Union Strike Early at Subaru Park in 3-1 Leagues Cup Win Over Necaxa

Philadelphia Union didn't make Subaru Park wait long.

Coming off an opening Leagues Cup loss to Cruz Azul, the Union returned home needing a response against Liga MX side Necaxa.

They found it almost immediately.

An early goal from Nathan Harriel, another from Bruno Damiani just minutes later, and a second-half finish from Cavan Sullivan powered Philadelphia to a 3-1 victory and gave the home supporters a much different night to remember.

This wasn't a match Philadelphia had to chase.

They grabbed control early and rarely gave it back.

Two Goals Before the Night Could Settle

Just two minutes in, Nathan Harriel opened the scoring.

The goal came from a move involving Cavan Sullivan, and suddenly Philadelphia had exactly the start it needed.

Before Necaxa could fully respond, the Union struck again.

In the 11th minute, Bruno Damiani made it 2-0.

Two goals.

Eleven minutes.

And Subaru Park had quickly become Philadelphia's night.

After the disappointment of the opening result against Cruz Azul, there was no long period of uncertainty for the home supporters. The Union had established control before much of the match had even been played.

A Home Night at Subaru Park

Leagues Cup creates an unusual atmosphere around MLS stadiums.

Liga MX supporters can travel in significant numbers, and depending on the opponent and city, a designated home match doesn't always feel entirely like one.

Against Necaxa, however, Philadelphia's home support remained at the center of the night.

The Union had given them plenty to work with.

With a two-goal advantage established early, Philadelphia could manage the match differently. Necaxa needed to find a way back into it, while the Union could pick their moments and look for opportunities to put the game away.

Eventually, that opportunity arrived.

Cavan Sullivan Adds the Third

Early in the second half, Cavan Sullivan went from helping create the opening goal to putting his own name on the scoresheet.

Sullivan controlled a cross with his chest before finishing with his left foot to make it 3-0 Philadelphia.

It was the goal that gave the Union breathing room.

For Sullivan, it also capped an influential night in the Philadelphia attack.

By that point, Necaxa faced a steep climb.

A Familiar Face Returns

There was another storyline on the opposite side.

Julián Carranza, the former Philadelphia Union striker, returned to Subaru Park wearing Necaxa colors.

Carranza's return added familiarity to an otherwise cross-league matchup, but his former club controlled the scoreboard.

Necaxa eventually found a goal through Matías Espíndola in the 78th minute, cutting Philadelphia's advantage to 3-1.

There would be no comeback.

Andrew Rick made important saves in goal, and Philadelphia protected its advantage through the final whistle.

A Response Philadelphia Needed

Philadelphia Union 3. Necaxa 1.

More important than the score itself was how Philadelphia got there.

The Union didn't spend the night searching desperately for a breakthrough.

They struck in the second minute.

They struck again nine minutes later.

Then Sullivan provided the third after halftime.

After beginning Leagues Cup with a defeat, Philadelphia responded with three goals and three points at home.

Through the Fieldtalk Lens

For Fieldtalk, this match also carried significance beyond what happened on the scoreboard.

Our photographer Colin was at Subaru Park documenting the night — from the players on the field to the moments surrounding the match.

That's part of what Fieldtalk continues to build.

Different stadium. Different city. Same purpose.

To document what the game looks and feels like from the field level and give young creatives opportunities to experience professional soccer from behind the lens.

The final score tells us Philadelphia won 3-1.

The photographs tell the rest of the story.

The field talks. We listen.