On Sunday night the Philadelphia Union earned their third victory on the road this season with a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in a late start. The time difference posed no problems for the Union as they controlled the game from early on with a bicycle kick goal by Daniel Gazdag in the 5th minute. Sergio Santos scored in the 48th minute to provide a much-needed cushion, and they were finally able to close out a game and notch the three points to stay in first. The team recorded 12 shots and four on goal in the winning effort in their 13th game this season.
Philadelphia now has as many wins at home as they do on the road with three. They have scored 10 goals, two more than they have tallied at Subaru Park. The Boys in Blue won their first two road games of the season including a 2-0 victory at NYCFC for their first-ever win at Yankee Stadium. It felt great to see the Union finally defeat NYC on the dreaded baseball field and register a shutout on top of the three points.
The team’s most impressive road result came in their exciting 2-2 tie against LAFC, the best team in MLS with 26 points and a league-high 2.00 goals per game. The Union actually led twice in this match but unfortunately squandered the lead on both occasions which led to the draw. Philadelphia has fared well against LAFC in the past which is something to be proud of.
With a road record of 3-1-2, Philly has one of the best away records in the league. Considering the team mightily struggled on the road in the past few seasons, the team’s success away from home is something you just love to see. The Union’s downfall in years past was always road games, and they could never get over the hump of securing at least a point in those games.
This season has been a fresh of breath air with the squad’s dominance on the road for the first time in a while. If they can continue to show why they’re a force to be reckoned with both at home and on the road, Jim Curtin‘s squad will be primed for yet another deep playoff run. The Union will be back in action on Saturday when they are set to face the New England Revolution on the road.
"Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation"
