Photo: Paul Rudderow
All-time record: 1–6–2
At Talen Energy Stadium: 0–2–2
At Home Depot Center: 1–4–0
Goals for: 10
Goals against: 22
Did you know?
The Union are currently mired in the 8th longest winless streak in MLS history. If Philadelphia is unable to earn three points against the Galaxy, it will become the 4th longest such streak.
May 11, 2016: Philadelphia Union 2-2 LA Galaxy
PSP Match Report Highlights
Philadelphia started quickly and went ahead in just the 4th minute. Fabinho played in a low, early cross from the left side toward C.J. Sapong at the near post. Los Angeles could only half-clear, with the ball falling to Nogueira at the penalty spot. The midfielder’s first shot was blocked, but he was able to get to the rebound first and toe poke home from seven yards out.
Los Angeles would equalize on a terrific team goal in the 15th minute. A move that started inside the Galaxy’s own six-yard box was eventually worked into the right hand channel for Giovani Dos Santos. The Mexican international was able to get past Fabinho’s challenge and cut a pass back for the onrushing Robbie Rogers. Rogers took his shot first time, chipping into the far corner of Andre Blake’s goal from a tough angle eight yards out.
Steven Gerrard weighted the ball perfectly for Mike Magee to arrive for a shot at back post. The ex-Fire man made no mistake, cracking a first time shot into the top corner of Blake’s goal from 16 yards out.
Barnetta’s corner kick was met by Pontius at the back post, but his shot was well saved by Kennedy on the goal line. The ball trickled free of the LA stopper, and Sebastien Le Toux was on hand to create chaos that Rosenberry cleaned up with a powerful strike from a yard out.
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
LA Galaxy should consider themselves lucky. They have no right taking points from a match in which their three high priced attacking stars and Gyasi Zardes combined for one blocked shot. But Philadelphia Union struggled to put the finishing touch on numerous good transitions through the Galaxy midfield, and both moves LA put together were executed and finished immaculately.
Philly’s early defensive plan seemed to be built around making LA’s central defenders play the ball. By taking Gerrard out of the game and playing a slightly deeper line than normal, the Union goaded Van Damme and Leonardo into looking downfield. It worked, as Richie Marquez dominated the air and Philly had a 3v2 advantage in midfield to recover the ball since Gerrard was dropping so deep looking for the ball.
For all the Union’s attacking pressure, they continually end up playing the ball wide and looking for low crosses inside. This is a far better strategy than the early crosses Fabinho has favored in the past, but it should be complemented with more involvement for Sapong, who has the ability to act as a wall against which other attackers can play.
Link to MLS Match Center for Chalkboard, Stats and more
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Josh Yaro, Richie Marquez, Fabinho, Brian Carroll, Vincent Nogueira, Tranquillo Barnetta (Roland Alberg 88′), Chris Pontius (Fabian Herbers 86′), Sebastien Le Toux (Ilsinho 70′), C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Ken Tribbett, Warren Creavalle, Ray Gaddis
Los Angeles Galaxy
Dan Kennedy, Ashley Cole, Robbie Rogers, Leonardo, Jelle Van Damme (Daniel Steres 76′), Baggio Husidic, Steven Gerrard (Jeff Larentowicz 73′) , Giovani Dos Santos, Mike Magee (Sebastian Lletget 89′), Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes
Unused Subs: Brian Rowe, AJ DeLaGarza, Emmanuel Boateng, David Romney,
Scoring Summary
PHL: Vincent Nogueira – 4′
LA: Robbie Rogers (Giovani Dos Santos, Robbie Keane) – 15′
LA: Mike Magee (Steven Gerrard, Giovani Dos Santos) – 47′
PHL: Keegan Rosenberry – 63′
Disciplinary Summary
LA: Robbie Rogers (foul) – 70′
LA: Dan Kennedy (time wasting) – 82′
June 20, 2015: LA Galaxy 5-1 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
Gyasi Zardes and Baggio Husidic each netted a goal and two assists as LA Galaxy brushed off Philadelphia Union 5-1 in front of 23,875 at the StubHub Center Saturday night.
Husidic and Juninho tallied in the first half, and then Zardes, CJ Sapong and Stefan Ishizaki all scored in a three-minute stretch. Sebastian Lletget got on the board for the third straight match six minutes later to round out the scoring in the 65th minute.
Philadelphia will begin the week in 9th place in the Eastern Conference…
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
Philadelphia Union officially wrapped up the first half of the 2015 MLS season by capitulating to the Los Angeles Galaxy in spectacular fashion, especially after looking by far the brighter side during the opening 20 minutes.
Once the Galaxy solved the Union defense, they continued to do so with ease, pouring in 5 goals as they ran riot directly through the middle of the park. And while there were plenty of underwhelming performances to go around, three centrally located players who have been so essential to any success the Union have had of late — Maurice Edu, Brian Carroll and Chaco Maidana — all turned away from their own games, leading to perhaps each of their least productive showings this season.
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Brian Sylvestre, Ray Gaddis, Maurice Edu, Richie Marquez, Sheanon Williams, Andrew Wenger (Fabinho, 66′) Brian Carroll (Ethan White, 72′), Cristian Maidana, Vincent Nogueira (Fred, 66′), Zach Pfeffer, CJ Sapong
Unused substitutions: John McCarthy
Los Angeles Galaxy
Jaime Penedo, Dan Gargan, Omar Gonzalez, Robbie Rogers, Baggio Husidic, Juninho (Jose Villarreal, 68′), Mika Vayrynen (Sebastian Lletget, 57′), Stefan Ishizaki, Gyasi Zardes (Alan Gordon, 71′), Robbie Keane
Unused substitutions: Brian Rowe, Tommy Meyer, Ignacio Maganto, Kenney Walker
Scoring Summary
LA: Baggio Husidic — 23
LA: Juninho (Zardes, Husidic) — 35
LA: Gyasi Zardes (Keane) — 56
PHI: CJ Sapong (Wenger) — 58
LA: Stefan Ishizaki (Gonzalez, Juninho) — 59
LA: Sebastian Lletget (Zardes, Husidic) — 65
Disciplinary Summary
LA: AJ DeLaGarza (foul) — 6
PHI: Fred (foul) — 88
May 28, 2014: LA Galaxy 4-1 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
In a match-up of World Cup snubs, Maurice Edu and Landon Donovan faced off in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
While the LA man responded to his World Cup omission with two goals to break the MLS regular season scoring record and lead his team to a dominant 4–1 win, Edu and the rest of the Union looked listless and out of ideas.
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
The switch from starting Andrew Wenger and Leo Fernandes to Antoine Hoppenot and Leo Fernandes had little impact on the match. Like Wenger in most games, Hoppenot was completely isolated in the Union’s attack. Whether it is the inability to make the right runs in behind, or drop into the midfield for touches to allow runners to get ahead of them, the Union’s forward line has been completely disconnected from most of the team all season. Sunday was no different.
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath, Fabinho, Sheanon Williams, Amobi Okugo, Ray Gaddis, Brian Carroll, Vincent Nogueira, Leo Fernandes, Danny Cruz, Antoine Hoppenot
Unused Substitutions: Brian Holt, Michael Lahoud, Fred, Ethan White
Los Angeles Galaxy
Jaime Penedo, Dan Gargan, Tommy Meyer, Leonardo, A.J. DeLaGarza, Gyasi Zardes, Juninho (Raul Mendiola, 73′), Kenney Walker (Stefan Ishizaki, 64′), Baggio Husidic, Landon Donovan (Samuel Rosa, 83′), Robbie Keane
Unused substitutions: Brian Rowe, Kofi Opare, Robbie Rogers, Rob Friend
Scoring Summary
2′ — LA: Leonardo (Landon Donovan)
46′ — LA: Landon Donovan (Robbie Keane)
64′ — LA: Robbie Keane
81′ — LA: Landon Donovan (Robbie Keane)
88′ — PHI: Maurice Edu (PK)
Disciplinary Summary
31′ — LA: Juninho (Foul)
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez; Linesman: Jeff Hosking, Jason White; Fourth Official: Kevin Stott
May 15, 2013: Philadelphia Union 1-4 LA Galaxy
PSP Match Report Highlights
The Galaxy left it late but hammered the Union 4-1 on the strength of Landon Donovan’s goal and two assists.
Three second half goals doomed the home side after Amobi Okugo had equalized following an early Zac MacMath own goal. After halftime, however, Los Angeles turned up the pressure, and the Union had no answer after changing to a more attacking formation. First, Donovan found space to play in Robbie Keane, who finished with ease, before Hector Jimenez was the recipient of similar service from the US international. Keane repaid his teammate with an assist of his own, feeding Donovan to complete the rout.
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
For 45 minutes on Wednesday, Philadelphia Union could have convinced the casual observer that it was they, not the Los Angeles Galaxy, who owned the past two MLS Cups. With Kleberson running the show out of the midfield and Jack McInerney and Sebastien Le Toux dutifully chasing down anything that moved in the attacking half, the Galaxy found themselves in a much tighter match than they would have anticipated. Going into the halftime break, Union supporters could be forgiven for feeling a wave of optimism course through the stands at PPL Park, believing that they might have enough to take a win off the Galaxy for the second year running.
Obviously, the dream scenario failed to materialize, as LA turned on the quality and drove the Union back toward their own goal, where they stayed for much of the final 45. With just over 30 minutes remaining, John Hackworth still had three substitutions in his pocket and with them the chance to give his team a lift.
PSP Postgame Video and Quotesheet
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath; Sheanon Williams, Amobi Okugo, Bakary Soumare (Michael Farfan ’81), Ray Gaddis; Danny Cruz (Antoine Hoppenot ’64), Kleberson, Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel; Sebastien Le Toux (Conor Casey ’64), Jack McInerney
Unused Substitutes: Roger Torres, Chris Konopka, Aaron Wheeler, Chris Albright
LA Galaxy
Carlo Cudicini; Tommy Meyer (Sean Franklin ’64), A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant (Greg Cochrane ’81); Landon Donovan, Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Mike Magee; Jose Villarreal (Hector Jimenez ‘72), Robbie Keane
Unused Substitutes: Brian Rowe, Rafael Garcia, Charlie Rugg, Leonardo
Scoring Summary
3 – LAG: MacMath (own goal)
23 – PHI: Okugo (Williams)
71 – LAG: Keane (Donovan)
80 – LAG: Jimenez (Donovan)
87 – LAG: Donovan (Keane)
Discipline Summary
53 – PHI: Soumare (caution)
68 – PHI: Gaddis (caution)
85 – LAG: Franklin (caution)
90 – PHI: Okugo (caution)
Referee
Ismail Elfath
July 4, 2012: LA Galaxy 1–2 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
“Philadelphia Union pulled off the ultimate smash and grab Wednesday night, scoring a goal at the end of each half to shock the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 for the win.”
“But in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Michael Farfan would provide the heroics for the Union. When Pajoy’s seeing-eye backheel split two defenders, Farfan went one on one with DeLaGarza. Cutting into the field on his right foot, Farfan created space for himself and gently curled his finish past the defender and a diving Saunders to win the match for the Union.”
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
“Outplayed and outclassed for the majority of the match at the Home Depot Center, the opportunity to steal their first victory against Los Angeles Galaxy would have never been a possibility were it not for the tenaciously scrambling Union defense and Zac MacMath’s best showing of 2012.”
“Against the Galaxy and Houston last weekend, Carroll was badly exposed on both accounts. He was not quick enough to get to his spots defensively. Going forward, one need only watch the Union defenders throwing their arms up in frustration when they were unable to find a simple outlet pass and were instead forced to pump the ball up field.”
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring Summary
45 – PHI: McInerney (M. Farfan)
73 – LAG: Barrett (Magee)
90 – PHI: M. Farfan (Pajoy)
Discipline Summary
14 – PHI: Valdes (Caution)
70 – PHI: Okugo (Caution)
78 – PHI: MacMath (Caution)
90 – LAG: DeLaGarza (Caution)
Referee
Armando Villarreal
Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath; Sheanon Williams, Amobi Okugo, Carlos Valdes, Gabriel Farfan; Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud (Gabriel Gomez ’61), Michael Farfan; Freddy Adu (Antoine Hoppenot ’71), Jack McInerney, Keon Daniel(Lionard Pajoy ’75)
Unused Substitutes: Chris Konopka, Chris Albright, Raymon Gaddis, Roger Torres
Los Angeles Galaxy
Josh Saunders; AJ DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez (Sean Franklin ’46), David Junior Lopes, Todd Dunivant; Hector Jimenez (Chad Barrett ’60), Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Mike Magee; Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane
Unused Substitutes: Brian Perk, Bryan Jordan, Michael Stephens, Bryan Gaul, Tommy Meyer
May 11, 2011: Philadelphia Union 1-1 LA Galaxy
PSP Match Report Highlights
“For the fifth straight match Landon Donovan scored for the LA Galaxy. But Danny Mwanga had the answer. Led by the powerful play of halftime substitute, Union picked up an important home point with a 1-1 tie against a strong western conference opponent.”
“The Galaxy noticed. In the 85th minute, with Mwanga bearing down on him, defender Sean Franklin misplayed a back pass to Ricketts. Mwanga was on the ball before either Galaxy player could react. His rollover around Ricketts was sublime, and he cut inside the prone goalkeeper to ease a calm finish around a desperate LA defender and inside the back post.”
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
“For the first 25 minutes of the second half, Mwanga announced himself with a relentless physical pounding of the LA defense. After 45 minutes chasing Le Toux and using a baby monitor on Carlos Ruiz, the Galaxy back four were wholly unprepared for Mwanga’s commitment to using strength and skill to drive into the final third.”
“Nobody could explain why the Union were so dull. John Hackworth said after the match that the only positive of the first thirty was that LA used a lot of energy and only had the one goal.”
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring Summary:
LA — Landon Donovan 5 (unassisted) 24
PHI — Danny Mwanga 1 (unassisted) 83
Misconduct Summary:
LA — Chris Birchall (caution; Reckless Foul) 30
PHI — Brian Carroll (caution; Shirt Removal) 58
PHI — Roger Torres (caution; Reckless Tackle) 76
LA — Omar Gonzalez (caution; Delaying a Restart) 78
PHI — Danny Mwanga (caution; Shirt Removal) 83
LA — A.J. DeLaGarza (caution; Reckless Foul) 87
PHI — Sheanon Williams (caution; Reckless Foul) 92+
Lineups:
LA Galaxy — Donovan Ricketts, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Chris Birchall, Landon Donovan, Juninho, Michael Stephens (Hector Jimenez 89), Juan Pablo Angel (Chad Barrett 89), Miguel Lopez (Jovan Kirovski 82).
Substitutes Not Used: Gregg Berhalter, Paolo Cardozo, Frankie Hejduk, Josh Saunders.
Philadelphia Union — Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Jordan Harvey (Jack McInerney 80), Brian Carroll, Kyle Nakazawa (Roger Torres 66), Keon Daniel (Danny Mwanga 46), Justin Mapp, Sebastien Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz.
Substitutes Not Used: Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Amobi Okugo, Zac MacMath.
Referee: Andrew Chapin
Referee’s Assistants: Greg Barkey; Matthew Kreitzer
4th Official: Jorge Gonzalez
Weather: Sunny and 73 degrees
Attendance: 19,178
April 2, 2011: LA Galaxy 1-0 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
“Philadelphia Union fell 1-0 to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night, failing to equalize despite playing most of the second half one man up. David Beckham set up the game’s lone goal by sending a free kick into the box that Galaxy defender Leonardo headed home in the 33rd minute.”
“Birchall was sent off three minutes later, but the Union failed to capitalize. The Union didn’t put a single shot on goal all game and took only four shots total, compared to nine shots for the Galaxy, with four on goal. The Union also didn’t win a single corner kick.”
PSP Player Ratings and Analysis Highlights
“The Galaxy were utterly content to let Califf “run the offense” yesterday. As soon as the ball was played into the midfield, they applied pressure. But if Califf wanted to knock it over the top or play a soft, agonizingly slow pass across to Valdes or Harvey he was more than welcome.”
“Three. That is how many times the Union strikers completed passes to each other on Saturday. And remember: There were three strikers on the field. Playing with three up top should not mean that three players are constantly trying to run in behind the defense”
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Leonardo 1 (David Beckham 2) 33
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Miguel Lopez (caution; Reckless Foul) 51
LA – Chris Birchall (ejection; Violent Conduct) 53
PHI – Carlos Ruiz (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 53
LA – Donovan Ricketts (caution; Delaying a Restart) 60
PHI – Sheanon Williams (caution; Tactical Foul) 63
PHI – Jordan Harvey (caution; Reckless Tackle) 78
PHI – Danny Califf (caution; Reckless Tackle) 88
LA – David Beckham (caution; Delaying a Restart) 89
LA – Landon Donovan (caution; Reckless Foul) 92+
PHI – Jack McInerney (ejection; Violent Conduct) 95+
LA Galaxy — Donovan Ricketts, Sean Franklin, Leonardo, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, David Beckham (Jovan Kirovski 89), Chris Birchall, Juninho, Landon Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel (Chad Barrett 89), Miguel Lopez (Bryan Jordan 57).
Substitutes Not Used: A.J. DeLaGarza, Frankie Hejduk, Mike Magee, Josh Saunders.
Philadelphia Union — Faryd Mondragon, Jordan Harvey, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Sheanon Williams (Jack McInerney 73), Sebastien Le Toux, Brian Carroll, Stefani Miglioranzi, Kyle Nakazawa (Roger Torres 62), Danny Mwanga (Keon Daniel 46), Carlos Ruiz.
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Agorsor, Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Thorne Holder.
Referee: Paul Ward
Referee’s Assistants: Darren Clark; Anthony Vasoli
4th Official: Chris Penso
Time of Game: 1:55
Weather: Cloudy-and-61-degrees
Attendance: 24,998
October 7, 2010: Philadelphia Union 0-1 LA Galaxy
PSP Match Report Highlights
“One David Beckham corner kick proved to be the difference as the Union fell 1-0 to the Galaxy for only their third loss at home all season.”
“LA was willing to let the Union keep possession, and it proved to be the correct strategy as Philadelphia seemed content to move the ball around without much intent in the final third.”
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring Summary:
LA — Edson Buddle 16 (David Beckham 1) 27
Misconduct Summary:
LA — Michael Stephens (caution; Reckless Foul) 77
LA — Jovan Kirovski (caution; Reckless Tackle) 89
Lineups:
Los Angeles Galaxy — Donovan Ricketts, A.J. DeLaGarza, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant, Chris Birchall, David Beckham (Jovan Kirovski 76), Juninho (Bryan Jordan 86), Michael Stephens (Mike Magee 89), Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan.
Substitutes Not Used: Alex Cazumba, Chris Klein, Leonardo, Josh Saunders.
Philadelphia Union — Brad Knighton, Sheanon Williams, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Danny Califf, Jordan Harvey, Justin Mapp (Roger Torres 82), Andrew Jacobson (Shea Salinas 73), Stefani Miglioranzi, Fred (Kyle Nakazawa 14), Danny Mwanga, Sebastien Le Toux.
Substitutes Not Used: Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo, Nick Zimmerman, Chris Seitz.
Referee: Jorge Gonzalez
Referee’s Assistants: Corey Rockwell; Greg Barkey
4th Official: Chris Penso
Time of Game: 1:51
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees
Attendance: 18,779
May 1, 2010: LA Galaxy 3-1 Philadelphia Union
PSP Match Report Highlights
“Three goals surrendered and a Stefani Miglioranzi red card by halftime. Then a good response from the Union in the second half, capped by Jack McInerney’s first professional goal. You could say the game wasn’t as lopsided as the scoreboard showed, but the score was about right.”
“Nice finish to record his first professional goal. Otherwise, Union Jack got physically manhandled. He’s too small and too young, but eventually, neither of those will outweigh his vast talent, as we saw on his nice finish.”
Link to Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring:
LA — A.J. DeLaGarza 1 (Edson Buddle 1, Michael Stephens 1) 1
LA — Edson Buddle 8 (unassisted) 27
LA — Edson Buddle 9 (Landon Donovan 5, Michael Stephens 2) 45
PHI — Jack McInerney 1 (Fred 1) 84
Discipline:
PHI — Stefani Miglioranzi (ejection; Serious Foul Play) 47+
PHI — Kyle Nakazawa (caution; Reckless Tackle) 73
LA — Omar Gonzalez (caution; Reckless Tackle) 77
Lineups:
Philadelphia Union — Chris Seitz, Cristian Arrieta, Danny Califf, Michael Orozco, Jordan Harvey (Amobi Okugo 74), Andrew Jacobson (Kyle Nakazawa 61), Shea Salinas, Stefani Miglioranzi, Roger Torres (Jack McInerney 56), Fred, Alejandro Moreno.
Los Angeles Galaxy — Donovan Ricketts, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, Todd Dunivant, Michael Stephens, Chris Birchall, Juninho (Alex Cazumba 62), Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle (Tristan Bowen 75), Alan Gordon (Clint Mathis 70).
Referee: Yader Reyes
Referee’s Assistants: Chris Strickland; Eric Boria
4th Official: Jair Marrufo
Attendance: 15,453
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear-and-67-degrees
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