Philadelphia Union produced a devastating late surge at Snapdragon Stadium, crushing San Diego FC 5-0 on Sunday night behind a brilliant Cavan Sullivan brace.

For much of the first half, San Diego controlled the ball and pushed forward in front of their home supporters. The hosts finished with 58.5 percent possession and won 11 corners, but Philadelphia were sharper in both penalty areas and far more clinical whenever openings appeared.

The breakthrough arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. Cavan Sullivan put Philadelphia ahead in the 45+5th minute, turning the momentum of the match just before the interval and sending the Union into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead.

San Diego attempted to respond after the restart, but Philadelphia’s compact defensive work and direct attacking approach steadily took control. Sullivan struck again in the 61st minute to double the visitors’ advantage, completing his brace and leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.

The Union did not let up. Bruno Damiani made it 3-0 in the 67th minute, adding a deserved goal to an increasingly dominant away performance. Philadelphia generated 21 shots and recorded five efforts on target, making every one count on a night when their efficiency was merciless.

San Diego’s difficult evening worsened in the 87th minute, when Aníbal Godoy turned the ball into his own net for Philadelphia’s fourth. Substitute Malik Jakupovic completed the rout in the 90+4th minute, putting the final flourish on an emphatic Union display.

The result lifts Philadelphia’s record to 9-6-10, while San Diego fall to 8-6-11 after a fixture in which their possession and set-piece pressure never translated into a goal. Philadelphia next face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, September 19, while San Diego will look to respond against Inter Miami CF on Sunday, September 20.

Goal scorers

  • Philadelphia Union: Cavan Sullivan (45+5′, 61′)
  • Philadelphia Union: Bruno Damiani (67′)
  • Philadelphia Union: Aníbal Godoy own goal (87′)
  • Philadelphia Union: Malik Jakupovic (90+4′)