Leagues Cup got heated in Subaru Park on August 4th in a stadium of predominantly Cruz Azul fans. The match between the Philadelphia Union and Cruz Azul brought out physical play from both teams while the referees seemed to be one-sided in their calls. Yellow cards were issued to Alejandro Bedoya and Quinn Sullivan before Cruz Azul player, Carlos Rotondi scored in the 41st minute. 5 additional yellow cards were handed out in the second half to Luis Romo, Damion Lowe, Dániel Gazdag, Carlos Rotondi, and Carlos Antuna. As the game clock got closer to the 90th minute, it seemed that Cruz Azul would go home with the win but, Daniel Gazdag scored a goal for the Union in the 88th minute. This was Gazdag’s 5th goal in the Leagues Cup and the one that sent the game to Penatly Kicks. Although Cruz Azul won the Penatly kick shootout, the Union did earn a point and won their group moving them into the round of 32. The Union take on CF Montréal in the Leagues Cup on Friday, August 9 at Subaru Park.
A Cruz Azul fans wears a luchador during the game.
Michael Uhre is being chased down by Willer Ditta as he works his way towards goal.
José Martínez clears the ball during the first half of the game.
Damion Lowe is held by Giorgos Giakoumakis, a foul that was not called in favor of the Union.
Mikeal Uhre reacts to missing the net after a cross from Daniel Gazdag.
Mikeal Uhre goes down as Daniel Gazdag fights to win the ball.
Jack Elliot misses the chance to stop Lorenzo Faravelli as he tales a shot on goal.
Damion Lowe leaps over Alexis Gutierrez to keep the ball near the top of our box.
Andre Blake saves the shot from Georgios Giakoumakis.
Olivier Mbaizo battles to keep the ball rolling out of bounds, giving the Union a goal kick.
Ignacio Rivero grabs Tia Baribo’s shoulder as he tried to steal the ball.
Cruz Azul players and Tia Baribo argue over a foul while referee, Jorge Peregrina listens.
Quinn Sullivan uses his strength to keep the ball.
Tia Baribo lunges in for a tackle.
Daniel Gazdag and Carlos Rodolfo Rotondi get physical after exchanging words on the field. Gazdag’s jersey is being pulled from behind by a teammate.
Jack Elliot and Angel Sepulveda battle for the ball in the second half.
A collision between Kevin Mier and Tia Baribo caused increased tension between the two teams.
As Cruz Azul players, Carlos Rodriguez and Ignacio Rivero talk to the referee, José Martínez smiles at them from behind the ref.
Samuel Adeniran stay calm under pressure from Willer Ditta when receiving the ball.
Tai Baribo pleads with referee, Jorge Peregrina, for a foul.
Daniel Gazdag is hit in the head from behind and then knee’d in the head as he is sent to the ground by Érik Lira.
After a smoke bomb was released from the away section, Daniel Gadazg puts one in the net, earning Quinn Sullivan an assist.
With the game ending as a tie in regular time, PK’s followed the final whistle.
Cruz Azul players celebrate their win after making all of their penalty kicks.
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