April 26, 2023
Chester, PA
It remains unclear whether LAFC has become the west coast rival of the Philadelphia Union, but one thing is for sure — the games are always exciting. Wednesday’s game was billed as a rematch of the 2022 MLS Audi Cup Final, but LAFC seemed the weaker team, at least during the first half.
The score remained 0-0 until late into the second half. At the 82nd minute, the ball bounced off LAFC’s Kellyn Acosta’s raised elbow in LAFC’s penalty area. After significant debate among the players, the referee consulted VAR and pointed to the spot. Those familiar with the MLS final remember when the usually stout Dániel Gazdag slipped when taking the first penalty shot in the shootout. History did not repeat itself Wednesday, however, as Gazdag successfully shot left while the former Union backup keeper John McCarthy went right. The score with 4 minutes remaining in regulation time was 1-0 Union.
Then in the first minute of stoppage time, Acosta redeemed himself by leveling the score with a shot to the top right corner of Philadelphia’s goal. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Photos of the game appear below:
LAFC’s Denis Bouanga looking to cross from the wing.
LAFC’s Carlos Vela is contained by Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner.
The Union’s Olivier Mbaizo uncharacteristically wags a finger at LAFC.
Aaron Long and Mikael Uhre both going up for the ball.
Mbaizo brought down by LAFC’s Stipe Bilk and Diego Palacios.
Philadelphia’s Julián Carranza tiptoeing past LAFC’s Jesús Murillo.
Gazdag moving toward the LAFC goal.
