MLS Playoffs Game Thread: Philadelphia Union 0 vs New England Revolution 2, First Half

Top seeded Philadelphia Union open the Audi 2020 MLS Cup playoffs against a team they have played plenty of times this season

Game Updates:

45+1’ - We just have 1 minute of stoppage time here in the first half.

45’ - Nice transition by the U earns them a corner kick. However the swing to the near post is cleared by the Revs.

43’ - Wagner tries to push the ball forward to Monteiro, who was offsides.

41’ - Welp we got a nice flair up on the pitch.

40’ - Martinez earns a free kick near the edge of the center circle. Union now showing some energy but it is stopped when Bedoya is called for offsides.

Side Note: What an UPSET in the Toronto/Nashville game with Nashville picking up the W and sending TFC back to Canada.

36’ - Kacper Przybylko, with a new sense of energy, commits a hard tackle and enters the ref’s book with a Yellow Card.

36’ - Ball floated into the box and Kacper Przybylko gets a head on it but it is saved.

31’ - First 30 minutes of this fame the Union have had zero shots on target and are lacking in the possession game. Not at a season worse but not one of their best this season, they are sitting at 47%. Also out of their two crosses so far in this match, zero Union players have been on the receiving end.

30’ - U’s backline continues to look sloppy Buchanan completely unmarked dribbles into the box dribbles into the box and hammers it to the back of the net. Revs 2-0.

28’ - Union with a corner from the right side sends it in, but it gets cleared out.

25’ - Revs with a free kick from the right flank and lofts it into the center of the box, where Buksa heads it home. Revs up 1-0

23’ - Quick look at the Out of Town Scoreboard... Nashville just scored to make it 1-0 in the 107’

22’ - Union pushing forward Santos tries to cross it into the box from the right flank but it is easily handled by the Revs.

20’ - Bou shoots from the top center of the box and splices it right, just like any of my golf swings.

18’ - Kessler is having a meeting with the Ref. Arena feels like the game should just continue and Pryzbylko is down on the pitch and holding his arm.

16’ - Martinez who was diving to get a head on the ball gets kicked in the head and the ball is now a corner for the Revs. Swins in from the right side of the net and is cleared by the Union.

13’ - Lazy and almost costly turnover by Martinez. Bou’s shot is deflected and slowly goes across the front of the net.

12’ - Gaddis with a slide tackle to give New England their first corner of the game. Service will be from the left side. Swings into the center of the box and is easily cleared by the Union.

5’- Aaronson down the right flank delivers a bouncing ball to Monteiro, who misses the shot.

3’ - Union, who are wearing the blue kits, are defending the river end here in the first half. Early attacks have gone up the left side of the field.

1’ - Playoff soccer gets underway in Chester with Kickoff happening at 8:16.

Starting Lineups:

Philadelphia Union:

New England Revolution:

Availability:

Union:
OUT: Jack de Vries (M) - concussion protocol

Revolution:
OUT: Luis Caicedo (M) - right knee injury
OUT: Cristian Penilla (F) - left foot fracture

How to Watch

Where: Subaru Park – Chester
When: 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 24th
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Streaming: ESPN App, fuboTV*
* BrotherlyGame has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though BrotherlyGame and SB Nation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Officials

Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Adam Wienckowski
Fourth Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: David Gantar