Markus Anderson’s first MLS goal eight minutes into stoppage time was the difference as the host Philadelphia Union waited until the last seconds of the match to defeat Charlotte FC 2-1 on Saturday in an Eastern Conference clash in Chester, Pa.
Anderson was in the right place at the right time to volley a right-footed shot into the net after a series of clearing passes by the Charlotte defense failed. The Union’s Francis Westfield headed a ball back toward the goal that was then headed in the direction of Anderson, who fired his shot past Charlotte FC goalkeeper David Bingham to give the Philadelphia the victory.
Philadelphia (11-3-4, 37 points) expanded its unbeaten streak across all competitions to 12 games and has already exceeded its win total of last season by two.
Charlotte FC (8-9-1, 25 points) is 2-2 over its past four MLS matches after enduring a five-game losing streak from April 26-May 17.
The Union was the aggressor in the first half, outshooting Charlotte 12-4 and producing the only three shots on goal before halftime. All three of those chances came over the final four minutes and the four minutes of stoppage time in the first half.
Philadelphia missed a golden opportunity to jump on top in the 41st minute when Olwethu Makhanya’s left-footed shot with a 36 percent goal expectancy was turned away by Bingham. Bingham then came up big again two minutes later, batting away a shot from Bruno Damiani that also carried a 36 percent goal expectancy.
But Bingham could do nothing to stop the goal that broke the scoreless deadlock two minutes into first half stoppage time. Jesus Bueno was outside the box as he ran onto a pass being cleared from deep in the scoring zone, steadying the ball and getting it to his left foot before cracking off a shot from which the Charlotte FC keeper was shielded, granting the Union a 1-0 lead at the break.
Wilfried Zaha tied the match in the 78th minute, although a breakdown in the Philadelphia defense and a perfect crossing pass from Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty also were contributors to the goal that equalized the match and beat Philadelphia keeper Andrew Rick to the bottom left corner. Liel Abada was also credited with an assist on the tally.
–Field Level Media
