Philadelphia, which is unbeaten at Subaru Park this year (13-0-5), will face the winner of Sunday's New York City FC-Montreal match in the conference finals.
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Flach scored in the 59th minute. Mikael Uhre beat two defenders to a loose ball in front of the net and sent it to the penalty spot for Flach's one-touch finish.
"It's huge for the city. Philly sports, it's getting up there," said Chris Pinero of Folsom, Pa.
"What's going on with the Phillies- possibly with two parades? Can you imagine that? You're gonna be busy," fan John Zapata told Action News.
The top seed in the East, the Union had a bye for the first round.
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"With the Eagles and the Phillies and everybody else- they seem to get the least amount of attention, but you go down to that stadium, it's a whole different story- the energy down there is unreal," said Matthew Bongiorno of Aston, Pa.
The game was still scoreless in the 59th minute, then Leon Flach found the net with his left- the game-winner and Flach's first goal of the season.
Philadelphia Union advance to Eastern Conference Finals
Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake recorded his 16th clean sheet of the season. Blake made five saves, including a diving stop of Brandon Vazquez's breakaway shot in the 83rd.
"It's great to see all the love that we're getting in this crowd right now. You look in the crowd and lot of local Philly celebrities now, and this is kind of the place to be, which has been awesome to see," said head coach Jim Curtin.
The Union give Philadelphia sports fans another thing to cheer about it.
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"You're getting up in the morning and going to work. Everyone's a lot happier, I know that," said TJ Walters of Trainer, Pa.
"Awesome. It's great for them; another great thing for the city too," said Kim Fullmer of Clifton Heights, Pa.
Cincinnati, coming off a win over the New York Red Bulls, was seeking to become the third expansion team in MLS history to advance in its first two postseason rounds.
The city's attention on Friday turns to the Phillies. Citizens Bank Park is being prepped for Game 3 at home. Crews put the finishing touches on the seats and stadium before the crowds come.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.