Union V Nashville
So the local ties are there from the top down, GM of the visitors, Michael Jacobs, a local product, Union HC Carnell was with RBNY, there is still a past RBNY player on Nashville, Muyl and of course the proximity of the Union. Given how well the home team has been doing as opposed to being at the Nashville game facing RBNY, the Union must get the nod. Not a soul had them being 3-0 and firing on all cylinders as they are on their BINGO card.
Sullivan with a lead ball into the 6 grabbed by the GK. Union over the top, GK to the corner of his are gets to it, now Nashville to the top of the area and a defensive stop made. Westfield left open on the right side, his ball in played out of touch by Zimmerman. Surridge looks into the area, Glesnes gets to it. Uhre for Sullivan he holds at the edge of the area, releases to Wagner the ball in partially cleared and Union recover then fouled. Zimmerman shields the ball out over the end line goal kick. Sullivan outside and turns it a bit back in to the area for Aribo, but the ‘keeper Willis takes it off the ground. Qasem getting updated on his fouls by the center. Mukhtar did not want advantage, it was passed to a wide open player at the other corner of the area who takes an extra touch and does not get off a good shot. This play on was a foul no doubt it did benefit Nashville that the take down of Sullivan got them the ball. A great run by Surridge and Nashville on the strength of his beating multiple players in the area as he cuts a ball back for the opening salvo at 15’, assist to the GK. Sullivan with the feed but Lukidge is well off. What just happened on the back line of Union, 3 players with 4 unknown actions near the 6 until cleared out after a shot blocked by a diving defender, the ball goes right back in the area and a bit of an adventure yet again. Wagner with the restart from not far from the 18 it’s in close but not on frame. Union seek Aribo, now a break for Nashville, Surridge goes off the post then gets on it again and wins a corner, Mukhtar was open on the second attempt. Corner hits the 6, never put on goal. So many misplays in this game. A few passes and Union cross the field the ball in is partially headed again in and Aribo is at the doorstep as Wills reels in the ball. Glesnes a driven ball of Mukhtar as Meola states it’s a bit disjointed here. Mukhtar spins a player down in front of the ref who makes the call and Cornell still cries out. Driven in turned away at the top of the area and Sullivan gets it now Uhre cannot do anything with it but gets the corner. Sullivan over the ball, he goes to the far edge of the 6 and it is knocked out for another corner by Maher. Wagner hits it missing, cleared the GK is down, off contact with his own team and Union tie it up with a nice strike Lukic. Uhre, Willis claims pushed Zimmerman into Willis no call. Uhre on a run and another corner as Willis got to it. 75% through the 6 and out. Was that a fake by Blake as he ran past the ball then turns and divers for the ball at the feet of Mukhtar, no, but a bad skip. Surridge again dangerous, gets a good look off another turnover. Philly pressures as Zimmerman clears and it is back in with the Union, Sullivan into the area and a goal kick. Philly again hold in their offensive half taken away Surridge gets it, gives to Muyl the ex Red Bull gets dropped and Nashville has it again. Long ball down the right wing and it runs over the end line. Sullivan sails a corner a bit to the far post and Willis camps out under then reels it in. Sullivan with a ball in off Zimmerman hung in the air and Willis had to make a save of that deflected shot. Qasem at 44’ from Lovitz left open back door and it is 2-1. He held got Blake to commit then played it just beyond his reach as the near post was covered. Yazbekhacks a player down well after the ball cautioned at 47+ and a DFK just beyond the right corner of the 18, Sullivan goes shot and the run was not made by Sullivan? a wasted chance, yes, in that he knew for sure it was on, it is possible another player was just nowhere near the play. Mukhtar with what is sure to be the final play and the kick does not get off BJ Callahan smirks in disbelief.
Wagner sends a ball from Muyl out. Union with a number of possessions near the goal are able to do nothing a few in the run of play a few tries after a corner. Union are doing everything but getting a shot off in their offensive third. Gazdag given a gift, he could have attacked it and taken it before the bounce, then off his chest seemed to take forever for the ball to drop, of course a poor shot results, right into the chest of Willis. Union have been holding the ball and thwarted again and again by Nashville and/or themselves. A long shot sails high for Union. Sullivan goes down in the area the boo birds are out, VAR will sort it out. Not a hard tackle but the ball was missed. A long time to figure out a clear and obvious error if one existed. No PK. Westfield gives way to Harriel for the home side. Mukhtar with the corner finds his mark, Zimmerman well beyond the 6 and it goes well out, Willis way out of his area to clear it. A long ball through the area from the Union goes harmlessly out for a goal kick. Wagner sent a ball 30 yards to not a soul and out of play. A give and go. Goes nowhere for the Union. Nashville get down field then stall Surridge to the corner and wins one. Wagner with a block and now hitting his knee, he crawls off to deal with the trainer off the playing surface and get back on sooner, seems to be impact pain only as he stretches the quad. Shaffelburg in for Qasem. A bit of contact in the area Mukhtar wants the PK, none given, goal kick coming out. Muyl for Mukhtar in the area and it is blocked for a Nashiville throw deep each team has a player down Mukhtar and Glesnes bang heads now VAR to see if a PK is due as Glesnes was a bit late with the impact. PK awarded, does Mukhtar take it or is he a bit not quite right from the hit? Maybe dollar dog day was not so good of an idea as the fly to the field in protest. Blake does not look pleased in the slightest, two past MLS MVPs facing off here. Chipped, Blake goes down and Mukhtar stands in front of the fans with is arms open, his paneka adds to the lead at 82’, there will be over 5’ of added time. Mukhtar a shot just into the side netting from the right side as Blake was well off his line. Bauer and Brugman in Donovan and Bedoya in Gazdag and . Shaffleurg great shot but off, tremendous save by Blake. Union are getting frustrated and draw a yellow for Tagseth. Wagner cautioned for Union and keeps talking at the ref. 11’ extra time and Union with a corner. Willis with a quick release kick to Mukhtar who gets caught then pushes the player down in the Union are for a foul. Mukhtar is out and booed as Bunbury relieves him for about 10’. Damian into Zimmerman gets a yellow, foolish getting these cards so late as they do add up over the course of the season. Sullivan taken down no card. DFK from a decent spot into the area heads straight up and Willis goes up to get it. Bunbury draws a foul at 95’. Wagner into the area, a PK for a foul on Donovan and the player is down hit to the head at 99’. Lovitz took by far the worst of this and suffered a cut. Will it be a one goal game? Sullivan to the mark, he goes to the center low, Will is with the first save and the rebound. Damian sends the rebound into the midsection of Willis. Makkhanya gets a straight red, he is fouled then throws the ball at the offending player, the wheels have fallen off. Another clash of heads the Union player is still slow and holding his head but upright. Nashville has a player taken off his feet at 104’. Foul on Nashville at 105’ and it is over.