For Philadelphia Union fans hoping to catch their club’s second match of the season, they had to stay up until 11:00 p.m. ET on Sunday night just to make it to kick off on FS1. But as the date changed from Sunday evening to Monday morning on the East Coast, those brave Union supporters at least got to witness one of the most spectacular contests in MLS history.
Union fans be like...#DOOP | #Monday https://t.co/0aZSiHd7Sg pic.twitter.com/n3zKNj8h5l
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 9, 2020
On three separate occasions the Union put themselves a goal to the good, only to see LAFC claw back almost immediately in each instance. The 3-3 draw speaks to a wild time at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, but just wait until you see the goals. The MLS Goal of the Week contest for Week 2 might be composed entirely of strikes from this match.
The opening goal arrived for Philadelphia in the 29th minute after Sergio Santos curled in an exceptional finish from 25 yards out.
Oh my word! @PhilaUnion stun LAFC and it's Sergio Santos with a curler that would make Carlos Vela proud. pic.twitter.com/Nr8Xsmu9bB
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 9, 2020
In the 38th, LAFC found the equalizer thanks to this pinpoint free kick from 2019 MVP Carlos Vela. With this goal, Vela became the third fastest player to reach 50 goals in MLS history. It took him only 61 games to hit that landmark.
QUE GOLAZOOO, CARLOS VELA!
He makes it a record TWELVE straight home @MLS regular season games with a goal for @LAFC pic.twitter.com/jHTeU39tFY— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 9, 2020
If Vela’s free kick was special, this strike from Jakob Glesnes to restore Philly’s advantage in the 48th minute was extraordinary. This’ll almost certainly win Goal of the Week honors.
GOOD LORD, WHAT A GOAL!! @PhilaUnion's Jakob Glesnes may have scored one of the goals of the season, and it's only Week 2(!) pic.twitter.com/4wAkMHFYxm
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 9, 2020
BUT! Just one minute later, Mark-Anthony Kaye picked out Diego Rossi for the pretty finish. 2-2.
THIS. GAME. We've got another banger, and it's Diego Rossi this time to pull @LAFC level. ☄️ pic.twitter.com/LKprG8xQCX
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 9, 2020
Then, in the 69th, 19-year-old American midfielder Brenden Aaronson gave Philly its third one-goal advantage of the night.
Brendan Aaronson gave Philadelphia the lead for the THIRD time tonight, but it wouldn't last long... pic.twitter.com/ECJn2R515l
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 9, 2020
BUT! Just two minutes later, Eddie Segura’s swiveling volley found its way past Andre Blake for the final scoreline of 3-3.
IT'S 3-3!!!
Eddie Segura slams home for @LAFC, and we've still got another quarter of an hour to go. pic.twitter.com/BmSa4lFTVA— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 9, 2020
Those who stayed awake had themselves a time.
Wow this Union-LAFC game is wild
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) March 9, 2020
MLS Culture is the best shit happening at 12:10 am on a Monday morning.
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) March 9, 2020
Thank you @MLS
Thank you @PhilaUnion
Thank you @LAFC
What. A. Game.— Rob Stone (@RobStoneONFOX) March 9, 2020
