Offensive outburst erases nightmare first half in 3-2 Union win over Saprissa

Julian Carranza’s second half hat trick erased a house of horrors first half and led the Philadelphia Union to a 3-2 over Saprissa to open their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup campaign.

The weather in San Juan, Costa Rica was as hostile as the fans at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa and the wind and rain made for some difficult moments in the first half that included one of the worst goals the Union has ever conceded. It came on a long Jakob Glesnes back pass that skipped up and over Andre Blake into the goal.

The own goal gave the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into halftime but the missed chances to extend the lead were the real story of the first half once Carranza and company started clicking in the second half. The equalizer on a pinpoint cross from Kai Wagner proved that point in the 55th minute and combination play from Quinn Sullivan, Daniel Gazdag and Carranza led to two more goals in succession over a four-minute span.

The Union went from being down a goal and playing like a team that hadn’t played a competitive match since November to carving apart a tiring Saprissa like it was a rerun of one of their blowouts in the 2022 season.

The hosts did manage to pull a goal back and create additional chances to tie the game but fortunately for the visitors the score held at 3-2 and the Union get to return home with a one-goal lead and a huge three away goals in their back pocket.

The Union now shift focus to the MLS opener on Saturday against Chicago Fire ahead of the second leg at home next Tuesday night.