Philadelphia Union 3, New York Red Bulls 2 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

A virtuoso performance by Ilsinho off the bench, in which he scored twice and contributed an assist, helped the Philadelphia Union erase a two-goal halftime deficit and defeat the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium. 

Ilsinho entered the game in the 53rd minute for Brenden Aaronson and immediately changed the game. He dribbled past Connor Lade on the right flank and played to Jamiro Monteiro, who fired past Luis Robles on the hour mark.

One minute later, the Brazilian leveled, again taking on Lade and Daniel Royer, splitting the pair before putting a shot that took a deflection off Sean Nealis.

After Robles made a diving save to deny Monteiro’s penalty kick, the ball fell to Ilsinho, who sent it in to complete his brace in the 72nd minute.

The first half was all Red Bulls. A sensational first touch by Kyle Duncan on an overlapping run following a cross by Marc Rzatkowski set up Kaku, who ran into the path of the ball and fired low first-time inside the far post to make it 1-0 in the 29th minute.

Three minutes from halftime, Brian White doubled the visitors’ advantage with his fourth goal of the season. White chased down a long ball by Alex Muyl and shielded off Jack Elliott before chipping over an onrushing Andre Blake, who was late coming off his line.

Goals

• 29’ — RBNY — Kaku | WATCH
• 42’ — RBNY — Brian White | WATCH
• 60’ — PHI — Jamiro Monteiro | WATCH
• 61’ — PHI — Ilsinho | WATCH
• 72’ — PHI — Ilsinho | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: This sure looked like a statement of intent by the Union that the race in the East perhaps goes through them, a gritty come-from-behind win against a Red Bulls team that was rolling in recent weeks. The Red Bulls will rue a missed change by White to make it three, but it was alarming how quickly things turned pear-shaped in the second half.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: When Ilsinho stood next to fourth official Eric Tattersall to check in for Aaronson in the 53rd minute. The game was altered from that point.

MAN OF THE MATCH
: Ilsinho, clearly. He had two goals and one assist in a 37-minute shift. Play like that, you deserve to dance like this:

Next Up

• PHI: Wednesday, June 11 at D.C. United, U.S. Open Cup (7 pm ET | ESPN+)
• RBNY: Tuesday, June 10 vs. New England Revolution, U.S. Open Cup (7:30 pm ET | ESPN+)