Philadelphia Union secured its berth into the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 on Thursday night, defeating Defence Force F.C. by a 7-0 margin.
It was a historic night headlined by homegrown Cavan Sullivan who combined for four goal contributions in the victory. Sullivan scored the first two goals his professional career, becoming the youngest American to score in the tournament's history.
Forward Stas Korzeniowski also notched a brace in the Union's historic victory on Thursday, finding the back of the net in the 12th and 48th minute. Defender Geiner Martinez and midfielder Ben Bender each found the back of the net for the first time in their Union careers too, with the Colombian defender opening the scoring in the seventh minute while Bender added to the parade of goalscorers.
With the result on Thursday, the Union advance via a 12-0 aggregate score and will face off against Liga MX side Club America. The official dates and time for the series will be announced by Concacaf in the near future.
Philadelphia Union returns to MLS action this weekend with its league home opener against Eastern Conference rivals New York City FC. Kick off is set for 4:30PM ET with limited tickets remaining so click here to secure your spot.
How The Match Unfolded
Leg two of the team's first round matchup against Defence Force at Subaru Park kicked off with another new lineup as Head Coach Bradley Carnell made five changes from the XI that opened their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign in Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.
Andrew Rick started in net again, while the backline protecting him saw significant change, this time featuring Giovanny Sequera and Olivier Mbaizo on the flanks plus Olwethu Makhnaya and Geiner Martinez paired at centerback.
Jovan Lukic made his return to the starting lineup after sitting out in the team’s first two matches of consequence this year with a rib injury. Alongside him, Jeremy Rafanello, Alejandro Bedoya, and Cavan Sullivan made up the midfield, while Stas Korzeniowski and Ezekiel Alladoh were the chosen duo up top.
Andre Blake started on the bench, sitting on the sidelines with fellow keeper George Marks, Nathan Harriel, Japhet Sery Larsen, Ben Bender, Jesus Bueno, Danley Jean Jacques, Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev, Bruno Damiani, Malik Jakupovic, and Sal Olivas.
7', Geiner's first in Blue and Gold! | A surprising opening goal came from centerback Geiner Martinez, one of the team's newest signings. In his first match at Subaru Park, the 23-year-old Colombian capitalized on a pass from Jovan Lukic off a corner from Jeremy Rafanello for a one touch swing toward the bottom left corner.
10', Lukic makes it two! | The Boys in Blue boosted their advantage early, making it 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the match. In his first match back from a preseason injury, Jovan Lukic added the team's second of the night, placing a shot from the penalty shot.
12', Goal #3 from Korzeniowski | Another Union player scored their first senior team goal to make his 3-0 -- Stas Korzeniowski opened his Concacaf Champions Cup account with, taking it on his own following a stunning right side build-up between Jovan Lukic, Alejandro Bedoya, and Cavan Sullivan.
Halftime | The team finished the first 45' 3-0, and with the 8-0 aggregate lead, Carnell made multipe changes to his group sending in Ben Bender and Sal Olivas in place of Jovan Lukic and Olwethu Makhanya. The changes meant the backline for the last 45 minutes of the Round One series would be comprised of Martinez, Mbaizo, Bender and Sequera.
48', Stas bags the brace | The Boys in Blue were quick to add to their lead early in the second half with the front three combining. Homegrown Sal Olivas chased down a pass and shot a pass along the end line that Alladoh regained possession of. Sitting at the near post, he shot a centering pass to Korzeniowski who notched a brace in his Subaru Park debut with the first team.
53', Bender makes it 5 | For the second-straight match in the series Philly made it five as Cavan Sullivan collected his second assist of the tournament with a cheeky flick to his left where Ben Bender drove it into the far netting.
59', Union substitution | Just before the hour mark, Head Coach Bradley Carnell made a change atop the lineup sending in Union II forward Malik Jakupovic in place of the Korzeniowski.
75', Final Union change | Carnell's final change of the night came with midfielder Jesus Bueno replacing Alejandro Bedoya in the middle of the park.
76', Cavan's historic goal | Philadelphia Union homegrown Cavan Sullivan made history at Subaru Park on Thursday night, scoring his first-ever goal in Concacaf Champions Cup. Employing the high press, the Boys in Blue forced a turnover at the edge of the box with Ezekiel Alladoh getting a touch and the ball falling right in stride for the 16-year-old Sullivan. The Union homegrown cut to his left and smoothly fired a left-footed blast into the net to send Subaru Park into a frenzy.
Not only was it Sullivan's first-ever goal but he etches another piece of history as the youngest American to score in Concacaf Champions Cup at 16 years, 4 months and 29 days old.
88', Cavan's caps off a historic night | Sullivan's perfect night had a cherry on top as he capped off a two goal, two assist evening. The second goal of the match came just before the final whistle, finishing off a pass from Sal Olivas.
