With a 2-1 win over Inter Miami on Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Union booked its place in the MLS is Back knockout stages.
The Union join Orlando as the second team to win both of the first two games, as well as the first teams to qualify for the knockout stage.
Inter Miami now have four losses in MLS play, desperate to earn its first MLS point.
Both NYCFC and Miami have lost the first two games. For any chance to earn a fourth placed bid, one of the two teams will need a win in the final game.
Miami weren’t over run in this match, having controlled 55 percent of possession and out-shooting Philadelphia 10 to eight.
The Union opened the scoring early in the first half thanks to a long range shot from left back Kai Wagner in the fifth minute. Brendan Aaronson turned his defender on the end line and his cross rolled past everyone in the box, all the way to Wagner at the edge of the box. Luis Robles got a hand to the shot, and Miami fans might expect the veteran to make those kinds of saves.
Miami controlled the larger portion of possession, and got a deserved equalizer through its talisman Rodolfo Pizarro. After a tight bit of combination play on the counter, Mattias Pellegrini slotted it across the box for Pizarro, who controlled it with composure and calmly passed the ball past Blake in goal.
The second half saw Philadelphia struggle to maintain any possession, as Inter Miami’s press kept the Union pinned back for long stretches.
Then, in the 64th minute, the Union spotted a counter attacking opportunity. A pass played forward looked to be intended for Jamiro Monteiro, but the designated player feinted for control of the ball, letting it run on for Brendan Aaronson, all the while taking his own defender out of the play.
Aaronson initiated a 3-on-1, and the youngster turned provider again, targeting his big polish forward, Kasper Przybylko who cut across one defender and tucked his shot into the far corner.
A moment of fright came in the 76th minute for Philadelphia, when head referee Silviu Petrescu called a handball on defender Jakob Glesnes. After going to his VAR screen, Petrescu noticed that Glesnes did not in fact, handl the ball, and called back his penalty decision.
Both teams play next on Monday, July 20. Miami faces NYCFC with its tournament life on the line, while Philadelphia plays only for the first seed against Orlando.
Photo courtesy of MLS
