The game in 100 words (or less): With each passing week, it seems more and more likely that one of New York City FC or the Philadelphia Union will finish top of the Eastern Conference this season. MLS is a funny league sometimes all the time, but that’s a distinct possibility that’s extraordinarily mind-boggling by MLS standards. The former leads the latter by just a single point after the Union hammered D.C. United, 3-0, Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Penn., on the back of an Ilsinho brace and a single tally by one of the league’s hottest goalscorers, Roland Alberg, scorer of six goals in the last five games. Saturday’s victory saw the Union rebound from a brief blip that saw Jim Curtin’s side win just once in four outings and keep their first clean sheet in nearly two months (May 20, also against D.C. United).
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Three moments that mattered
20′ — Opare trips Pontius in the box, PK to Philly — There’s no arguing this one. Roland Alberg stepped up and converted the ensuing spot kick to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
37′ — Another penalty to Philly — D.C. United: not great at attempting tackles inside the penalty area, huh? Ilsinho converted to double the Union’s lead.
47′ — Ilsinho slams home after Sapong’s knock-down — C.J. Sapong will almost certainly never lead the league in goals scored, but he’s the best American no. 9 in MLS regardless, because of all the different ways in which he can create scoring chances for himself and for his teammates.
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Man of the match: Ilsinho
Goalscorers: Alberg (20′ – PK), Ilsinho (37′ – PK, 47′)
