November 28, 2021
Chester, PA
Jakob Glesnes was the hero of the Philadelphia Union’s first round playoff game against the New York Red Bulls. On Sunday evening, the savior of Philadelphia’s second round playoff game against Nashville FC came in the form of goalkeeper Andre Blake for his performance in the penalty shoot-out.
It should come as no surprise that the game ended in a 1-1 draw. After all, Nashville had a league-topping 18 draws on the season. Philadelphia was not far behind with 12 draws, tied with four others for the league’s second highest number of draws.
Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar scored in the 38th minute (assisted by Eric Miller). Philadelphia avoided going into half-time with a deficit when Daniel Gazdag scored in the first half’s stoppage time. That 1-1 score persisted throughout regulation and overtime, requiring a penalty kick shoot out.
For Nashville, Mukhtar made the first PK attempt low and to the left, but it was stopped by Blake. Defender Jack Elliott successfully converted the first Philadelphia PK attempt into the left corner. Blake also saved Nashville’s second PK attempt by Aníbal Godoy, aimed low and to the right. Things took a somewhat more positive direction for Nashville when its goalkeeper Joe Willis saved Philadelphia’s second PK attempt by Sergio Santos. Nashville’s hope was short-lived, however, when PK attempts by both Alex Muyl and Walker Zimmerman were off target. Philadelphia’s fate was left in the hands of the homegrown 18 year old, Jack McGlynn, whose stutter step shot to the left belied his age and experience.
That was all it took for the Philadelphia Union. The shootout ended with a score of Philadelphia Union 1(2), Nashville SC 1.
Philadelphia’s José Martínez and Nashville’s Mukhtar had at it throughout the evening.
Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner juking out Mukhtar.
Nashville celebrated after Muktar’s goal in the first half, while C.J. Sapong made a point of attribution.
Sapong tried to slow down Philadelphia’s Leon Flach.
Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag scoring in stoppage time in the first half.
Nashville’s Dax McCarty refuses to slow down.
A sizing mismatch with Philadelphia’s Jamiro Monteiro holding off Nashville’s Aníbal Godoy
Philadelphia’s Martínez complained to the linesman after Godoy leveled Monteiro.
Philadelphia’s Sergio Santos followed by Nashville’s Jack Maher.
Nashville’s Walker Zimmerman owned the skies, with consistent heading winners.
In the PK shootout, Blake saving Godoy’s PK attempt.
The Union mobbed Blake for his performance in the shootout.
Blake enjoying his moment.
Philadelphia Union
Nashville SC
