Match report: Philadelphia Union 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes

Photo Credit: Charlotte Thomas

Philadelphia Union 1 -San Jose Earthquakes 1

By: Mike Servedio (Editor’s Note: You can check out the original report on The Philly Soccer Page).

Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes shared the points after a 1-1 draw on a brisk April evening at Talen Energy Stadium. Magnus Eriksson gave San Jose the lead with a 37th minute blast past Andre Blake from just inside the box. The Union salvaged a point when Alejandro Bedoya headed Fafa Picault’s cross into the net in the 64th minute.

Jim Curtin made one change to the team that lost in Colorado last weekend with Fafa Picault returning from suspension to start on the right side in place of Fabian Herbers.

The Union started strong with a number of half chances. Picault and David Accam found room down the wings, and Accam fed Borek Dockal for a shot in the 12th minute that stung the hands of Andrew Tarbell, but the San Jose goalkeeper was able to beat it away.

Picault would have a good opportunity of his own in the 26th minute when Accam curled in a cross from the left, but Picault’s diving header flew past the right post and out for a goal kick.

The Quakes would finally get a chance in the 30th minute. Valeri Qazaishvili escaped the tackle of Jack Elliott and was one-on-one against Andre Blake, but the Union goalkeeper did very well to get down to his right and save the left footed shot from 16 yards.

San Jose would take the lead in the 37th minute. Danny Hoesen was able to get in behind the Union backline on the right side. He simply cut the ball back to Eriksson, who was alone at the top of the box, and the midfielder took one touch and blasted a shot into the top corner at the near post beyond Andre Blake.

The Union should have equalized in the 43rd minute. Again, it was Picault getting on the end of a cross, this time from Matt Real from deep on the left. But this time the winger’s header was straight at Tarbell, who did well to push it away.

Ilsinho was introduced in the 63rd minute in place of Accam, pushing Picault to the left. The Brazilian immediately had an impact taking on players down the right side.

The Union would found the tying goal in the 64th minute. Picualt did well on the left side of the San Jose box to cut back on his defender and float a ball up to the far post that Bedoya made no mistake heading in from close range.

Despite a number of half chances, Philadelphia was unable to find a winner and the game ended 1-1.

The announced attendance was 14,795 but there was nowhere near that many people in the stadium. The Union are back at home again on Friday, April 13 when they host Orlando City.

Three Points

• Chances. Philadelphia created enough chances to win the game, but the quality in the final third must be improved. Fafa Picault’s return was definitely a positive one, but a little bit more quality in the last third and the game is over in the first half.
• Defense. The youngest defense in MLS history was decent again. The goal conceded came against the run of play and perhaps Matt Real was caught a bit out of position, but the overall performance was strong.
• Accam and Dockal. The Union’s biggest offensive acquisitions had a mixed evening. Dockal looked more positive than he did in his previous two starts and certainly was more influential on the ball. Accam failed to get going for most of the match and Ilsinho seemed to bring more to the table.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union

Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Matt Real (Ray Gaddis 71′), Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya, Borek Dockal (Cory Burke 86′), Fafa Picualt, David Accam (Ilsinho 63′), C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Derrick Jones, Mark McKenzie, Anthony Fontana, Warren Creavalle

San Jose Earthquakes

Andrew Tarbell, Yefferson Quintana, Joel Qwiberg (Shea Salinas 58′), Harold Cummings, Nick Lima, Magnus Eriksson (Fatai Alashe 78′), Florian Jungwirth, Anibal Godoy, Valeri Qazaishvili (Quincy Amarikwa 86′), Chris Wondolowski, Danny Hoesen
Unused Subs: Francois Affolter, Tommy Thompson, Matt Bersano, Jahmir Hyka

Scoring summary

SJ: Valeri Qazaishvili — 37′ (Danny Hoesen, Anibal Godoy)
PHI: Alejandro Bedoya — 64′ (Fafa Picault, Borek Dockal)

Disciplinary summary

PHI: David Accam — 23′ (unsporting behavior)
SJ: Yefferson Quintana — 56′ (unsporting behavior)
SJ: Chris Wondolowski — 82′ (unsporting behavior)