Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union unbeaten streak continues with draw against Charlotte FC
The Philadelphia Union extended their unbeaten streak to 15 matches at home on Saturday, earning a 2-2 draw from behind against Charlotte FC. Milan Iloski opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but Charlotte fought back with goals from Rodolfo Aloko and Idan Toklomati. Bruno Damiani scored an equalizer after a brilliant team play, but the Union’s search for a winner fell short, making the end of their 8-match winning streak one short of the MLS record.
Saturday’s match was one of the most anticipated of the Union’s season. As Major League Soccer’s playoff picture starts to form, the Union entered the match with the ability to clinch a playoff spot in this match week as well as the chance to tie the record for MLS’s longest ever league win streak. Additionally, Philadelphia could have jumped Charlotte in the Eastern Conference Standings, who sat just one point ahead of the Union entering Saturday.
It was a physical opening to the match at Subaru Park. Rough fouls went both ways, starting with Morrison Agyemang going through the back of Bruno Damiani in the first five minutes. Former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin was booked for a check into the back of Frankie Westfield off the ball minutes later.
The Union’s first big chance came through a stroke of luck in the first half. The Union had a free kick on the edge of the box in the 20th minute after a handball by Rodolfo Aloko on the edge of the box. Kai Wagner’s powerful shot on goal was blocked by the arm of Pep Biel, and referee Jon Freemon awarded the Union a penalty kick. Milan Iloski dispatched the penalty low to Kristijan Kahlina’s right, giving the Union a 1-0 lead. It was Iloski’s 19th goal of this MLS season, 2nd most in Union history. Despite a couple of Charlotte chances to close out the first half, Andre Blake and the Union back line stood tall to take the lead into halftime.
Charlotte began the second half with the momentum they had in the 1st. The equalizer came just minutes after the restart at the 48 minute. Charlotte striker Idan Toklomati played Aloko through on goal, and the young Charlotte forward finished confidently past Blake to level the score.
The Union had multiple chances to reclaim the lead that went begging soon after conceding. Milan Iloski had a close-range chance from a Cavan Sullivan shot-turned-cross, but he could only deflect it off the crossbar and back into the field of play. In the 60th minute, Frankie Westfield had a volley from a tight angle saved by Kahlina.
Charlotte made the Union pay for their misses in the 62nd minute. An early ball by David Schnegg found Toklomati at the back post. Blake started to come out to claim it but stopped and retreated. Caught in no man’s land, Toklomati’s header rolled into the back post to give Charlotte the lead.
The Union responded with increased pressure in Charlotte’s half. The Union nearly had the equalizer with Cavan Sullivan, but the flag went up for offside. In the 73rd minute, the Union found their breakthrough. Danley Jean Jacques, Bruno Damiani, and Iloski combined quickly at the edge of the Charlotte area. Danley flicked a backheel to Damiani, who fired into the far post for the equalizer.
The visitors came close to finding a late winner on the brink of stoppage time. Pep Biel’s free kick found the head of Henry Kessler at the far post, beating Blake but not the woodwork. The Union responded with two late chances through the Sullivans. Cavan’s low shot from inside the box was denied by Kahlina, and Quinn’s powerful strike just after was palmed away by the Croatian keeper. When the dust settled, the Union earned a point from behind, drawing 2-2 to Charlotte.
Because of the draw, the Union will likely have to wait until next weekend to clinch a spot in the playoffs. The Union will be back in action next at home against New England Revolution on Saturday, October 24th. The match will be the Union’s penultimate home match of the season.
