{"id":39530,"date":"2021-12-05T22:20:29","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T03:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=39530"},"modified":"2021-12-05T22:20:29","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T03:20:29","slug":"last-minute-winner-nycfc-mlscup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2021\/12\/05\/last-minute-winner-nycfc-mlscup\/","title":{"rendered":"Last minute winner sends NYCFC to MLS Cup Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHESTER, PA – <\/b>Sunday afternoon, Philadelphia Union and NYCFC faced off in an Eastern Conference Finals matchup rife with suspensions, injuries, and players in COVID Protocol.<\/a> With Philadelphia missing eight players including their starting defensive line and NYCFC without MLS Golden Boot Winner Valent\u00edn Castellanos it would be a tightly contested first half which saw no goals for either side. An own goal to open the second half from NYCFC was quickly canceled out by a Maxi Morales goal tying things at 1-1. But it would be NYCFC\u2019s Talles Magno in the 88-minute to break Union fans’ hearts and send NYCFC to the MLS Cup final in a 2-1 victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last minute winner sends NYCFC to MLS Cup Final<\/h3>\n

First Half:<\/h4>\n

For a Philadelphia backline that was missing all of its regular starters, the first half was marked by solid defensive stands for both sides. The first shot on goal came in the 12-minute on a Jack McGlynn free kick from distance which Sean Johnson comfortably shuffled toward and caught.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next best opportunity for either team really wouldn’t come until the 31-minute when Olivier Mbaizo worked his when in behind NYCFC defense. Charging down the sideline, Mbaizo played a dangerous ball into the near post which was just cleared away by Alexander Callens.<\/span><\/p>\n

NYCFC\u2019s best chance of the first half came on a 36-minute free kick played in by Jes\u00fas Medina finding Callens in the box for a header just high and wide of the goal frame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This prompted a 37-minute counter-attack from Philadelphia after McGlynn in the midfield pushed a ball ahead for Jamiro Monteiro. Monteiro played a well-executed bending pass behind NYCFC\u2019s defense for a sliding shot on goal from Kacper Przybylko, covered well by Johnson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Half:<\/h4>\n

The Union would come out fast in the second half, marching down the field in the 46-minute behind D\u00e1niel Gazdag who dribbled into the box and laid off for Flach, slamming it with the outside of his left foot and forcing a sharp save out of Johnson.<\/span><\/p>\n

NYCFC would find themselves on the attack in the 55-minute as Malte Amundsen on the left-wing flew a ball into the box for striker H\u00e9ber. The Brazilian was able to drop it off to Moralez who sent a one-touch pass to Medina at the top of the box but a weak shot was easily saved by Matt Freese.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winning back possession and working the ball with some good passing in the midfield, Moralez again picks out Amundsen on the left-wing outside the box who hits a shot just over the crossbar in the 57-minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

A triple substitution in the 58-minute for NYCFC which included Gudmundur Th\u00f3rarinsson for Amundsen, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi for Medina, and Magno for H\u00e9ber saw Philadelphia manage an excellent scoring opportunity in the 63-minute.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Gazdag ball from deep out was placed over NYCFC\u2019s backline and subsequently tapped in by Callens who was pressured by Przybylko, putting Philadelphia up 1-0 on the own goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\ud83d\ude24\ud83d\ude24\ud83d\ude24\ud83d\ude24#DOOP<\/a> | #PHIvNYC<\/a> 1 – 0 pic.twitter.com\/6MgbGYruRC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) December 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n