Chester, PA
With Carlos Vela back in the saddle, LAFC were ready to confront the MLS East, second place Philadelphia Union. The game drew a sell-out at Talen Energy Stadium, and the crowd was electric.
The Union scored early, in the third minute, by Kacper Przybylko’s floater over and out of reach of the LAFC keeper, Tyler Miller, assisted by Fafa Picault. But Vela evened the score shortly before the end of the first half. The goal was assisted by confusion in the box. The play started by a shot from Mark-Anthony Kaye that hit the crossbar, but that also pulled out Andre Blake, the Union keeper. Although the Union’s Jack Elliott faded back, he was unable to stop Vela’s shot.
The second half had alternating moments of brilliance and moments of fatigue when both teams seemed content for a draw. Both goals are shown below.
Przybylko’s header arched over Miller’s head and resulted in his 14th goal of the season
Przybylko and Kai Wagner celebrate Przybylko’s goal
As the ball drops, Vela shoots his 28th goal of the season
Vela brings the ball down field
LAFC’s Diego Rossi leaping over Blake
LAFC’s Jordan Harvey maneuvering around Przybylko
The hard-working and talented Jamiro Monteiro being defended by Eddie Segura
Monteiro hurdling to avoid injury
Ilsinho looked sharp, and nothing seems to stop him from dribbling through defensive crevasses, here driving by Mark-Anthony Kaye and Rossi
