Game Thread: Philadelphia Union 4 Columbus Crew 1, Full Time

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Full Time whistle blows. The Union start off 2023 on a great note with a commanding 4-1 win. After going down in the first half they got the benefit of a handball in the box and scored three more times in the second half. Gazdag (2 PKs) and Julian Carranza both with braces on the night but Torres off the bench is the moment of the night.

90′ Double substitution in stoppage time, Andreas Perea makes his Union debut and Quinn Sullivan also checks in for Bedoya and Carranza.

89′ Jack McGlynn in for Leon Flach.

Carranza with a brace thanks to Torres' stunning assist.

Can we all please just admire Joaquin in this exact moment. Oh my goodness. #PHIvCLB 4-1 | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/yLe9eeKeYm

— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) February 26, 2023

80′ Torres wastes no time, dancing around in the middle of the field and plays a perfect ball to Carranza, who puts it away to make it 4-1.

79′ Joaquin Torres on for Uhre to make his Union debut.

72′ Gazdag makes it 3-1 Union with his second PK goal off a handball in the box of the night.

71′ Penalty called!

70′ Possible handball on Columbus being checked on VAR by the center referee on the Kai Wagner shot that was deflected near the top of the 18.

56′ Cucho Hernandez goes into the book for a dive in the box.

CAPPY ➡️ KING JULIAN

UNION TAKE THE LEAD IN THE 52ND MINUTE!#PHIvCLB 2-1 | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/weaeb0MfNc

— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) February 26, 2023

52′ Julian Carranza puts the Union in front. Assist Bedoya.

46′ Second half underway. No changes for the Union. One change for the visitors, Luis Diaz replaces Will Sands at left back.

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Halftime

Gazdag converts the penalty and ties it all up in first half stoppage time!#PHIvCLB 1-1 | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/tmwOtc9qxh

— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) February 26, 2023

45′ +1 Handball called on the Crew on a Leon Flach shot. Call stands after review. Daniel Gazdag with the first DOOP of 2023 from the spot to tie the game up 1-1.

35′ Good chance for the Union as Bedoya finds Gazdag in a good spot near the top of the 18 but the Hungarian international’s shot is saved.

28′ Columbus takes the lead. Nagbe played the ball wide to Cucho who sent a low liner that was redirected into the goal. It’s either an own goal or Matan depending on who is keeping score.

26′ Carranza misses an open net off a pass from Bedoya but the offside flag was up so he’s off the hook. Bedoya was offside on the pass from El Brujo.

17′ Zelarayan with a free kick from a dangerous spot but he doesn’t put enough on it and Andre Blake is able to make a clean catch to his right.

16′ Carranza is putting in work, causing problems for the Crew defense but the referee Lukasz Szpala is calling a pretty tight game so far and not letting much content go.

10′ It’s been mostly the Crew with the ball attacking the Union net but the Union with a great movement to create a chance that is knocked out for a corner.

1′ We are underway in Chester. The Union wearing their new secondary jerseys as is the custom. Columbus Crew are in black with yellow trim. It’s a chilly night here in Chester but the stands are pretty full.

Tonight’s tifo matches the color scheme on the new jerseys

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Injuries/Absences

The following is a list of names from the league’s player availability report.

 Philadelphia Union

• OUT: None
• QUESTIONABLE: None

How to Watch

Where: Subaru Park; Chester, PA
When: 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, February 25, 2023
Streaming: Apple TV – Free
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic

Officials

REF: Lukasz Szpala
AR1: Adam Wienckowski
AR2: Diego Blas
4TH: Ian McKay
VAR: Kevin Stott
AVAR: Jozef Batko