Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union were downed 1-0 by Cruz Azul in front of a Subaru Park crowd that had a large contingent of Azul supporters. La Máquina had the better of the Union in the early stages, scoring a goal in just the 3rd minute, and carried their lead into half-time. Despite mounting a second half onslaught in search of a tying goal – outshooting their opponent 10 to 6 – the Union were unable to find an equalizer. Controversially, a late handball against Cruz Azul was not given, which all but sealed Philly’s fate. The result is Philadelphia’s first ever loss in group play at the Leagues Cup. The Boys in Blue will look to get back in the win column this Sunday against Necaxa.
First Half
An energetic Cruz Azul got off the mark early, scoring in just the 3th minute. José Paradela pulled the strings in midfield, picking out Omar Campos down the left wing. He continued his run, and with no Union defenders closing him down, was wide open for Campos to return the favor with a simple pass across the top of the box, which he thumped home. Andrew Rick had no chance in the Philadelphia net.
Paradela was involved again in the 10th minute, but this time for a booking. The Argentinian encroached on a Union free-kick in the 10th minute, and was duly yellow carded by Head Referee Juan Calderon.
La Máquina thought they had doubled their lead in the 13th minute. Omar Campos stabbed home a rebound after Frankie Westfield mis-cleared a cross, but the Union were bailed out by the Assistant Referee, who indicated offside.
The Union finally began to threaten, and had a pair of dangerous opportunities around the 24th minute. Cavan Sullivan nutmegged his defender and dimed up Westfield, but the full-back’s cross was cleared away. Then, Danley Jean-Jacques got forward, but the Haitian’s cut-back could not find Milan Iloski.
In the 40th minute, Gabriel Fernández appeared to grab Sery Larsen’s face during an aerial duel, but neither the referee – nor VAR – felt there was a transgression.
A well-timed tackle from Kai Wagner in stoppage time launched a fast counter for the Union, but Cavan Sullivan and Iloski couldn’t quite connect, and the Union would go into the break down one goal.
Second Half
Each side remained unchanged coming out of the break, with the Union continuing to push forward in search of a goal.
Iloski and Cavan connected twice in the 58th, with the former UCLA Bruin setting up the young phenom, but both times Sullivan was unable to convert.Shortly after, Philadelphia had another golden chance, when Cavan slipped Ezekiel Alladoh into the box. But, Alladoh mis-controlled, and the chance went begging.
In the 77th minute Rick was called into action twice in quick succession, but was able to make routine saves both times.
Ryan Richter made a trio of substitutes in the 79th minute, in an effort to push for the equalizer.
Philadelphia were unlucky not to score in the 84th minute. Westfield received a pass near the endline and fired a low cross into the box, which somehow evaded all three Union players near the back post.
The Union remained on the attack and looked to have won a clear penalty in the 89th minute. Iloski chopped a backheel, which flew into the outstretched hand of a Cruz Azul defender. Despite replays showing a clear handball, Calderon’s initial ruling of no-call was not reviewed.
Near the end of the game, Bruno Damiani landed a header on target, but Kevin Mier was equal to the effort. It was the last clear chance of the game for the Union, as the final whistle sounded soon after.
3 Points
- Rotation Woes: With the games coming fast and thick at this stage of the season, it was inevitable that the Union would have to rotate at some point. Unfortunately, it seemed to have a noticeable impact on the players tonight, who fell victim to a slow start.
- The Machine: One of Cruz Azul’s many nicknames is La Máquina – Spanish for ‘The Machine – and the first half was a demonstration of just how machine-like they can be. Cruz Azul passed with precision, cutting through the Union like they weren’t there, and were centimeters away from a 2 goal lead inside 10 minutes. Ultimately, the Union fought their way into the conversation, but it was clear that Azul decided to bunker after half-time.
- Got to finish your dinner: Poor finishing came back to haunt the Union in this one, which was reminiscent of pre-World Cup break form. This team isn’t built to break down defensive teams, which is a problem that needs to be addressed one way or the other.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union: Andrew Rick (GK), Kai Wagner, Japhet Sery Larsen (Neil Pierre 79’), Nathan Harriel (Jovan Lukic 79’), Frankie Westfield, Jesús Bueno (Agustin Anello 79’), Danley Jean Jacques, Quinn Sullivan (Indiana Vassilev 66’), Cavan Sullivan, Ezekiel Alladoh (Bruno Damiani 66’)
Substitutes not used: Andre Blake, George Marks, Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender, Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello, Malik Jakupovic.
Cruz Azul: Kevin Mier (GK), Omar Campos (Luka Romero 65’), Jesus Orozco, Willer Ditta (Josué Díaz 88’), Gonzalo Piovi, Jeremy Márquez, Érik Lira, Agustin Palavecino (Cristian Jiménez 90+2’), José Paradela, Gabriel Fernández (Nicolás Ibáñez 65’), Carlos Rodríguez
Substitutes not used: Andrés Gudiño, Andrés Montaño, Alán Montes, Amaury García, Javier Suárez, Bruno Salgado, Juan Calero
Scoring Summary:
CAZ: José Paradela (Omar Campos) – 3’
Disciplinary Summary:
CAZ: José Paradela (Yellow) – 10’
PHI: Jesús Bueno (Yellow) – 23’
CAZ: Érik Lira (Yellow) – 53’
Attended cause it was free… Cruz Azul fans “silly” but OK in 114, expected.
Glad they are mathematically out. Waste of time and money.
Really curious… is Sugarman playing for the “Sprint Season”, thinks he can steal some silverware in 17 games (14 & 3 playoffs)?
Interesting to watch. RenewED for the ridiculous Sprint Season, but after that……
18 years I have paid for 2 seats in section 114. 2 friends dropped dead and now only 2 left standing… NEVER really focused on WINNING.
IF this franchise doesn’t win SOMETHING…. why bother?
Everyone else in MLS is serious about winning a CUP….
Union, NOT SO MUCH.
Poop.
No one should be surprised about losing and lack of depth. Once again Sugarman tells everyone he will spend money and they will make it better, but other than Wagner..nothing, not even an update on what/who they are looking for or even a rumor. He needs to sell to someone who understands how to provide entertainment to a loyal fanbase dying to root for a winner.
Oh, there are rumors….just not the good kind, unless it is for $20mm!
Via TransferFeed:
“Neil Pierre has been linked with prominent European clubs, including FC Barcelona, and at 18 years old, he is eligible to transfer at any time. In contrast, his teammate Cavan Sullivan must wait another two years before his move to Manchester City can be finalized.”
Neil Pierre has a first team contract through 2028. Unless the price is right he’s not going anywhere
If Iloski has a bad night, it’s goodnight.
Where is the forward they promised?
The Sullivans: all the flair-no end product. Just hype.
Don’t remember a worse game from Westfield. Absolutely embarrassing. Turns out Curtin Jr. doesn’t have the answers either.
When you don’t belong with the best in your own league, prolly a good idea to avoid the best clubs in your hemisphere…….
I have found it useful to listen to replays of the union head coach’s press conferences, especially the ones in advance of a match.
Kai Wagner pointed out that only three of the eleven had ever played a good Liga MX team.
And Richter stated that learning to adjust would be one of the chief pedagogical objectives of the experience.
It took them about 20 minutes to realize the challenge and raise their game. Cruz Azul scored in the third and thirteenth minutes, while they were adjusting. The second goal was disallowed for offside.
After that the Union system’s inability to break down a top quality low block explained the rest of the match.
The only year Philadelphia ever had any ability to address a good low block was the year Earnie Stewart got Borek Dockal (sp?) as the attacking mid because he was desperate to get out of the Chinese league where his family was unhappy and his paychecks were not appearing.
Match explained.
That Kai comment isn’t true. In addition to him and Quinn pre-injury, who had both played against Mexican in the past, the only 2 starters who didn’t start at least one game against Club America earlier this year were Danley and Westfield who both came on as subs against America. I realize America wasn’t playing well at the time but they did finish 4th in the table in the spring and are top of the table right now.
I would add to the above that the Union faithful were not faithful last night. 75% of the stands were Cruz Azul fans. It is entirely possible that this young team gave up the early goal(s) because they were not expecting to be the away team in their own stadium and took a while to adjust.
It’s done, now focus on the league season. I thought the referee did a solid job. The VAR crew should be fired and never work another match.
The league needs the top MX teams to advance out of the group stage, a late VAR penalty threatening that is not in the cards. Mission accomplished. Seriously though how do you not review that even the Cruz Azul fans were momentarily silenced.
How long is this organization going to allow these two high priced Forwards (Fauxribo and Alladoh) to eat hundreds, actually thousands, of pitch minutes, with nothing to show for it? 50% off sale and move these dudes.
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I can remember if Przybyłko got cold for just a few games, these comment boards were not kind. With these 2 busts we’re talking entire seasons of absolute ice. Przybyłko is like a Ballon d’Or Striker compared to our current 2 record transfer Forwards.
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For any apologists…the “they just need more time” folks….let this statistic sink in. Fauxribo (Damiani) and Alladoh both only have 1 more Goal than me in MLS this year…..and I have played zero minutes and been paid nothing by the Union.
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Meanwhile we have Korzeniowski not even dressing for the 1st team. Richter, if anyone, should believe that he can produce when he himself coached him to 8 Goals in 22 Union II games last year. This year, he has 5 Goals in 5 Union II games. He is no longer injured, why is he not even making the sub bench for the Leagues Cup? Get this dude those wasted minutes. He is the perfect compliment to Iloski up top. We may have another Baribo sitting on the bench. I, for one, would like to find out.
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I actually believe this waste of minutes up top is to try to salvage transfer values. No strictly performance based..what is best for team results…analysis could possibly justify their continued playing times. Move these guys on, please. ASAP.
I thought Korzeniowski was out with an injury.
Strike my prior stats. A revision is needed. Stas Korzeniowski scored 2 more Goals today, for Union II, so it is now 7 Goals in 6 Games! Get this dude out of Union II….he’s got nothing left to learn there.
Webv has a good point. I won’t be the guy who questions people’s fandom, but these games with the MX clubs have always been 75-25 Mexican fans-Union fans! We will be there on Sunday. The shame is that people don’t want to pay to see the games. Or they don’t want to go and deal with the other team taking over. Some games it seams the faithful have no faith.
I was fine paying for the games in 2023 when the format made sense. I’m not fine paying with the current format where you are essentially competing for a knockout spot against teams who are playing completely different opponents.
Iloski looked frustrated , set up Cavan twice and he basically wiffed. We now have 3 attacking midfielders who have quality and nobody to finish. . .Sugarman must make another move for a finisher or forget thinking about playoffs.Damiani and Alladoh are just awful.