July 18, 2021
Chester, PA
Amid adverse VAR decisions and a rain delay, Saturday night’s game against D.C. United belonged to Philadelphia’s Sergio Santos. He scored the first goal in the 11th minute (assisted by Daniel Gazdag) with a shot off of a fast break that went through the legs of the D.C. United keeper, Bill Hamid. Santos also arguably led to D.C. United’s lone goal by clipping the back of Yordy Reyna’s heals just inside of the box, which resulted in a successful penalty kick taken by Yamil Asad. Santos also had a goal stripped by VAR.
The crowning glory, however, was an assist arising from a long ball Santos foot race toward goal in the 83rd minute. Santos could have shot the ball himself with a decent chance of success. Kacper Przybylko, however, was open on the left and Hamid was covering the right side of the goal. Santos cut back on Nigel Robertha and passed to Przybylko, who easily scored the game winner on the open net. Robertha saw the worst of the play as he stayed down and immediately was subbed for injury.
United’s Julian Gressel looking to cross the ball.
Philadelphia’s Leon Flach has a knack for tight coverage.
Santos’s early goal shot right through Hamid.
Gressel again, settling the ball by himself.
Yamil Asad easily converted the PK when Philadelphia’s keeper Joe Bendik committed to the left.
Asad pressed toward goal with Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott closing in.
Santos had several opportunities to outpace D.C United to goal.
Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag maneuvering around defenders in the box.
Hamid trying to save Santos’s touch goal before VAR stepped in for the offside call.
Santos cutting back just as Robertha went down and before passing left to Przybylko for the winning goal.
Quinn Sullivan was Philadelphia’s lone substitution (for Santos), seen here behind D.C. United’s Tony Alfaro.
