Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

All-time record: 3-1-2 (0-2-0 in Playoffs)
At PPL Park: 1-0-2
At Robertson Stadium/BBVA Compass Stadium: 2–1–0
Goals for: 10
Goals against: 7

Did you know…

The Union’s win on Sept. 23 was their first home win against Houston.

September 23, 2012: Philadelphia Union 3 – 1 Houston Dynamo

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOMBs7KTmpM[/youtube]

PSP Match Report Highlights

“On the back of a Freddy Adu brace, the Union defeated Houston Dynamo 3-1 in an ill-tempered match at PPL Park on Sunday afternoon. The win snapped Philadelphia’s eight game winless streak and allowed the host to play spoiler against a Dynamo side that sits on the Eastern Conference playoff bubble.”

PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights

“Against a lethargic Houston side who seemed to sleepwalk through the opening 60 minutes of a match they desperately needed, Philadelphia Union found their feet, and more importantly, the back of the net…

“An empty bucket midfield with Cruz and Michael Farfan forced wide simply failed to produce adequate chances, and for the Union to maintain consistent offensive production, it remains necessary to remove the second holding midfielder…

“If Gaddis and Williams were not in such scintillating form, the Union could again have come away from a match with little to show.”

PSP Photo Essay

Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more

Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath; Sheanon Williams, Amobi Okugo, Carlos Valdes, Raymon Gaddis; Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud, Michael Farfan; Freddy Adu (Keon Daniel ‘57) (Antoine Hoppenot ’66), Josue Martinez, Danny Cruz (Chris Albright ’81)

Unused substitutes: Chris Konopka, Jack McInerney, Roger Torres, Chandler Hoffman

Houston Dynamo
Tally Hall; Andre Hainault (Cam Weaver ’81), Bobby Boswell, Jermaine Taylor, Kofi Sarkodie; Ricardo Clark, Luiz Camargo (Giles Barnes ’63), Brad Davis; Oscar Boniek Garcia, Will Bruin, Macoumba Kandji (Calen Carr ’46)

Unused substitutes: Tyler Deric, Brian Ching, Adam Moffat, Warren Creavalle

Scoring Summary
28 – PHI: Adu
44 – HOU: Boniek (Bruin, Sarkodie)
50 – PHI: Adu (PK)
71 – PHI: Martinez (Okugo)

Discipline Summary
20 – PHI: Williams (caution)
42 – HOU: Davis (caution)
71 – HOU: Hall (caution)
75 – HOU: Carr (caution)
82 – PHI: M. Farfan (caution)

Referee
Edvin Jurisevic

June 30, 2012: Houston Dynamo 2 – 1 Philadelphia Union

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqk4aab7j9k[/youtube]

PSP Match Report Highlights

“On a night when Philadelphia Union’s spirited fightback should have been the major talking point, another questionable refereeing decision has grabbed the headlines. With ten minutes remaining, referee Fotis Bazakos pointed to the spot as Brian Ching fell theatrically to the deck after the slightest of contact from Gabriel Farfan, allowing the Houston striker to net a penalty kick for the game-winner BBVA Compass Stadium…

“After being thoroughly outplayed in the first half, the Union stormed out of the gates after halftime, and Keon Daniel leveled the score less than a minute into the second stanza. Both teams traded chances in a sloppy match where the points looked destined to be shared, but Bazakos’ decision in favor of the home side effectively settled the contest.”

PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights

“By electing to play a 4-3-3, the Union have decided to fight for midfield supremacy with only three midfielders. Given the personnel at their disposal, they cannot thrive using two players who have failed to gel over the first 14 matches of 2012. For whatever reason, most likely that they want to occupy the same space, Brian Carroll and Gabriel Gomez still have not found the chemistry that would inspire hope of them creating a consistent, dangerous midfield for the Union. ”

PSP Photo Essay

Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.

Scoring Summary: 
20 – HOU: Davis (Kandji)
46 – PHI: Daniel (Carroll)
83 – HOU: Ching (PK)

Misconduct Summary: 
None

Lineups:

Houston Dynamo – Tally Hall; Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Jermaine Taylor, Corey Ashe; Luiz Camargo (Warren Creavalle ’79), Brad Davis, Geoff Cameron; Boniek Garcia, Will Bruin (Brian Ching ’74), Macoumba Kandji (Brian Ownby ’71)
Substitutes Not Used: Cam Weaver, Nathan Sturgis, Tyler Deric, Colin Clark

Philadelphia Union –

Zac MacMath; Sheanon Williams (Freddy Adu ’83), Amobi Okugo, Carlos Valdes, Gabriel Farfan; Brian Carroll, Gabriel Gomez (Michael Lahoud ’75), Michael Farfan; Keon Daniel, Jorge Perlaza (Antoine Hoppenot ’64), Lionard Pajoy
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Konopka, Roger Torres, Chris Albright, Josue Martinez

Referee:
Fotis Bazakos

Attendance:
19806

August 6, 2011: Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 Houston Dynamo

PSP Match Report Highlights

“In the end, McInerney’s first strike of the season was not enough. Geoff Cameron equalized in the 85th and the Union dropped points for the second straight home match, tying the Houston Dynamo 1-1.”

“But through it all, Jack McInerney was a vitalizing force. Fronting the line, he created space and forced Bobby Boswell to climb him like a stepladder on headers.”

PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights

“But with a new lineup every night and very few players in front of Brian Carroll being anything close to consistent performers, the fans have often watched the team resort to long, direct tactics. It is disappointing not because we are a city of soccer purists who lift our nose at long balls, but instead our investment in this team suggests to us that there is a wealth of talent to be unlocked, and thus far it has only been seen sporadically.”

“The coaching staff says this is a team built for the long-term, and if that’s really true than the last thing it needs is a crutch. Even in a fluid system, an offense develops consistent points of strength. So far, the Union have none.”

PSP Photo Essay

Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.

Scoring Summary: 
PHI — Jack McInerney 1 (Sebastien Le Toux 8) 15
HOU — Geoff Cameron 4 (unassisted) 84

Misconduct Summary: 
HOU — Bobby Boswell (caution; Reckless Foul) 78
PHI — Carlos Valdes (caution; Reckless Foul) 83

Lineups:

Houston Dynamo – Tally Hall, Hunter Freeman (Jermaine Taylor 68), Bobby Boswell, Andre Hainault, Corey Ashe, Colin Clark (Je-Vaughn Watson 62), Adam Moffat, Geoff Cameron, Brad Davis, Brian Ching, Cam Weaver (Carlo Costly 61).
Substitutes Not Used: Jason Garey, Eddie Robinson, Kofi Sarkodie, Tyler Deric.

Philadelphia Union – Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Gabriel Farfan, Justin Mapp (Michael Farfan 46), Roger Torres (Danny Mwanga 46), Brian Carroll, Sebastien Le Toux, Jack McInerney (Stefani Miglioranzi 66), Veljko Paunovic.
Substitutes Not Used: Keon Daniel, Kyle Nakazawa, Amobi Okugo, Zac MacMath.

Referee: Terry Vaughn
Referee’s Assistants: Peter Manikowski; Chris Strickland
4th Official: Ismail Elfath
Attendance: 18,524
Time of Game: 1:49
Weather: Cloudy and 77 degrees

March 19, 2011: Houston Dynamo 0 – 1  Philadelphia Union

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7oZ_jwV8dU[/youtube]

PSP Match Report Highlights

“In a game void of many chances, Danny Califf scored his first-ever goal for the Union just five minutes into the game, and Philly held on for the clean sheet.”

“ When they did attack, Houston drove down Sheanon Williams’ right side, with Brad Davis as the driving force. Twice he was able to play balls into the box around Williams, but both were dealt with by a backline that, despite its newness, would demonstrate an encouraging cohesiveness throughout the game.”

Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.

Scoring Summary:         
PHI — Danny Califf 1 (unassisted) 5

Philadelphia Union – Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Jordan Harvey, Kyle Nakazawa (Gabriel Farfan 69), Brian Carroll, Stefani Miglioranzi, Justin Mapp (Danny Mwanga 58), Carlos Ruiz (Amobi Okugo 85), Sebastien Le Toux.

Substitutes Not Used: Chris Agorsor, Jack McInerney, Roger Torres, Zac MacMath.

TOTAL SHOTS: 6 (Sebastien Le Toux 2, Justin Mapp 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Justin Mapp 2); FOULS: 13 (4 tied with 2); OFFSIDES: 3 (3 tied with 1); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Justin Mapp 1); SAVES: 3 (Faryd Mondragon 3)

Houston Dynamo – Tally Hall, Hunter Freeman (Danny Cruz 71), Bobby Boswell, Jermaine Taylor, Andre Hainault, Corey Ashe, Geoff Cameron, Lovel Palmer, Brad Davis, Jason Garey (Cam Weaver 57), Will Bruin (Dominic Oduro 61).

Substitutes Not Used: Mike Chabala, Eddie Robinson, Kofi Sarkodie, Tyler Deric.

TOTAL SHOTS: 14 (Brad Davis 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (3 tied with 1); FOULS: 9 (Brad Davis 2); OFFSIDES: 1 (Geoff Cameron 1); CORNER KICKS: 8 (Brad Davis 8); SAVES: 3 (Tally Hall 3)

Misconduct Summary:
PHI — Carlos Ruiz (caution; Reckless Foul) 20
HOU — Brad Davis (caution; Reckless Tackle) 22
PHI — Carlos Valdes (caution; Reckless Tackle) 44

Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
Referee’s Assistants: -Chris Strickland; Adam Garner
4th Official: Andrew Chapin
Attendance: 19,385
Time of Game: 1:51
Weather: Clear-and-76-degrees

October 2, 2010: Philadelphia Union 1 – 1 Houston Dynamo

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN6E5ZVxWVo[/youtube]

PSP Match Report Highlights

“The Union were on their heels much of the time and ended up fortunate to walk out with a draw. Houston outshot Philadelphia 16-7 and won 13 corner kicks, many of them on forced clearances headed out of bounds by Gonzalez, who was under constant pressure on the left side much of the second half.”

“Andrew Jacobson is the most underrated player on the Union. He plays hard, with a lot of intensity, and he’s a definite keeper”

PSP Photo Essay

Scoring Summary: 

HOU — Andrew Hainault 1 (unassisted) 12
PHI — Sebastien Le Toux 13 (Roger Torres 5) 40

Houston Dynamo – Pat Onstad, Andrew Hainault, Richard Mulrooney, Adrian Serioux, Ryan Cochrane, Brad Davis (Danny Cruz 74), Corey Ashe, Lovel Palmer, Geoff Cameron, Brian Ching, Dominic Oduro (Cam Weaver 78).

Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Boswell, Mike Chabala, Joseph Ngwenya, Eddie Robinson, Tyler Deric.

Philadelphia Union – Brad Knighton, Jordan Harvey (Jack McInerney 83), Juan Diego Gonzalez, Sheanon Williams, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Kyle Nakazawa, Andrew Jacobson, Sebastien Le Toux, Roger Torres (Shea Salinas 76), Nick Zimmerman (Danny Mwanga 59), Alejandro Moreno.

Substitutes Not Used: J.T. Noone, Amobi Okugo, Toni Stahl, Chris Seitz.

Misconduct Summary: 

PHI — Jordan Harvey (caution; Tactical Foul) 38

HOU — Brad Davis (caution; Tactical Foul) 58

Referee: Kevin Stott
Referee’s Assistants: Joe Fletcher, Peter Balciunas
4th Official: Abiodun Okulaja
Time of Game: 1:54
Attendance: 16,115
Weather: Clear and 70 degrees

May 29, 2010: Houston Dynamo 2 – 3 Philadelphia Union

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO_C1C-sz08[/youtube]

PSP Match Report Highlights

“So this is what it took. Add a little winger. Stir. Mix in a suddenly on-fire overall No. 1 draft pick attacker. Add some defense that stops making foolish mistakes. Maybe even a great save by the keeper. Keep playing till the final whistle.”

“Whoa Danny Mwanga. A stoppage time goal in the second straight game? Methinks a legend is forming.”

Scoring Summary:

PHI — Shea Salinas 1 (Michael Orozco 1) 39
HOU — Brian Ching 1 (Brad Davis 5) 52
HOU — Eddie Robinson 1 (Brad Davis 6) 59
PHI — Sebastien Le Toux 5 (Danny Mwanga 1, Roger Torres 3) 69
PHI — Danny Mwanga 2 (Sebastien Le Toux 2) 93+

Misconduct Summary:

PHI — Jordan Harvey (caution; Reckless Foul) 23
PHI — Kyle Nakazawa (caution; Reckless Foul) 42
PHI — Cristian Arrieta (caution; Tactical Foul) 51
PHI — Stefani Miglioranzi (caution; Reckless Foul) 58
HOU — Brian Mullan (caution; Reckless Foul) 79

Philadelphia Union – Chris Seitz, Cristian Arrieta, Danny Califf, Michael Orozco, Jordan Harvey, Shea Salinas (Roger Torres 62), Fred (Danny Mwanga 54), Stefani Miglioranzi, Kyle Nakazawa, Sebastien Le Toux, Alejandro Moreno. Substitutes Not Used: Andrew Jacobson, Shavar Thomas, Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo, Brad Knighton.

Houston Dynamo – Pat Onstad, Richard Mulrooney, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson (Ryan Cochrane 76), Mike Chabala (Andrew Hainault 45), Danny Cruz, Brad Davis, Lovel Palmer, Brian Mullan, Dominic Oduro, Luis Landin (Brian Ching 46).Substitutes Not Used: Corey Ashe, Joseph Ngwenya, Cam Weaver, Tally Hall.

Attendance: 13,555
Referee: Steven DePiero
Referee’s Assistants: -Philippe Briere; Jason Cullum
4th Official: Jeff Gontarek
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-88-degrees