Philadelphia Union 3-2 Atlanta United FC
Philadelphia Union completed a breathtaking stoppage-time comeback to defeat 10-man Atlanta United FC 3-2 at Subaru Park on Saturday night, turning a match that appeared lost into one of the most dramatic wins of their MLS campaign.
Atlanta had played with a numerical disadvantage from the 26th minute, when Enea Mihaj was shown a red card, but the visitors nonetheless took control of the scoreboard. Miguel Almirón put Atlanta ahead in the 30th minute, giving the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead despite Philadelphia’s territorial dominance.
The Union continued to press after the interval, yet Atlanta struck again against the run of play through Tristan Muyumba in the 66th minute. Philadelphia finally found a route back into the fixture when Milan Iloski scored in the 73rd minute, but time appeared to be running out for the hosts.
Then came a remarkable finale. Centre-back Neil Pierre headed in Philadelphia’s equaliser in the 90+6th minute, setting up a frantic final push. One minute later, Ezekiel Alladoh delivered the decisive moment, volleying home in the 90+7th minute to send Subaru Park into celebration and seal a 3-2 victory.
The statistics underlined Philadelphia’s command of the pitch: the Union held 70.9 percent possession, outshot Atlanta 30-4, put six efforts on target and won 12 corners. Atlanta, who had only two shots on target, were punished at last for the sustained pressure they had absorbed after Mihaj’s dismissal.
Almirón’s 30th-minute goal and Muyumba’s 66th-minute finish had put Atlanta within touching distance of a much-needed result, but Philadelphia’s late surge ensured the points stayed in Chester. Iloski’s 73rd-minute goal began the fightback before Pierre and Alladoh supplied a finish that will live long in Union supporters’ memories.
