Philadelphia Secures First Game Playoff Win against New England, 3-1

Chester, PA

October 28, 2023

Philadelphia dialed-up its home field advantage with a decisive victory over the New England Revolution Saturday evening, 3-1.

All  three of the Philadelphia goals occurred in the first half, although the team narrowly avoided a Revolution goal in an 8th minute melee among defenders that included a cross-bar save.  Philadelphia’s first score occurred by PK taken by Dániel Gazdag. Julián Carranza and New England’s keeper Jacob Jackson were in a footrace to a loose ball in the box and Carranza managed to put a foot on the ball just before Jackson took him out.  With the assistance of VAR, a PK was awarded, taken and converted in the 19th minute.

The second goal was set up in the 26th minute via a Kai Wagner cross right, although New England’s Dave Romney was positioned between the cross and Philadelphia’s Mikael Uhre. Romney deflected the cross directly at the Rev’s keeper Jackson, who stopped the friendly fire, but it was an easy punch-in for Uhre to catch the rebound.

The final Philadelphia goal took place off of a Union free kick into the Rev’s box from Wagner.  Since Philadelphia’s Nathan Harriel often is not seen as a goal scoring threat, the “man with the golden head” was uncovered in the line up at the box.  Wagner adeptly delivered the ball to the left of the goal and a rushing Harriel scored on a header.

New England was able to score one goal in the second half when Harriel gave up the ball to Giacomo Vrioni near the Philadelphia box.  Vrioni passed to Gustavo Bou, who dodged his way through Philadelphia’s unprepared defenders to shoot into the top left corner of Philadelphia’s goal.

Photographs of the game appear below:

José Martínez and Carles Gil vying for the ball before Gil left the game early due to injury.

Gustavo Bou ahead of the ball, while Jack Elliott looks on.

Like clockwork, Dániel Gazdag converts the PK shot for the first goal.

Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner impeding the progress of DeJuan Jones.

Philadelphia’s Julián Carranza looking to pass in front of New England’s goal.

José Martínez on the ball.