LAFC 3, Philadelphia Union 3 | 2020 MLS Match Recap

The final game of Week 2 saw LAFC and the Philadelphia Union repeatedly trade stunning goals Sunday night at Banc of California Stadium in a 3-3 draw. The Union took the lead on three occasions, but the hosts quickly equalized each time to ignite the back-and-forth affair. 

The scoring began in the 29th minute when Union striker Sergio Santos sent a left-footed shot to the far corner past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer. The free-kick party then started, as Carlos Vela sent a left-footed shot over the wall in the 38th minute that evaded Andre Blake to make it 1-1.

Philadelphia center back Jakob Glesnes then one-upped Vela’s free kick with a 40-yard blast from a dead-ball situation. But LAFC quickly made it 2-2 in the 49th minute via Diego Rossi, who deftly curled a right-footed shot to the far post to cap off a wild 20-minute stretch. Glesnes and Rossi's goals were just 69 seconds apart.

The Union again retook the lead in the 69th minute, this time via Homegrown midfielder Brenden Aaronson after he collected Santos’ squared pass from a dozen yards out. Following the night’s rollercoaster-like pattern, LAFC again drew level in the 71st minute, this time via LAFC center back Eddie Segura. His deflected effort ricocheted in following a scramble from a corner kick.

The offensive outburst carried beyond the goals, with Blake recording eight saves. Rossi also had two goals called back for being offside, making it four such instances for the Uruguayan winger through two games. Glesnes hit the crossbar on a header in the 67th minute, denying the Norwegian a brace during his second MLS match.

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Goals

• 29' – PHI – Sergio Santos | WATCH
• 38' – LAFC – Carlos Vela | WATCH
• 48' – PHI – Jakob Glesnes | WATCH
• 49' – LAFC – Diego Rossi | WATCH
• 69' – PHI – Brenden Aaronson | WATCH
• 71' – LAFC – Eddie Segura | WATCH

Three Things

• THE BIG PICTURE: Amid all the craziness, the fact remains that LAFC leaked three goals at home heading into their Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal series with Liga MX side Cruz Azul. On the other hand, they also showed an ability to come back not once, not twice, but three times. Full credit also goes to Philadelphia for going blow-for-blow with the defending Supporters’ Shield champions. They executed their game plan to near perfection during an inspired road performance.
• MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Jakob Glesnes, my word. Most center backs sky the 40-yard free kick he attempted, but his howitzer was on a laser-beamed mission to the LAFC net.
• MAN OF THE MATCH: Sure, Andre Blake allowed three goals. But he also repeatedly put his body on the line and finished with eight saves. The Jamaican goalkeeper also came up clutch deep into second-half stoppage time to rob Brian Rodriguez of a golden opportunity. 

Next Up

• LAFC: Thursday, March 12 vs. Cruz Azul (10:30 pm ET | FS2, TUDN) | Concacaf Champions League
• PHI: Saturday, March 14 vs. San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada) | MLS