Philadelphia Union 0-1 New York City: Supporters' Shield winners humbled as Moralez tees up Miami clash

New York City upset the Supporters' Shield winners, the Philadelphia Union, to book an Eastern Conference final date with Inter Miami, with Maxi Moralez scoring the only goal.

Bradley Carnell's hosts were heavy favourites at Subaru Park, but after going 1-0 down to Moralez's 27th-minute strike, they were unable to find a way past in-form NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Moralez fired an early warning shot off the near post when Philadelphia lost the ball in a dangerous position, while Freese grabbed Bruno Damiani's drive at the second attempt, preventing it from squirming over the line.

The all-important goal came at the end of a flowing move as Agustin Ojeda cut inside from the right to find Nicolas Fernandez, whose clever first-time pass in behind picked out Moralez for a simple finish.

Only a brilliant recovery save from Andre Blake – who was injured in the process – prevented Fernandez from making it 2-0 from inside his own half, while opposite number Freese finished the game with five saves, the best of which came late on. 

Freese made an incredible point-blank stop to deny Frankie Westfield, and after the same player volleyed over a gaping goal in the 87th minute, the NYCFC goalkeeper tipped Milan Iloski's stoppage-time curler away to secure a memorable win.

Data Debrief: Freese boosts USMNT case in upset

The Union entered the playoffs among the favourites, but their wait for a first MLS Cup goes on after they failed to find a way past Freese, who has recently displaced Matt Turner as the United States' starting goalkeeper ahead of next year's home World Cup.

Philadelphia fired off 18 shots, hit the target five times and amassed 2.04 expected goals (xG), with NYCFC only attempting five shots worth 1.01 xG, but Freese stood firm.

Moralez, meanwhile, scored his sixth MLS Cup Playoff goal for NYCFC, and four of those efforts have now come against Philadelphia.