Kacper Przybylko scored his first MLS goal in the 66th minute of his maiden MLS start, and the Philadelphia Union left BC Place with a well-earned point from a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday afternoon.
Jamiro Montero set up the goal, stripping Vancouver left back Ali Adnan in his own half and providing the through ball for Przybylko to run onto and finish coolly inside the far post.
Adnan was also in the middle of Vancouver's best moment, when his ins-winging corner kick found the head of Doneil Henry, who in turn found the net in the 41st minute to put the Whitecaps in front.
But the hosts failed to build on their advantage despite several promising opportunities. In his first career start, Matt Freese made four saves for the Union in place of injured first-choice keeper Andre Blake.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The Union continue to do a good job picking up points while waiting for the return of Marco Fabian from his ankle injury. They've lost just once in their last seven overall, and have now earned eight points from 12 possible when he hasn't played this season. Vancouver, meanwhile, will have to look at this at two points lost, even if stylistically they did play some of their more encouraging soccer this season.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Only moments after Przybylko's equalizer, Freese sprung from his line to snuff out an initial chance for substitute Joaquin Ardaiz. But Ardaiz reached the ball again and thought he had finished into an empty net, only for Raymon Gaddis to make a last-second intervention.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Matt Freese. The 20-year-old looked unfazed throughout his first 90 minutes manning an MLS goal, and will be in the nightmares of Yordy Reyna, who alone was saved three separate times by the Union academy product.
Up Next
- VAN: Friday, May 3 at Colorado Rapids (9 pm ET | TSN, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US)
- PHI: Wednesday, May 1 vs. FC Cincinnati (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
