+1
The Union fail to improve their postseason seeding after falling to the Red Bulls 1-0.
The Union face a tough test in their final game of the season, against the New York Red Bulls, who need this one. The Union need it, too -- a win could give them the top spot in the East and homefield advantage -- but the Red Bulls NEED a win, all caps. A win is the only way New York can guarantee a spot in the postseason.
The good news for Philadelphia is that the Red Bulls will be without striker Thierry Henry, who will have to miss the game after receiving a straight red card against Kansas City Last week. Meanwhile, the Union will count on a striker of their own, Sebastien Le Toux for a spark up front. Le Toux has netted ten goals in his last 11 games.
The Red Bulls' situation is more desperate, but this is a game the Union would very much like to have. In the crowded Eastern Conference standings, a loss could send the Union tumbling into a wild card spot, which would force Philadelphia to start the postseason on the road.
Want to get even more excited? Watch this preview from MLS:
For more on the game, check out our our Union blog Brotherly Game and Red Bulls blog Once A Metro.
Union Vs. Red Bulls Final Score: New York Blanks Philadelphia 1-0
The New York Red Bulls dribbled their way into the Harrison arena on Thursday night (Oct. 20, 2011) without striker Thierry Henry, who was benched after receiving a straight red card against Kansas City last week.
Not only that, the struggling soccer team was facing elimination, as a loss to the Philadelphia Union would have bounced them from the postseason.
I guess nobody told Dane Richards.
His head shot that bounced off goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon not only won the game and secured a playoff spot for New York, it also eliminated the Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers.
Tonight’s loss was a major disappointment for the Union, who finish with 48 points and await the results of this weekend’s games from the Houston Dynamo (46 points) and Columbus Crew (47 points).
Goodbye, bye, hello wildcard.
For more on tonight’s game, head over to our Union blog Brotherly Game and Red Bulls blog Once A Metro.
Oct 20 10:54p by Jesse Holland