Early goals, Blake and woodwork lead Union back to win column

Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo both scored inside 15 minutes and Andre Blake and the woodwork did the rest in leading the Philadelphia Union to their fourth win on the road of the season in a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.

Uhre found the back of the net in the 4th minute with a shot from distance that beat a Carlos Coronel to his right and 10 minutes later Baribo combined with Uhre to score a goal from nearly the same spot to make it 2-0. Uhre’s goal was his 7th in league play and 10th in all competitions while Baribo found the back of the net for the 7th time in league play and 14th time in all competitions.

The goals highlighted an early frantic pace to the match that saw Andre Blake make a big stop in the 6th minute, followed by a Coronel save in the 8th minute and the first Red Bull chance of the night to hit woodwork in the 11th minute. Blake would go on to make three more saves – including two off line drives in the 18th minute – and the Red Bull would hit the crossbar and each post in their attempt to claw their way back into a game that would extend the Union’s unbeaten streak against their I-95 rivals to 15 in all competitions and 14 in league play.

Baribo also had a chance of his own hit the post, his second bid at securing a brace and icing the game but the Israeli international continued the goal-scoring form that earned him the golden boot at Leagues Cup.

The loss for the Red Bulls, meanwhile, was their first at Red Bull Arena this season. The Union now have more wins on the road (4) than they do at home (3) and still sit a point out of the playoff picture with Atlanta United also winning on Saturday.

The Union now head south to take on first place Inter Miami next Saturday (9/14) followed by a return trip north to the Bronx to face NYCFC on September 18.