The Philadelphia Union haven taken hold of second place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 home win over Nashville SC. This was the second meeting for the pair this season, the first result being a less favorable 0-1 loss in Tennessee. Philadelphia now has three matches remaining in regular season. All of them are well-winnable match-ups.
If the Union can maintain their grasp on second place at the close of those three matches, they’ll be well-positioned to host multiple playoff detentes with home-field advantage, and delay the point at which they would face the formidable conference leaders in New England.
After a Disastrous Defending Match in Minnesota, Philadelphia Hold Nashville to Just One Shot on Target
Philadelphia Union returned to Subaru Park last evening after a disastrous defending affair in Minnesota in which their backline erred with excess, letting in an uncharacteristic three goals in a 3-1 loss to the Loons. Philadelphia has always prided and relied on a sound backline and stalwart keeper in the net. They near the top of the league in fewest goals conceded. While noting Andre Blake was nursing a slight injury in that match, the performance was shocking.
With playoffs looming ever closer, the implications for every point impact positioning for a laudable playoff run. Concerns following the Minnesota match included the unraveling of our strongest suit. But those concerns were all but assuaged last evening. Back in form at home, Philadelphia’s defense — aided by Nashville’s inability to muster an offense — held Nashville to just one shot on target the whole match.
And as for Blake, he seems to have recovered from injury, and reached a new career high for clean sheets last evening — with an expected handful more to go.
SHOW THIS MAN SOME LOVE 💙
Shoutout to our Man Between the Sticks on notching a new career high for clean sheets, surpassing his previous mark of 10 (2018)!
Achievement, Unlocked 🔓 pic.twitter.com/nRyZ4OpDNt
— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 24, 2021
Kacper Przybylko’s Early Goal on Penalty is All it Takes
At the 18th minute mark Philadelphia were awarded a penalty kick that would be enough to decide the game. Nashville’s Taylor Washington caught the ball with an extended arm on a set piece. Philadelphia was awarded the penalty, and Kacper Przybylko smashed it to the top of the net to notch his 11th season goal and the deciding one of this match.
❄️ Ice cold ❄️ #PHIvNSH 1 – 0 pic.twitter.com/lrbj85DAPm
— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) October 24, 2021
Looking Toward the Playoffs
Last evening’s matchup against Nashville was one of the most important home matches the Union have played in some time. Nashville previously sat in second place, just above Philadelphia in third. Philadelphia Union take hold of second place now, and its theirs to lose with the matches they have remaining.
With only three games left to play, every point count towards playoff advantage for field and foe. All three remaining matches can be and must be won. They’ll first meet Toronto in Canada, then host Cincinnati at home for their final home match on Halloween. They’ll end the season at Yankee Stadium against NYCFC.
