Photo credit: Marjorie Elzey

For the second consecutive year, the Boys in Blue are into the Semifinals after defeating Mazatlán FC on Saturday night in a penalty shootout. The win extends the Union’s unbeaten streak to seven, dating back to July 17th against the New England Revolution.

Despite finding themselves down a man just before first half stoppage time, Mikael Uhre took matters into his own hands with a goal just before the halftime whistle. Mazatlán would answer in the 59th minute to send the match to the penalty kick shootout.

Starting XI:

Andre Blake – 9

A quintessential Andre Blake game. Save after save after save, coming up big as usual.

Kai Wagner – 7.5

Played some incredible balls to the strikers, albeit nothing came from most of them. Along with McGlynn, set Uhre up for the Union’s only goal.

Jack Elliott – 8

Some fantastic defending by Elliott. With Martinez out, Elliott needed to play forward more often while ensuring no vulnerabilities in the back.

Jakob Glesnes – 7

Defensively, a quieter night for Glesnes, but in more of a stable presence way than “not doing his job” way. His ability later in the game to be an offensive tool and then turn around to run back to position should be commended.

Nathan Harriel – 6

Glimpses of Harriel throughout the night, and while nothing superb, he also didn’t cause any problems.

Leon Flach – 6

A quieter night for Flach, especially when compared to the energy that Martinez usually brings as a defensive mid. Moving forward, this will be one of the Union’s most necessary adjustments.

Jack McGlynn – 7

Assist on the lone Union goal, other than that, a pretty standard game.

Quinn Sullivan – 6

Attempt in 3′ off the side of net, but otherwise silent compared to his game against Cincinnati.

Daniel Gazdag – 8

A couple of attempts by Gazdag kept the Union’s pace up even after Baribo was sent off.

Tai Baribo – 7

Sent off unfairly at the tail-end of the first half; in the 40-some minutes he did play, there were no goals but Baribo continued to cause trouble for Mazatlan’s defense.

Mikael Uhre – 8.5

Philadelphia’s only goal-scorer this time around, marking consecutive games with a goal.

Substitutes:

Jose Martinez – 8  

Martinez’s last game in a Union jersey, and what a way to go out, leading us in on PKs.

Damion Lowe – 8

A smart defensive game by Lowe, which I was beginning to stop expecting. Given the chippy nature of this game, I was expecting Lowe to take the bait Mazatlan was constantly offering, and was pleasantly surprised when he didn’t.

Sam Adeniran – 4

Unimpressive minutes, albeit few, by Adeniran in this game…..coupled with a missed PK, however, leaves me unimpressed.

Alejandro Bedoya – 7

No matter the game, you can expect Cappy to come out, run around a bunch and give it his all. A couple of chances that I would have loved to have be goals, but there’s no denying the stability that Ale’s presence lends the team.

Jesus Bueno – 8

Long before Bueno sealed the deal for the Union on their last penalty kick of the night, he was holding the midfield line together throughout the second half, ensuring Mazatlan found no space.

Geiger Counter:

Selvin Brown – 1

I contemplated a 0, but let’s be nice. This guy was the same one who showed Jack Elliott a red card in February during the Union’s Concacaf Champions Cup run. According to Apple TV’s commentators, Brown has worked 4 matches this Leagues Cup Concacaf Champions Cup?, and in them, 2 players have been sent off on direct reds.

Player of the Match:  Andre Blake

What a turn around on penalty kicks–with every save, Blake healed a bit of the anxiety I gained in the MLS final.