Chester, PA
October 31, 2021
By the start of the game on Halloween night, the Philadelphia Union already had clinched a spot in the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, even if clinching was the product of results in other games. The prior Wednesday, FC Cincinnati surprised many by leading Nashville SC 2-0 before eventually succumbing to Nashville by a score of 6-3. Thus, Philadelphia could not underestimate Cincinnati in a game of importance, not only to lay claim to home field in the playoffs, but also to maintain form after the Union’s last game in Toronto in which it made more than a few careless errors.
Philadelphia did not disappoint the fans who had forsaken trick or treating to attend the game, with a final score of 2-0. What appeared to be Olivier Mbaizo’s first MLS goal ended up being a screeching assist, with Daniel Gazdag head-nudging the ball into the Cincinnati goal in the 11th minute. The second Union goal occurred in the 56th minute, when Paxten Aaronson elected to forego a wide open Kacper Przybylko for an inspired left footed shot to the left of the Cincinnati keeper, Kenneth Vermeer.
The play of Jack McGlynn, another of the youthful “sock over the knee gang,” also should be noted. His pre-game warm-ups are replete with well placed shots – usually in one of the four corners of goal. He also is a play creator far beyond his years. It then should surprise no one that he had two near miss shots on Sunday that seemed destined to increase the Union’s scoreline.
Philadelphia landed in second place in the MLS East Table after the 2-0 victory over Cincinnati.
Photos of the game appear below:
The ref called Cincinnati’s Yuya Kubo for this foul on Philadelphia’s McGlynn.
Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez advances while the Union’s Jakob Glesnes defends.
Kubo continued his high stepping ways, but was unable to circumvent Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner.
This goal originally was attributed to Mbaizo, but it skimmed off of Gazdag’s head before passing by Vermeer.
Cincinnati’s Joseph-Claude Gyau on the receiving end of a José Martínez bear hug.
Here is Aaronson’s left-footed shot to the left side of the goal.
Aaronson being celebrated for the goal by Wagner, Gazdag and McGlynn.
Gazdag should have added to Philadelphia’s point count with this up-close shot that Vermeer awkwardly stopped.
Philadelphia’s Alejandro Bedoya dogged by Cincinnati’s Zico Bailey.
Cincinnati’s Calvin Harris falling under Philadelphia’s Nathan Harriel and Cory Burke.
Philadelphia Union
