By Michael Heilman

The Philadelphia Union were eliminated from the 2019 MLS Cup playoffs Thursday night, losing to the defending MLS Cup champion Atlanta United FC 2-0 from the Mercedes-Bentz Stadium.

Atlanta United FC scored in the tenth minute of play as Gonzalo Martinez made a crossing pass to Julian Gressel, who then lifted the ball into the net to put Atlanta United FC up 1-0. The Union were unable to get anything going in the first half and went into the locker room trailing Atlanta United FC 1-0.

The Union had created plenty of chances in the second half to tie the game but were unable to find the back of the net. Atlanta United FC would put the game away in the eightieth minute when Julian Gressel intercepted the ball and kicked the ball from the Union side of the field where Josef Martinez scored rocketing the ball to the upper left corner of the net which put Atlanta United FC up 2-0. The Union had no answers for Atlanta United FC, and when the final whistle was blown, the Union’s season came to an end in a 2-0 loss.

The Philadelphia Union had twelve shots on goal, three of them were on target, seven off target and two blocked shots. The Union had five corner kicks, one offside, and two yellow cards issued to Alejandro Bedoya and Kai Wagner. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake made three saves but allowed two goals.

The Philadelphia Union finish the 2019 season with 16 wins, 11 losses, and 7 ties, including winning their first-ever playoff game last Sunday against the New York Red Bulls. Legendary high school basketball coach Morgan Wootten once said, “You learn more from losing than winning. You learn how to keep going.” The Union made progress this year, and this loss should only motivate the team heading into the 2020 season.