Cavan Sullivan’s brace leads Philadelphia Union to a 5-0 win

Philadelphia turn five shots on target into a 5-0 win

Philadelphia Union defeated San Diego 5-0 at Snapdragon Stadium, earning a decisive Major League Soccer victory in Regular Season Round 25. The Union led 1-0 at half-time and finished the match with five different scoring moments, while San Diego could not convert its pressure into a goal.

Sullivan strikes before and after the interval

Cavan Sullivan opened the scoring in the 45th minute, with Indiana Vassilev providing the assist. The same combination produced Philadelphia’s second goal in the 61st minute, when Sullivan scored again. Sullivan completed his 77 minutes with two goals, two shots on target, one key pass and three tackles, earning a match rating of 9.5.

Philadelphia extended the lead six minutes later. Bruno Damiani scored in the 67th minute after an assist from Francis Westfield. Aníbal Godoy was credited with an own goal in the 87th minute, and Malik Jakupovic completed the scoring in the 90th minute.

Possession belonged to San Diego, but chances favoured Philadelphia

The scoreline did not reflect San Diego’s share of the ball. The home side held 58% possession, completed 467 accurate passes from 552 attempts and won 11 corners. Philadelphia had 42% possession and completed 320 accurate passes from 397 attempts.

Philadelphia were more direct and more productive in front of goal. The Union recorded 21 total shots to San Diego’s 10, including 13 shots inside the box compared with nine. Both teams managed five shots on target, but Philadelphia’s finishing produced five goals while San Diego’s efforts were saved or missed. Andre Blake made five saves for the Union, while San Diego’s goalkeeper made one.

Cards and changes shape the second half

Bruno Damiani received Philadelphia’s first yellow card in the 27th minute. Alejandro Alvarado Jr and Neil Pierre were booked in the 45th minute, while Oscar Verhoeven saw yellow in the 90th. Neither team received a red card.

San Diego made three substitutions in the 60th minute, bringing on David Vazquez, Aníbal Godoy and Cédric Bakambu. Bryan Zamblé followed in the 73rd minute. Philadelphia replaced Vassilev in the 70th minute and Sullivan in the 77th, with Quinn Sullivan and Jesus Bueno entering.

Union end losing run and strengthen position

Philadelphia entered the round ninth in the Eastern Conference with 30 points from 24 matches, while San Diego were ninth in the Western Conference with the same total. The result gives Philadelphia 33 points after 25 games, while San Diego remain on 30. It also ends Philadelphia’s run of five consecutive losses in the supplied pre-match form, whereas San Diego now have three straight defeats after their latest two listed results were losses.