Philadelphia Union’s 2019 campaign came to an end with defeat to reigning MLS Cup champions Atlanta United on Thursday night.
Jim Curtin’s men were outclassed by the ever-clinical Five-Stripes with goals from Julian Gressel and Josef Martinez seeing Atlanta through to the Eastern conference finals.
Union came into this one having won in the playoffs for the first time, beating New York Red Bulls in a dramatic and thoroughly entertaining affair.
But they failed to provide such a spectacle at Mercedez-Benz Arena, struggling to create clear-cut chances, again not helped by the continued absence of star man Kacper Przybyłko.
The home side weren’t too fruitful, either, but they were at least more creative, and they did manage to take their chances.
Julian Gressel got them underway in the 10th minute. Pity Martinez played in the 25-year-old, who dinked the ball over the outrushing Andre Blake, finding the net with the help of the crossbar.
Union almost found a leveller just six minutes later, but Brad Guzan reacted well to deny Brenden Aaronson from close range with his feet.
A tight contest ensued, and we had to wait until the 68th minute for the next real chance, Raymond Gaddis keeping his side in the game with a fantastic block to deny Josef Martinez.
That block could have proved crucial had Marco Fabian’s fine effort from the edge of the box whistled inside the post instead of out.
But it only proved to delay the inevitable, and Josef Martinez would get his goal to kill off the tie. The Venezuelan latched on to a long ball in behind before smashing one in off the under-side of the crossbar.
And that was that. Atlanta United march on to another Eastern Conference final to face Toronto FC, while Union take their leave.
It’s been an impressive season from Jim Curtin’s men, but they know they need more star power, more quality in the final third if they are to mount a challenge for the 2020 MLS Cup.
