A year after seeing their six-season run of playoff appearances end, the Union are back in the MLS Cup playoffs.
The Union weathered an Olwethu Makhanya red card via Bruno Damiani’s second-half goal, sealing a 1-0 win at FC Cincinnati. The three points, combined with the New York Red Bulls’ draw, make the Union the first team in the Eastern Conference to confirm their spot in the playoffs, and it gives the Union the edge in the Supporters’ Shield rankings in the battle of the top two teams in the East.
Damiani scored in the 49th minute, his sixth goal of the season and first since July 12. It was set up by Milan Iloski. The Union pushed hard for a second goal over the next 10 minutes, and while the offensive momentum was dented by Makhanya’s second yellow card in the 60th minute, they remained solid to seal their 11th clean sheet of the season.
The Union (17-6-6, 57 points) end the day with a four-point lead over San Diego FC (53 points) and five over Cincinnati (16-9-4, 52 points). San Diego plays at Los Angeles FC on Sunday.
Damiani shook off frustration with an outstanding goal. The Union forced a turnover when Cincy center back Matt Miazga played a blind pass from inside his own box up the gut. Jakob Glesnes picked it off, the ball filtered toward Iloski on the left edge of the box and he lofted a cross to the edge of the 6. Damiani bounced off a hip check from Miazga, got to the cross and placed a delicate header across the face of Roman Celentano’s goal and into the corner of the net, joining his teammates for a cathartic celebration.
The Union had chances to double the lead in the next 10 minutes and were the more dangerous side all night. But Makhanya’s red changed that. He saw yellow in the 21st minute for lowering a shoulder unnecessarily into the chest of Dominik Marczuk before a set piece. The second yellow came after he lost possession and dove in on Evander, the South African knowing straight away it was a yellow. He’ll be suspended two games – against Vancouver Sept. 13 for yellow-card accumulation on the first caution, then Sept. 20 against New England for the red.
Cincinnati went on the attack, but it was largely feckless, only three of their 12 shots on target. Andrew Rick was equal to the task on each.
His best save came in the 33rd minute, a Kevin Denkey shot deflected off Makhanya, Rick getting a glove high to pad it around the bar. Glesnes dove in to block an Ender Enchenique attempt in the 66th. He and Nate Harriel were massive in the middle, with Kai Wagner turning in another stellar performance.
The Union might have rued not getting a second goal sooner. Quinn Sullivan hit the post in the 10th minute. Danley Jean Jacques had a counterattack stuffed by Celentano just before halftime.
Source: Berkshire mont