A two-goal night for Daniel Gazdag and two assists from 20-year-old Quinn Sullivan powered the Philadelphia Union over D.C. United 4-0 on Sunday night in Chester, Pa.
With the victory, the Union moved back into ninth place — the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference — with four matches remaining.
Sullivan got the Philadelphia (9-12-9, 36 points) scoring started in the 13th minute by splitting two defenders on the right sideline and running around another to draw in the defense and send a pass across the face of the goal. On the other end was Mikael Uhre, who stood undefended for an easy tap-in.
Less than three minutes later, Philadelphia sent in another cross that D.C. (8-13-9, 33 points) initially cut off, but Gazdag sprinted into the box to intercept the subsequent loose ball, shooting from the right side of the 18-yard box into the left-side netting.
In the second half, Sullivan picked up a second assist in the 51st minute when the young winger received a pass under pressure, broke away and ran to the endline. Sullivan sent a cross that Tai Baribo headed into the back of the net, giving Philadelphia a three-goal lead.
Gazdag’s second goal came when the match was already heavily in the home side’s favor. In the 69th minute, an errant back pass by D.C. United landed at the feet of Baribo, who found a wide-open Gazdag for his second goal of the night and 17th of the season.
Defensively, the Union did well to neutralize the play of D.C. striker Christian Benteke, who entered the match leading the league with 19 goals scored. Benteke had two shots on goal with the Philadelphia defense putting multiple defenders on the goal-scorer all night.
Adding to the positives for the Union was the return of goalkeeper Andre Blake. The three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year made his ninth appearance of the season after missing the past two matches with a right leg injury. Blake was key in the victory, saving all five D.C. United shots on goal.
Also returning for Philadelphia was 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan, who entered in the 88th minute. In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Sullivan almost scored his first MLS goal, shooting just over the crossbar.
–Field Level Media
