The Philadelphia Union booked their passage to the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a dramatic 1-zero win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Though the opening 20 minutes would be best described as frantic, they have been very low on high-quality. Alvas Powell's rebound effort from the brink of the field become the exceptional look at purpose for both aspect, however turned into effortlessly treated by way of Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
That topic persevered in the course of the first half, with both aspects urgent hard but failing to expose any actual satisfactory or composure on the ball. Omir Fernandez shanked a unfastened header nicely wide for the Red Bulls, while Kacper Przybylko noticed an effort deflected over the bar for the Union.
Things improved a touch after the smash, with each groups seeming to calm themselves in possession. But straight forward chances remained at a premium aside from Przybylko blazing an attempt over the bar from inside the box after excellent work from Sergio Santos within the 82nd minute.
The creation of Patryk Klimala made the Red Bulls extra risky and the Polish ahead got at the back of the Union protection on a couple of activities in extra-time, however was wasteful with his finishing. In that experience, he's going to were especially relieved to look Coronel deny Sergio Santos from near range inside the 107th minute.
It looked for all the global like we have been in for a penalty shootout. But that was till Jakob Glesnes lined up a clearance 25 yards from the Red Bulls aim and smashed the ball into the lower back of the internet (the center-lower back has a addiction of scoring beautiful desires like this). Cue pandemonium in the Subaru Park stands.
So, how did the gamers rate inside the first MLS Cup Playoffs clash of 2021?
Andre Blake (GK) - 8/10 - Didn't have an awful lot to do within the manner of shot-stopping until extra-time while he denied Klimala, but commanded his field nicely, cleansing up all of the crosses that got here close to him. Alvas Powell (RB) - 6/10 - Provided a first rate attacking outlet on the proper and compelled an early shop out of Coronel. Lacked composure together with his very last ball. Jakob Glesnes (CB) - 9/10 - Excellent shielding performance. Brave, dominant, and measured - put everything on the road for his side. Came up massive with any other notable intention simply as it gave the impression of penalties were at the cards. Jack Elliott (CB) - 7/10 - Looked strong next to Glesnes, as typical. Strong within the air and safe on the floor. Was beat to the ball via Klimala too without difficulty in more-time. Kai Wagner (LB) - 7/10 - Delivered a few risky set-pieces into the Red Bulls box and stored Duncan and Edwards honest together with his aggressively high positioning.
Alejandro Bedoya (CM) - 7/10 - Showed extraordinary power for a 34-yr-antique, masking each blade of grass and creating a healthy-excessive 5 tackles. Wasn't quite as powerful on the other side of the ball but had his moments. Jose Martinez (CM) - 5/10 - Energetic however wasteful in ownership. Fell foul of the Red Bulls press twice inside the establishing stages and turned into fortunate not to be punished. Leon Flach (CM) - 6/10 - Put plenty into his 86 minutes on the pitch, prevailing the ball in dangerous regions. Started to run out of steam in the direction of the cease. Daniel Gazdag (AM) - 5/10 - A couple of dangerous moments however all too regularly lacked composure around the Red Bulls container. Paxten Aaronson (AM) - 7/10 - Didn't have the final ball, however asked greater questions than most of the Red Bulls backline. Looked dangerous at the dribble and usually appeared to dedicate Red Bull defenders.
Kacper Przybylko (ST) - 3/10 - Had more than one creative moments however fluffed a splendid chance over the bar in the closing 10 mins, having already wasted a counter-attacking risk by not lifting his head up and passing to Powell.
