MLS: Top 5 performances from Week 26
By Matt Coles
3. Philadelphia Union
The only non-player performance on our list goes to the Philadelphia Union, who downed Atlanta United in what was a first-vs-second clash at the top of the Eastern Conference. Both sides came into the game knowing a victory would put them in the driving seat ahead of the final few games of the regular season.
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The hosts that took the victory thanks to three second-half goals that turned the game around after Atlanta led at half-time. They also managed to do so despite Josef Martinez scoring in an MLS-record 13th consecutive match.
18-year-old Brenden Aaronson equalised halfway through the second stanza, receiving a lovely lofted pass from Harris Medunjanin, before Kacper Przybylko scored the winner just four minutes from time. The striker then set up the insurance goal a couple of minutes later, Sergio Santos making it 3-1.
With the victory, and Orlando’s defeat, the Union have booked their place in the playoffs. They now sit three points ahead of Atlanta, but only a point clear of second-place New York City FC, who themselves clinched a postseason place. Both sides have games in hand on the Union, but with more performances like that from the Pennsylvania side over their last five matches, could Philadelphia be on the road to a first major trophy?