Chester, PA
October 7, 2020
It is fair to say that bad things do happen in Philadelphia — to other MLS teams.
The Philadelphia Union missed the presence of Jose Martinez, who was called up to play for the Venezuelan National Team. While El Brujo can be aggressive, almost to the point of being hot-headed, he also is fast, sure-footed, and a terrific passer. Anthony Fontana has been a handful offensively, and last night he shot a few of his patented edge-of-the-box rifles, but the Union’s passing suffered in the first half. In fact, Cincinnati’s passing and quickness to the ball surpassed that of the Union, with Cincinnati holding onto a game total of 57% possession.
Things were different in the second half. Ilsinho entered the match at the 53rd minute, a shade earlier than usual. Because Ilsinho’s “rabbit-out-of-my-hat” moves are so engrossing, it’s easy to forget the other ways that he contributes — like needle-threading passing and set-up plays. Four minutes after his feet touched the pitch, Ilsinho scored aided by a deflection off of the former Union midfielder, Haris Medunjanin.
It is becoming a habit for Brenden Aaronson to set up scoring plays well into the second half, when opposing players are fatigued, presenting an argument against subbing him before game’s end. This time, Aaronson crossed right to an open Alejandro Bedoya, who looped the ball into the left side of the goal for Philadelphia at the 73rd minute.
A word should be added about the return of Jack Elliott from his ankle injury. He was subbed in at the half for Jakob Glesnes, who suffered a nasty blow to the head off of a shot by Cincinnati’s Joseph-Claude Gyau (See photos below). Elliott seemed elated to increase Philadelphia’s score to 3 by way of a header, assisted by Jamiro Monteiro (See photos below).
Cincinnati’s Joseph-Claude Gyau pressing forward while Mathieu Deplagne cuts behind.
Gyau goes down with very little if any contact from Philadelphia’s Jamiro Monteiro.
The Union’s Andre Blake had a fine night, and season, shown here pulling in a save.
Monteiro picks the pocket of Cincinnati’s Allan Cruz, preventing a shot on Philadelphia’s goal.
Gyau’s hard shot on goal was deflected . . .
by Jakob Glesnes’s face.
Philadelphia’s Blake punching away a header shot from Cincinnati’s Deplagne.
The Union’s Fontana maneuvering around Cincinnati’s Frankie Amaya.
Cincinnati’s Yuya Kubo in traffic pushing away from the Cincinnati goal.
Ilsinho celebrates behind the dejected Haris Medunjanin on a goal deflected in off the former Union midfielder.
Philadelphia’s Sergio Santos is elated by the goal attributed to fellow Brazilian, Ilsinho.
Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott did not miss a beat after returning from injury, scoring the third Philadelphia goal.
And Elliott seems pretty pleased about his first goal of the season.
For more pictures of the game can be seen at https://prostamerika.smugmug.com/MLS-Photos/Philadelphia/Philadelphia-Union-2020-Season
