9YNI7
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) August 31, 2019
Officials
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Matthew S. Nelson, Kevin Klinger
Fourth Official: Eric Tattersall
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez