Philadelphia Union’s 19 Shots Deliver a 3-1 Win Over New York Red Bulls

Philadelphia Union defeated New York Red Bulls 3-1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, with a three-goal performance carrying them to victory despite New York enjoying the larger share of possession. The result came in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 22, leaving New York eighth in the Eastern Conference on 26 points and Philadelphia 12th on 24 points, both after 22 matches.

Philadelphia take control before the break

The visitors opened the scoring in the 20th minute through M. Iloski, who finished a move assisted by I. Vassilev. New York went into half-time trailing 1-0, despite operating in a 4-2-3-1 formation and completing more passes during the match.

Philadelphia extended their advantage five minutes after the restart. C. Sullivan scored in the 50th minute, with D. Jean Jacques providing the assist. Sullivan was the standout performer by match rating, earning an 8.3 after playing 80 minutes. His contribution included one goal, one shot on target and three key passes.

Union add a third before late response

The decisive third goal arrived in the 64th minute when N. Pierre converted from an assist by B. Damiani. Philadelphia made a change in the same minute, sending Q. Sullivan on for I. Vassilev, while New York later introduced J. Marshall-Rutty, C. Harper and M. Sofo in the 67th minute. M. Sofo replaced E. Forsberg, and the attacking changes helped produce a response.

E. M. Choupo-Moting pulled one back for New York in the 74th minute, scoring from M. Sofo’s assist. Choupo-Moting had entered at half-time for J. Ruvalcaba and finished with a 7.5 rating, one shot on target and the home side’s only goal. The late effort, however, did not lead to a further recovery. R. Donkor was booked for New York in the 79th minute, while A. Anello and F. Westfield received Philadelphia’s yellow cards in the 90th. A. Anello had replaced B. Damiani in the 80th minute.

Possession did not translate into the result

New York held 59% possession and completed 444 passes with an 81% accuracy rate, compared with Philadelphia’s 41% possession, 314 passes and 71% accuracy. The shot numbers pointed in the opposite direction: Philadelphia recorded 19 total shots to New York’s 11, seven shots on target to four, and an expected-goals figure of 2.89 to 1.81. The Union also won the corner count 7-4, giving their victory a stronger attacking statistical base despite having less of the ball.

The defeat leaves New York’s recent form ending with a loss, while Philadelphia’s latest listed result is a win. Philadelphia’s victory narrows the gap to two points in the standings, although New York remain above the Union after Round 22.