On a foggy Wednesday night the Philadelphia Union played host to the LA Galaxy, who have been in great form sitting in 2nd in the Western conference. The Union, in a similar position in 3rd place and in knocking distance of Eastern Conference leaders Montreal, looked to bounce back after drawing San Jose The last time these two teams met the Union lost 5-1 in LA.
Both teams came in with high intensity to their play, which was accentuated by atmosphere created by the rowdy river end.
The Union jumped to a quick lead in the 4th minute. CJ Sapong met Fabinho’s near post cross, and his attempt fell at the PK spot for Vincent Nogueria. Nogueira was tackled promptly but ineffectively. He regained possession and rolled the ball into the lower left corner from 10 yards out. The Union almost struck again from the first corner kick of the night. Sapong met the ball at the near post, and his back post flick flashed across the face of goal just out of the reach of Richie Marquez.
The Galaxy equalized in the 15th minute thanks to right back Robbie Rogers. Giovanni Dos Santos was played in behind Fabinho, and after some lovely hold up play, sent a reverse pass to Rogers, who curled the ball to the back post from 6 yards out.
The Union almost scored the go ahead goal on the stroke of half. Sapong flicked a long Rosenberry throw-in on at the near post. His pass found Pontius at the back post, but it was just too high for him as his headed effort rose over the bar.
At the half the score was 1-1, with the Union recording 9 shots to the Galaxy’s 3. Philadelphia had a slight advantage on the ball, with 52% possession.
The Galaxy took the lead early in the second half thanks to Mike Magee. The Galaxy played the ball across the top of the Union box, where Gerard found Magee wide of Rosenberry to the left. Magee took a touch and rifled the ball into the roof of the net at an angle from 14 yards.
By the hour mark the Union started to really push for an equalizer, the Galaxy began to look a little timid with the ball as the Union pressed.
The pressure in the end paid off from a corner kick. Kennedy saved the initial header from Pontius but failed to keep control. Rosenberry scored his first career goal, jumping on the loose ball after Le Toux poked the ball away from the keeper. He couldn’t miss from a yard out, as the Galaxy defenders cried out for a foul on their keeper.
The Galaxy then started to come out of their shell, looking to attack and get the winner. The Union were then able to hit on the counter and almost took the lead. Pontius was put 1-on-1 with Leonardo and was able to create space for a shot, but his left-footed effort curled past the right post.
Ilsinho made a quick impact after coming on in the 68th minute. Some quick feet gave him enough space for a left footed curler from the top of the box but his shot was off target.
The Union continued to threaten as the Galaxy couldn’t find an answer. LA defended well with numbers back, and attacked with a bit of hesitation, with defending on their mind. The Union however looked to press and get the ball forward. LA moved to a 4-4-2 from a 4-3-3 in an attempt to slow the Union attacks, which had slowed by the 85th minute.
The Union broke on the counter yet again, however, with Barnetta using a lovely bit of skill, back-heeling the ball for the on coming Ilsinho. Ilsinho found Sapong whose shot was deflected just past the near post. On the proceeding corner the Union once again got a snap shot off in the box but it landed in the grasp of Kennedy in what was the last effort of the game.
Thoughts on the game:
Barnetta has been the cog that turns the Union. He has been able to find space in front of the Galaxy back line, and on several occasions has played very dangerous passes into the Galaxy goal box.
Sapong has the role of near post runner this game. His movement caused the first goal and has created problems for the LA backline. With more support from a second runner, the Union could be more dangerous off of crosses.
Nogueira has been the deep-lying playmaker tonight for the Union, and has been able to find lanes consistently to get the ball into the forwards feet, which has been a big reason the Union have been able to attack so frequently.
The Galaxy midfield has holes on the break, but when the get a chance to organize they do well to get men behind the ball.
LA Galaxy
Philadelphia Union
