The clouds parted in Chester, Pennsylvania just in time for kick off between the Philadelphia Union, and DC United as a dreary day turned to sunshine as DC took the initial kick-off.
The Union started the game strong and were given a free kick in a dangerous area when Kofi Opare took down CJ Sapong. Roland Alberg, at the spot where the 18-yard box met the end line, took the free kick, which was met by an acrobatic attempt by Sapong. His shot was mishit and went wide, essentially clearing for DC.
The first shot of the game came for the Union by Roland Alberg. Sapong turned Opare near the left side of the box and put in a great back-post cross, finding Alberg wide open. The Dutch midfielder opted to hit his shot first-time, and his attempt bounced several feet wide of the near post.
Chris Pontius earned a penalty against his former club in the 20th minute. Opare brought him down, after Pontius cut across the DC defender. Barnetta played Pontius in the channel with a terrific pass to release the forward. Pontius used his pace to run at Opare, leaving Sean Franklin in his dust. Pontius just had to cut to his left to beat the DC man, and was tripped up by Opare’s lazy challenge.
Alberg stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, and successfully sent Bill Hamid the wrong way, with a calm finish to his right.
The Union almost received another penalty 8 minutes later. Ilsinho used a brilliant Cruyff turn to get around Taylor Kemp. Franklin pulled Ilsinho back in an attempt to gain back position, the ref didn’t think it warranted another penalty and let play continue. A Cruyff turn, for those who don’t know, is a turn executed with the back foot. The player turning will touch the ball behind his front foot, and essentially turn in the opposite direction from what the defender would have expected.
Bill Hamid made an excellent save to deny former teammate Chris Pontius from raising the score. Pontius’s backheeled effort caused Hamid to lean the wrong way, but the big keeper did well to readjust his weight and make a great save.
Ilsinho earned the Union a second penalty on the night in the 37th minute. Marcelo Sarvas was beat on the dribble and tried to use his body to take Ilsinho out of the play, in a situation very similar to the one earlier. This time the ref blew for a penalty almost immediately. Ilsinho stepped up to the spot to take his penalty. Hamid guessed the right direction, but Ilsinho’s penalty was perfectly placed, and flew by Hamid into the lower left corner.
DC United registered it’s first shot of the game in the 42nd minute. All-star Andre Blake didn’t have to do much, as the header flew right into his midriff. Sarvas swung a perfect cross into a dangerous area. Steve Birnbaum connected to the header, but was unable to place it to a side, as his header went right to Blake.
The Union kicked off the second half as the sun set in Philadelphia. They extended their lead just minutes later. Roland Alberg swung in a brilliant freekick. Sapong had an awkward header and opted to head the ball down for Ilisnho who lashed the ball into the back of the net. It was Ilsinho’s second of the night and MLS career.
DC got their first good shot from the run of play in the 55th minute. A lay-off from Lamar Neagle allowed Nick DeLeon to let loose from 20 yards out. Andre Blake made a good save to his left to parry the shot away. DC had another chance just a minute later when Alhaji Kamara hit a shot from 12 yards out. He beat Ken Tribbet for pace, but his left footed shot went wide of the near post and hit the side netting.
Bill Hamid came up with a massive save in the 59th minute, despite being down 3-0. Chris Pontius headed the ball, finding CJ Sapong right in front of DC’s goal, redirecting Alberg’s corner. Hamid came out and swatted the ball off of Sapong’s head to deny the striker a goal.
Luciano Acosta has created problems for the Union backline. The quick forward created enough space on the dribble to hit a shot from 25 yards out. His swerving effort was parried away by Blake in an acrobatic save.
Pontius almost notched a goal in the dying minutes of the match. DC looked tired and willing to throw in the towel. After an extended period of possession Pontius found enough space for a shot at the top of the box. His curling shot was saved by a flying stop by Bill Hamid.
Thoughts:
Opare has already been beaten several times, and has had to resort to fouling. He may likely be sent off later in the game. There it is, red card, this certainly looked likely early on.
Kamara has been a handful for the Union defenders. His hold up game is strong and he is deceptively quick. Tribbet and Marquez have done well to defend him thus far.
Neither team has created much outside of the penalties in the first half.
Set pieces seem to be where both teams get the most opportunities. Giving away fouls will certainly result in good opportunities.
Sapong is so important for what Philly wants to accomplish. Having a forward who can hold the ball up, but also run the channels and is pacy is such an important feature. Without Sapong the Union cannot rely on crossing and have less outlets. His hold-up play, and aerial ability in the box creates so much for the Union attack.
Pontius’s last performance against his old club was rather lackluster. This time he has had a brilliant game, taking on defenders and picking out passes.
Line-ups and Summary:
Bill Hamid (28)
Taylor Kemp (2), Steve Birnbaum (15), Kofi Opare (6), Sean Franklin (5)
Marcelo Sarvas (7)
Fabian Espindola (10), Nick DeLeon (14), Jared Jeffery (25), Lamar Neagle (13)
Alhaji Kamara (45)
CJ Sapong (17)
Chris Pontius (13), Roland Alberg (6), Ilsinho (25)
Brian Carroll (7), Tranquillo Barnetta (10)
Keegan Rosenberry (12), Ken Tribbet (4), Richie Marquez (16), Fabinho (33)
Andre Blake (1)
Summary:
Yellow DCU: Opare 20’
Goal PHL: Alberg 20’
Goal PHL: Ilsinho 37’
Goal PHL: Ilsinho 46’
Sub DCU: Alvaro Saborio (9) for (45) Alhaji Kamara
Sub DCU: Luciano Acosta (11) for Nick DeLeon (14)
Yellow/Red DCU: Kofi Opare 65’
Sub PHL: Sebastien Le Toux (9) for Ilsinho (25) 68’
Sub DCU: Bobby Boswell (32) for Lamar Neagle (13) 68’
Sub PHL: Warren Creavalle (2) for Roland Alberg (6) 71’
Sub PHL: Fabian Herbers (11) for CJ Sapong (17)
