Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union (9-6-10) continued their run of good form Sunday night, putting 5 goals past San Diego FC (8-6-11). This makes it back-to-back 5-0 victories for the Union, following Wednesday’s rout of FC Cincinnati. Cavan Sullivan distinguished himself with a brace, his first multi-goal game in MLS, while Malik Jakupovic scored his first MLS goal. In net, Andre Blake made 5 saves to earn the shutout. 

First Half

The opening stages of the match were largely dictated by the home side, as Philadelphia were content to remain compact and try to create on the counter-attack. San Diego had two good chances to score, one in the 3rd minute and the other in the 12th, but both times their players were unable to hit the target. 

As the half wore on, the Union started to establish themselves, with their press beginning to wear down the opposition. 

In the 20th minute, the Union shifted up a gear, creating a series of threatening opportunities. After a quick ‘1-2’ combination freed Frankie Westfield down the wing, the full back picked out a cross to Milan Iloski. Unfortunately, the former SDFC man couldn’t make contact, but the Union retained possession. After recycling play, and some deft dribbling by Neil Pierre, the ball was set for Cavan Sullivan at the top of the box, but the youngsters volleyed effort was inches over the crossbar.

The Union were now the ones in the driver’s seat, but both a Neil Pierre header, and a Kai Wagner power shot were unable to test Duran Ferree in net.

After a period of inactivity, San Diego had another big chance in the 43rd minute but Andre Blake dived to deny Amahl Pellegrino.

The first half would end with a flurry of activity and some controversy. First, San Diego’s Alejandro Alvarado was initially shown a red card for kicking the ball into Milan Iloski’s head. However, this was reduced to a yellow after a video review. Immediately after, Iloski nearly put the Union ahead, but the Union forward saw his shot blocked by an SD defender. 

Ultimately, the Union would go into the break with the lead. In the last minute of added time, Cavan Sullivan capitalized on an Indiana Vassilev cross with an inventive back-heeled finish, to give Philly the lead right before the interval. 

Second Half

In a dominant second half showing, the Union would score a further 4 goals to cement their win. 

The Boys in Blue got their second in the 62nd minute, as Sullivan bagged his brace, following another connection with Vassilev. This time, the prospective USMNTer smashed a low shot past Ferree, nutmegging the keeper. 

Then, in the 67th minute, Sullivan was involved again, lofting a through ball to an overlapping Westfield. The full back slotted a low cross into the center of the box, which Bruno Damiani one-timed home. It was the Uruguayan’s 7th goal of the season, equalling his total from last year.

Andre Blake was called into action again in the 78th minute, this time by Cedric Bakambu. Once again the Jamaican was equal to the effort. 

In the 87th minute, the Union got their fourth, this time through a comical own goal. Anibal Godoy attempted a diving header to clear away Ezekial Alladoh’s shot – but could only put the ball past his keeper. 

Malik Jakupovic scored the Union’s 5th and final goal of the night in the 4th minute of added time, putting an exclamation mark on the win. It was his first career MLS goal.

The final whistle sounded, seeing Philadelphia secure their fourth straight victory, and third straight clean sheet.

3 Points

• Cavan is Him: First multi-goal game in MLS. Already totals 6 goals and 11 assists in the league this season, with the majority coming after the World Cup break. This kid is legit.

• Richter’s at the Wheel: Undefeated in MLS. 4 straight wins. Back-to-back 5-0 wins. 8-0-2 since taking over. What more needs to be said?

• Don’t Be Afraid to Dream a Little Bigger: With just 9 matches left in the regular season, the Union are on the verge of what seemed unthinkable just 2 months ago: Playoffs. This recent form is not an illusion. The Union could be set up for a serious run this winter.

GOALS/ASSISTS

PHI – Cavan Sullivan (I. Vassilev, B. Damiani) 45+5’

PHI – Cavan Sullivan (I. Vassilev, K. Wagner) 62’

PHI – Bruno Damiani (F. Westfield, C. Sullivan) 67’

PHI – Anibal Godoy (OG) 87’

PHI – Malik Jakupovic (Q. Sullivan) 90+4’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

PHI – Bruno Damiani (caution) 27’

SD – Alejandro Alvarado (caution) 45’

PHI – Neil Pierre (caution) 45+7’

SD – Oscar Verhoeven (caution) 90+1’

Lineups

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake (C), Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner, Francis Westfield, Neil Pierre (Japhet Sery Larsen 86’), Jovan Lukic, Danley Jean Jacques, Cavan Sullivan (Jesus Bueno 77’) , Bruno Damiani (Ezekiel Alladoh 77’), Milan Iloski (Malik Jakupovic 86’), Indiana Vassilev (Quinn Sullivan 69’).

Substitutes not used: Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Agustin Anello, Andrew Rick.

San Diego FC: Duran Ferree, Kieran Sargeant, Manu Duah, Ian Murphy (Dagur Thorhallsson 81’), Oscar Verhoeven, Jeppe Tverskov (C), Onni Valakari (David Vazquez 60’), Alejandro Alvarado ( Anibal Godoy 60’), Amahl Pellegrino ( Cedric Bakambu 60’), Elias Achouri (Bryan Zamble 73’), Anders Dreyer.

Substitutes not used: Pablo Sisniega, Pedro Soma, Sam Vines, Christopher McVey.

Officiating Crew: 

Referee: Ismail Elfath

Asst. Referee 1: Jeremy Kieso

Asst. Referee 2: Stephen McGonagle

Fourth Official: Ricardo Fierro

VAR: Armando Villarreal

AVAR: Joshua Patlak