Bruno Damiani scored his ninth goal of the season in the 31st minute, Milan Iloski added his team-leading 17th late and the Philadelphia Union extended their unbeaten league run to 13 matches with a 2-1 victory over visiting Real Salt Lake on Saturday night.
Cavan Sullivan had two assists, continuing his exceptional form with six goals and 10 assists in his last nine MLS matches. The 17-year-old has been a key contributor during the Union’s surge.
Damiani and Iloski have also scored six times each in their last five appearances for the Union (12-10-6, 42 points), which remained sixth in the Eastern Conference while extending an unbeaten streak that began after the team returned from the World Cup break in last place.
Saba Lobjanidze pulled a goal back for Salt Lake (9-14-5, 32 points) in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. Real Salt Lake lost for the fifth time in six matches despite a strong performance against one of the league’s hottest teams.
The Claret-and-Cobalt began the night in 11th place in the Western Conference, four points below the playoff line.
Philadelphia dominated before halftime and took the lead through Damiani in the 31st minute.
Iloski and Sullivan were involved in the buildup before Frankie Westfield sent a low cross from the right toward Iloski on the right side of the box.
Iloski let the ball roll through his legs to Damiani behind him, and Damiani hammered a low, first-time finish from 10 yards past the lunging Rafael Cabral.
Real Salt Lake improved after manager Pablo Mastroeni sent on defenders Juan Manuel Sanabria and Luc de Fougerolles at halftime.
Noel Caliskan fired just wide of Andre Blake’s right post in the 52nd minute. Sergi Solans forced Blake into an excellent diving save to his left in the 69th minute, and Damiani blocked Lobjanidze’s attempt at the near post three minutes later.
Iloski punished RSL’s inefficiency in the 82nd minute. Cabral denied Westfield’s initial long-range effort but spilled the rebound in front of goal. Sullivan and Damiani touched the ball before Iloski bundled it over the line.
Referee Elijio Arreguin initially called a handball on Iloski but reversed the decision following a video review.
–Field Level Media
