Sergio Santos scores late equalizer; Union earn point on the road playing one man down
CHESTER, Pa. – In their second meeting this season, the Philadelphia Union took on rival New York Red Bulls away at Red Bull Arena on Thursday, July 8. In their first match of the season (May 15), the Union took three points behind an early goal from Cory Burke to win 1-0. This time around, the Boys in Blue walked away with a point after a 1-1 draw. The Union held the slight lead in possession with 54% but were outshot by New York Red Bulls 6-7. Matt Freese got his first start of the season in Andre Blake’s absence and came up with a big save in the 19th minute when he was left one-on-one with Patryk Klimala but was shown a red card in the second half for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. New York was awarded a penalty that Klimala would put away to take the lead. While playing down a man, the Union still managed to control possession for long stretches as they looked for an equalizer. The moment came in the 85th minute when Olivier Mbazio crossed the ball to Sergio Santos who scored on a well-placed header. It was Santos’ second goal of the MLS season and Mbazio’s first assist. With the draw, the Union now have 20 points and remain in third place in the Eastern Conference.
The Union are home at Subaru Park on Saturday, July 17, where they will face rivals D.C. United. (7:30 p.m. ET / PH17).
Philadelphia Union 1 – New York Red Bulls 1
Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)
Thursday, July 8, 2021
TODAY’S MATCH INFO
Referee: Victor Rivas
Assistant Referees: Eric Weisbrod, Jeffrey Greeson
Fourth Official: Joshua Encarnación
VAR: Daniel Radford
Ast. VAR: Brian Dunn
GOALS/ASSISTS
RBNY – Klimala (PEN) 60’
PHI – Santos (Mbazio) 85’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
PHI – Mbazio (caution) 42’
RBNY – Yearwood (caution) 45+2’
PHI – Freese (ejection) 60’
PHI – Monteiro (caution) 90+7’
RBNY – Duncan (caution) 90+7
LINEUP
Philadelphia Union: Matt Freese; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Jose Martinez, Leon Flach ( Sergio Santos 73’), Alejandro Bedoya, Jamiro Monteiro; Kacper Przybylko, Daniel Gazdag (Joe Bendik 59’)
Substitutes not used: Matt Real, Nathan Harriel, Stuart Findlay, Aurelien Collin, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, Paxten Aaronson
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel; Amro Tarek (Mandela Egbo 78’), Thomas Edwards, Kyle Duncan, John Tolkin (Jason Pendant 88’); Sean Davis, Dru Yearwood (Frankie Amaya 51’), Cristian Casseres, Wiki Carmona (Omir Fernandez 78’) ; Fabio, Patryk Klimala (Tom Barlow 88’)
Substitutes not used: Ryan Meara; Cameron Harper, Ryan Meara, Florian Valot
TEAM NOTES
This is the second time this season the Union would score after the 80th minute to earn at least a point.
The Union are now undefeated against the New York Red Bulls in the last five meetings.
Forward Sergio Santos scored his second goal of the MLS season for the equalizer while they Union were playing a man down.
Defender Olivier Mbazio registered his first assist of the 2021 MLS regular season.
Homegrown Matt Freese made his first start for Philadelphia Union in 2021. The start was the seventh of his MLS career.
Defender Jakob Glesnes made his 30th career start for Philadelphia Union.
Midfielder Daniel Gazdag made his second consecutive start.
Midfielder Jose Martinez returned to the Starting XI for his 20th start and first since May 30th.
Goalkeeper Joe Bendik made his first appearance for the Union this season when he was subbed on in the 59th minute.
With a yellow card in extra time, Monteiro will miss the Union’s next match.
The Union are home at Subaru Park on Saturday, July 17, where they will face D.C. United. (7:30 p.m. ET / PH17).
