Philadelphia Union 3-1 Sporting Kansas City
In the quarter-final matchup of the “MLS Is Back” tournament, Sporting Kansas City would face off against the Philadelphia Union. This match had a lot of potential, featuring numerous “up and coming” stars for both sides. Kansas City’s Gianluca Busio and Philadelphia’s Brenden Aaronson look to put their young talents on display and help their team to a semi-finals appearance. Sporting came into the game following a victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on penalty kicks. Philadelphia’s journey saw them knock off Eastern Conference rivals the New England Revolution in a hard fought 1-0 victory.
It did not take long for Philadelphia to get started in this one. Generating multiple chances that would shortly pay off for them. In the 24th minute, a ball across the box from Alejandro Bedoya would find the feet of Jamiro Monteiro. He was able to calmly place the ball into the back of the net, giving the Union a 1-0 lead. Only 2 minutes later, it was Philadelphia again. Forward Sergio Santos found himself alone behind the defense and was able to chip the oncoming Tim Melia to double their lead. Nineteen-year old Brenden Aaronson wasted no time getting involved in this one. A few key chances were created, but his big moment would come in the 39th minute when a great move and pass from Aaronson would give Santos his second goal of the game.
With Philadelphia up 3-0, Sporting Kansas City started to surge back. A number of chances were created late, one finally being put into the back of the net in the 46th minute, right before the end of the first half. Alain Pulido would score to make it 3-1 and give Kansas City a sense of hope going into the break.
3 minutes into the half, Sporting Kansas City would earn a free kick in a dangerous area. The following shot hiit well by Pulido, but his efforts would find the post and ricochet away from danger. A second half surge would see numerous chances by the team that trailed. In the 56th minute it looked as if Johnny Russell had brought Kansas within one, but his goal was rightly deemed offsides.
Kansas City would continue to pressure the Union defense with chances created by the usual suspects in Johnny Russell, Alain Pulido and Gerso.
A strong second half effort by Kansas was without reward as they could not find the back of the net. A 3-1 victory for Philadelphia sees them into the next round of play. The Philadelphia Union await the winner of the New York City vs. Portland matchup.
