Ale Bedoya's extra time winner pushed Philadelphia Union to a third straight victory Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Union were more aggressive from the start and accumulated seven attacking half tackles with ease. In the fourth minute, their first real chance of the half came when a corner popped out to Brenden Aaronson. The homegrown midfielder got his knee over the shot but couldn’t get it past Maurer.
As the ten minute mark passed, Dallas got in front off a curling free kick from just outside the box on the left. Dead ball specialist Reto Ziegler angled his shot over the wall and gave Andre Blake no chance on the shot.
That shot was the only one Dallas collected until the 62nd minute. Meanwhile, the Union began pouring on pressure. First Marco Fabian and Ale Bedoya connected on the right and the captain toe-poked a reacher toward goal. Next, Kai Wagner flew up the left and skipped a ball across the area just out of the reach of Brenden Aaronson.
The young attacker was patient with a late run into the box after Haris Medunjanin kept the ball in the attacking third. When the pass arrived, Aaronson fired it with pace directly at Maurer who was forced to fall on it.
Philly continued to press forward in the second frame, but it took until the 58th minute to create a big chance. This one came from Medunjanin’s midfield pressing. He dispossessed Dallas in the attacking half and dragged a pass to Accam’s left. The streaking attacker hit a left footed shot on goal but Maurer cut the angle and pushed it away.
Medunjanin was determined to drive his team to victory and he placed a perfect ball over the top for substitute Cory Burke. Bedoya was following the play but was second to the loose ball. Ilsinho began tearing up the right side as soon as he entered the match and he released Burke down the right channel for a hard low cross. Wagner was at the back post but he couldn’t bring the ball under control and get off a shot.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, Jim Curtin’s final substitute changed the match for good. Jamiro Monteiro released a wicked spinning shot from the center that Maurer could only push into the air. Burke followed the play and Ziegler could only drag down the big striker on the goalline for a penalty. Marco Fabian hit the initial spot kick but after it was saved Burke followed the play and knocked in his first of the season to tie the match.
Philly had to fight for their point, but Ale Bedoya wanted two more. In extra time, he collected a gorgeous dinked pass from Ilsinho in the box, rounded two men, and lashed home a winner.
Talen Energy Stadium exploded with noise and the captain celebrated with teammates as Jim Curtin joyfully sprinted up the sideline.
The Union will now take a three-match win streak to Los Angeles as they face Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy next Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. ET on PHL17.
