Philadelphia Union
Damiani and Iloski keep the streak alive against Real Salt Lake
The Philadelphia Union continued their late-season surge with a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake at Subaru Park. Goals from Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski powered the Union to their seventh consecutive win and extended their unbeaten streak to 13 matches. Despite conceding a stoppage-time goal, Philadelphia secured three crucial points in its push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Philadelphia Union increased their unbeaten streak to 13 by winning their seventh contest in a row behind goals from their striker duo Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski against Western Conference foe Real Salt Lake Saturday night in Chester. Andre Blake provided three crucial saves, including a diving effort in the opening moments of the match, to preserve the victory. But a second half stoppage time goal from RSL’s Saba Lobjanidze sullied an opportunity for Blake and the Union to secure their eighth clean sheet in MLS play.
A clean sheet would have been the perfect cherry on top considering the club allowed five goals in their previous two victories. However, a win and another crucial three points is all that matters for a team that continues to dominate the league post-World Cup break.
The first 15 minutes were a bit of a slog for Philadelphia, potentially showcasing a bit of rust following the recent international break. The Union returned all five starters from international duty. RSL entered the match with a boost from a recent win during the break, snapping a 14 match winless streak. There were subtle signs indicating RSL might spoil the Union’s streak, but Philadelphia eventually settled in nicely around the 20th minute when they found open passing lanes in between RSL’s lines to gain entry to the final third a handful of times.
The opening goal occurred 31 minutes into the action. They found success building out along the left wing and then working the ball left to right through the midfield into the final third. Off a free kick from deep in their own half, RSL’s keeper Rafael Cabral sent a long ball down the right side of the pitch. Union left back Kai Wagner won the initial aerial duel which eventually found the head of Jovan Lukic who moved it forward to Iloski. Iloski neatly headed a pass to the nearby Cavan Sullivan who carried it forward into the final third. Cavan then played a short pass to his right for Frankie Westfield who quickly pinged it centrally to Iloski. Iloski moved it to Cavan who darted into the box before pinging it back to Westfield who hit a low cross into the box. Iloski displayed some solid soccer savvy by dummying the pass for Damiani to hit a one-time shot into the net for his ninth MLS goal of the year.
Damiani’s growth this season is something to study. He went 16 straight matches without a goal earlier this year, scoring 3 goals in his first 23 appearances. He’s now scored 9 goals in the last 11 matches with his goal tonight.
Meanwhile, Westfield and Cavan increased their team leading assists tallies to 10 and 14 respectively. Cavan’s assist total is aided greatly by MLS allowing secondary assists to count toward total tallies. Nonetheless, the youngster seemingly always finds ways to contribute to goal scoring moments. The 17-year-old playmaker is tied for first in MLS in the assist category alongside Seattle’s Albert Rusnak.
The second half was a struggle at times with RSL creating three key chances in the first 20 minutes. Their first chance occurred in the 52nd minute, but RSL midfielder Noel Caliskan missed the target on an open shot inside the box. Then in the 69th and 72nd minutes, the Jamaican brick wall was called upon to bail his side out with two stellar saves to keep the lead and clean sheet intact.
The Union failed to convert a few counter moments amidst some sustained pressure from RSL. But they eventually found a way to net their second goal on the night in the 82nd minute following VAR review for a potential handball on Iloski in the box. Replay review showed the ball hitting Iloski’s midsection with no contact occurring on his hand or arm. He slotted home a bouncing ball from close range for his 17th goal on the year. The crisp passing that was on display in the first half went missing for large stretches of the second half but re-emerged in great fashion to create the second goal.
Iloski has now scored in three consecutive matches with seven goals in his last seven appearances. He is now tied for third place in the Golden Boot race alongside Vancouver’s Brian White behind Miami’s Leo Messi and Dallas’ Peter Musa.
A trio of subs for Philadelphia occurred in the second minute of second half stoppage time. And you could argue those subs were the main reason for the lone goal allowed thanks to sloppy defending inside the box left Blake with little to no chance of making a save on a shot from close range. The clean sheet was surely coveted by Interim Manager Ryan Richter and his staff considering the Union allowed five goals in their last two wins with two goals allowed against Orlando and three goals allowed against Kansas City. Blake was moments away from securing his fourth clean sheet since the start of September.
But what matters more here is that the Union continue to score goals and have avoided a drought. Their striker partnership is arguably the best in the league since the World Cup break. Damiani and Iloski have combined for a total of 16 goals through the last 11 matches. As a team, they lead the league in goals scored with 38 tallies since the World Cup break.
Richter’s side has now earned 35 out of a possible 39 points following the sacking of former manager Bradley Carnell. They’ve climbed the Eastern Conference table as well and now sit comfortably in sixth place with 42 points. With a tough slate of matches in rapid succession this month, the win Saturday is a positive start to this end of season playoff push. They now have just six matches remaining with a midweek clash against third place Chicago Fire up next.
