Union Controls Short-Handed Club Tijuana 3-1 in Leagues Cup Play

Chester, PA

July 22, 2023

There was a little bit of everything for everyone in Saturday evening’s Leagues Cup game at Subaru Park: two red cards issued to Tijuana, one PK awarded to each team, and Tijuana’s keeper carried off the pitch by medical personnel.

The scoring started off with the first red card shown to Tijuana’s Nicolás Díaz at the 19th minute. The Union’s José Martínez kicked a beaut of a through pass over Tijuana defenders to a sprinting Julián Carranza. Tijuana’s Nicolás, left without options, reached out to jostle Carranza, which was enough to cause Carranza to fall and his shot to miss by a wide margin. Dániel Gazdag is Philadelphia’s designated PK taker, and he again showed why. Gazdag’s hips showed right while his shot whipped left, after Tijuana’s keeper Antonio Rodriguez already had committed to the right side.

Julián Carranza added to Philadelphia’s scoreline at the 26th minute. After a corner, the ball returned to the left side of the field. Kai Wagner passed to Carranza who slid the ball between the keeper’s feet. A VAR check confirmed that Carranza was onside.

At halftime, Philadelphia was up by 2 goals and 1 player. As play resumed, Tijuana’s Carlos González was left unguarded in front of Philadelphia’s goal and he hit a right-footed blazer to the left of Andre Blake.

Then, in the 48th minute, a ball was lofted into the Philadelphia box. Olivier Mbaizo kicked the ball on its descent, but his kick continued into Tijuana’s Alexis Canelo and a PK was awarded To Tijauna. Carlos González, however, was unable to convert as he telegraphed right and shot right, virtually into Andre Blake’s waiting arms.

At the 55th minute Union Coach Jim Curtin subbed Mikael Uhre in for Quinn Sullivan, and almost immediately sparks flew. A long ball was lodged through to a speeding Uhre. Tijuana’s Kevin Balanta — also left with few options — brought Uhre down right outside of the box. For his efforts, Balanta was awarded Tijuana’s second red card.

Philadelphia’s third goal was scored by Julián Carranza shooting to the bottom right corner of the goal. Jesús Bueno was awarded the assist.

Photos of the game appear below:

Tijuana’s top scorer Carlos González going up for the ball.

Tijuana’s Pedro Canelo followed stride for stride by Philadelphia’s José Martínez.