A three-goal second half lifted the Philadelphia Union to their second consecutive victory.
After a dismal start to the 2017 season, the Union appears to be back in business as they claimed their second consecutive victory, with a 4-0 thrashing of DC United.
It was a dominant performance from the away side as they came into RFK Stadium on Saturday with only one away point thus far. They grabbed the lead in the 39th minute when Haris Medunjanin scored his first goal for the Union with a belter from outside the 18 that was too hot for Bill Hamid to handle.
Haris Medunjanin from distance!@PhilaUnion goes up 1-0 in DC. #DCvPHI https://t.co/MuYKfbadOF
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 13, 2017
At the half, the away side was unlucky not to be up two goals. However, the floodgates would open in the second half. It all started when Luciano Acosta had a moment of frustration, which resulted in a red card for a rash challenge on Ilsinho. As a result, DC United would play a man down for more than a half-hour of play.
The Union took full advantage of the opportunity and Oguchi Onyewu headed home a corner shortly after the red card to double the advantage. The goal was the first for Onyewu in the MLS.
Oguchi Onyewu knows how to celebrate! The birthday boy puts his squad up 2-0 on the road. #DCvPHI https://t.co/fcwZ56OQ4z
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2017
Fabrice-Jean Picault would make it 3-0 in the 78th minute as he curled in a beauty for his first goal with the club.
...and another! The @PhilaUnion keeps the momentum going on the road tonight. #DCvPHI https://t.co/UGOSSe1jIu
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2017
Fabian Herbers would score a wonder goal of his own in the 88th minute to put the icing on the cake for the Union as they leave the nation’s capital with all three points.
4-0. What a night for the @PhilaUnion. #DCvPHI https://t.co/TtVo4euzA8
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2017
Union hitting finding their stride
Medunjanin turned in a massive performance with two assists and one goal. He was by far the man of the match and was a huge part of the movement of the offense throughout the night.
With the next two matches at home, the Union has a chance to make a further dent in the Eastern Conference Standings as their four-match unbeaten run is slowly taking them out of the bottom of the table.
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This can only be an encouragement for a side that has struggled in recent times. The offense is clicking and Andre Blake has not allowed a goal in three consecutive matches as the defense has been doing its job to help get results.