Philadelphia Union 6, New England Revolution 1 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

The Philadelphia Union had themselves a party Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium, as they steamrolled the New England Revolution 6-1 behind a dominant second half. 

The Revs, deploying a makeshift back line with injuries and red cards taking their toll, gave a constant runway to Cody Cropper’s goal, who made nine saves to keep the margin within reason.

When Ilsinho scored on a goal-line chip in the 47th minute to make it 2-1, Philadelphia then opened the floodgates. Sergio Santos bagged a brace in the 69th and 74th minutes, then Kacper Przybylko made it 5-1 in the 82 minute. To add insult to injury, David Accam added another in the 88th minute with New England’s defense at sixes and sevens.

An early goal for Philadelphia was perhaps a sign of how the evening would go, as center back Jack Elliott laced home a strike in the 11th minute. He ghosted into New England’s 18-yard box unmarked and made no mistake when his opportunity arose.  

New England scored in the 35th minute when Juan Fernando Caicedo found net for the second time in three games, but it was hardly enough. 

The Union were playing their third game in a week (2-0-1 record), while the Revs were coming off a wild 4-4 draw at Sporting Kansas City last weekend. 

Goals

• 11' – PHI – Jack Elliott | WATCH
• 35' – NE – Juan Fernando Caicedo | WATCH
• 47' – PHI – Ilsinho | WATCH
• 69' – PHI – Sergio Santos | WATCH
• 74' – PHI – Sergio Santos | WATCH
• 82' – PHI – Kacper Przybylko | WATCH
• 88' – PHI – David Accam | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: Philadelphia’s reign atop the Eastern Conference standings carries on yet another week, as they scored a season-high six goals. Jim Curtin’s team continues to get it done without the big-name players some other MLS clubs have, and Carlos Miguel Coronel, the third-string goalie, answered every challenge. As for the Revs, it’s now 10 goals conceded across their last two games and a deeper dive to the bottom of the table. Tough times in New England, tough times. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: More Ilsinho, more party. The Brazilian midfielder provided some magic just out of the halftime break with a delightful chip over Cody Cropper’s shoulder. The give-and-go was daring and got rolling a dominant second half for Philadelphia. Would you expect anything else from Ilsinho?

MAN OF THE MATCH
: The Union might have unearthed a gem in Brazilian striker Sergio Santos. The 24-year-old, signed this past offseason from Chilean side Audax Italiano, entered midway through the second half and bagged a brace. His first strike in the 69th minute benefitted from a deflection, then he was in the right place at the right time in the 74th. If Santos’ finishing boots were a bit sharper, he could have easily had a hat trick. 

Next Up

• PHI: Saturday, May 11 at Toronto FC (3 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, TSN in Canada)
• NE: Wednesday, May 8 at Chicago Fire (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada)