New Jersey United AC and Philadelphia Union DS Battle It Out in Six-Goal Thriller

By Miguel Freire/New Jersey United Athletic Club

After the first 45 minutes of play, New Jersey United AC found themselves up a goal to nil, courtesy of a fantastic strike by Max Barboto.  His volley, taken from just outside the 18-yard box, stunned Philadelphia Union DS as his goal was assisted off a quickly taken throw-in.  It gave the hosts the lead with just over seven minutes to spare in the first half. 

At the start of the second half, the game immediately turned into a goalfest, as four goals were scored within the first 15 minutes.  The scoring started less than two minutes in as Javier Losa Moya was able to tap in a cross by Jamie Madrid to double United’s lead.

However, when Philadelphia seemed down and out, they quickly found a way to respond.  In the span of just two minutes, the visitors were able to equalize with goals in the 57th and 59th minute.  The New Jersey United defense collapsed for the first and second time this season, as those were the first goals allowed in 2025.

Philadelphia’s momentum didn’t last for much longer as just two minutes after they leveled the score, United were awarded a penalty kick.  Second-half substitute Diego Navas’ heel was clipped from behind inside the box, which gave the hosts an opportunity to regain their lead.

Max Barboto was quick to step up and take the penalty, as he directed his shot into the bottom left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. His finish gave Barboto his second goal of the game, and New Jersey United AC regained the lead with approximately 30 minutes still left to play. 

With the score now at 3-2, the two sides responded with increased physicality in the action-packed contest.  Still, there was one more goal left to be scored, as in the 89th minute, United were able to put the game to bed and secure the three points.  Diego Navas, got on the end of a ball played in behind by Max Barboto, with the goalkeeper rushing off his line. Navas was quick to react, make his way around the keeper, and chip his shot into the net, from a tight angle. 

This goal proved to be the icing on the cake for United as they now have won both of their first two games of the season. 

Max Barboto, who finished the game with two goals and an assist, said the entire team gave their all out on the field and got the result they deserved. 

“Overall, we had a great performance as a team, we all worked our butts off, and everyone showed out,” Barboto said. “We all worked really hard, and we got the deserved win.”

Assistant Coach Sam Roca echoed those thoughts, and said he was happy with the four goals his side scored. 

“Very happy with the four goals we scored, each one beautiful and dangerous in a different way,” Roca said.

Head Coach Fernando Barboto also shared some of his thoughts, including what happened to his team when Philadelphia equalized, and how the team was able to respond.

“We shut down a little bit, we physically crashed, but then we gathered ourselves and got the third goal and put them away with the fourth,” Barboto said.

When asked what adjustments he made to retake the lead, the head coach said his players figured it out on their own.

“I didn’t make any adjustments, I think the group just responded,” Barboto added. “They knew that they made some mistakes, but I thought the group responded really well.”

Currently sitting on six points in the Keystone East Conference standings, New Jersey United AC will set their sights on a matchup with the WC Predators, as they seek to keep up their early season momentum.  Kickoff is on Tuesday May 20th at 8:30 pm.

Photo Credit: Anesa Feratovic/New Jersey United Athletic Club