Chester, PA: We are at the point of the MLS Season where we know what teams are going to the playoffs and on Saturday Night from Subaru Park we had a possible playoff preview: the Philadelphia Union took on FC Cincinnati. Cincinnati is in 1st Place while the Union are in 3rd place. The Union came into the game off a win over the Red Bulls on Sep 3.
The last time that FC Cincinnati came to Philly was in the 2022 MLS Playoffs, where the Union won and went on to make the MLS Cup Final.
Lineup:
Tonight's #StartingXI vs Cincy 🐍
#PHIvCIN | #DOOP | @mls pic.twitter.com/dNc0KyCjhc
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) September 16, 2023
How the game went:
In the first half, both teams would come out with quality chances to score but could not finish. The Union got the party started in the 23rd minute on a blast from Jose Martinez, and then the Union added to the lead on a penalty kick goal by Daniel Gazdag for the 2-0 lead.
Our number 10 coverts his 10th penalty of the season 🎯
Gazdag now holds the record for most penalty kick goals in a single season in @MLS history with 10.#DOOP | #PHIvCIN 2-0 pic.twitter.com/SQYJaYK0j9
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) September 17, 2023
After the Union made it 2-0, things got very physical. There were seven Yellow cards. The Union took a 2-0 lead into the half the question was: can FC Cincinnati respond. They did just that with a goal early in the 2nd half. Then they tied it in the 76th minute.
The physical play continued and we had more Yellow Cards. There were also two red cards that came out: 1 for each team. At times in this game, the referee looked like he was losing control of the match.
The game would end in a 2-2 draw.
This was a performance that was so unlike what the Union is capable of doing and things just did not look right at all.
Postgame:
Union Coach Jim Curtin:
Philadelphia Union’s Daniel Gazdag:
Here is what I asked to @PhilaUnion Daniel Gazdag after Draw vs FC Cincinnati#DOOP #MLS #PHIvCIN pic.twitter.com/Wyl3MDRTty
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) September 17, 2023
What is next:
The Union willneed to get rid of this performance as they now have to get ready for battle with Charlotte FC on Wednesday in Charlotte.
