September 12, 2020
Chester, PA
Fate exquisitely set the stage for the Philadelphia Union’s Anthony Fontana to be the hero of Saturday evening’s game against the New England Revolution. Several of the Union’s regulars did not dress for the game due to injury, which allowed Coach Jim Curtin to give Fontana more substantial playing minutes. Fontana had played well in his limited minutes against the Red Bulls a week earlier, being an integral part of the setup for Matt Real’s goal against the Red Bulls and even taking a shot himself in the waning minutes of that game. Then, there was the second yellow on the Revolution’s Matt Polster, resulting in Polster’s ejection from the game shortly after the first half. When Fontana came in at the sixty-fifth minute, he seemed to have an intensity in his step.
Until Fontana’s arrival, the Union’s chances were just off target or saved, with no scoring for either team. At the seventy- sixth minute, Philadelphia’s Brenden Aarsonson passed to Kacper Przybylko in the box and two New England defenders collapsed on Przybylko. The ball popped loose to the waiting feet of the neighboring Fontana, who adeptly chipped the ball over the rush of New England’s keeper Matt Turner.
New England is a stronger team than its three wins suggest. Despite being a man down, and with nine minutes left in regulation, New England’s Tajon Buchanan, assisted by Gustavo Bou, broke through the Union’s defense to level the match score to 1-1. At this point, it was fair strategy for New England to slow the game in the hope to salvage one point while down a man. But two downed (but seemingly unharmed) Revolution defenders meant an additional five minutes of stoppage time.
At about two minutes into stoppage time, in stark contrast to his prior soft, high chip, Fontana rifled the game winner past Turner. The game ended shortly thereafter at 2-1 with the Union claiming three points.
Several Philadelphia Union regulars did not dress for the game (Creavalle, Santos, Ilsinho, Elliott and Wagner).
The nineteen-year old Aaronson does have an uncanny ability to . . .
. . . move the ball through the legs of seasoned players, such as New England’s Alexander Buttner here.
New England’s Tommy McNamara settling things down in front of Aaronson’s watchful eye.
Glesnes taking one of the Union’s near miss shots.
New England’s Matt Polster heading to the locker room after his ejection from the match.
Philadelphia’s captain Alejandro Bedoya with the Revolution’s McNamara trying to slow him down.
Glesnes rising a head above New England.
Fontana’s first score that he chipped over Turner.
No fans inside the park does make it easier to see friends and family in the stands.
And the second Fontana celebration.
