Ty Balibo had one goal and one assist to help the Philadelphia Union win 5-1 at home against New York City FC on Wednesday night.
Mikael Uhle and Daniel Gazdag also scored in the first half, while Jacob Glesnes and Jesus Bueno added goals in the second half for the Spurs (8-12-9, 33 points).
Philadelphia improved its away record to 5 wins, 5 losses and 5 ties, moving it into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Alonso Martinez scored the goal for struggling New York City FC, who is winless in their last eight MLS games (0 wins, 3 losses, 5 draws). NYCFC (11 wins, 11 losses, 7 draws, 40 points) has dropped to sixth place in the East Division.
Philadelphia goaltender Andrew Lick made seven saves, starting for the second straight game in place of starter Andre Blake (groin strain).
NYCFC’s Matt Freese made two saves.
NYCFC outshot the Union 26-12, putting up nine shots on goal compared to Philadelphia’s seven.
The Union took the lead in the 15th minute when Balibo tipped a header off Freese’s hands and into the net for his sixth goal in his last seven MLS games and eighth of the season.
Ten minutes later, NYCFC lost possession in their own half and the Union was up 2-0. Balibo passed the ball to Oule, who fired a right-footed shot into the top right corner of the goal for his ninth goal of the season.
Philadelphia scored again in the 32nd minute when Balibo took a header that was dropped by Freese and Gazdag stood there and scored his 15th goal of the season.
NYCFC got the lead in the fifth minute of added time when Martinez raced in to score. Kevin O’Toole’s cross was hit into the goal and Martinez smashed it in with his right foot for his 12th goal of the season.
New York had a great chance in the 62nd minute when Keaton Parks got past Rick and shot, but the ball bounced off the left goalpost.
This was a big blow to NYCFC. Philadelphia scored from a corner kick in the 74th minute. Kai Wagner sent a cross in front of the goal, and Glesnes burst through the pile of New York defenders and headed the ball into the goal to make it 4-1.
Bueno scored his third goal of the season in the 85th minute with a powerful left-footed shot past Frees.
–Field Level Media
