Chester, PA
August 8, 2023
The round of 16 Leagues Cup game between New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union ended with another penalty shoot-out, 4-3, and with Philadelphia again advancing in Leagues Cup action.
Most of the first half belonged to the Red Bulls. Early on, at the 4th minute, Philadelphia’s Leon Flach passed to Julián Carranza, but the ball deflected off Carranza onto the waiting foot of New York’s Luquinhas who passed through to Omir Fernandez. Philadelphia was caught off guard with only Jack Elliott and keeper Andre Blake to ward off the attack. Fernandez passed left to a wide open Elias Manoel who easily scored.
Philadelphia, however, was the stronger team in the second half. Despite having more than its share of shots (19), it was not until the 68th minute that Philadelphia scored to equal the score. Off of a corner taken by Kai Wagner, Nathan Harriel jumped well above the melee to head the ball perfectly down and to the right corner of the goal. New York’s keeper Carlos Coronel had no chance to stop the shot.
Although Philadelphia had opportunities to close out the game, there was no further scoring and the game proceeded directly to a penalty shoot-out. Andre Blake chose for penalties to be taken at the river end of Subaru Park, where the supporters’ sections reside, and he riled up the rowdy crowd for the shoot-out. Blake saved the first shot by New York’s Lewis Morgan and Daniel Edelman hit the crossbar. Although Philadelphia’s Jack McGlynn’s effort was saved, Jesús Bueno converted his shot for Philadelphia to emerge victorious.
Photographs of the game appear below:
New York’s Elias Manoel was wide open right before receiving the pass and scoring.
Manoel celebrates his early goal.
The Union’s Julián Carranza flanked by New York’s Andrés Reyes.
The Union’s Nathan Harriel rises above New York’s defenders and heads the ball down and right.
New York’s keeper Carlos Coronel had no chance.
Harriel points to his golden head, which currently is tied for first in headed goals in Leagues Cup play.
Harriel running toward his goal celebration.
Olivier Mbaizo, with whom Harriel shares a position, joins in the celebration.
Coronel batting away a dangerous ball in the box.
Andre Blake saves Lewis Morgan’s penalty shot.
Jesús Bueno after converting the final penalty shot to win the game.
