The Philadelphia Union dropped a tough match on the road against FC Cincinnati 3-1 to snap a six game unbeaten streak. It was the Union’s first loss since falling to Chicago on June 29 and only the third loss this season for the team, all coming on the road.
The first half started off with the boys in blue looking a little flat adjusting to playing on the road. The TQL Stadium pitch played very fast and slippery with many Union players slipping and falling all over the pitch in the first half before finding their bearings. Cincinnati appeared to strike first in the 36th minute with Brenner finding the back of the net on a header, but VAR showed Brenner had tapped the ball with his hand while falling which led to the goal, so the officials disallowed the goal to remain scoreless at halftime.
Union goalie Andre Blake faltered in the second half with the first goal by Brandon Vazquez in the 50th minute on a left footer landing in the bottom left corner of the net assisted by Alvaro Barreal. The second goal followed shortly after in the 55th minute with Brenner sneaking a roller past Blake into the bottom left corner again on a pass from Luciano Acosta. Barreal caught Blake flat footed putting a roller past him in the 71st minute for the third goal. The Union got on the board in the 77th minute when substitute Paxton Aaronsen landed a rainbow shot from the top of the box. Aaronsen scored a goal on the same day as his older brother, Union Academy graduate Brenden Aaronsen scored for Leeds United in his English Premier League debut.
News and notes:
– Haris Medunjanin of FC Cincinnati and formerly of the Union played his final MLS game, entering in the 85th minute. Haris played three seasons with the Union and three with FC Cincinnati. Haris and the team mutually terminated his contract so he could play closer to home in his native Bosnia. Union coach Jim Curtin spoke glowingly about Haris earlier this week:
“He’s largely responsible for shifting the Union into a winning culture showing players young and old the right way to do things. Incredible talent, one of the best players I was ever fortunate enough to work with, helped me a ton as a young coach, and an incredible person off the field. I wish him the best of luck.”
– This was the first victory over the Union by FC Cincinnati in franchise history. Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan is in his first season leading the squad following four years as an assistant coach with the Union.
– The Union signed Midfielder Richard Odada from Red Star Belgrade and Center Back Abasa Aremeyaw from a Slovakian league earlier this week for added depth.
– The Union return home to Subaru Park with a match against the surging Chicago Fire on Saturday August 13. The Fire come in riding a five game unbeaten streak as the Union look to avenge their 1-0 defeat at Soldier Field June 29. The match kicks off at 7:30pm on PHL17 and ESPN+.
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