November, 20, 2021
Chester, PA
The New York Red Bulls headed down Route 95 to play the Philadelphia Union on a crisp November Saturday for the first round of the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. While Philadelphia finished better (2nd in the MLS East) to gain home field in the playoff game, the Red Bulls had been in good form of late, having lost but one game in its last twelve.
True to its recent form, the Red Bulls came out in strong fashion for Saturday’s game. Both teams played with intensity and both had missed scoring chances. As stoppage in regulation time came to a close with the score still 0-0, the game progressed into overtime. Although Philadelphia looked the stronger team in the second half and overtime, none of its scoring opportunities came to fruition. The game seemed destined to be determined by penalty kicks.
Then came the shot, in overtime stoppage at the 123rd minute no less. Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner took a free kick toward goal, taken off a Kyle Duncan foul. New York defended that free kick with a ball out of the box and to the right. Philadelphia’s Jesus Bueno gathered the ball and passed it to Jose Martinez, who lofted the ball in toward goal. New York’s Andrew Gutman headed the ball away, but directly into the chest of Philadelphia’s Jakob Glesnes. Glesnes let the ball drop off his chest and then – as he previously has done for the Union – he launched a seismic drop shot well past the Red Bull’s keeper, Carlos Coronel.
Just a bit more stoppage time was left in overtime after the Glesnes goal, but everyone in Subaru Park knew the game was over. The Philadelphia Union beat the New York Red Bulls with a score of 1-0.
Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott impeding New York’s Omir Fernandez.
Philadelphia’s Leon Flach matching the Red Bulls’s Cristian Casseres Jr. stride for stride.
Philadelphia’s Jose Martinez being defended by the Red Bulls’ Andrés Reyes.
Philadelphia’s captain Alejandro Bedoya had a very good game.
Philadelphia’s Cory Burke being tripped up by New York’s Reyes.
Philadelphia’s Sergio Santos showing off his blinding speed.
The youngster, Caden Clark, driving the ball by himself.
Philadelphia’s Jesús Bueno maneuvering around Red Bull’s John Tolken.
Jakob Glesnes leads the charge following the shot that launched a thousand ships.
The celebration in the Sons of Ben end of Subaru Park.
Glesnes after the game, seemingly unable to explain his shot
