The Philadelphia Union will play the first conference final in the franchise’s history after defeating Nashville SC on penalties. The two teams couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of football.
Philadelphia controlled large parts of the game, but it was Nashville who scored first when MVP candidate Hany Mukhtar netted in the 38th minute. Nashville’s advantage didn’t last for long however as Daniel Gazdag scored just before halftime after following up his own deflected shot to put the ball past Joe Willis with his second effort.
The Union went close to winning the game in the second half when Gazdag headed a cross past Willis. The referee disallowed it though, ruling that Union forward Sergio Santos was offside and affected Willis’ chances of stopping the ball. The match went to extra time with Nashville’s Daniel Lovitz missing a golden opportunity to put his team through when there were only minutes left to play.
In the penalty shootout, neither of Nashville’s penalty takers could score, and Union comfortably sealed qualification. Among those who missed from the spot for Nashville was their best player, Mukhtar, who gave Andre Blake an easy ball to save.
Philadelphia will face the winner of Tuesday’s matchup between the top-seeded New England Revolution and the fourth-seeded New York City FC in the conference final. New England is at +100 to win, with NY City at +225. A draw now stands at +250.
Union are third favorites to win the MLS Cup
Odds are out for the Western Conference final between the Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake. RSL has been the surprise side so far, and is being given an outsider’s status for triumph. Salt Lake is at +250 to win the conference final, with the Timbers at -110. A draw is at +270.
In the race for the MLS Cup, the Portland Timbers are the bookies’ favorites at +175 while New England sits at +225. Union stands at +350, New York City at +600, and Real Salt Lake at +650.