Bruno Damiani struck twice in the second half as Philadelphia Union erased a two-goal halftime deficit to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over New York City FC on Sunday night at Yankee Stadium.
The homeside jumped out to the early advantage with Bénie Traoré converting from the penalty spot in the fourth minute. The hosts doubled their lead just before the break when Luighi converted a second penalty in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.
Philadelphia wasted little time beginning its comeback after the restart. Danley Jean Jacques found the back of the net in the 48th minute to cut the deficit in half and give the Union life just three minutes into the second half.
From there, Damiani took over. The Uruguayan forward pulled the Boys in Blue level in the 69th minute before striking again in the 75th to complete his brace and Philadelphia's second-half turnaround.
The comeback mirrored the Union's previous MLS outing, when Philadelphia also trailed Atlanta United FC by two goals in the second half before storming back for a 3-2 victory at Subaru Park. This time, three unanswered second-half goals turned another two-goal deficit into three points as the Boys in Blue continued their strong run in league play.
Philadelphia Union return to Subaru Park for an Eastern Conference clash against the star-studded Inter Miami CF on Wednesday, August 19th. Limited tickets remain for the match so be sure to click here to secure your seat.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
After leaning on signifcant rotation in the team's final Leagues Cup match on Thursday, Ryan Richter started a full-strength XI for their return to MLS play, calling on the same starters that opened their 3-2 win against Atlanta United. Andre Blake resumed his post between the posts, behind a backline featuring Kai Wagner at left back opposite Frankie Westfield on the right, plus Nathan Harriel and Neil Pierre paired at centerback.
Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Indiana Vassilev, and Cavan Sullivan made up the midfield, while Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski were paired up top.
On the bench, Andrew Rick was the backup keeper, sitting alongside Japhet Sery Larson, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, Quinn Sullivan, Ezekiel Alladoh, and Agustin Anello.Â
As for New York City, with eight players out with injuries and their leading goalscorer suspended, their starting group was a never-before-seen XI, featuring a pair of MLS debutants.Â
Pregame | It was an overcast evening at the baseball diamond turned soccer pitch for Yankee Stadium's 150th MLS match, but the weather held off through first kick. The forecast didn't deter Union faithful from making the trip up I-95 -- during warmups, a crew of Philly fans were spotted sporting the team's brand-new 'Philly kit', less than one week after it was launched.Â
3', Penalty awarded to NYC | The hosts claimed an early lead in the third minute, when Pierre took down former Union midfielder Andrés Perea in the box, earning NYC a shot from the spot. In his fourth match for the club, Ivorian international Bénie Traoré stepped up for the penalty, banking it against the post and to the back of the net.Â
6', Iloski shot | Iloski tried to extend his six-game scoring streak to seven with a volley from distance in the sixth minute, but Freese dove to make the stop.Â
16', Union yellow | Harriel was shown a yellow card for a foulm on Jonathan shore.Â
17', Collision | There was a pause in match action for medical treatment in the 17th minute following a collision between Kai Wagner and AgustÃn Ojeda. After a check from team trainers, both players were able to continue on.Â
25', Iloski chances | Iloski found his third chance of the night in the 25th minute, missing right after a chipped pass from Vassilev found him 1v1 with Freese.
41, Blake save | Blake dove left to get a hand on a shot from Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos in transition.Â
43', NYC yellow card | Luighi was shown a yellow for a foul on Frankie Westfield.
44', Union yellow | Lukic was shown a costly yellow for a foul on Traoré. With the booking, the Serbian defensive midfielder will be suspended due to yellow card accumulation for the team's upcoming Wednesday night match against Inter Miami.Â
45+', NYC goal |Â After a slew of blocked NYC shots, the official called a handball committed by Vassilev in the box and New York City was awarded another penalty. Luighi took it this time, placing it left past Blake to make it 2-0.Â
Halftime |Â Philadelphia Union retreated to the locker room at halftime down 2-0.
48', Union goal! Just three minutes into the second half, Philadelphia Union got one back by way of a Danley Jean Jacques goal off a free kick executed by Wagner. Sullivan was credited with the assist, heading Wagner's ball in Danley's direction, where the Haitian persevered through traffic in the box to get manuever the ball past Freese.
54', Blake save | Blake kept it 2-1 making a momentum-saving stop on a header attempt from James Sands off a corner.Â
60', NYC changes | NYC made a pair of changes in the 60th, with Sands and Parks subbing out for O'Toole and Carrizo.Â
63', Union sub | Richter made his first change of the night, replacing Lukic with Jesus Bueno. The soonest fans could see Lukic return to the field is next Saturday against Austin FC on the road.Â
69', Damiani goal! The Boys in Blue equalized away from home by way of a counter attack in the 69th minute. Sullivan found a cross into the box to Damiani for a smooth shot from the center of the box to make it 2-2.
70', Union sub | Quinn Sullivan replaced Indiana Vassilev in the 70th minute.
75', Damiani makes it a brace! | With momentum on their side, Philly were quick to launch another counter attack as Jesus Bueno fired a pass forward to Quinn Sullivan for another 3v2 opportunity. Just like in the previous goal, a quick pass to Damiani was the perfect play as he notched a pair of goals within six minutes.
80', Final Union sub | With a lead on the road, Richter's final change was bringing on veteran leadership with Alejandro Bedoya replacing Cavan Sullivan.
