Bruno Damiani Scores Hat Trick As Philadelphia Union Demolish FC Cincinnati 5-0 To Extend Unbeaten Run
The Philadelphia Union produced one of their most dominant performances of the season, thrashing FC Cincinnati 5-0 on Wednesday night in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Bruno Damiani secured his first hat trick in MLS history, while teenager Cavan Sullivan continued his remarkable run of form with three assists on the night.
The result keeps the Union unbeaten since the World Cup break, with the club now recording seven wins and two ties across their last nine matches.
That impressive run dates back to a 6-4 loss at Miami on May 24, representing a stunning turnaround in form for a side that sits at 8-10-6 on the season.
FC Cincinnati’s night unravelled early when Obinna Nwobodo was shown a straight red card in the 16th minute, leaving the visitors to play the remaining 74 minutes with ten men.
The Union made their numerical advantage count, with Quinn Sullivan and Milan Iloski both converting from the penalty spot in the 43rd and 89th minutes respectively.
Damiani’s first goal arrived in first-half stoppage time after a slick team move involving both Sullivan cousins, with Quinn threading a pass toward the end line for Cavan to deliver a first-touch cross to the back post.
The 24-year-old designated player arrived at the back post to redirect the ball into a wide-open net, before adding further goals in the 49th and 61st minutes to complete his hat trick.
Cavan Sullivan, who turned 16 and made history on Saturday by becoming the first teenager in MLS history with a goal contribution in five straight matches, continued to dazzle despite his consecutive-goal run ending at three games.
Philadelphia’s dominance was reflected across every statistical category, with the Union enjoying 64.7 percent possession and outgunning Cincinnati by an extraordinary 19-1 in total shots, winning the shots-on-target battle 6-0.
Cincinnati, who had a home fixture against D.C. United postponed due to inclement weather, had also seen a four-game unbeaten streak snapped by a 4-0 defeat at Nashville on August 28.
The 5-0 victory sends a clear message across the Eastern Conference that the Union are hitting peak form at precisely the right moment of the season.
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