On Saturday afternoon at Subaru Park, Kacper Przybylko's goal with less than 20 minutes remaining gave the Philadelphia Union a crucial 1-0 victory over Atlanta United. Philadelphia moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a second consecutive victory. Atlanta's three-match winning streak came to an end, as they dropped to the eighth position in the East, barely outside the playoff picture. Philadelphia controlled possession in the first half against a Five Stripes squad that was without Josef Martinez due to knee discomfort. They took advantage of many Atlanta errors. Meanwhile, Brad Guzan stayed firm and was credited with five saves in the first 45 minutes.

Even with an in-form Ezequiel Barco, Atlanta's offense struggled to pose any threats to the Union defense. Marcelino Moreno's seeing-eye strike reached the arms of Andre Blake early in the second half, giving them their best chance of the day. But Przybylko pushed Philadelphia ahead in the 71st minute, taking a low cross from Jose Martinez and firing it past Guzan to put the Union up 1-0. On the dribble, the Venezuelan midfielder had beaten numerous Atlanta defenders. It was the lone goal of the game, as Philadelphia held on for the win to move up the standings with nine games remaining.

After a three-match losing streak in league action, Jim Curtin's team appears to be regaining its footing, as they have won back-to-back games following their Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal defeat. This was a key six-pointer that placed the Union in the top four in the East. Atlanta, who came in having won seven of their previous eight games, was without Josef Martinez, whose health will become a major concern as the season progresses.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Trey Madara]