Philadelphia Union secure third spot in Eastern Conference semifinals

Philadelphia Union faced the New England Revolution in the second test of the best-of-three series at Gillette Stadium with the home side needing a win to send everything to game 3, but fell to a late goal with the visitors now progressing to the next stage of the 2023 MLS Playoffs.

After losing in Game 1 (a 3-1 defeat at Subaru Park), the Revolution had to avoid defeat no matter what and with the game appearing destined to be resolved from the penalty spot, a goal from Chris Donovan in the 79th minute saw the Union win and advance with the Revs turbulent 2023 season grinding to a halt.

New England faced an uphill task with Canadian Mark-Anthony Kaye sent off in the 45th minute for a stamp on Dániel Gazdag’s stomach, with the incident being reviewed by VAR. The red card caused indignation from the Revs midfielder, but the aggression was clear and the player was correctly dismissed.

Philadelphia to face Cincinnati in the East

With FC Cincinnati and Orlando City looking like the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Union do have recent experience at negotiating the playoffs having reached the final of the MLS Cup 2022. Jim Curtin’s men now face top seed Cincy away with the winner from the final first round clash between Columbus and Atlanta (which has goner to three games) set to play Orlando in the next round.

New England Revolution

• 36 Earl Ewwards
• 4 Frederick Henry Kessler
• 24 DeJuan Jones (88')
• 2 David Romney
• 88 Andrew Farrell (82')
• 29 Noel Buck
• 5 Tomás Chancalay
• 28 Mark-Anthony Kaye
• 10 Carles Gil
• 8 Matt Polster
• 7 Bou (81')
• Substitutes
• 14 Ian Harkes
• 98 Jacob Jackson
• 9 Giacomo Vrioni
• 26 Thomas McNamara (81')
• 17 Bobby Wood (82')
• 44 Ben Sweat
• 47 Esmir Bajraktarevic
• 18 Emmanuel Boateng (88')
• 3 Omar González

Philadelphia Union

• 18 Andre Blake
• 17 Damion Lowe
• 26 Nathan Harriel
• 3 Jack Elliott
• 15 Olivier Mbaizo
• 8 Jose Martinez (67')
• 10 Daniel Gazdag
• 11 Bedoya
• 16 Jack McGlynn (81')
• 7 Mikkel Uhre (66')
• 33 Quinn Sullivan (81')
• Substitutes
• 19 Joaquín Torres (67')
• 29 Olwethu Makhanya
• 20 Jesús Bueno (81')
• 31 Leon Flach (81')
• 25 Chris Donovan (66')
• 14 Jeremy Rafanello
• 12 Joe Bendik
• 2 Matthew Real

Substitutions

Chris Donovan (66', Mikael Uhre), Joaquín Torres (67', José Martínez), Tommy McNamara (81', Gustavo Bou), Leon Flach (81', Jack McGlynn), Jesús Bueno (81', Quinn Sullivan), Bobby Wood (82', Andrew Farrell), Emmanuel Boateng (88', DeJuan Jones)

Goals

0-1, 78': Chris Donovan

Cards

Referee: Drew Fischer
VAR Referee: Daniel Radford, TJ Zablocki
Damion Lowe (32',Yellow) Mark-Anthony Kaye (44',Red) Carles Gil (93',Yellow) Olivier Mbaizo (93',Yellow)