Union defeat NYCFC to advance to first MLS Cup

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Chester, Pa. — Philadelphia Union’s magical run is headed to the MLS Cup. They defeated the New York City FC 3-1 on Sunday night at Subaru Park.

This is the Union’s first MLS Cup appearance. Next Saturday, the Union will face the Los Angeles Football Club in the final game of the season.

The MLS Cup will be Saturday, November 4^th at 4 pm on FOX.

LAFC and the Union finished the season with 67 points. However, LAFC had more wins. Thus, they have been awarded the Supporters Shield.

This allowed them to host the MLS Cup at the end of the season.

The two teams played once this season. It came on May 7^th at Banc of California Stadium in which the two teams had a 2-2 draw.

LAFC, founded in 2018, is also appearing in its first MLS Cup. The team defeated Austin FC in the Western Conference Final 3-0 at Bank of California Stadium.

The Union got some revenge on NYCFC, who they swept this season. This season, Philadelphia was a perfect 3-0 against their New York counterparts.

Philadelphia defeated NYCFC 2-1 in their June meeting at Subaru Park. They also won the season’s first meeting on March 19th in a 2-0 win at Yankee Stadium.

In the 2021 Eastern Conference Final, NYCFC defeated the short-handed Union 2-1 on December 4^th at Subaru Park. Philadelphia had several players missing the game due to COVID-19 protocols.

Cory Burke — who was a substitute for Mikael Uhre in the second half — scored the final goal of the game in the 77^th minute. Burke was kicking the ball toward the NYCFC goal when an NYCFC defender hit the ball.

The ball bounced back to Burke, who buried the ball in the back of the net for a 3-1 lead.

This was the third Union goal in 12 minutes. Their first two goals came two minutes apart.

Julián Carranza tied the game at 1-1 in the second half in the 65^th minute. Dániel Gazdag then gave the Union a 2-1 lead in the 67^th minute.

NYCFC’s goal came from Maximiliano Moralez, who scored in the 57^th minute.