Leagues Cup ’23: Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls

Last night’s match between the two sides was called due to a Tornado Warning in the area till 11 pm last night along with severe thunderstorms and high winds. These two teams will be involved in a tight contest more than likely as the heated rivals won’t settle for seeing the other be the victor by a huge margin.

Interesting to see that Lewis Morgan not only made the trip but is listed on the bench for the match and he did take part in warm-ups with Edelman and Dante. He is actively taking part in defensive warm-ups with high impact moves involved and no signs of distress. He could be here for moral support, or he may see late minutes if the team needs him. At most, I would see him getting in the 5-15 range in minutes tonight if he does enter the pitch. The last we heard from Troy was another month out or so.

Elias Manoel gets on the board early at Subaru Park in Chester, PA scoring in the 4′ beating Blake 1 on 1 to the 2nd post, the goal was assisted by Omir Fernadez. Couldn’t see the buildup to the goal due to a giant white beam in the way.

The Red Bulls have come out the gate strong and have been the better team in the first 12′ of the match so far. Dante Vanzeir is going to want that one back in the 15′ he beat Blake but placed the ball wide of the 2nd post. It should be 2 – 0 #RBNY right now. Blake is struggling with Dante and Manoel in a rare outing. Hopefully, it won’t bite the boys in red later in the match.

The Union in the 19′ have a golden free kick from 35 yards but they don’t have #Messi on their squad and waste the chance to tie the match.

Harper has to do better with that cross into the final 6, that’s two chances in a row for New York that have gone to waste, they’re controlling the match and frustrating a good Union side. They need to keep it up and capitalize on the chances given otherwise it could bite them in the second half or sooner. We could easily see the boys in red up 3 – 0 in the 23′, instead due to poor finishing it remains 1 – 0.

Gazdag responds to fans in the 26′ but misses well wide, the ball hit Nealis on its way out so Union will get a corner, but they squander the corner badly.

Omir has struggled on the ball his last few touches, unlike him, especially with light pressure in the area. We enter the 30′ with the Red Bulls still in charge of the match and not backing down to Philly in any way, shape, or form.

Julian Carranza seems to have a leg cramp, he pulled up on his run and went down in the box in the 31′ of play, he is back on his feet without medical in the 32′ and play continues. The Sons of Ben are unhappy with their team and the center referee tonight.

In the 39′ Carlos has had enough kickball from his backline and slows the match down, he starts the counter, Dante finds Luquinhas top of the 18, and his shot is blocked. It was an excellent response to the last 10 minutes of high pressure from the Union.

Reyes with a not-so-smart foul far from goal and no danger, now creates a dangerous free kick from the left of the goal about 19 yards out. Union again does a poor job and Luquinhas goes on the counter he is slowed down in the Union defensive half of the field in the 43′.

The match may see a minute or two added, but it’s been a pretty quick moving first half, so could see the center just blow the half dead at the 45′. In the 45′ the Union earn a corner and it could be the last play of the half, fans rise to their feet, and played out for another corner kick. The fourth shows a minimum of two minutes and the Red Bull clears the chance from the corner kick with about 45 seconds to a minute left.

Through the first 5′ of the second half the Red Bulls have controlled the pace again. It appears Gazdag is cramping in the second half. RBNY clears the 53′ corner and goes on a counterattack. 54′ Manoel leans back and sails one, Union makes two substitutions in the 55′. They bring on Jesus Bueno for Leon Flach and Mikael Uhre for Daniel Gazdag. The Red Bulls made two substitutions (57′) bringing on Tom Barlow for Elias Manoel and Kyle Duncan for Omir Fernadez.

“Looking back at the moment I could have probably left Manoel in longer, Barlow did come in and help with some hold-up, but you’re right he could’ve given us more minutes.”

Red Bulls Head Coach Troy Lesesne

Since Barlow and Duncan have come on, we have seen Philly on the attack more, spreading the back line and causing chaos. Something the Red Bulls usually do, looks like Troy made some bad moves with the bench.

We enter the 62′ and the Union are all over the Red Bulls breaking them apart since Manoel and Fernandez left the pitch. Barlow gets outjumped by someone much shorter than him, leading to a loss of possession and almost a firm counter, Nealis gets in the way to end the Philly threat. That is now two key plays by the captain to save his side from being in a tied match.

The Union crowd is now in the match, which is not good for the away side, and they concede a 64′ corner kick going toward the Sons of Ben. Again, Captain Red Bull steps up and clears the area, and Carlos is more than happy to slow this match down and draw the fans to sleep. Philly fans chant “You suck (bleep) when Carlos takes a goal kick.”

The Union capitalize on their third corner in a span of 4′ since Barlow and Duncan entered the match. Prior the Union had four in 45’+3′. The goal was scored via a header by Harriel in the 68′.

Troy goes to the bench again in the 70′ bringing out his only striker Dante Vanzeir for midfielder Peter Stroud and Luquinhas comes off for Dru Yearwood. Troy has made some head-scratching moves this half.

The second half is now a yellow card party for the center referee, the match has picked up in physicality by more than triple since the match started.

Duncan with a horrible unnecessary turnover and it almost cost him and his teammates in the 85′, Carlos had to make a brilliant save to keep his teammate out of the coach’s wrath. The Red Bull look lost out there since the 58′ of the match.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of 5′ will be added, if things stay the same, we go right to penalties. Now it’s the Red Bulls who are dominating as we enter the final 5’+ of the match before the possibility of penalties.

Red Bulls with a dangerous free kick and JMi squandered it with a weird flick pass the Union handle with ease from 35 yards. Not much time left in the match, so Troy brings on Lewis Morgan for Cameron Harper as predicted 5-15 minutes max, and only if the team needs him to stay alive.

We go to penalties: Coin Toss Victories: Red Bulls will shoot first and Blake picks the supporter side goal.

Round one: Lewis Morgan –Saved going lower right corner 1st post; Elliot — Converts goes lower left corner 2nd post (0-1)

Round two: Frankie Amaya — Converts going lower right 1st post; Uhre — Converts off Coronel’s fingertips upper right 1st post. (1-2)

Round three: Daniel Edelman — Misses crossbar 2nd post; Jack McGlynn — Saved by Carlos Coronel. (1-2)

Round four: Sean Nealis — Converts upper 90 2nd post; Julian Carranza — Converts down the middle. (2-3)

Round five: JMi — Converts down the middle; Jesus Bueno — Converts lower left corner 2nd post. (3-4)

Philadelphia wins, Morgan and Edelman’s misses were too much to overcome for the Red Bulls.

Photo Credit: © John Jones-USA TODAY Sports