Union Rally in Second Half, Defeat NYCFC to Advance to MLS Cup

New York City defender Thiago Martins (5) heads the ball against Philadelphia Union defender Jack Elliott (3) during the first half for the conference finals for the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs in Philadelphia, on Oct. 30, 2022. Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports via Field Level Media

Julian Carranza scored the first goal and assisted the second two minutes apart, and the Philadelphia Union booked a spot in their first MLS Cup by rallying from an early second-half deficit to a 3–1 victory over the visiting New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Daniel Gazdag and Cory Burke also scored for the top-seeded Union (19–5–10, 67 points), who avenged a 2–1 defeat to NYCFC in last year’s East final, in which Philadelphia played without 11 players because of a cluster of COVID-19 cases.