Chester, PA
September 27, 2020
Punctuating Inter Miami’s 59% possession and the heavy-at-times rainfall were three Union goals that left no doubt that Philadelphia was the team in domination. First in the scoring line was Philadelphia’s fiery-hot Anthony Fontana in the 25th minute (assisted by Kacper Przybylko), his fourth goal in three games. Fontana started the game due to Alejandro Bedoya’s yellow card accumulation, but also because lately his foot has had the knack of being in the right place and time in the opposing box.
Philadelphia’s Sergio Santos and Miami’s González Pirez traded facial jabs all night, resulting in a Santos yellow card in stoppage time in the first half.
Ilsinho entered the match as a substitute right on time, at the 61st minute. He added to the score in the 77th minute during an attacking pass-around that resulted in Ilsinho short-cutting to goal to shoot in a soft cross from Przybylko.
Miami had the opportunity to partake in the scoring when VAR review revealed a Przybylko handball in the box. Gonzalo Higuain lined up to take the penalty in his MLS debut, but the shot was high and well off the mark.
The exclamation mark was the “catch-me-if-you-can” goal by whiz-kid Brenden Aaronson that rounded out Philadelphia’s evening of scoring at 3-0.
It’s hard to keep Fontana off the field with his recent history of scoring.
Philadelphia’s Jose Andres Martinez matched up well with Miami’s newest addition, Higuain.
Philadelphia’s Andre Blake watched as Higuain’s bicycle-kick narrowly missed its target.
Adding to the tally, Fontana makes his fourth goal in three games.
Miami’s Rodolfo Pizarro heading the ball above Aaronson and Olivier Mbaizo.
An Academy Award nomination for Pirez in the Santos “elbow to the face” feud, here with Santos on a yellow.
After fearing a second yellow, Santos runs by the “ailing” Pirez.
Miami keeper Luis Robles needed a little extra help, here with the save by Nicolás Figal.
The simple but elegant cross placed on the foot of cutting Ilsinho resulted in the second Union goal.
Ilsinho celebrating with the few in the stands.
Higuain’s missed penalty shot just before it soared wide of the goal.
Blake did well for the evening, standing in as Captain for Bedoya.
The “catch-me-if-you-can” whiz-kid on his way to the third score of the evening.
Aaronson’s shot . . .
and the demure celebration.
More photographs of the game can be seen at https://prostamerika.smugmug.com/MLS-Photos/Philadelphia/Philadelphia-Union-2020-Season/.
