Cavan Sullivan recorded the first brace of his career as the Philadelphia Union rolled to a 5-0 road win over San Diego FC on Sunday night.
The Union remained patient throughout the opening half before finding the breakthrough just before the halftime whistle. Sullivan delivered in dramatic fashion in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, using a backheel finish to put Philadelphia in front and send the visitors into the break with the advantage.
Philadelphia carried that momentum into the second half, with Sullivan finding the back of the net again in the 61st minute to complete his first career brace. The two-goal performance continued a remarkable stretch for the Homegrown, who has now recorded a goal contribution in seven consecutive matches.
Sullivan’s performance also extended another historic run for Philadelphia, as the Union have now had a teenager score or assist in 11 consecutive MLS matches dating back to May 24, the longest such streak in league history.
Bruno Damiani added Philadelphia’s third goal of the night to continue his strong run of form following his first career hat trick against FC Cincinnati earlier in the week. A San Diego own goal pushed the advantage to four before Homegrown Malik Jakupovic capped the dominant road performance with the first MLS goal of his career.
Andre Blake and the Union defense took care of the rest, keeping San Diego off the scoresheet to secure the clean sheet and all three points. The victory extended Philadelphia’s MLS unbeaten streak to 10 consecutive matches, leaving the Union just one shy of tying the longest league unbeaten run in club history.
Philadelpha Union wraps up its two-game Western Conference swing next weekend as they face off against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. Kick off from Sporting Park is set for 8:30PM ET with covarage on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
In the team's third match in eight days and the club's first-ever against San Diego FC, Head Coach Ryan Richter used his first-choice lineup, making two changes from the squad that defeated FC Cincinnati 5-0 on Wednesday.
Philadelphia Union's leading scorer Milan Iloski, an Escondido, California native, made the start against his former club, appearing in the XI up top next to Bruno Damiani.
In the midfield, Indiana Vassilev returned to the lineup, alongside Cavan Sullivan, Danley Jean Jacques, and Jovan Lukic.
The backline remained unchanged, with Frankie Westfield right, Kai Wagner left, plus Neil Pierre and Nathan Harriel at centerback.
Andrew Rick was the backup on the bench, sitting with Japhet Sery Larsen, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Quinn Sullivan, Agustin Anello, Ezekiel Alladoh, and Malik Jakupovic.
1', First kick | It was a beautiful night for the beautiful game at Snapdragon stadium -- the inaugural Union vs San Diego FC match brought an 18,000+ crowd out in the 75 and sunny California weather. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage night, the home supporter's lifted a three-tiered TIFO to open play.
4', San Diego shots | Andre Blake made a massive save early, stopping a shot from Amahl Pellegrino in the fourth minute. Onni Valakari tried to get one of his own on net, but his attempt sailed over.
12', Dreyers chance | A San Diego run up the left side unfolded into a Dreyer chance from the top of the box, but his short went wide of the left post.
20', Union chances | Westfield sent a ball in toward Iloski descending toward San Diego's net protected by 19-year-old backup keeper Duran Feree, but he wasn't able to get a foot on it. An effort from Vassilev kept Union possession, and the team worked the ball around the box to find an opening, but a strike from Sullivan missed left.
26', Danley shot | Sullivan moved past Oscar Verhoeven to find a pass into Iloski at the far post who battled with Kieran Sargeant in the air, sending the ball to the top of the box where Danley was positioned for a strike, but missed right.
27', Yellow card | Bruno Damiani was shown a yellow card for a foul on Alejandro Alvarado.
30', Union corners | Iloski went down in the box, earning a corner chance from the left Philly. He played it short to Wagner nailed it ffrom the top left corner of the box to found Pierre for a header chance that went over. They tried another in the 34th, but Wagner's execution grazed Danley's head and out of play.
43', Big Blake save | Blake dove to make a stop on another Pellegrino shot.
45+2', San Diego Card | Manu Duah took down Iloski in the Union's half, and while on the ground, Alvarado kicked the ball into his face, causing the official to pull a red card out of his front pocket. After review, there was no violent conduct found on the play, so the San Diego midfielder was only booked for a yellow.
45+3', Iloski attempt | Iloski found a right footed shot from the sent of the box, but it was blocked by Ian Murphy.
45+5, Union goal! A run up the left side from Vassilev found Sullivan in front of the net, and the 16-year-old calmly backheeled it toward the right post where Iloski was waiting for the finish, but catching Feree off-guard, it went in without needing final touch.
Hafltime | Philly retreated to second half up 1-0 on the West Coast.
52', Iloski chance | Damiani played the ball ahead for Iloski 1v1 with Ian Murphy. Iloski took his chance but the effort was saved by the post.
53', Blake save | Blake made his third save of the night on a left-footed shot from Elias Achouri.
60', San Diego subs | San Diego Head Coach Mikey Varas made the first changes of the night, subbing in three players in the 60th minute, including former Union Homegrown David Vazquez.
62', Sullivan scores again! | With momentum on their side, the Boys in Blue's night got even better as Cavan took a give and go combination with Vassilev for his first career brace.
67', Damiani goal | Five minutes later it was Bruno Damiani adding to the scoreline with a perfect finish inside the box to make it four goals in his last two matches.
69', Union sub | Interim Head Coach Ryan Richter made his first change of the night with just over 20 minutes remaining sending in Quinn Sullivan in place of Vassilev.
77', Union subs | Two more changes tok place shortly after with Ezekiel Alladoh and Jesus Bueno replacing the Union goalscorers.
86', Final Union subs | The final two changes for the Boys in Blue saw homegrown Malik Jakupovic and Japhet Sery Larsen enter for Pierre and Iloski.
87', Union goal | Philly saw its lead grow to four just before second half stoppage time as a Kai Wagner corner was headed into the back of the net by San Diego FC's Aníbal Godoy.
90+4', Jakupovic scores | Homegrown Malik Jakupovic capped off the night with his first MLS goal in stoppage time, putting home a cross from fellow homegrown Quinn Sullivan.
