{"id":27865,"date":"2020-07-15T01:03:45","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T05:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=27865"},"modified":"2020-07-15T01:04:34","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T05:04:34","slug":"union-onto-knockout-stage-as-frustrations-mount-for-inter-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2020\/07\/15\/union-onto-knockout-stage-as-frustrations-mount-for-inter-miami\/","title":{"rendered":"Union onto knockout stage as frustrations mount for Inter Miami"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orlando, Florida \u2014<\/strong> The Philadelphia Union<\/a> punched their ticket to the knockout rounds of the MLS Is Back Tournament late Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami<\/a> in what was a seesaw affair between two clubs with contrasting styles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The counter-pressing Union set the tone early, scoring the opener in the 5th minute.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dazzling youngster Brenden Aaronson \u2014 who should be turning US Soccer heads at this point with his continued consistent performances \u2014 ran onto a ball down the right flank in space, and chipped across the goal mouth just ahead of a closing <\/span>Andr\u00e9s Reyes<\/span>. The cross deflected off Reyes\u2019s outstretched leg and found the foot of an on-running Kai Wagner. Wagner blasted it hard and low past Luis Robles. It was a particularly dismal sequence for Reyes, who first was late to close the space and second failed to step to Wagner\u2019s blast, screening his own keeper instead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Possession-happy Inter Miami charged back after the goal, controlling possession for the first half-hour and looking the crisper club from a passing standpoint. However, as has become a theme, the final ball was lacking. Even when it came, chances were squandered. <\/span><\/p>\n

The best of those may have been when Julian Carranza had a good chance from six yards\u00a0 in the 23rd minute, but only managed to wrap half his foot around the ball, allowing Andre Blake to poke it out for a corner in traffic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Union put together another outstanding chance in the 27th minute. Philadelphia looked to have made it 2-0 when a delicious Brenden Aaronsen ball found Kacper Przybylko beat Robles to his right. But, the goal was waved offside late, allowing Inter Miami to limp to the hydration back only down a goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Dream start for @PhilaUnion<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Kai Wagner strikes from distance. \ud83d\udca5 #PHIvMIA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7aYbC0npu4<\/a><\/p>\n

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n