Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Saturday’s win over Chicago puts the Union back on top in the Eastern Conference with 17 points from ten games played. New York is in second place with 16 points after their draw with Houston, who are in third place with 14 points. Houston has played one more game than Philadelphia and New York.

For the first time this season, the Union scored two goals (and each was quite lovely!). All of the goals scored by the Union at PPL Park this season have been scored in front of the River End.

Match statistics

For the first time since the match against San Jose, the Union offense recorded more attempts on goal, shots on target and open play crosses than their opponents. The 16 attempts on goal on Saturday equaled the Union’s combined total against Portland and Dallas, games which ended as losses. Similarly, the number of shots on goal equaled the total against against Dallas and LA and was only one less than the total for the past three games. The Union continue to have the edge in duels won.

Interestingly, the number of passes declined significantly against Chicago, the Union recording 365, 92 fewer passes than the team recorded against Dallas. Correspondingly, the Union did not enjoy the better share of possession for the first time since the San Jose game, the first match for which such numbers are available (that I’ve been able to find, anyway). The accuracy of the Union’s passes improved compared to the previous three games.

Team offensive stat totals

Five Union players produced shots with goalscorers Michael Farfan and Carlos Ruiz each recording four. Kyle Nakazawa was the only player other than Farfan and Ruiz to record a shot on goal. Only Ruiz made more than one shot on goal.

After recording no shots or shots on goal against LA and Dallas, Sebastien Le Toux had two shots against Chicago. Despite the goal he nearly created out of nothing in the second half that ended with the ball banging off of the post, Le Toux has not recorded a shot on goal in three games, his last coming against Portland.

Overall team statistics

After ten games, the Union have five wins, three losses and two draws. Three of the ten games played have been against teams from the East—two at home, one away—and the Union is undefeated in those contests. The remaining games have been against teams from the Western Conference—four at home, three away. The Union has two wins, three losses and two ties against teams from the West and each of the losses have been on the road. The Union are undefeated at PPL Park with four wins and two draws. On the road Philadelphia has one win and three losses.