Philadelphia Looks Strong in 2-0 Win over Minnesota

March 30, 2024

Chester, PA

Philadelphia seems to have settled into a reasonable, post-CONCACAF schedule and it shows.  After a solid win last week at Portland, the Union hosted a home shut-out victory over Minneapolis United F.C., 2-0, offering Minnesota its first loss of the season.

The Union waited until only the 16th minute for its first score. Following a corner, Philadelphia’s Dániel Gazdag  shot to the bottom left corner.  The assist went to Philadelphia’s Jack Elliott who crossed toward Gazbag.

The score nearly increased by one later in the 54th minute off yet another corner, when the ball ricocheted to Quinn Sullivan, who missed with a hard mid-air shot just touching off of the Minnesota cross-bar.

The final score for Philadelphia occurred in the 83rd minute.  Minnesota had just run the ball downfield past a less-than-ready Union defense and placed the ball in the net, only to be called-back for being off-side. Philadelphia returned the counter when Alejandro Bedoya headed a ball from goal to Julián Carranza, who nicked the bottom left corner of the Minnesota box.

The only down-side for Philadelphia was an apparent head injury to its goalkeeper, Andre Blake.  Blake was subbed out in the 74th minute, and replacement Oliver Semmle was able to hang onto the clean sheet.

Pictures of the game appear below:

Dániel Gazdag slides the ball into Minnesota’s goal for the first goal.

This likely was the impact that resulted in the head injury to Philadelphia keeper, Andre Blake.

 Quinn Sullivan’s 5th minute near-miss scorcher.

Philadelphia’s Bedoya, Carranza and Martínez debate the finer points of the game.

Philadelphia’s Sullivan followed by Minnesota’s Joseph Rosales.

Philadelphia’s Mikael Uhre following Minnesota’s Devin Padelford.