Birnbaum the hero in late draw for United

Washington D.C.-Last week, Steve Birnbaum was reportedly en route to Israel. Tonight, Steve Birnbaum is likely en route to H Street. After being denied on numerous opportunities late and seeing coach Ben Olsen it appeared that D.C. were set for another disappointing result. But the United States Men’s National Team center-back came through late, hitting home his first goal of the season to draw United level with the Philadelphia Union at RFK Stadium.

United led the scoring charge early thanks to left-back Taylor Kemp, who drove home his first goal of the season in the 13th minute. But the Union came back thanks to goals by midfielders Tranquillo Barnetta and Chris Pontius in the 45th and 57th minute respectively.

Much like in their 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact last week played with purpose on the attack early. Although Olsen had switched to a 4-1-4-1 midfielders Luciano Acosta and Patrick Nyarko and forward Patrick Mullins were once again the focal points of the attack. Both Acosta and Mullins used Nyarko on the outside to break open a tight Union defense. A shot by Nyarko in the 5th minute was set up by a simple pass from Acosta that was ultimately cleared away.

But Kemp would not be denied just nine minutes later. In a similar fashion to Nyarko’s attempt  Kemp found space down the Union’s right flank. The former University of Maryland Terrapin slipped past the Union defense and hit his shot just beyond the reach of goalkeeper Andre Blake.

Philadelphia would respond with a very similar approach to Olsen’s plan of attack. In the 24th minute forward C.J. Sapong got past Nyarko down the right flank and find midfielder Fabian Herbers in the United penalty box. However, Herbers’ shot would go over the bar.

United would not be so lucky later in the half. Shortly before halftime, the Union would get a free kick opportunity just at the edge of the eighteen. Barnetta, who had been burned earlier, would make the most of his chance at redemption knocking home the set piece for his second goal of the season.

“He’s our guy that can slow the game down. We do need to get other people on the same page and also recognize when to slow things down,” said Union coach Jim Curtin. “I thought ‘Quillo’, as he got going, especially in the second half, took control of the game. We had some good possession in the second half.”

In the second half Philadelphia would continue to lay on the pressure. With both Barnetta and Ilsinho playing more as attacking midfielders D.C. struggled to get any sort of rhythm going. Their inconsistency would doom them when Ilsinho would make the steal in their defensive and find Barnetta on a overlapping run. The Swiss international laid in a light pass to Pontius for his ninth goal of the season.

With the pressure mounting and a season on the brink of collapse it appeared that United were losing control. After Acosta was brought down in the 85th minute by a Union defender Olsen began to yell at head referee Jair Marrufo. Marrufo promptly ejected Olsen from the match.

But all hope was not lost for D.C. Despite being down a coach, United strung together a series of opportunities late mostly hinging on their size advantage in the box. After being denied twice by Blake in the 91st minute, D.C. found their equalizer thanks to Birnbaum.

“I thought we did a good job, for the most part, making intelligent plays and getting the ball to dangerous spots,” said United Assistant Coach Chad Ashton. “We were starting to feel like it was one of those days where it just wouldn’t go in, but I thought we continued to create a lot of chances there right at the end.”

Although the draw keeps United’s playoff hopes alive (5-8-9, 24 points) the club is still searching for their first win since June 25th. They will host the Portland Timbers next Saturday.

Recent results have also not been kind to the Union (8-8-7, 31 points). The club is now win-less in four consecutive matches dating back to their previous 3-0 win over United in early July. Their road trip will continue next Saturday when they head to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Revolution.

 

MATCH SUMMARY

D.C. United– Bill Hamid, Taylor Kemp, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin, Rob Vincent, Patrick Nyarko, Luciano Acosta, Nick De Leon (Julian Buscher 79′), Lloyd Sam (Lamar Neagle 62′), and Patrick Mullins (Kennedy Igboannanike 70′). 

Goals- Kemp (13′) and Birnbaum (90+4′)

Yellow Cards- Acosta (58′)

Red Cards

Philadelphia Union-  Andre Blake, Fabinho, Ken Tribbett, Richie Marquez, Keegan Rosenberry, Brian Carroll, Tranquillo Barnetta, Brian Carroll (Warren Creavalle 45′), Chris Pontius (Charlie Davies 80′), Fabian Herbers (Walter Restrepo 70′), Ilsinho, and C.J. Sapong.

Goals- Barnetta (45′) and Pontius (57′)

Yellow Cards- Marquez (5′) Tribbett (63′)

Red Cards-

ATTENDANCE: 16, 392