The Philadelphia Union picked up right where they left off before the international break, earning a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake at Subaru Park on Saturday night to extend their unbeaten run to 13 consecutive MLS matches. Bruno Damiani opened the scoring in the first half before Milan Iloski doubled the advantage late in the second, giving the Boys in Blue some much-needed breathing room before Real Salt Lake found a late consolation goal.

First Half

After a two-week pause for international duty, the Union returned to Subaru Park with five players back in the starting lineup, including homegrowns Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre, and Frankie Westfield.

Goalkeeper Andre Blake was called into action early, making a save on Stijn Spierings’ long-range effort in the fourth minute. Philadelphia responded with chances of its own, but neither side could find the breakthrough immediately.

In the 31st minute, however, Philadelphia put together a seven-pass sequence down the right side, with Westfield and Sullivan combining to create the opening. Damiani finished the move with a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving the Union a 1-0 lead. Damiani nearly doubled his tally before halftime, but his headed effort in the 39th minute was saved by Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral.

Second Half

Real Salt Lake made two substitutions at halftime in an attempt to change the momentum, and the visitors came out searching for an equalizer. Noel Caliskan fired wide in the 52nd minute, while Aiden Hezarkhani also missed an opportunity as Salt Lake pushed forward. The Union’s defense remained organized, limiting the visitors’ ability to turn their possession into clear-cut chances.

The Union finally found their second goal in the 82nd minute; Philadelphia broke forward on the counterattack, and after a chaotic series of touches, the ball ricocheted off Iloski and crossed the goal line. The play went to VAR for an extended review, leaving players and supporters waiting anxiously for a decision. Eventually, Iloski was credited with the finish, while Sullivan picked up his second assist of the night.

As time expired, Real Salt Lake managed to pull one back in the 96th minute when Lobjanidze finished from inside the box. Ultimately, the Union managed to hang on for the 2-1 victory.

The Union will look to keep that momentum going when they travel to face Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, October 14, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.

Three Points

• Building from the back: Philadelphia’s opening goal was a product of patience and teamwork rather than an individual moment of brilliance. The seven-pass buildup down the right flank showed how effectively the Union can move the ball and create openings without forcing the attack.
• The bench made its presence felt: With a busy schedule ahead, getting meaningful contributions from players beyond the starting XI could prove increasingly important, especially for a Union franchise that has historically struggled with depth.
• A dicey finish: While the Union ultimately secured the win, conceding so late turned what could have been a routine closing stretch into an anxious finish. Managing those final minutes more cleanly will be an important area of focus, particularly as the stakes rise toward the postseason.