Chester, PA
September 25, 2021
By any account, the Philadelphia Union played well against an Atlanta United FC team that had been in good form, and certainly well enough to win. Philadelphia controlled the game tempo and out-shot Atlanta by a wide margin. At times, a fatigued Atlanta team seemed content to slow down the game to pull out the draw.
Then at the 71st minute came a sequence that was awe inspiring. Jose Martinez usurped the far right side of the field, in territory usually received for Olivier Mbaizo. While Martinez was cornered by Atlanta defenders Jake Mulraney and Jackson Conway, he crocheted his way between the two to set up a perfect pass to Kacper Przybylko. Przybylko shot the ball past the Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan.
Guzan had played well, making 8 saves, but this one slipped by, allowing Philadelphia to capture 3 points and 4th place in the MLS East. Atlanta fell into 8th place.
Some photographs of the game appear below:
Philadelphia’s Leon Flach stride for stride with Atlanta’s Ezequiel Barco.
Jamiro Monteiro controlling the ball against Santiago Sosa.
Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner defending Atlanta’s Brooks Lennon.
Lennon taking a tight turn on Wagner.
At the half, Jose Martinez gave a post-tussle glare at Barco.
Olivier Mbaizo crossing past Atlanta’s George Campbell.
An amazing sequence with Jose Martinez squeezing through Atlanta’s Jake Mulraney and Jackson Conway. . .
to position himself to make that picture perfect pass to Kacper Przybylko.
Przybylko with the finish past Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan.
Martinez with a well-deserved celebration, with Przybylko leading the charge.
A grateful Przybylko thanking Martinez for the assist.
Philadelphia Union
Atlanta United
