Photo Courtesy of the Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union essentially wrapped this game up in just about a baker’s dozen worth of minutes. Nathan Harriel scored the opener inside 3 minutes, then assisted the second just under 10 minutes later. Both teams traded mediocre punches throughout the rest of the first half. Cavan Sullivan’s fourth pro goal extended the lead, but Matías Espínolda got one back for Necaxa in the 79th minute. This match also brought striker Julian Carranza back to Subaru Park for the first time since transferring to Club Necaxa. Carranza has been strong for Los Rayos since his move, but was not serviced sufficiently enough to impact tonight’s match.
First Half
The Union got started extremely quickly in this one despite not having the ball for basically all of the first 2 minutes. A turnover gave Indiana Vassilev some space, which he used to find Cavan Sullivan. Sullivan made a few stepovers, holding up the ball, then found Nathan Harriel on an overlapping run. Harriel, who captained the Union tonight, slotted his shot across keeper Luis Jiménez’s goal to open the scoring in the 3rd minute.
Harriel’s impact on the game got another injection less than 10 minutes later; He got the ball on the right side, drove to the endline, and played a low cross in for Bruno Damiani. Damiani beat his defender to the ball and knocked it past Jimenez for the Union’s second goal inside the first 15 minutes.
Both sides had chances in the minutes that followed, with Neil Pierre blocking Necaxa’s best opportunity, a shot from Javier Ruiz. Necaxa looked to force it out wide, with Ruiz and Matías Espíndola receiving it along the wings. Neither had much support, though, as the Union repeatedly won possession back in those areas. The hydration break came and went with the Union ahead 2-0, mainly courtesy of Nathan Harriel but also largely from interim head coach Ryan Richter’s newly implemented system.
A few free kicks for Necaxa gave the Liga MX team some chances, although nothing came of any of them. The best, a shooting opportunity taken by Matías Espíndola from just outside the box after a Danely Jean Jacques foul, forced a save from keeper Andrew Rick. The fourth official decreed four minutes of stoppage time, which provided no further action as the Union went into the break up 2-0.
Second Half
It took 8 minutes for the Union to grab a goal in the second half, and it came from the left foot of Cavan Sullivan. Sullivan’s fourth of the year and fourth pro goal was the result of a cross from a Vassilev cross that found Sullivan at the back post. A touch and shot was all it took him to score in front of the River End and extend the home advantage.
4 first team regulars entered the match for the Union at the hour mark. In a game like this, though, one might’ve expected Richter to go to some of the younger guys, especially considering his background. Jesus Bueno, Quinn Sullivan, Frankie Westfield, and Milan Iloski replaced Danley Jean Jacques, Cavan Sullivan, Kai Wagner, and Ezekiel Alladoh. Malik Jakupovic came on after the second half hydration break, and he replaced scorer Bruno Damiani.
The Boys in Blue kept the pedal to the metal throughout the second half, especially as the subs came on and the proverbial “fourth quarter” got underway. Andrew Rick did end up having to make 8 saves throughout the match, but very few Necaxa chances really troubled the Union’s back line, and any that did were countered by the home side’s decisive attack. One Rick save catches the eye in the second half, on a close-range shot from Ricardo Monreal. The young keeper continued to look solid as he vies for the starting job next year, although the one goal conceded is a slight blemish on an otherwise very strong night.
That Necaxa goal came from Espínolda after a Union turnover, off an assist from Carlos Vargas. Los Rayos fans in attendance, of which there were a considerable number despite a sparse crowd, provided energy for the team throughout the night, and were finally rewarded in the 79th minute.
Some refereeing decisions were dubious throughout the night, particularly against the Union, but Richter won’t be devastated by just the three yellow cards and a 3-1 win after four minutes of stoppage time
3 Points
- There’s a True Position Battle at Right Back: Nathan Harriel and Frankie Westfield have both been very solid at right back this season and last. Harriel’s goal contributions give him a strong case to start for the foreseeable future, but his ability to play center back could simplify things. Either way, both options have legit talent.
- Cruz Azul Was a Fluke: The 1-0 loss to Cruz Azul last week was a fluke for the Union, whose 3-0 demolition of Necaxa puts them back in the win column. 4 wins out of 5 for Richter, 5 games where they deserved a result. This win also helps their Leagues Cup campaign, moving them up in the MLS side of the table.
- Cavan Sullivan Just Keeps Settling In: Cavan Sullivan was dominant in his hour-long appearance today. He scored the Union’s third and set up the first, all on a total of 26 touches. His stepover continues to work in tandem with his speed, which has proved very effective in his young senior career. He’s up to 9 goal contributions in 23 appearances this season, a very strong tally for a guy who can’t even vote yet.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2): Andrew Rick (GK), Kai Wagner (Frankie Westfield – 60’), Japhet Sery Larsen, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Danley Jean Jacques (Jesus Bueno – 60’), Jovan Lukic, Cavan Sullivan (Quinn Sullivan – 60’), Indiana Vassilev, Ezekiel Alladoh (Milan Iloski – 60’), Bruno Damiani (Malik Jakupovic – 73′)
Substitutes not used: Andre Blake, George Marks, Geiner Martinez, Ben Bender, Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello, Agustin Anello
Club Necax (3-5-2): Luis Giménez (GK), Francisco Méndez, Alexis Peña, Raúl Martínez (Kaiki Naves – 56’), Carlos Vargas (Omar Domínguez – 80′), Daniel Leyva, Pedro Pedraza (Lorenzo Faravelli – 64’), Emilio Rodríguez (Ricardo Monreal – 56’), Javier Ruiz (Owen González – 64’), Julián Carranza, Matías Espíndola
Substitutes not used: Christopher Andrade, Emilio Martinez, Agustin Oliveros, Juan Torres, Rogelio Cortez, Juan Vakencia, Javier Orantes
Scoring Summary:
PHI: Nathan Harriel (Cavan Sullivan) – 3’
PHI: Bruno Damiani (Nathan Harriel) – 12’
PHI: Cavan Sullivan (Indiana Vassilev) – 53’
NEC: Matías Espíndola (Carlos Vargas) – 79′
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI: Neil Pierre (Yellow) – 11’
NEC: Pedro Pedraza (Yellow) – 35’
PHI: Indiana Vassilev (Yellow) – 59’
PHI: Japhet Sery Larsen (Yellow) – 64’
NEC: Lorenzo Faravelli (Yellow) – 87′
I thought Ezekiel Alladoh played well to start the match but looked like his intensity dropped after they scored the second goal. He almost looked tired but when he came out for the second half he either looked refreshed or was told to pick up his game. Over all he looks much better than the did earlier in the season. Finally Damiani was able to put a ball on net and not right at the goalie. Should be interesting going forward as it looks like players are starting to grow into the team as Richter is pushing a lot of the right buttons.
It was a nice rebound from Cruz Azul.
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The downside is that the straight loss to CZ was virtually fatal under this tournament format. Only the top 4 MLS teams will advance to the QFs in the 3 match apiece First Phase. There’s 6 MLS teams already with 6 points, LAFC has 5, and RSL has 4. We have to crush Santos Laguna, hope those 8 teams ahead of us on points straight lose their last match, and all others with 3 points don”t straight win and finish with a higher goal differential. That’s highly unlikely to be kind.
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The upside is that the team gets 3 matches against Mexican squads (I like internationals anyway) to sharpen themselves for league play under new guidance and experiments. Given the pre-WC form versus now, that’s welcome. I’d play Santos Laguna as a further tune up and experiment for league play given such law odds of advancement.
It’s that format which gives me no interest in the tournament (and looking at the stands when I checked the replay of the goal, lots of others have no interest either).
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On Thursday, I’d play as many Union 2 players and backups as possible unless other matches have already gone the Union’s way in the games Tuesday and Wednesday and they have a chance to qualify with a win. Otherwise, save the regulars for the baseball game they have next Sunday in NYC.
Bingo on attendance. Once the first match was lost, the second two became virtual dead rubbers. That plus peak Summertime weekend alternative choices and holidays spell empty seats, especially when season ticket holders must pay for them.
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True, the Sunday Babe Doop match at Yankee Stadium is Sunday, thus a great incentive to play the Kids given the 48 hour gap. NYCFC also lost to CZ last night so they now have the same incentive as us on Thursday to play reserves.
Separate post for a separate sad episode.
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Parking Lot A on Norris St. was closed this evening due to the discovery by boaters of a submerged vehicle in the river in front of Norris. The vehicle contained the body of missing Chester resident Kortney Staples, a 33 year old home healthcare nurse who had been missing since July 11 with a local campaign looking for her whereabouts. There is significant front-end damage to the vehicle and a nearby compromised waterfront gate.
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RIP. I’m certain the Union and the Evonik factory next door will cooperate with law enforcement with any videos they may have, and I’m hoping that the Union’s PR people will make known the club’s acknowledgement and condolences at her funeral.
Yikes. I was turned away from the lot due to ‘police activity’ but horrible to hear this is the reason.
Said I would boycott Leagues Cup…
But this team is close, compelling to watch it solidify… and with the addition of Neil, Quinn & Kai, the pieces are in place to win, make the playoffs. 16 games remain… 48 potential points. DOOP!
We decided to go to the match at the last minute mainly to see Carranza’s return. In a class move he came over to the Union bench before the game and greeted everyone and then hung around and chatted with his old teammates after the game. It was sad to see some fans turning their backs and booing when his name was announced.
We paid for the cheapest seats and then sat behind the Union bench. Great match to watch. It really felt like going to an Open Cup game.
Yeah, good to see him hang with his former teammates and we knew that would be well received. Before the official announcement until after the final whistle, he’s a fan favorite classic.
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But this is Philly. If you’re playing for themmuns, you suck. We even did it to LeToux when he played for Vancouver and RB against us during his Union gap. No exceptions. Not even for Rocky or Ben Franklin in an opposing kit. Nothing personal. He knows that and probably chuckled in nostalgia hearing it on the receiving end for once. We’ll see them afterwards.
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Smart move getting the shit tix and ‘upgrading’ in a less than capacity match like that. Sugarman owes you that much and it’s better TV optics anyway. Think of it as ‘loyalty rewards’.
On an otherwise outstanding performance, it was sad to see Harriel get caught in no man’s land behind the play on the goal. He seemed to lose his focus for a minute.
Come next year MLS will need to rethink playing in US Open Cup and Leagues Cup. With the season ending in April and playoffs in May it will seem unlikely that 16 teams will start US Open Cup play in mid April. Also with the sprint season next year, the teams for the 2028 CONCACAF Champions Cup will have already eleven teams (5 MLS & 6 Liga MX) decided that are coming from league play.
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I understand some folks want it to come to an end but it generates a lot of revenue for both leagues, so I can’t see that happening. The beauty of the first two years was if you lost the first game, you were still in it but the reformatted tournament gives you more league vs league games. I would imagine more games will be played in Mexico since they test ran that this year and fans showed up. Maybe next year change the format to 12 teams from Liga MX and MLS That didn’t qualify and invite eight teams from the Canadian Premier League. Make eight groups of four and play in every country. Top two advance from each group and I believe it only adds two more games in total. If you place one CPL team in each group and no more than two from the same league, you’ll avoid multiple first round games against the same league. With CPL expanding by at least one team next year, the last three spots would have more value for the 32 teams. The best of the rest would play in Open Cup.
My impression is that the Canadian Premier League’s quality has rarely matched that of the three Canadian teams in MLS, let alone Liga MX’s top six or eight.
Just make it stop!
Remember, it was a reaction to Garber NOT able to buy or control the US Open Cup out right. He started kicking and screaming, yelling every name he could think off….
The New Commissioner won’t have the power “Grabmoremoney” had. Too many ego owner groups to allow that to happen again.