Yordy Reyna was at the centre of the DC United comeback as they came from a goal down to defeat the Philadelphia Union 3-1.
The Union had initially taken the lead through an own goal, but Reyna won a penalty after being fouled in the 35th minute. Ola Kamara stepped up and slotted past a resilient Andre Blake. Reyna then put DC in front shortly after half-time as he was first to reach a rebound inside the six-yard box and blast into an empty net.
Ramon Abila made it three deep into stoppage time as his clever footwork got the best of the Philadelphia defence before he slotted past Blake.
DC United started the game on the front foot and had the first chance of the game after five minutes. Some quick build-up play allowed Edison Flores to receive the ball in space on the edge of the box. He decided to shoot but failed to hit the target.
The hosts continued to dominate the early proceedings and thought they had taken the lead. A low cross through the Union six-yard box was met by a DC player, who managed to sneak the ball past Andre Blake. However, the linesman's flag was raised or offside as Julian Gressel was in an illegal position.
Gressel forced Blake into a big save moments later. His lofted shot looked set for the top corner until the big palms of Blake managed to push it away from danger.
Despite the DC dominance, it was the Union who took the lead in the 22nd minute. Great work from Kacper Przybylko allowed a ball to be played behind the DC defence. Alejandro Bedoya did well to make the run and drag a dangerous ball across the box, and the ball deflected into the chest of Steve Birnbaum, who put the ball into his own net.
Blake did an incredible job to keep Philadelphia in front moments later. United hit the Union on the break, and the ball was cut back across the penalty area. It fell to Yordy Reyna, who stuck a leg out at it, and Blake did brilliantly reacting. In doing so, he managed to claw the ball away from the goal and deny Reyna.
Reyna was involved again shortly afterwards, and this time won DC a penalty. Alvas Powell tried a sliding tackle to win the ball but was unsuccessful in doing so. The game originally played on, but the referee eventually went to VAR. Having consulted with the video review team, it was deemed that Powell had caught Reyna, and a spot-kick was awarded.
Ola Kamara stepped up and slotted his penalty into the bottom left corner in the 36th minute. He calmly stepped up and sent Blake the wrong way as he brought the hosts back onto level terms.
HALF-TIME: DC United 1-1 Philadelphia Union
Powell had the first chance of the second half, but his speculative effort fired over the crossbar.
In the 49th minute, Reyna put DC in front. Blake did brilliantly to pull off an initial save from close range, but the rebound fell straight to Reyna, who knocked the ball into an empty net.
Cory Burke had a good chance to equalise in the 69th minute. Powell's direct pass forward was a fantastic one, which caught out the DC defenders. It allowed Burke to get the ball behind the defence, but he could not squeeze it beyond Jon Kempin.
Ramon Abila made it 3-1 deep into stoppage time. His smart run allowed him to go through the Union defence undetected, and some nice footwork allowed him to break free and slot past Blake to put the game out of reach for Philadelphia.
FULL-TIME: DC United 3-1 Philadelphia Union
DC United: Kempin, Najar, Birnbaum, Alfaro, Gressel (Brilliant 78'), Moreno, Canouse, Reyna (Felipe 86'), Flores (Drew Skundrich 60'), Kamara (Abila 78') Paredes (Mora 78')
Unused Substitutes: Seitz, Asad, Yow, Nyeman
Philadelphia Union: Blake, Powell (Mbaizo 73'), Elliott, Glesnes, Wagner, Martinez, Bedoya (Fontana 85'), Flach, Gazdag (Sullivan 61'), Monteiro (Aaronson 73'), Przybylko (Burke 60')
Unused Substitutes: Freese, Findlay, McGlynn, Davo
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