Marco Fabian returned to the lineup and the scoresheet, and David Accam scored his third goal in two starts as Philadelphia Union earned a second straight shutout win by knocking off FC Cincinnati 2-0.
The Union dominated possession in a rainy night in Ohio, and both teams struggled mightily to create chances early. In the 11th minute, Brenden Aaronson’s corner kick found Marco Fabian at the back post and the Mexican International lashed a shot back across goal with his right foot.
FC Cincinnati responded with a long ball over the top from defender Forrest Lasso. Darren Mattocks ran onto the bouncer but Andre Blake came out and beat his Jamaican teammate to the spot.
The home side thought they had taken the lead in the 27th but Roland Lamah was inches offside when he latched onto a ball behind the Union back line. Minutes later, Aaronson collected a pass from Kai Wagner and drove into the box before firing a near post shot that Spencer Richey pushed wide of goal.
The Union kept pushing and in the 33rd minute, Richey flew out of his box to clear with David Accam sprinting in. The half ended with a deflected Fabian shot, and it looked as though neither team would find a breakthrough.
But just after halftime, the Union’s newest Designated Player got them on the board. After releasing David Accam up the right, Fabian followed the play into the box, found a return pass, and drilled a left-footed shot past Richey.
Then it was time for Andre Blake to announce his return to the Union lineup. After missing last weekend’s match on international duty, Blake stepped up in the 51st minute and stoned Lamah on a spinning shot from the center of the box.
That save gave Philly the boost they needed, and Accam stepped up to crush Cincinnati’s momentum.
After Aaronson turned inside and saw the ball pop off his feet and into the air, Accam brought it down, turned two men, and slipped his finish below a helpless Richey.
Cory Burke and Jamiro Monteiro — making his first MLS appearance — came on to help kill the match off, and the Union were able to hold on for their first road win of 2019.
The Union will return to action next weekend when they welcome FC Dallas to Talen Energy Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on April 6th.
