Union thump NYCFC on the road behind Carranza brace

Julian Carranza netted a first half brace which propelled Philadelphia Union to a massive road 3-1 victory against in-conference rival NYCFC Saturday night. Daniel Gazdag tallied an important insurance goal in the second half from the penalty spot to seal the victory.

In a physical battle at Citi Field, Philadelphia managed to survive an up and down first half thanks to not one but two first half stoppage time goals from Carranza.

But before the end of half excitement, Philadelphia struggled. NYCFC scored the first goal of the match just 30 minutes in. Philadelphia midfielder Jose Martinez coughed up the ball in a dangerous spot and NYCFC capitalized.

NYCFC’s Richard Ledezma stripped Martinez of the ball in a vulnerable spot. Ledezma then found Santi Rodriguez darting toward the box. Rodriguez then played a smooth return pass to Ledezma who continued his run forward into the box. Ledezma then dished a nice one-touch pass to the on-running Gabriel Pereira who beat Union keeper Andre Blake from close range.

Philadelphia managed to regain their footing a bit just nine minutes after NYCFC’s goal. Union centerback Damion Lowe threaded a well-placed pass through NYCFC’s lines to Gazdag who flicked it forward for Carranza. Carranza then attempted to link up with his forward partner Mikael Uhre, however Uhre’s shot attempt was saved.

NYCFC also continued to find their chances, an extremely close attempt from Pereira came in the 42nd minute. Pereira found himself with plenty of time to rip a shot from close range, but his attempt clanged off the crossbar.

Philadelphia then capitalized mightily on that lucky break when Jack Elliott launched a long ball forward towards Carranza. Carranza calmly chested the pass down around NYCFC defender Thiago Martins who whiffed on an attempt to disrupt the play. Carranza then rifled home a right footed shot to equalize. Carranza’s goal came in the first minute of first half stoppage time.

Just two minutes later, Carranza found the back of the net again on what may be one of the best counter-attacking goals Philadelphia have ever scored.

Blake found a chance to spring the attack when he found Martinez darting forward down the left wing. Blake rolled a perfectly weighted pass in the path of Martinez. Martinez then looked up field and launched a pass forward towards Gazdag who was sprinting toward the box. Martinez’s pass was a bit long but Uhre was there to collect it and the find Carranza in the box for his second goal. Philadelphia flipped the script and took the lead just before half.

The momentum continued to swing in Philadelphia’s favor to start the second half. Another long ball in Carranza’s direction forced NYCFC’s Martins into another difficult predicament. Carranza managed to get a step ahead of Martins on the long ball pass and Martins dragged Carranza down just inside the penalty area. After a brief video review, a penalty kick was awarded to Philadelphia and a yellow card was shown to Martins.

Philadelphia’s PK man, Gazdag, stepped up and slammed home the third goal of the match in the 53rd minute.

Philadelphia then bunkered down defensively. NYCFC created a handful of chances but only one chance forced a save by Blake. Union head coach Jim Curtin made a wise defensive swap in the 74th minute when he swapped Uhre for defensive midfielder Jesus Bueno. Uhre picked up a yellow card in the 69th minute and was influential offensively again Saturday night.

Carranza, by far the most impactful player on and off the ball, came inches away from securing a hat trick in the 81st minute when his shot from point blank range was thwarted by NYCFC keeper Luis Barraza.

The Union would remain strong defensively in the match’s final minutes thanks to standout performances from Philadelphia’s backline. Damion Lowe was a force and both Jakob Glesnes and Elliott made things difficult for NYCFC following their early goal (a goal largely the result of an unforced turnover instead of a defensive breakdown).

Philadelphia fans waited 209 days since the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals to take on NYCFC. To make the win even sweeter for Union fans: it was NYCFC’s first home loss of 2023. Philadelphia are continuing to climb the Eastern Conference table while NYCFC continue to struggle.

Philadelphia will look to remain hot when they return home Wednesday night to host Charlotte FC.