Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake (18) is lifted by teammates following the shootout of an MLS playoff soccer match against Nashville SC, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Andre Blake made two spectacular saves, Nashville missed on two penalty kicks and the Philadelphia Union won a shootout Sunday to advance to Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference final for the first time in franchise history.
Philadelphia will face the winner of the semifinal Tuesday night between New England and New York City.
On the first attempt of the shootout, Blake dove to his right to smother a shot from Hany Mukhtar. After Jack Elliott scored for the Union, Blake dove left to deny Anibal Godoy. Joe Willis gobbled up a shot from Sergio Santos to keep Nashville alive.
Alex Muyl shot wide for Nashville and 18-year-old Jack McGlynn stroked a left-footed shot past Willis to give the Union a 2-0 lead. It ended when Walker Zimmerman shot wide on Nashville's fourth attempt.
Mukhtar opened the scoring for Nashville in 38th minute. Eric Miller was left unchallenged to launch a long centering pass that found an open Mukhtar for a header from just outside the goal box.
Daniel Gazdag tied it in first-half stoppage time. His initial shot on a Philadelphia set piece was blocked, but he followed the carom and, with his back to the goal, right-footed a shot into the lower right corner.
Philadelphia Union's Deniel Gazdag, right, celebrates his goal with teammates during the first half of an MLS playoff soccer match against the Nashville SC, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press
Philadelphia Union's Deniel Gazdag (6) reacts to his goal being disallowed during the second half of an MLS playoff soccer match against Nashville SC, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press
Philadelphia Union's Jack Elliott celebrates his goal during the shootout of an MLS playoff soccer match against Nashville SC, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press
Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake reacts after making a final save for the win during the shootout of an MLS playoff soccer match against Nashville SC, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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Nashville SC's Alex Muyl reacts to missing his shootout goal attempt during the shootout of an MLS playoff soccer match against the Philadelphia Union, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. The Union won 2-0 in the penalty kick shootout after tying 1-1 in regulation time. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press
Philadelphia Union's Deniel Gazdag, second from left, kicks the ball past Nashville SC's Joe Willis, third from right, for a goal during the first half of an MLS playoff soccer match, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press
Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake watches as the show by Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar goes in for a goal during the first half of an MLS playoff soccer match, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Chester, Pa. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Associated Press