First Half Review
The Union’s press seemed to create problems for City early on, but the away side grew into the game as the half progressed. NYCFC created a slew of chances starting in the 25th minute when Keaton Parks slipped a ball through to Agustin Ojeda, only for the Argentine to curl his shot off the post.
NYCFC found their breakthrough in the 36th minute, when Nicolas Fernández ran into the Union box down the left side. Although Andre Blake saved his close-range shot, he could only parry it into the path of a wide-open Hannes Wolf, who smashed the ball home from close range.
Second Half Review
The Union came out stronger in the second half, particularly after Ben Bender and Stas Korzeniowski entered the pitch in the 59th minute. Bender and Milan Iloski combined to flick Korzeniowski in behind in the 60th minute, only for Matt Freese to come up with a big save.
The Union had another big chance in the 66th minute when a chip from Danley bounced through some bodies to find Nathan Harriel in the box, but the defender could only sky his left-footed volley. The game was then stopped for several minutes of VAR review on a potential penalty on Jovan Lukic, but ultimately referee Chris Penso declined to award a penalty.
In the 75th minute a quick corner to Bender allowed the makeshift left-back to pick out the head of Korzeniowski, who flicked his header off the post.
The Union finally found their equalizer just before stoppage time, when Thiago Martins dragged down Korzeniowski in the box. This time Chris Penso pointed to the spot, and Indiana Vassilev calmly slotted home the penalty.
However, it wasn’t to be Philly’s night, as the Union repeatedly shot themselves in the foot during the ten minutes of stoppage time. First Olwethu Makhanya was sent off for a second yellow for dissent in the 92nd minute. Then, with just seconds left in the match, Tayvon Gray fought past his man to get his head on an Ojeda cross, firing past Blake for the match winner.