The Philadelphia Union played FC Cincinnati in their first preseason match this past week and tied 1-1 at the Joe DiMaggio Field. Philadelphia started off the preseason with a bang as they scored just two minutes into the match. Defender Kai Wagner sent a ball down the left flank to Sergio Santos as he crossed a low-driven ball across the middle to forward Julian Carranza who promptly slotted into the back of the net.
“I thought that the goal that we scored was a good example of some progress,” said head coach Jim Curtin. “It’s a play where the timing of Sergio’s run and the movement of Carranza end with a two-pass tap in and that’s a real Philadelphia goal.”
The Union had controlled the tempo early on in the game as the high press certainly made FC Cincinnati look uncomfortable through the first 15 minutes of the match. Wagner almost increased the team’s lead in the 18th minute but his low-driven shot just went past the far post.
FC Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund received the first yellow card of the match following his tackle on midfielder Daniel Gazdag as he was dribbling towards the Cincinnati penalty area. Then in the 22nd minute, Stuart Findlay was booked for a yellow card after he brought down an opponent who was attempting to go on a counterattack.
“I thought the first 20 minutes of the game we looked like us and you know, had the better play,” Curtin said. But after that maybe a little fatigue, it was about almost 80 degrees here and I think that hit our guys a little bit, but overall some really strong performances.”
Play then had to be stopped due to a head injury suffered by Carranza. The Union were doing a great job of high pressing Cincinnati prior to relinquishing the lead. In the 38th minute, FC Cincinnati’s Yuya Kubo took a shot 25 yards out that beat Matt Freese and knotted things up at one. Midfielder Leon Flach was unable to close down the angle and Kubo took advantage of the space.
Unfortunately, Sergio Santos picked up a minor knock and had to leave the match due to an injury. Then defender Nathan Harriel went down for Philly but he was able to get up and keep playing. The Boys in Blue went into halftime tied at 1-1 as they had a great start to the match but did not end the half on a high note.
15 minutes into the 2nd half, Jack McGlynn was booked for a yellow card after bringing down a Cincinnati player. In the 63rd minute goalkeeper, Joe Bendik made a big save on a 2v1 breakaway to deny Cincy from taking the lead. The Union then had an opportunity in the 66th minute as Quinn Sullivan received a pass into the box, but he was unable to register a good shot and the goalie made a routine save.
Union academy product Bajung Darboe earned a dangerous free kick in the 75th minute but it came to nothing and that was the team’s last chance of the match. The game ended 1-1 and Philadelphia completed a solid start to the preseason. The veterans played well in the game and the young Homegrowns and Academy players made their impact known as well.
The Union will be back in action on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. ET kickoff at Joe DiMaggio Field.
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