The 2023 MLS regular season is officially underway. The Philadelphia Union are back and looking to make another run at the MLS Cup. On a night that saw temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, your 2022 Eastern Conference Champions took to the pitch at Subaru Park. The energy the crowd brought quickly made you forget about the cold. The Union remain unbeaten at home.
No So Pretty But Effective
Some sloppy play early in the first half was capped off by a Jakub Glesnes own goal in the 27th minute. Columbus had solid pressure on the attack to open the game. They had Philadelphia playing on their heels a bit in the early going. A handball in the box in the added time at the end of the first half gave the Union a chance to draw even before the halftime whistle. With Daniel Gazdag on the spot, it was a guaranteed goal to open the scoring slate for 2023.
The second half opened with a good amount of pressure going forward for the Union. The adjustments were made and they paid off in the 52nd minute. Alejandro Bedoya found Julian Carranza to make it a 2-1 Union lead. A handball in the box off a shot from Leon Flach in the 66th minute gave Gazdag a chance to once again do some damage from the spot. His second goal of the night made it 3-1 Union.
Newly acquired Joaquin Torres made his first appearance for the Union in the 78th minute, subbing in for Mikael Uhre. He immediately made his presence felt with a nice spin move. This was followed by an amazing through ball to find Carranza for his second goal of the night. This was Torres’ first point as a member of the Union. The final whistle blew on the match with the Union wrapping up three points to open the year in a 4-1 victory. This allowed the union to remain unbeaten at home.
Austin is the host of The Attacking Third (Tuesday nights at 9 pm). His passion for soccer started in the early 2000s because of his brother and father’s influence. He is a dedicated fan of all Philly sports and also is a fan of gaming.
