Philadelphia Union hit NYCFC with stunning second-half blitz to reach MLS Cup

Three goals in 11 minutes turned the game on its head

After a 34-game regular season and three rounds of single-elimination playoff matches, the league’s two best teams have reached MLS Cup.

The Philadelphia Union produced three goals in a stunning 11-minute blitz on Sunday, turning a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 win over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final.

The Union will travel to Southern California on Saturday to take on Los Angeles FC, who beat Austin FC easily earlier in the day to secure a home MLS Cup final.

LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield on a tiebreaker over the Union, with both teams finishing level atop the overall MLS standings with 67 points.

The Union, though, were dangerously close to seeing their season end in front of a raucous home crowd at Subaru Park.

Maxi Moralez gave NYCFC the lead in the 57th minute after a picture-perfect team move. Just two minutes later, Andre Blake perhaps saved the Union’s season.

Alexander Callens got on the end of a cross and hammered a point-blank header toward goal, but the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year was there to repel the ball and keep his side from going two goals down with a half-hour to play.

From there, the Union hit the visitors with three quick goals. The first one will be especially galling for NYCFC, which was victimized by a simple quick free kick that saw Julián Carranza get behind the defense and drive home the equalizer.

Carranza played a key role in what would be the game-winner just two minutes later, as his header from Jack McGlynn’s excellent back-post service found Dániel Gazdag for an easy close-range finish.

Cory Burke would add the insurance goal in the 76th minute, leaving the visitors stunned and the home fans in raptures.

This year’s MLS Cup will be the first time since 2003 that the top seeds from the East and the West will square off. It is also guaranteed to produce a first-time MLS Cup winner.

It should be quite the show on Saturday at Banc of California Stadium.

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