Union Top Hersonissos F.C. 5-0

Philadelphia Union breezed past Greek Third Division side Hersonissos F.C. 5-0 at Ergotelis F.C.’s training facilities on Wednesday. All five goals were scored in the second half, with two apiece from forwards Chris Agorsor and Jack McInerney and the final tally from Danny Mwanga.

The Union dominated the tempo throughout the match, maintaining a significant possession advantage over the home side. The first opportunity for Nowak’s squad came in the 19th minute, initiated by a pass from Carlos Ruiz to Zach Pfeffer. The young midfielder dribbled his way around the left side of the box and attempted to find Mwanga, but the two weren’t able to link up for a first half strike.

Pfeffer, Philadelphia’s youngest player, took the lead once again three minutes later with a shot from outside the area, but it was deflected out for a corner in the 22nd minute.

The Union continued to press the hosts for the remainder of the first half, but Nowak’s side went into halftime with a scoreless draw.

The floodgates opened early in the second half. After a series of build-up passes in the 48th minute, McInerney sent a ball in from the left flank that Agorsor converted, finding the lower right corner for his first goal as a member of the Union.

Philadelphia continued to pressure Hersonissos in the 55th minute when Roger Torres found McInerney on the right side of the box. McInerney controlled the ball and shot from close-range, handing Philadelphia a 2-0 advantage.

Another exchange between McInerney and Torres led to the Union’s third goal of the afternoon. Philadelphia continued to display an attacking mentality, with Kyle Nakazawa finding Torres in the midfield. Torres dribbled into the box and laid a pass off to McInerney, who calmly finished in the 75th minute for the Union’s third tally.

With the match in hand, Agorsor secured a brace of his own, stealing a ball in the midfield and taking off towards the opposing goal. After taking a touch close to goal, the recently signed striker found the right side of the net in the 82nd minute for a 4-0 lead.

Just two minutes later, Danny Mwanga provided an exclamation mark with his second goal of the preseason. Positioned in the midfield, Nakazawa sent a ball to Mwanga along the left flank. The Congolese striker collected the distribution and dribbled towards Hersonissos’ goal, slotting home an angled attempt for a 5-0 lead.

Philadelphia Union will continue to train in Herarklion, Crete, until March 10, as part of the club’s final leg of preseason training, sponsored by Colonial Marble & Granite.  Nowak’s squad will then return home to Philadelphia, where they will prepare for First Kick at the Houston Dynamo on March 19.

Scoring Summary:
PHI – Chris Agorsor 1 (Jack McInerney) 48'
PHI – Jack McInerney 1(Roger Torres) 55’
PHI – Jack McInerney 2 (Roger Torres) 75’
PHI – Chris Agorsor 2 (unassisted) 82’
PHI – Danny Mwanga 1 (Kyle Nakazawa) 84’