The Philadelphia Union made club history by securing their place in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinals by beating Atlanta United at Subaru Park. There were some questions going into the game due to Jose Martinez being on a red card suspension and who was going to take the number 6 spot. Leon Flach stepped into the position and played a great game. The Union will again face uncertainties for the semifinal due to Jamiro Monteiro and Matt Real’s yellow card accumulation, and they will not be available for selection for the next CCL match. The Union will be taking on Chicago Fire on Saturday afternoon but before they head to the Windy City, let’s take a look at the game from Tuesday night.
The game ball waits for referees Armando Villareal, Corey Parker, Logan Brown, Ted Unkel, Jose Camargo
Sergio Santos wins the ball with a high kick while Jamiro Monteiro waits for it to settle to move the play on the field.
Anthony Fontana and Santiago Sosa battle it out on the field.
Olivier Mbaizo stays determined to get a shot on goal even with questionable defending.
Leon Flach assists Kai Wagner with a slide tackle against Jake Mulraney, winning the ball for the Union.
Jakob Glesnes snakes himself around Erik López, getting his foot on the ball.
Jack Elliot has his eyes locked on the ball as Josef Martinez goes the the ground during the challenge for the ball. Jack received a yellow card for this play.
An Atlanta United player shows a yellow card from the stands after the play between Jack Elliot and Josef Martinez.
Kai Wagner gets hurt on the a play against Jürgen Damm.
Kacper Przybylko is held by Atlanta Untied player during a corner.
Gabriel Heinze reacts to the Union’s style of play and the referee’s lack of calls.
Sergio Santos gets ready to strike the ball under pressure from Miles Robinson.
Atlanta United celebrates a goal right before the end of the first half.
Sergio Santos is determined to do everything he can to try to get the ball in the net. Goalkeeper, Brad Guzan and Emerson Hyndman work to make the save.
Cory Burke wins the header for the Union.
Kacper Przybylko celebrates his 5th goal of the Concacaf Champions League while Atlanta United are in disbelief.
Matt Real and Marcelino Moreno fight for the ball during the second half of the game.
George Bello makes an acrobatic kick toward the net.
Jim Curtain gives instructions to the team before Jack McGlynn takes the field for Sergio Santos.
Atlanta United reacts to Jamiro Monteiro winning the ball.
Josef Martinez leaps to get the ball against Union players, Jack Elliot and Kia Wagner.
Fans stand, clap, swing scarves and make noise to get the boys in the blue through the final minutes.
Jack Elliot and Alejandro Bedoya look on as Atlanta United’s coach, Gabriel Heinze, has words with Jim Curtain after the game.
Jim Curtin and Gabriel Heinze exchange words on the field after the game. During the press conference afterwards, Jim addressed the situation on the field.
Author: Marjorie Elzey
Marjorie decided taking a camera to the stadium with her family would be a lot of fun -- little did she know her photos would earn her a place on the sidelines. She was hooked from that moment on and is so thankful for the opportunity to capture soccer up close and grow in the art of photography. Follow her on Instagram (Marjorie_p_Elzey), Twitter (@MarjorieElzey) and Facebook(@Pitch_Photography) or www.MarjorieElzey.com.
Nice to have you back, Marjorie! Thank you.
Awesome!!