Chester, PA
August 4, 2024
A win over Charlotte FC and a draw on Sunday evening against Cruz Azul (losing on PK, 3-5) means that the Philadelphia Union has finished on top in the East Group 4 in Leagues Cup play. Philadelphia advances to play against Montreal in the first round of the knockout stage on Friday.
The game against Cruz Azul took place at the Union’s Subaru Park, but it felt more like an away game. It is safe to say that Cruz Azul fans outnumbered the Union faithful, and the decibel levels proved it. And, the Union had its hands full with a disciplined Cruz Azul team.
The first half surely belonged to Cruz Azul, and Philadelphia was lucky to depart for the half with only one score behind at 0-1. The Cruz Azul goal came in the 41st minute when an open Carlos Rotondi cut from the left and shot to the far right corner of the Union goal. The assist went to Alexis Gutiérrez.
While Cruz Azul certainly controlled the field play, its shooting was not as precise as its passes. It had 17 shots, with only 6 shots on target. However, Philadelphia’s keeper Andre Blake made several big saves.
The Union started the second half with added enthusiasm, as it waited for Cruz Azul to make a defensive mistake. That happened late in the 87th minute when Kevin Mier, the Cruz Azul keeper, passed right to his defender Gonnzalo Piovi. Philadelphia’s Sam Adeniran pressed both the keeper and bumped Piovi, and the ball squirted out toward Philadelphia’s Quinn Sullivan. Meir came out to intercept a dangerous cross by Sullivan in front of the goal and the ball bounced out of his hands. Daniel Gazdag and Tai Baribo swarmed around the keeper, with Gazdag finishing with a soft shot behind the keeper.
The game ended with PKs. Philadelphia’s first shot by the usually stout Gazdag was saved, and that was enough to give Cruz Azul the extra point under Leagues Cup rules.
Photographs of the game appear below:
Cruz Azul’s Willer Ditta cleanly takes control of the ball from Philadelphia’s Mikael Uhre.
Philadelphia’s Dániel Gazdag driving the ball toward the Cruz Azul goal.
The Union’s Tai Baribo heading the ball from Cruz Azul’s Erik Lira.
Cruz Azul’s Ángel Sepúlveda looking to pass.
Ángel Sepúlveda goes up against Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott.
Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner pleased with Philadelphia’s late scoring effort.
The Union’s Quinn Sullivan hops over Ditta and maintains possession.
