Photo: Marjorie Elsey
Union came from behind to win against DC United in the capital on Saturday night, clawing back a point after a horrendous first half and back-to-back home defeats.
Union's line-up was slightly different from the one they started in earlier games this season, including Leon Flach in midfield. Flach, who has been injured for most of this year, was in the starting lineup for the first time since August 30th. Additionally, Andrew Rick was benched for the first time on his first-team contract due to Andre Blake's lingering knee injury. The Union used its fourth and final short-term call-up for Tuesday's rescheduled game against Seattle.
Philadelphia leaves the first game hanging in the balance.
In the 9th minute, Flach gave up the ball due to a turnover and remained out of position until DC's Christian Dajome took the lead from a cross. Flach's positioning and ball possession in the first half did not meet the expectations of a player hailed as national team level.
Julián Carranza received a yellow card in the 20th minute for a foul in an attacking corner. For the fifth time this season, he was suspended for the next game for accumulating yellow cards.
DC dominated the ball for most of the first half, moving the ball around outside the box and trying to find the next chance. Damien Lowe defended the centre-back line and cleared several aerial balls aimed at Christian Benteke.
Jack McGlynn stole the ball in midfield and dribbled his way to the outside of the 18, drawing a foul. Carranza hit the bar with a free kick, but narrowly missed out on an equalizer in the 30th minute.
Three minutes later, Jacob Grenes and Nate Harriel scored DC United's first goal when they were brought down by Jacob Murrell from outside the box.
Philadelphia got one back in the 42nd minute through Wagner's restart through Alejandro Bedoya. In the aftermath, D.C. goaltender Alex Bono was stepped on by one of the defenders and was pinned down.
Flach received a yellow card for a foul from behind. Rowe was given a yellow for lack of sportsmanship after kicking the ball away. Union headed to the locker room at halftime with a chance to tie the game.
Latter half
Quinn Sullivan came on in the second half and caught Bono from the line for a chip attempt. The keeper got a hold of it and sent the corner kick over the crossbar.
That aside, Philadelphia's offense was unable to connect early in the second half. A cross from Bedoya on the wing found the feet of a DC defender, and Carranza's shot was easily blocked.
Carranza narrowly avoided a second yellow in the 68th minute when he committed a foul in midfield right in front of the fourth official.
Harriel's defence-defensive header in the 72nd minute ensured that Union didn't concede another goal. Jose Martínez, who was tasked with clearing the ball from inside the box, had his foot stepped on by Dajome shortly after the start of the match. Per new league rules, he remained on the sideline for two minutes.
McGlynn scored late in the 90th minute from outside the box in the 79th minute, scoring the equalizer with his magical left foot. Had it not been for that clean shot to the back of the net, Philadelphia would have suffered its third loss in eight days.
Three points:
- Return of Leon Flax: He played like someone who hadn't seen the field since November. He will need to improve significantly in the coming weeks to get back into shape and relieve the aging Bedoya from playing more than 90 minutes.
- Continue to make concessions: It's frustrating to see Union concede multiple goals against a team that has won significantly in recent years. For a team that has kept clean sheets up until now, the lack of communication in the defensive third has had a major negative impact. Can Union regain their defensive form or will they sign a defensive-minded player this summer?
- Homemade success: Hariel played well on both sides of the ball tonight. He completely shut out Benteke and made several runs into the box. Meanwhile, McGlynn's goal kept the Union one point away from home.
lineup
Philadelphia
Oliver Senmur, Kai Wagner, Damian Lowe, Jakob Grenes, Nathan Harriel, Jack McGlynn, Alejandro Bedoya, Leon Flach (Jose Martinez 66 minutes), Quinn Sullivan (Michelle Ure 66 minutes), Daniel Gasdag, Julián Carranza
Unused Subs: Andrew Rick, Jack Elliott, Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, Ty Balibo, Chris Donovan
dc united
Alex Bono, Christian Dajome (Christian Fletcher 85 minutes), Lucas Bartlett, Christopher McVay, Aaron Herrera, Matti Peltola, Mateusz Klich, Jackson Hopkins (Steven Birnbaum 74 minutes), Jared Stroud, Jacob Murrell (Ted Cudipietro 64 minutes), Christian Benteke
Unused subs: Matai Akinboni, Tyler Miller, Gabriel Piliani, Martin Rodriguez, Pedro Santos, Garrison Tubbs
Score summary:
DCU: Christian Dajomet – 9 inches
DCU: Jacob Murrell – 33'
PHI: Alejandro Bedoya – 42'
PHI: Jack McGlynn – 79'
Discipline overview:
PHI: Julián Carranza – 20'
PHI: Damien Lowe 45'+2
PHI: Leon Flach – 45'+2
DCU: Ted Coo-DiPietro – 92'
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
