Bad night all around for Union in a 3-1 loss
The Union fell to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Saturday night, marking the end of their five-game winning streak.
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The Philadelphia Union had an uncharacteristically bad night from start to finish.
The Union fell 3-1 to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Saturday night, marking the end of their five-game winning streak.
Defensive mistakes marred the Union throughout the contest, but they did not start to pay for them until the second half.
Saturday’s performance in Cincinnati was awful, make no mistake about it, but in the perspective of the 34-game MLS season, the result may not matter much.
The attacking trio of Brenner, Brandon Vazquez, and Luciano Acosta tore apart the defense. Brenner and Vazquez got a goal each, while Acosta was responsible for two assists.
Vazquez, who was named to the MLS All-Star team earlier in the week, finally punished the Union after 50 minutes of attacking potential.
The 14-goal scorer beat Jack Elliott to a ball sent in from the left wing and finished inside the near post past a helpless Andre Blake.
Brenner padded the Cincinnati lead five minutes later, as he slid a shot from the right side of the box past a sliding Jakob Glesnes and a diving Andre Blake.
Alvaro Barreal delivered the knockout punch in the 71st minute by slaloming through the defense to finish into the back of the net.
The Union pulled a goal back in the 77th minute by way of substitute Paxten Aaronson. The Homegrown midfielder had his shot take a wicked deflected off a defender and land in the back of the net.
Saturday’s performance in Cincinnati was awful, make no mistake about it, but in the perspective of the 34-game MLS season, the result may not matter much.
The Union’s five-game winning streak in July allowed them to create separation on top of the Eastern Conference. The Union will leave the weekend with their three-point lead intact since New York City FC fell on the road to Columbus on Saturday night.
Jim Curtin’s side will try to get back on track next Saturday against the Chicago Fire, a team that features former Union players Kacper Przybylko and Fabian Herbers.