Philadelphia Union erased a three-goal deficit with four unanswered second-half goals to complete a stunning comeback win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.
Sporting KC put Philadelphia in a deep early hole, with André Luiz scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes before Wyatt Meyer added a third in the 16th. The Union steadied themselves following the hosts’ fast start but headed into halftime facing a three-goal deficit and needing a massive response.
That response arrived in a hurry after the break. Bruno Damiani opened Philadelphia’s account in the 64th minute before Cavan Sullivan struck just two minutes later off a cutback pass from Danley Jean Jacques. Milan Iloski then completed the comeback in the 68th minute, as the Union erased a three-goal deficit during a remarkable five-minute stretch.
The Boys in Blue wanted more and grabbed all three points when set-piece pressure forced Sporting KC’s Zorhan Bassong to turn the ball into his own net, giving the Union their fourth unanswered goal and a 4-3 advantage just nine minutes after Damiani started the comeback.
The Union held firm from there to complete an unforgettable turnaround and extend their MLS unbeaten streak to 11 consecutive matches, tying the longest league unbeaten run in club history.
The Boys in Blue have just one more match at Subaru Park in September as they host Orlando City FC for Fiesta Hipsana Night next weekend. Tickets for the showdown against the Eastern Conference foe are limited so secure your seat by clicking here.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
Richter rolled out his first-choice XI again against Sporting Kansas City, taking advantage of a full-strength roster to choose from before five starters depart for National Team camp during the September/October FIFA Window.Â
In his last match before returning to captain Jamaica, Andre Blake started in net, behind a backline featuring Kai Wagner on the left, Nathan Harriel at centerback plus first-time USMNT call-ups in centerback Neil Pierre and right back Frankie Westfield.Â
Danley Jean Jacques, who's headed off to camp with Haiti, and Jovan Lukic, who just signed a new contract with the club, started together in the midfield with Indiana Vassilev and Cavan Sullivan. The latter also made his first USMNT camp, set to depart with his teammates tomorrow morning.
Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski, who have combined for 19 goal so far this season started the match up top.Â
George Marks was the backup keeper behind Blake, on the bench with Ben Bender Jesus Bueno, Quinn Sullivan, Ezekiel Alladoh, Agustin Anello, and Malik Jakupovic.Â
5', Sporting Kansas City goal | In just his third start for Sporting Kansas Cirty, newly signed 24-year-old Brazilian forward André Luiz from Olympiacos opened scoring early, hitting the back of the net to make it 1-0.
10', Luiz launches another | Luiz added another 5 minutes later with a powerful shot between Wagner and Harriel from the right to the left corner past blake. The DP, who signed a five-year contract through the 2030-31 MLS season and costed a transfer fee reported to be 18m, showed his attacking abilities early.Â
16', SKC goal |Â Wyatt Meye made it 3-0 for the hosts with a header assisted by Emir Karic.
29', Blake save | Another Luiz sprint up the right sideline created another opportunity for the hosts -- this time, the Brazilian found 26-year-old winger Calvin Harris for a strike from the top of the box, but Blake dove to make the save.
45', SKC Yellow | Kwaku Agyabeng was shown a yellow card for a foul on Vassilev that left the midfielder down in pain and requiring treatment for Philly medical staff.Â
Halftime | After a physical first half battle, emotions ran high for both sides, ultimately spurring an altercation after the halftime whistle near the team benches, which resulted in a yellow card for Bueno.Â
46', Changes for both sides | Richter made his first change of the night, sending on Quinn Sullivan to replace Indiana Vassilev. Raphael Wicky made his first sub of the night as well, replacing Agyabeng with Bartlett.Â
47', Shots from Q. Sullivan | Q. Sullivan tried to slam one home from distance in the first minutes of his shift, forcing a stop from Stefan Cleveland Iloski chased the rebound and set Sullivan up for another shot, but it hit the left post.
53, SKC yellow | The hosts picked up their second yellow of the night, this time shown to Lasse Berg Johnsen for a foul on Bruno Damiani. On the ensuing free kick, Wagner passed it into the box but Kansas City found the transition.Â
64', Union goal! | C. Sullivan skillfully danced through Kansas City's defense to find an opening, instead finding Westfield on the right for a shot touched by Damiani on its way in.
66', Union goal! | Philly found another when they needed it most, capitalizing on the spark from Westfield's Union opener. After assisting Westfield, Sullivan placed one of his own for his sixth goal since goal since MLS play resumed in July.
68', Iloski makes it level! | Philly scored their third goal in less than ten minutes to bring the match level, with the third coming from a determined effort by Iloski off a rabona pass from Quinn Sullivan.
73', Union grab the lead! | KC own goal by Zorhan Bassong two minutes after taking the pitch.
79', Yellow card | Wagner was shown a yellow card.
82', Union changes |Â Jesus Bueno, Ale Bedoya, and Ezekiel Alladoh closed the match, replacing Lukic, C. Sullivan, and Iloski.Â
89', Union sub |Â Richter's final sub was Anello, who replaced Damiani.
90+6, Yellow cards | Danley was shown a yellow in the final minutes.
