The Philadelphia Union took the field for the biggest game in club history in front of a sold-out Subaru Park. The Union, however, were facing much adversity following eleven of their players entering the health and safety protocols. It was a very unfortunate scenario, but Philadelphia didn’t let that stop them from making it a competitive playoff game. 

The first half played out the best way possible for the Union and ended 0-0. However, the second half is where things started to pick up. It took until the 56th minute for third-string goalie Matt Freese to make his first save of the game. Freese played a great game, but it’s hard to replicate the play of Andre Blake. 

Philly were able to take the lead in the 63rd minute off of an own goal from a Daniel Gazdag cross. Subaru Park was going insane but not for long.

NYCFC equalized just two minutes later and silenced the home crowd. It was Maxi Morález who tied the game off of a cross. You could tell the tides started to change immediately following the equalizer, but Philadelphia didn’t take their foot off the brake. Everyone thought they could hold NYCFC until extra time, but in the 88th minute, New York took the lead with only a few minutes left in the game. At this moment, the crowd knew that the season was more than likely over.

Given the circumstances at hand, Jim Curtin and the Union did a fantastic job at fighting back but unfortunately, they just didn’t have the talent out there to win the game. This was the best season for the in the club’s history and there’s much to look forward to. The Union will be back next year and hopefully this COVID situation will never occur again.

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union