1-0, min. 123, Glesnes.
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Philadelphia 1-0 (AET) New York Red Bulls: Glesnes wonder strike sends Union to East semis

A first-round grudge match between bitter rivals appeared headed to a penalty shootout until a moment of brilliance won it for Philadelphia.

Philadelphia 1-0 (AET) New York Red Bulls: Glesnes wonder strike sends Union to East semis
Photo: Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images
john-lupo
By John Lupo

The Philadelphia Union have defeated archrival New York Red Bulls 1-0 at Subaru Park in the first round of the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Jakob Glesnes scored in the 123rd minute, the latest goal ever scored in an MLS match to send the Union to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face Nashville SC or Orlando City next weekend.

  • Story of the match

In the seventh minute, a long throw by Kai Wagner found Kacper Przybylko at the near post. With a defender on his hip, the forward flicked a header centrally into the box that bounced right to Powell, who blasted a right-footed shot that was saved by Carlos Coronel.

With little action after that, the match came to life on the hour mark when a central pass by Alejandro Bedoya popped out to Paxten Aaronson, who lashed his opportunity wide.

In the 64th minute, a corner kick for the visitors became a flash point after a scramble in the box saw bodies flying around as shots were fired in from distance.

Six minutes later, Przybylko and substitute Sergio Santos nearly snatched a winner twice. First, Santos broke through down the left and found Przybylko in the middle, but the Pole skied his open shot over the frame.

The roles switched moments later when Przybylko twisted in a through ball from the right that a required a last-minute sliding defensive intervention as Santos slid through, ready to finish.

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In the 95th minute, the visitors registered their first shot on target when Patryk Klimala forced Andre Blake into a save on the break.

At the start of the second extra time period, Kyle Duncan hit the left post with an effort from inside the penalty area. At the other end, Cory Burke found Santos alone in the center but the striker’s shot slammed into Coronel’s body as he made himself big.

Burke had another chance in the 117th minute but the ball was swept off his feet at the last moment.

Finally, in the 123rd minute Glesnes chested down a bouncing ball at the top of the box after New York only half-cleared Jose Martinez's low cross. The Norwegian turned his body, whipped his leg, and tucked a gorgeous dipping ball behind Coronel.

  • Man of the match: Jakob Glesnes

Alejandro Bedoya played an incredible game, playing 110 minutes and winning 75 percent of the duels he contested, but Glesnes' strike was one that not only sent Philadelphia into the next round, but is the third, and most important goalzo he's scored in his career, one that no one will soon forget.