Philadelphia Union
Damiani and Iloski lead the way in 5-0 win in Concacaf action
One day after carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, the Philadelphia Union earned a well-rounded 5-0 win against Defence Force FC in the first of two legs of the Concacaf Champions Cup opening round. Milan Iloski and Bruno Damiani led the charge offensively. Damiani netted a brace while Iloski scored a banger of a free kick while contributing two assists.
Philadelphia entered the match as the heavy favorite, and the odds makers were spot on. They were the dominant team despite Defence Force FC creating a few minor chances of their own. The top team in Trinidad forced Union keeper Andrew Rick to make just one save all match.
Union Head Coach Bradley Carnell displayed a particularly unique lineup in some aspects. Along the backline, Nate Harriel played alongside Olwethu Makhanya at center back while Frankie Westfield took on the left back spot with Jeremy Rafanello – typically slotted in as a midfielder – slotting in at the right back spot. Westfield, Rick, and forward Stas Kornzeniowski earned the start in their first career Concacaf Champions Cup appearance.
To round out the lineup, Carnell went with Iloski, Danley Jean-Jacques, Jesus Bueno, and Ale Bedoya as the team captain. Bueno almost missed the match due to issues at the border regarding his visa paperwork. He spent the night in Antigua before rejoining the team around noon on matchday. Ezekiah Alladoh earned his first start in his debut appearance as a forward partner to Damiani up top.
Iloski opened the goal scoring festivities with a brilliant free kick inside the half circle just atop the box in the 29th minute. The free kick was created by Bueno who made a darting run toward the box before being kicked and toppled. Iloski’s simple two-step run up was all he needed to flick and curl it up and over the wall for the goal.
A few minutes later, Alladoh opened his goal scoring account with Philadelphia after a back post header off the left foot of Westfield. Westfield placed a perfectly struck cross with his weaker foot directly on the head of Alladoh for the second tally of the match.
Defence Force managed to hold off the Union for the remainder of the first half and to start the second. But the goals came raining down again starting in the 64th minute. Iloski’s corner found Makhanya alone in the center of the box for a powerful headed goal. Iloski picked up his second assist on the play.
Philadelphia then made a few substitutions which created an opportunity for Damiani and Cavan Sullivan to make an impact. Sullivan spelled Iloski, while new center back Japhet Sery Larsen came on for Harriel. Damiani came on for Alladoh, who impressed mightily in his Union debut.
Less than five minutes after entering the match, Damiani found the back of the net thanks to an assist from 16-year old Sullivan. Shortly after in the 81st minute, Sullivan drew a foul in the box which allowed Damiani to take the ensuing penalty kick for his second goal of the match.
In a match in which Philadelphia were expected to be the heavy favorite, they sure met those expectations. They capitalized on their chances and swarmed Defence Force FC all match. Consider it a nice tune-up match before the MLS regular season kicks off this weekend. And it’s an opportunity for some new players to continue integrating themselves into the team.
