Sullivan Makes History as Union Extend Unbeaten Run to Eight

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union returned to Subaru Park on Saturday night looking to build on last week’s 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls and continue their late-season push toward the playoffs. Standing in their way was a CF Montréal side near the bottom of the Eastern Conference but coming off a respectable road draw against Vancouver.

Interim head coach Ryan Richter kept faith with the same starting XI that delivered the victory in New York. André Blake wore the captain’s armband in goal behind a back line of Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel and Kai Wagner. Jovan Lukić and Danley Jean Jacques anchored the midfield, with Indiana Vassilev and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan operating in more advanced positions. Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski once again led the attack.

On a night when the Union honored the Fearless 43 as part of the club’s annual Kick Childhood Cancer match, Philadelphia survived an early scare before taking control in the second half. Danley broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, Blake preserved the lead with a penalty save, and Sullivan made MLS history by scoring his third goal in as many matches to secure a 2-0 victory.

The result extended the Union’s unbeaten run to eight league matches and provided further evidence that a season that once appeared lost may still have something left in it.

How the Match Unfolded

First Half

Montréal appeared to take the lead less than two minutes into the match when Prince Owusu found the back of the net, but the celebration was cut short when the goal was ruled offside. It was an early warning for a Union defense that had been caught flat almost immediately after kickoff.

Lukić picked up the first yellow card of the night in the sixth minute after fouling former Union midfielder Fabian Herbers.

Philadelphia began to create chances as the half progressed. In the 13th minute, Sullivan forced Sébastian Breza into a strong save, and Damiani arrived to challenge for the rebound. The Montreal goalkeeper managed to keep the ball out, while Gennadiy Synchuk was shown a yellow card during the sequence.

Wagner delivered a corner in the 16th minute that found Danley inside the area. Danley controlled the ball and worked his way out of traffic, but his attempted backheel was intercepted before the Union could create a shot.

Philadelphia nearly paid for another corner in the 24th minute. After Montreal cleared Iloski’s service, Owusu broke quickly in the opposite direction. Damiani stopped the counterattack with a tactical foul and was correctly shown a yellow card.

Samuel Piette joined him in the referee’s book five minutes later after bringing down Danley.

Montréal threatened again in the 31st minute when Herbers delivered a corner toward Owusu, but the striker sent his header over Blake’s goal.

The Union’s best opportunity of the half came from a clever set-piece routine in the 41st minute. Iloski played the ball short to Damiani, who laid it off for Wagner outside the box. Wagner drove a low shot toward the far corner, but his effort rolled just wide.

Damiani had another opportunity in first-half stoppage time when he found space in the center of the penalty area, but he pulled his shot wide of the right post.

The teams went into halftime scoreless. Philadelphia had produced the better chances after Montréal’s early disallowed goal, but the Union had once again failed to turn promising possession into a breakthrough.

Second Half

Montréal made the first change of the match at halftime, replacing Jalen Neal with former Union Academy defender Brandan Craig.

The Union came out with considerably more urgency. Iloski nearly opened the scoring in the 48th minute when he ran onto a pass in the middle of the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but Owusu threw himself in front of the effort. Moments later, Iloski connected with a diving header that forced Breza into another save.

Philadelphia’s pressure finally paid off in the 57th minute. After Montréal conceded a foul near the left side of the penalty area, the resulting set piece created a scramble in front of goal. Danley reacted first and finished from close range to give the Union a deserved 1-0 lead.

The advantage appeared to be in serious jeopardy in the 68th minute when Pierre was called for a foul on Synchuk inside the penalty area. Owusu stepped to the spot with an opportunity to level the match, but Blake read his stutter-step approach and made a tremendous save.

It was vintage Blake. The Union captain had not been asked to do much for most of the night, but he delivered when the game demanded it.

Richter made his first substitutions immediately afterward, bringing on Jesús Bueno and Quinn Sullivan for Lukić and Vassilev in the 69th minute. Montréal responded by replacing Synchuk and Piette with Wiki Carmona and Victor Loturi, who picked up a yellow card for a foul on Westfield in the 73rd minute.

Two minutes later, Cavan Sullivan put the match away—and made league history in the process. The 16-year-old collected the ball in the penalty area and calmly buried a left-footed finish past Breza to make it 2-0. It was Sullivan’s fourth league goal of the season and his third in as many matches.

The goal also gave Sullivan a goal contribution in five consecutive regular-season matches, making him the youngest player in MLS history—and the first teenager—to accomplish the feat. He celebrated his first MLS goal at Subaru Park with a LeBron James-inspired chalk toss near the corner flag.

Montréal made two more changes in the 79th minute, bringing on Daniel Ríos and Noah Streit for Luca Petrasso and Alexis Sánchez.

With the Union in control, Richter replaced Iloski and Sullivan with Ezekiel Alladoh and Alejandro Bedoya in the 82nd minute. Seventeen-year-old homegrown forward Malik Jakupovic entered for Damiani in the 90th minute as Philadelphia comfortably saw out the final stages.

Bueno picked up the final yellow card of the match in stoppage time, but there would be no late drama. Blake and the Union defense completed the clean sheet, while the attack continued its encouraging run of form.

The final whistle confirmed a convincing 2-0 victory. Philadelphia finished with 19 shots to Montréal’s five and thoroughly controlled the second half. More importantly, the Union collected another three points and extended an unbeaten run that is beginning to feel like something more than a temporary improvement.

Three Takeaways

PSP’s Three Points

• Cavan Sullivan Is Special: Sullivan has now scored in three consecutive matches and contributed to a goal in five straight. At 16, he is not merely showing promise—he is already becoming one of the Union’s most important attacking players.
• Blake Changed the Match: Danley scored the winner and Sullivan provided the historic moment, but Blake’s penalty save was the turning point. If Owusu converts, the entire complexion of the match changes. Instead, the Union captain preserved the lead and gave Sullivan the opportunity to finish the job.
• The Unbeaten Run Is Real: Eight consecutive league matches without a loss cannot be dismissed. The Union are creating chances, getting contributions from young players and finding different ways to earn results. A playoff place that once seemed remote is now firmly within reach.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2):

André Blake, Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Cavan Sullivan (Alejandro Bedoya 82’), Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukić (Jesús Bueno 69’), Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan 69’), Milan Iloski (Ezekiel Alladoh 82’), Bruno Damiani (Malik Jakupovic 90’).

Substitutes not used: Andrew Rick, Ben Bender, Japhet Sery Larsen, Jeremy Rafanello.

CF Montréal (4-3-3):

Sébastian Breza, Dawid Bugaj, Jalen Neal (Brandan Craig 46’), Brayan Vera, Luca Petrasso (Daniel Ríos 79’), Matthew Longstaff, Samuel Piette (Victor Loturi 69’), Fabian Herbers, Gennadiy Synchuk (Wiki Carmona 69’), Prince Owusu, Alexis Sánchez (Noah Streit 79’).

Substitutes not used: Thomas Gillier, Brayan Ceballos, Olger Escobar, Dante Sealy.

Scoring Summary:

PHI – Danley Jean Jacques 57’
PHI – Cavan Sullivan 75’

Disciplinary Summary:

PHI – Jovan Lukić (caution) 6’
MTL – Gennadiy Synchuk (caution) 13’
PHI – Bruno Damiani (caution) 24’
MTL – Samuel Piette (caution) 29’
MTL – Dawid Bugaj (caution) 56’
PHI – Kai Wagner (caution) 68’
MTL – Victor Loturi (caution) 73’
PHI – Jesús Bueno (caution) 90+1’