Balanced scoring helps Union roll past slumping NYCFC

Field Level Media|published: Wed 18th September, 22:17 2024

MLS: Philadelphia Union at New York City FC

Sep 18, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Agustin Ojeda (26) battles for a header against Philadelphia Union defender Olivier Mbaizo (15) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Tai Baribo recorded one goal and one assist to help the Philadelphia Union roll to a pivotal 5-1 victory over host New York City FC on Wednesday night.

Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag also scored first-half goals and Jakob Glesnes and Jesus Bueno added goals in the second half for the Union (8-12-9, 33 points).

Philadelphia improved to 5-5-5 on the road and moved into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

Alonso Martinez scored a goal for slumping New York City FC, who are winless over their past eight MLS matches (0-3-5). NYCFC (11-11-7, 40 points) dropped into sixth place in the East.

Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick made seven saves. Rick started for the second straight match in place of standout Andre Blake (groin).

NYCFC's Matt Freese had two saves.

NYCFC outshout the Union 26-12 and put nine shots on target to Philadelphia's seven.

The Union struck first in the 15th minute. Baribo flicked a header off the hands of Freese and into the net. It was his sixth goal in the past seven MLS matches and eighth of the season.

Ten minutes later, the Union took a 2-0 lead after NYCFC turned the ball over in their own end. Baribo passed the ball to Uhre, who knocked a right footer into the right corner of the net for his ninth goal of the season.

Philadelphia tallied again in the 32nd minute. Baribo sent in a header that Freese dropped. Gazdag was standing there to tap in his 15th goal of the season.

NYCFC scored in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Martinez made a run. Kevin O'Toole's cross was on the mark and Martinez knocked in a right footer for his 12th goal of the season.

New York had a major opportunity in the 62nd minute and Keaton Parks got his shot past Rick but it caromed off the left goalpost.

That proved extra costly for NYCFC. Philadelphia scored off a corner kick in the 74th minute. Kai Wagner sent a cross toward the front of the net and Glesnes charged forward into the stack of New York defenders and headed the ball into the net to make it 4-1.

Bueno tacked on a left-footed blast past Freese in the 85th minute. The goal was Bueno's third of the season.

--Field Level Media