Chester, PA
March 12, 2022
Last Saturday night, the Philadelphia Union took on the San Jose Earthquakes at home in unseasonably cold temperatures in front of a brave Philadelphia crowd. The fans willing to embrace the cold paid homage to the retiring dribbling wizard, Ilsinho, who appeared at the start of the game. Philadelphia will sorely miss the dangling leg of the super sub, who dazzled the crowd while he confused defenders.
Despite San Jose’s game possession statistics (67.8%), Philadelphia controlled the game from the start. In fact, Philadelphia could have scored three or for additional goals, but was unable to finish its opportunities.
Philadelphia’s first goal happened at the 23rd minute, when a speedy Sergio Santos sprinted past San Jose’s Jackson Yueilland around the goal and passed the back to Cory Burke, who easily shot into an empty right half of the goal.
The second goal came at the 58th minute from a penalty shot taken by Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag. While the Union has not always been the strongest at PKs, Gazdag has done well with conversions. This time he waited for the Earthquake’s keeper, JT Marcinkowski, to commit and then gently lofted the ball above and to the right to score.
Photographs of the game appear below.
Philadelphia’s Kai Wagner maneuvers around San Joe’s Jan Gregus.
The Earthquake’s Javier López flanked by the Union’s Leon Flach and Dániel Gazdag.
San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza advancing the ball toward the Philadelphia goal.
Philadelphia’s José Martínez and Nathan Harriel shutting down San Jose’s Benjamin Kikanovic.
Martinez blocking Paul Marie’s edge of the box shot.
Cory Burke scores the first Philadelphia goal off of an assisting pass from Sergio Santos.
Espinoza leaping for the ball ahead of Philadelphia’s Leon Flach.
San Jose’s keeper, JT Marcinkowski, is all hands on Jakob Glesnes while the ball floats above.
Gazdag let Macinkowski commit left while lofting the ball high and slightly right.
Burke, Wagner and Jack McGlynn (right) congratulate Gazdag on the penalty shot.
Philadelphia’s captain, Alejandro Bedoya, striding past San Jose’s Francisco Calvo.
Philadelphia Union
San Jose Earthquakes
