Maxi Moralez might as well change his name to Union-buster.
The 38-year-old New York City FC midfielder scored his sixth career goal against Philadelphia on Sunday night for the game’s lone tally as his club advanced to the MLS Eastern Conference final with an upset 1-0 win over the Union in Chester, Pa.
The victory came amid a slew of key injuries for NYCFC, which included leading scorer Alonso Martínez.
Though NYCFC looked no worse for wear, finishing the game with three shots on target and controlled possession 51-49 through 90 minutes in hostile territory. Moralez’s goal was his team-leading sixth career tally of the postseason.
Keeper Matt Freese stopped all five shots he faced for NYCFC.
The win sets the stage for NYCFC to face Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami — 4-0 winners Sunday at FC Cincinnati — for a chance to play for their second MLS Cup.
And the club has reached the Eastern Conference final in three of the past five seasons.
Moralez’s goal came in the 27th minute of the match after NYCFC had come flying out of the gate. After moving the ball back into the attacking zone, Agustín Ojeda cut across the field and moved the ball over to Nicolás Fernández Mercau.
Fernández Mercau quickly moved the ball to Moralez, who was charging toward the net and he slid it past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake.
NYCFC came close to adding a second in the 38th minute when Ojeda had a chance, but his shot near the post was stopped by Blake.
The Union, which was the best team in the regular season and made quick work of the Chicago Fire in the first round of the playoffs, didn’t go down without a fight.
Tai Baribo nearly tied the match at one when Danley Jean Jacques sent a good pass to the center of the box and Baribo was able to get a foot on it, but directed the ball just past the goal post to miss its mark.
Freese had to make a strong save in the 45th minute as well.
The NYCFC goalkeeper, who has been making a name for himself on the international stage, had to make another impressive save in the 75th minute as Frankie Westfield got off a shot at the near post that he had to stop.
“We were expecting this. Philadelphia wants to make it really physical, so for us it’s just been making sure we control the ball,” NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen said on the Apple TV broadcast.
NYCFC may have been playing without two key players, the team made sure to let them know they were there with the club in spirit in Philadelphia.
When the club posed for their prematch picture on the field, they held the jerseys of Martínez and Andrés Perea, who has been dealing with a lower leg injury.
Martínez shared multiple posts on social media supporting the club, including a message that read “Thanks brothers,” along with a photo of the club holding up his jersey.
The last time NYCFC defeated the Union in the playoffs was in 2021 during their run to their first MLS Cup championship.
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