8/31 Game Recap: Union beat Atlanta United 4-1, Clinching Playoff Spot

8/3 CHESTER - Your Philadelphia Union are headed back to the MLS playoffs. Boy did the Boys in Blue play a great game tonight, as Olivia Newton-John said best “Let’s get Physical”. And the Union embodied those words perfectly tonight.

From start to finish this was one of the most physical soccer games I’ve ever watched. Both sides seemingly had players flying and banging into each other every other minute. There were multiple points in the game where IT seemed as though guys were hurt, however most of the time they were able to tough it out.

The Blue and Gold were also assessed 3 yellow cards tonight, and it’s safe to say it got scrappy at times with Jose Martinez getting into it with an AU player late. It was plain to see some gritty hard-nosed play tonight out on the field which was awesome to watch.

Julian Carranza got the scoring started for the Union in the 17th minute on a goal that should have been saved by the AU keeper but he dove a bit too high allowing the ball to slip right past him giving the Union a 1-0 lead.

However, Atlanta would quickly respond with a goal of their own, as Andrew Gutman laid in a header off an Andre Blake save. There was really no chance for Blake to get to the rebound on time, as he was falling in the other direction.

Luckily Jim Curtin’s club never keeps their heads down long as Mikael Uhre would send one in the back of the net in the 48th+3 minute to put the Union ahead with just seconds before half.

It was safe to say that the Uhre goal set the tone for the entire second half as it was all Union from that point on. Daniel Gazdag would go on to score his 17th of the season and Nathaniel Harriel would finish it all up in the 95th minute with the game-sealing goal finishing it up at 4-1 Union

This was one of the best ways the Union could have clinched their playoff spot. Taking down a good Atlanta squad with some hard-nosed play, dropping 4 goals, and playing some stellar D. It was an all-around great game for the Boys In Blue as they look ahead to their next match with the New York Reds Bulls this weekend up in NYC. But for now good morning, good afternoon, and good night, and of course Go Union!