CHESTER, PA- MARCH 26: Gershon Koffie #28 of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Brian Carroll #7 of the Philadelphia Union fight for the ball at PPL Park on March 26, 2011 in Chester, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Union Get Manhandled By Whitecaps, Fall 1-0
Whitecaps end a 14 game winless streak by beating the Union 1-0.
Union Get Manhandled By Whitecaps, Fall 1-0
Live1 Total Update since June 18, 2011
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almost 2 years ago Update 0 comments
RECAP: Union Get Manhandled By Whitecaps, Fall 1-0
The Philadelphia Union were expecting to continue a run of strong games with good results, but instead some questionable coaching moves lead toward a 1-0 loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Head coach Piotr Nowak decided to start newly signed Serbian striker and central attacking midfielder Veljko Paunovic, along with much maligned midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi. The Union started Miglioranzi alongside fellow defensive (or holding) midfielder Brian Carroll, the first time since the Union's recent return to offensive form that two defensive midfielders lined up with one another. Danny Mwanga, the Union's leading scorer this season, sat on the bench, as did exciting rookie midfielder Michael Farfan. Last week's her Keon Daniel, who gave the Union an 1-0 lead against Real Salt Lake, also was on the bench at the beginning of the game.
A dismal first half for the Union was the result of almost complete domination by the Whitecaps. Despite holding 52% of the possession, the Union failed to capitalize on any runs of play that they put together. Carroll had the only real opportunity on goal, striking from distance. His shot landed safety in Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon's arms. The Whitecaps, however, took advantage of some nice possession and passing around minute 12 and left back Alain Rochat's rocket of a shot nearly went upper 90 on Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon. The outside of the foot shot seemed to nick the turf enough to bend the ball so that Mondragon could only get his fingertips on it.
Paunovic, who had been retired for two and a half years before signing with the Union, was subbed out of the game in the 59th minute. He did not make much impact on the game and looked out of his depth at times. Miglioranzi was also substituted out of the game in the early second half. On came Mwanga and Farfan.
Even with those two moves the Union saw little change in the flow of the game. Mwanga saw a cross that came off of a run made all by himself land at a defender's feet. Le Toux couldn't sniff the goal. Farfan found no help trying to move up the left side. Justin Mapp lost the ability to make runs that he had done early into the first half. Other than Carroll, every player outside of the defense and Mondragon failed to make any impression upon the match.
There were two moments for the rest of the game that really had any life to them. Mondragon rushed out of his area to attempt to clear a long through ball, but failed to make it in time. He chose to fight with the Whitecaps player who also made it to the ball, losing out in the end. Vancouver, however, could not capitalize on that opportunity to double their lead. The second moment was in the last minute or so of the second half, when the Union finally found offensive life. That too came to nothing.
Coming back to Philadelphia, the Union face Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday at 7 pm.
almost 2 years ago Update 0 comments
In Vancouver, The Union Try To Beat The Whitecaps For A Second Time This Year.
The Philadelphia Union head to Canada to play the Vancouver Whitecaps tonight. The Whitecaps are currently in the midst of a 14 game winless streak, which started after falling to the Union in both teams' second game of the 2011 season. A 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake showed that the Unon mean business this year in MLS.
Check out the Union's starting line up for a very big surprise at one of the team's striker positions.
Here are the starting line ups and bench sevens for both teams in tonight's game:
Union starting: Faryd Mondragon; Jordan Harvey, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Sheanon Williams; Justin Mapp, Stefani Miglioranzi, Brian Carroll, Kyle Nakazawa; Sebastien Le Toux, Veljko Paunovic
Union bench: Zach MacMath, Roger Torres, Jack McInerney, Danny Mwanga, Keon Daniel, Michael Farfan, Juan Diego Gonzalez
Whitecaps starting: Cannon; Leathers, DeMerit, Boxall, Rochat; Salinas, Dunfield, Brovsky, Camilo; Chiumiento, Hassli
Whitecaps bench: Sylvestre, Duckett, Khalfan, Salgado, Koffie, Teibert, Akloul
