It was a cold, windy night in Chester, PA for the second leg of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League round of 16, when the Philadelphia Union hosted El Salvador-based Alianza FC. Even with the chilly conditions, fans from both sides showed out to support their teams.
Alianza FC came out aggressive in their play, taking down players from the Union with intense tackles and fouls—earning their first yellow card of the game in the 18th minute.
But this didn’t slow down the Union.
Daniel Gazdag put the ball in the net in the 22nd minute but after protesting by Alianza FC, the assistant referee put up his flag, calling the goal offside. This created a heated scene on the field and in the stands. A tackle from behind on Nathan Harriel in the 40th minute resulted in a second yellow card to Alianza FC player Alexis Mentes Renderos, his second for the night and an ejection.
This fueled the Union, who opened up scoring as Damion Lowe put in his first goal since joining the Union off a corner kick by Kai Wagner during first-half stoppage time.
When the second half started, so did the Union’s goals. Gazdag took the only PK of the game, easily putting the ball in the net and giving the Union a 2-0 lead in the 62nd minute. Andrés Perea scored his first brace for the club, in the 81st and 84th minutes, with assists from Quinn Sullivan and Mikael Uhre.
Julián Carranza and Jack McGlynn both received yellow cards in the second half. Joe Bendik earned a clean sheet in his first start in Concacaf Champions League play.
The Union move on to play Atlas F.C in the Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals.
Starting line up for Philadelphia Union: Nathan Harriel, Joe Bendik, Jakob Glesnes, Damion Lowe, Julián Carranza, Joaquín Torres, Daniel Gazdag, José Martinez, Kai Wagner, Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Bedoya,
Starting line up for Alianza FC- Mario González, Iván Mancia, Henry Romero, Alexis Mentes Renderos, William Canales, Elías Rivas, Narciso Orellana, Isaac Portillo, Michell Mercado, Óscar Maldonado, Rodolfo Zelaya
Jim Curtin and Eduardo Lara share a few words and shake hands before the match.
Alianza FC salutes their fans before kick-off.
Joaquín Torres leaps over a defender from Aliaza FC as he attempts a slide tackle to get the ball.
Daniel Gazdag gets tackled by goalie Mario González as he tried to get a shot off.
After a hard tackle, Daniel Gazdag gets yelled at by Henry Romero and Mario González who were both involved in the play.
After Daniel Gazdag gets taken down in the box without a call, the teams butt heads over the play.
Captain Alejandro Bedoya sends the ball into the box after working his way down the field.
Jakob Glesnse and Narciso Orellana challenge each other in a header.
Referee Bryan Lopez talks with Henry Romero during the game. This was the second time he had to pull him aside to talk.
Joaquín Torres works his way down the field with cuts and flicks around defenders before taking a shot on goal.
Damion Lowe’s header goes through the goalie’s arms and into the net putting the Union on the board.
After celebrating with his teammates, Damion Lowe takes a minute to celebrate with the crowd.
Damion Lowe gives thanks to Kai Wagner after scoring off a corner kick.
Daniel Gazdag scores, only to have the AR raise his flag well after the play, calling the goal offside.
Kai Wagner pleads his case to the AR when Daniel Gazdag’s goal is called offside.
Making a save against the Union, Mario González punches the ball out of the box.
Julián Carranza goes down outside the box while surrounded by Alianza FC players.
Julián Carranza takes a shot on goal in the second half of the game.
Daniel Gazdag celebrates with Kai Wanger and Jack McGlynn after putting his PK into the net.
Kai Wagner attempts a bicycle kick during the second half of the game.
Damion Lower takes a shot at goal while being pressured by Alianza FC.
Andrés Perea receives the ball midfield.
Right after he scored his second goal of the night, Andrés Perea celebrates before being met by his teammates.
Andrés Perea celebrates with Jesús Bueno and Chris Donovan, along with fellow teammates as he scores a brace on the night.
Voted “Man of the Match,” Damion Lowe bangs the drum at the end of the game.
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