The Philadelphia Union began their 2022 MLS season with a 1-1 draw against Minnesota United at Subaru Park.

Robin Lod scored the first goal of the season in the 23rd minute before Cory Burke equalized in the 35th minute.

  • Story of the match

Philadelphia nearly went in front in the opening minute of play as Burke and Julian Carranza combined with Burke sending in a threaded ball that forced Tyler Miller to clear his lines.

Minnesota hit back on the counter as Lod set up Luis Amarilla, but after Andre Blake came off of his line, Jack Elliott was on hand to push the ball wide.

The visitors then opened the scoring when Franco Fragapane collected a volley from the back line and after faking a pass, picked out Lod with a low cross, whose one-time finish from the penalty spot beat Blake.

Moments after the kickoff, Jakob Glesnes sent a long pass into the path of Alejandro Bedoya and the Union captain shot from 20 yards, which went just past the far post.

From their sixth corner kick of the contest, Philadelphia evened the score. Leon Flach forced a turnover after the Loons initially cleared and the ball was eventually worked to the back post for Burke to finish.

Three minutes from halftime, Kervin Arriaga, making his Minnesota debut, hit the post with his free kick.

Emanuel Reynoso sent in a ball to Amarilla, but his shot from outside of the box failed to test Blake. In the 57th minute, he and Burke both saw shots pushed away.

Kai Wagner then sent in a free kick that substitute Sergio Santos got his head to, but it was deflected across goal. He then went straight for goal after Jack McGlynn drew a foul.

In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Adrien Hunou collected a through-ball from Lod and tried his luck from distance, but Blake made a fine save with his left hand.

  • Man of the match: Robin Lod

Scored the opener, had other chances to add to his tally later in the match and consistently set up his teammates in good positions. A fine opening performance.