Recap | Union Extend Unbeaten Run to Six with 1-1 Draw at Austin FC

Cavan Sullivan provided the offense as the Philadelphia Union extended their unbeaten run to six MLS matches with a 1-1 draw at Austin FC on Saturday night.

Philadelphia opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Sullivan found the back of the net to give the Union an early advantage. Austin answered just three minutes later through defender Brendan Hines-Ike, sending the sides into the break level at 1-1.

The match remained deadlocked throughout the second half as both sides searched for a decisive goal. Philadelphia stayed organized defensively while continuing to look for opportunities to regain the lead, but neither side was able to break through before the final whistle.

The road point keeps the Union’s strong run of form intact, extending their MLS unbeaten streak to six matches as they return home from Texas.

The Boys in Blue continue conclude August with a rivalry showdown against Red Bull New York next weekend. Kick off from New Jersey is set for 7:30PM on August 29th with coverage on Apple TV.

How The Match Unfolded

LINEUP NOTES

With a full strength squad to choose from, Ryan Richter opted for consistency, selecting the same XI from Wednesday's midweek draw against Inter Miami.

Andre Blake started in net, behind a backline featuring Neil Pierre and Nathan Harriel at center back, plus Kai Wagner and Frankie Westfield on the flanks.

Jesus Bueno made his second straight start in the midfield, alongside Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev, and Cavan Sullivan, who's Wednesday red card was rescinded, making him available for the match. Up top, Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski started up top.

Andrew Rick backed up Blake, sitting on the bench with Japhet Sery Larsen, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jovan Lukic, Quinn Sullivan, Ezekiel Alladoh, Agustin Anello, and Malik Jakupovic.

2', Iloski attempt | Iloski found Philly's first chance two minites in but missed left.

4', Corner chance | A corner chance from the left executed by Iloski found Pierre for a header, but the 18-year-old Homegrown centerback's effort missed high and right.

14', Austin close chances | The hosts nearly claimed the lead in their home stadium with three shots in quick succession, but a massive stop from Blake on Myrto Uzuni, a post for Jon Gallagher, then a header block from Pierre on another Uzuni shot stifled their attack.

18', Sullivan scores! | In a match he was originally suspended for, it was Cavan Sullivan who opened scoring for the Philadelphia Union, finding his second-ever Major League Soccer goal off a set piece in the 18th minute.

Iloski executed a short corner from the left to Kai Wagner, who passed it back to him for a cross into the box. Keeping the ball in play near the right post, Harriel headed it toward Sullivan for the finish to make it 1-0.

21', Austin equalizes | The hosts made it level three minutes later, with a header goal from Brendan Hines-Ike.

30', Hydration break | Play paused briefly for a hydration break in the 100-degree Texas summer weather.

34', Pierre block | Pierre made another crucial stop in the 34th minute, blocking a shot from Christian Ramírez in front of the net.

38', Union yellow card | Jesus Bueno was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute for a foul against Joseph Rosales.

42', Union yellow card | Pierre was shown a yellow for a foul on Hines-Ike.

Halftime | Halftime brought a brief reprieve from the heat for both sides, locked at 1-1 following the first 45'.

53', Danley chance | A forward pass into the box from Sullivan to Danley allowed the Haitain midfielder to get a shot off, but it hit the post.

57', Union subs | Ryan Richter made his first changes of the night earlier than has been typical, replacing Vassilev and Bueno with Sullivan and Lukic. The latter missed Wednesday night's draw against Miami due to yellow card accumulation.

63', Austin subs | Austin's interim Head Coach made two changes, sending on a strong set of subs in Brandon Vázquez and Facundo Torres.

65', Danley chance | Danley found another chance from the center of the box, but missed right.

71', Union subs | Richter made another pair of changes, sending on an attacking duo of Alladoh and Anello. They replaced the youngest Sullivan and Damiani.

90+2', Union subs | Richter added Alejandro Bedoya to the mix for stoppage time, replacing Iloski.

90+', Stoppage time | With both teams wanting all three points to continue their push for the postseason, both offenses nearly found a winner. First it was the hosts with Andre Blake making another spectacular stop to deny Myrto Uzuni with a few minutes left. The Boys in Blue answered on the other end with Anello having a chance on the final offensive possession but saw his effort blocked by the Austin defense.