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′