Philadelphia holds back NYCFC, 2-1

Chester, PA

July 15, 2023

The Philadelphia Union emerged victorious from Saturday night’s game against NYCFC with a 2-1 scoreline.

The game against NYCFC added to the big year for Philadelphia’s midfielder José Martinez.  Not only was his contract with the Union extended, he added a family member, with the birth of son Jack a few months back.  And, he scored his first MLS goal (out of countless tries) to even the score against Orlando on June 21, 2023.  He also was tapped as Philadelphia’s first representative for the MLS All-Star game this week in Washington, D.C.

Last night, Martinez scored his second MLS goal (one for each of his last two games) off of a charmer of a cross lofted by Quinn Sullivan in the 23rd minute.

The game’s scoreline stayed at 1-0 until Chris Donovan, the 22 year-old local hero out of Drexel University and Conestoga High School, subbed in for Quinn Sullivan at the 75th minute.  Minutes later, Dániel Gazdag back-passed to Donovan in front to the goal.  While NYCFC’s Tayvon Gray seemed to have the play covered, NYCFC keeper Luis Barraza came off his line and Gray overshot the ball at the endline.  This left Donovan wide open for a clear, if angled, shot on goal, which he easily finished at the 81st minute.

Philadelphia tried to set a defensive holding pattern for the remainder of the game.  However, at the 86th minute, NYCFC’s  Andres Jasson shot from the centre of the box was blocked by Olivier Mbaizo.  Union keeper Andre Blake expected the shot to come through and dove right.  Jasson retrieved the rebound from Maize and shot left, away from the stranded Blake.

The four-minute stoppage time seemed to go on indefinitely, or at least for seven minutes, but in the end, Philadelphia was able to hold onto the win against NYCFC.

Philadelphia’s José Martinez rips Philadelphia’s first goal past the NYCFC keeper, Luis Barraza

The Union’s Kai Wagner defending NYCFC’s Matias Pellegrini.

Philadelphia’s Ale Bedoya suffered an quad injury early on, so Andre Blake assumed the Captain’s duties.

Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott passing to defender Jakob Glesnes.

Philadelphia’s Dániel Gazdag is amused by Martinez’s unsuccessful appeal of a call to the Ref.

Mikael Uhre trying to get past NYCFC’s Thiago Martins.

Gazdag sandwiched between defenders on a high ball in front of the NYCFC goal.

Gazdag’s back-pass through, with Donovan passing Trayvon Gray just before Donovan’s first MLS goal.

Quinn Sullivan slows after a call that looked like shoulder jostling, but purported to hit Gray’s head.