Thanks to first-half goals from Indiana Vassilev and club record-signing, Bruno Damiani, the Philadelphia Union defeated the New York Red Bulls by a score of 2-0 at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
Their league-leading 9th clean sheet victory marks the Union’s 15th consecutive game without a loss against their rivals from up North, with a combined record of 11W-40-0L during that span. For Red Bulls fans, it’s been almost six years since they’ve seen their club take all three points from Philly, with their last win coming in September of 2019 in a 2-0 game.
“Tonight we wanted to be a little bit more expressive, show a bit of our signature and reignite a little bit of the all out pressing phases, so I think you saw that in abundance tonight and I’m really proud of the boys with the application and they way they went about their business tonight from the first minute to the 95th minute.” – Head Coach Bradley Carnell
Starting XI
The Union got a boost in their lineup on Saturday with the reintegration of Nate Harriel and Quinn Sullivan, who just returned from International duty, into the Starting XI. Tai Baribo also made his first start since May 28th after having an extended stay in his home country of Israel.
Mikael Uhre, Jesús Bueno, and Ian Glavinovich missed out on Saturday due to injury.
Formation: 4-2-2-2
GK: Andre Blake
RB: Nate Harriel, CB: Olwethu Makhanya, CB: Jakob Glesnes, LB: Kai Wagner
CDM: Danley Jean-Jacques, CDM: Jovan Lukic
CAM: Quinn Sullivan, CAM: Indiana Vassilev
ST: Tai Baribo, ST: Bruno Damiani
Vassilev Gives Union Early 1-0 Lead
Just nine minutes into the game, Philadelphia opened the scoring thanks to midfielder Indiana Vassilev. Kai Wagner sent a corner into the 6-yard box with lots of traffic around Red Bulls keeper Carlos Coronel. Coronel made an impressive initial save on the header from Nate Harriel, but couldn’t do anything about Vassilev poking home the loose ball rebound just a few yards off the goal line to give the Union an early 1-0 lead against their rivals at home.
Vassilev’s unassisted goal is his second in MLS play since joining Philly earlier this season and his third across all competitions. It’s the first goal Vasilev has scored since May 21st against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the US Open Cup.
“It [Vassilve’s early goal] sets a tone. I think this is a special game, not just for me as a former Red Bull, but it’s an important game for me. I know what it means to Philadelphia, I know what it means here at Subaru Park, and I know what that streak means as well. So, for me and the group, check off these boxes – Derby Win, Clean Sheet, and we go again. It’s three points. It’s a bounce-back after the last two games. – Bradley Carnell
Bruno Damiani Doubles Union’s Lead
With an early 1-0 lead at home, beautiful play through the midfield in the 24th minute from Philly sent club record-signing Bruno Damiani in on goal, with an opportunity to double their lead. Tai Baribo played a one-touch pass into the middle of the field for Quinn Sullivan, who one-touched the ball to split two defenders and send Bruno Damiani in on net.
Like Tai Baribo and Quinn Sullivan, Bruno Damiani took a left-footed shot on his first touch with Carlos Coronel coming off his line. He placed it just inside the far post and into the side netting to give Union a 2-0 first-half lead at Subaru Park.
Quinn Sullivan picked up his 8th assist of the MLS season on the goal from Damiani, tying him with Jamiro Monteiro for the 7th-most assists in club history with 21.
“It’s good for him and his feelings, and to get the groove back in the run of play, and you could just feel it’s been brewing in training. It’s been edgy in training when things haven’t gone his way and it all just comes together on a night like tonight where there’s a bit of pressure…I’m really happy for him. He does so much work for us off the ball, for him to get rewarded, I think it’s just deserved.” -Bradley Carnell
League-Leading 9th Cleansheet
Though he was only forced into one save on Saturday night, Andre Blake and Philadelphia’s defense picked up their league-leading 9th clean sheet of the MLS Season against the Red Bulls. Saturday’s clean sheet is also Andre Blake’s 10th against their rivals from just up 95.
The Philadelphia Union leads all Major League Soccer in Goals Conceded per Match with just 21 across 22 games, or 0.95 goals per 90 minutes.
Ale Bedoya’s 300th Career Game
Prior to Saturday night’s match, the Philadelphia Union honored longtime club leader and captain Ale Bedoya for making his 300th appearance with the club. It’s a big milestone for Bedoya, and it was nice to recognize a figure who’s been so important to Philly and represents the game of soccer in the city.
Ale Bedoya sits behind only Andre Blake (312) for the most appearances as a member of the Philadelphia Union.
What’s Next For the U
With the win and a FC Cincinnati loss in the Hell Is Real Derby, the Philadelphia Union have ended Matchday 24 as the leaders in both the Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield standings with a record of 13W-4D-5L and 43 points.
They’ll now turn their attention to a mid-week match against an inconsistent CF Montreal at Subaru Park on Wednesday night, where they’ll look to extend their Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield lead.
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Featured Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
