The Union sat back and absorbed New England’s pressure. They earned a point through Andre Blake’s heroism and Fernando Aristeguieta’s fine finish, but they will need to transition with much more success to trouble Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.
A poor showing from Houston gave Union fans a glimpse of the potential a fully loaded midfield offers. The return of Mo Edu led to unnecessary questions about his best position.
When a talented team executes their gameplan perfectly, there is not much an opponent can do. The Crew are a talented team, and the Union could not recover after being pinned back the entire first half.
Conor Casey saved the day when it looked like a dire match was going to be decided by a wild handball.
It was more of the same as Philly’s tactical issues were punished by New England’s talented young attack.
Philadelphia Union conceded possession but not goals, and in doing so they broke a five match winless streak.
The Fire, the Union, Mark Geiger… nobody won on Sunday as the teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference flashed their potential and their flaws in front of a rightly disappointed PPL Park crowd.
The Union smothered Orlando’s offensive duo but struggled to generate their own chances as they settled for a scoreless draw.
New York targeted the left channel, and Shaun Wright-Phillips won his mano-y-mano matchup with Ray Gaddis in the second half. Philly heads to Orlando desperately in need of an identity and a win.
Ben Olsen used Fabinho’s arm injury late in the first half to tinker with his team shape. It paid off almost immediately and the Union never regained a foothold in the match.
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