Left with 10 men for most of the game, Philadelphia Union managed to survive thanks to goalkeeper Andre Blake as his two penalty saves, as he helped his team beat Mazatlan FC 4-3 in shots from 12 yards after a 1-1 90-minute draw to advance to the Leagues Cup semifinals for a second straight year.
It was not easy, but what game is. It all started with possessions on both sides of the pitch, but it was Mazatlan FC who created the first two real chances, when Ramiro Arciga from the right side of the box and Alonso Escoboza from the left delivered shots that were saved by Andre Blake. However, the unexpected came near the end of the first half.
Tai Baribo, who had been a scoring machine in the tournament, saw two yellow cards after offensive fouls on Roberto Meraz and he was sent off one minute into stoppage time leaving the home team with 10 men.
Despite that, the Union managed to create danger and score a goal even in disadvantage. Mikael Uhre received a ball on the left and entered the box and while the goalkeeper was getting near, he chipped it to the far post to put the score 1-0 just before the halfway point of the game.
But the Cañoneros took control and in the 59th minute they tied it up on a set piece from outside the box; an open Arciga received the ball on the right and delivered a cross that Escoboza connected strongly with his head to get the equalizer.
Mazatlan had chances down the stretch, but Blake saved them all and as the 1-1 tie prevailed at the end of regulation, a round of penalty kicks was needed to determine a winner, and the three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year had quite the performance.
Andre Blake started the penalty shootout by saving Josue Colman’s shot and then once again his experience and talent was shown by saving a second penalty kick after an Eduardo Torres try. Samuel Adeniran missed his shot giving Mazatlan life, but Jesús Bueno scored the last penalty for the Union to win it 4-3
Philadelphia Union head coach, Jim Curtin, acknowledged the work his team did but also the game plan of their rival. “We didn’t start the game the right way, I talked about it all week, I hate that we understatement them a bit but there a good team, they are really tough to break down, they are organized, they’re well coached, their coach is a legend, he’s coached in a lot of big places,” he said about Mazatlan and head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich.
“The group showed heart, character, whatever word you want to use, guts, passion, but we survived and advanced and we have the best goalkeeper in our league,” he added visibly happy about his team’s end result.
After another thrilling ending to a game, Philadelphia Union will face Columbus Crew for a chance to reach the final of the most important North American tournament, the Leagues Cup.
