There’s nothing quite like the healing properties of the DC United fixture for the Philadelphia Union. Saturday night the Union’s home away from home at Audi Field was the scene of another robbery with the boys in blue all but erasing whatever it was that was in Vancouver with a six spot on DC in a 6-0 win. Audi isn’t the raccoon infested dump their former home was but it’s become as snake friendly as it gets. Now with two games remaining the Union have the momentum and their second Supporters’ Shield in their sights.

In the email today:

1. 🏛️ Union thrash DC United 6-0

By Greg Oldfield

The Supporters’ Shield-leading Philadelphia Union scored three goals in each half to beat DC United 6-0 and regain control in the race for MLS’ regular season title.

Indiana Vassilev scored twice and Mikel Uhre added another with a second forcing an own goal to lead a Union attack that came to play. Bruno Damiani and Milan Iloski also scored.

The Union scored the most goals in one game since beating Colorado and DC in back-to-back 6- 0 drubbings late in the 2022 season, a precursor for the most-memorable run in club history. The Union are on pace for creating more memories like it.

Even with the statement victory, the Union suffered a major blow just over ten minutes into the game when Quinn Sullivan was forced off through injury after a tough challenge. The MLS 22 under 22 and US National Team player did not look comfortable after being helped to the locker room by Union training staff.

Despite the early lineup shuffle, the Union looked like the team we’d seen all season. Damiani opened the scoring for the visitors in the 17 th minute. Uhre, just into the game for Sullivan, broke free down the left with a dangerous ball into space from Iloski. The Union striker slipped the ball across to Damiani for an easy tap in. The goal was Damiani’s 7th of the season. After a bit of DC pressure on the counter, the Union doubled their lead in the 34th minute. This time it was Damiani breaking down the left side and sending a ball across to Uhre, but Uhre’s shot deflected off Lukas MacNaughton then Connor Antley and over DC keeper Jordan Farr and into the net. The goal was credited as an own goal.

The Union wasted no time celebrating.

Two minutes later, Vassilev started an attack through the middle of the DC defense, finding Iloski just outside the box. Iloski turned and ripped a powerful shot that Farr pushed away. No one followed up except Vassilev, and the Union midfielder beat Farr at the near post from point-blank range, pushing the Union lead to 3-0.

The second half started right where it left off for the Union, with Iloski scoring less than five minutes in. The mid-season Union signing turned a pass and fired a low screamer that beat Farr for the 4-0 lead.

Once again, The Union wasted no time celebrating. Less than two minutes later, Uhre got on the end of a deep ball from Kai Wagner that appeared to beat half the DC squad. Cutting the ball back, he picked out Vassilev on the late run, and the Union midfielder bagged his second in the game to extend the lead to 5-0. The goal was Vassilev’s sixth.

Uhre made it 6-0 in the 60 th minute. The Union broke free on a counter that lacked any pressure from a deflated DC squad. Iloski had all kinds of time on the break to slip Uhre through to goal, and Uhre beat Farr to the far post to push the Union to within a touchdown. Uhre’s goal was his fifth of the season.

The Union did their best to get their seventh, and Andre Blake preserved the shutout with a few late saves, but the boys in blue will certainly enjoy this momentum boost after a dicey week two weeks ago with a 7-0 drubbing in Vancouver and a lifeless loss in the US Open Cup semifinal at Nashville.

2. 🏆 Clinching Scenarios

The Union’s final home game is Saturday against NYCFC and there really wouldn’t be any better time for them to add to their trophy case than with an emphatic win over the Pigeons.

The key to this becoming a reality rests on Jack Elliott and the Chicago Fire. A win or draw with Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday night would give the Union a chance to win the shield at home on Saturday. If Miami wins, the possibility would still exist if Miami lost or tied the Revs on Saturday.

Beyond that, the Union need to win one of their last two and Miami needs to not win out in their last four games.

For the full list of clinching scenarios, visit Playoffstatus.com.

4. 🏡 Social Post of the Day: Our House

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Union II came back to win 2-1 on Friday night in Canada and secure a home playoff game. The conference is also still in play (they are tied with Red Bull II on 55 points) with NYCFC coming to Subaru Park on Sunday afternoon.

• The Philadelphia Union have a new app available.

• The top two teams in District 1 Class 3A boys soccer met Saturday morning in West Chester and it did not disappoint. Harriton pulled out a winner with seconds left in overtime to improve to 11-0-1 while Rustin fell to 8-3-1 on the season.

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