John Bancroft
Union Beat Writer
Photo’s By Photos by Greg Carroccio/Philadelphia Union.
Rain and Wind punctuated the action on the field at PPL Park with the Philadelphia Union taking on the Montreal Impact.
The Union came out with a good result against Seattle in their back pocket, pushing the pace during the first 25 minutes.
Getting the start in place of the struggling Wenger on the wing, Eric Ayuk wasted no time and fired a blistering rocket into the corner of the net after C.J. Sapong laid off a cross from Cristian Maidana in the 8th minute. It was Ayuk’s second goal of the year putting the Union up 1- nil and serving Montreal notice.
The Union build up and attack continued but the Impact managed to work effectively through the Union defense on a transition and tied it up 20 minutes later on a terrific individual effort from Ignacio Piatti. He made two cutback moves towards the middle of the field, ripped one past Sylvestre from the top of the box for his fourth goal of the year.
There was plenty of action on the field at PPL Park and the fans that were brave enough to weather the rains and wind and cold and they got to see a match played with good pace on the attack, solid defense by both clubs and more than a fair share of cards.
The teams were tied at half going into the locker room.
When play resumed in the second half so did the swirling blowing rain and it was then that things started to get physical and messy. Downright chippy in fact. The game featured 32 fouls and seven yellow cards and two red cards. The Impact’s Patrice Bernier picked up his second yellow card in the 67th minute and subsequent ejection, giving the Union a one-man advantage. But not top last as Eric Ayuk picked up his second yellow in the 77th minute and was ejected bring the teams down to 10 V 10.
At the 70th minute former Union player Jack McInerney entered the game and just 3 minutes later scored a beauty when he got in a one-on-one against Richie Marquez, before blasting one past goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre to give Montreal the lead.
Down by one goal the Union pressed on. Edu’s first goal of the season came on a rebound from an absolute blast from Fabinho. The left back rocketed a shot from about 30 yards out that Bush barely saw in time to parry away. But it fell right to Edu at the six and the Union captain made no mistake on the equalizer.
“I was just trying to follow up and pray that the goalie would make a mistake, which he did,” Edu said. “He made the save and then it came out and I was there in the right place at the right time. It’s a credit to Fabi keeping that play alive.”
With time winding down the Union could not keep up that momentum and with Ayuk out as the result of sent his second yellow card and both sides were down to 10 men.
In the waning minutes The game opened up as both teams looked for the 3 points. Piatti and Edu both misfired on point-blank attempts and Marquez had a goal called back in the 82nd minute for being offside. But neither team could find the winner.
And moments later the final whistle blew sending both teams away with a point each
“A point here is alright but not what we were looking for,” Edu said. “We have to stay focused as we prepare to move into the second half of the season and a shot at the playoffs.
It’s the Union vs D.C. United on Tuesday in the Round of 16 for the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. That game will be at PPL Park with kick-off slated for 7 p.m.
17,531 paid attendance
