Photo: Kyle Grantham

Club América took the lead in the 20th minute when Raphael Veiga scored the lone goal of the match. Philadelphia pushed for an equalizer throughout the match, out shooting Club América 12-7, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Philadelphia Union can take some positives from this performance, if not a win, and build on it for their next game against Atlanta on Saturday. Here are the ratings.

Player Ratings: 

GK Andrew Rick – 7

It was a well worked goal, and not much to do otherwise.

RB Nathan Harriel – 7

Got the start again at right back and worked well with Cavan Sullivan in the first half. His long balls in the second half lacked the precision we’ve come to expect.

CB Geiner Martínez 6

Made a good showing overall, but seemed to get caught out on the first goal.

CB Olwethu Makhanya 6

Solid performance overall but still maturing. Picked up a yellow just before the half for what looked like a frustration foul after he lost the ball past midfield. Got roasted on a backheel nutmeg by Salas that could have led to a goal. Fortunately, Bueno’s quick intervention meant that it was a tame shot that Rick handled easily.

LB Philippe Ndinga  – 7

Ndinga’s debut. He went 80 minutes on the field before being replaced by Larsen. He was quick and his positioning was sound. His forays into the attacking third were tantalizing, and may be the missing piece that will allow the Union to balance their attack.

AM Agustín Anello – 5.5

Replaced by Vassilev for the final third of the game, Anello is still learning to read his teammates and sometimes seems to be reading from the wrong script. Received a caution for a high boot in the box.

DM Jesús Bueno – 7

Solid, mature performance, Bueno did great work to slow down and stop América’s play through the middle. His recovery after Makhanya’s nutmeg may very well have spared the Union a second away goal. He also stayed out of the referee’s book.

DM Jovan Lukic – 6.5

Still seems to be shaking off some rust. His speed of play and decision-making–particularly his passing–seems a little slow.

AM Cavan Sullivan – 8

Sullivan is the patron saint of hopeless balls and something out of nothing. His ball flip in the 35th minute was a delight. His slalom run and then pass to Alladoh in the box in the late minutes of the first half could have sent the hosts into halftime with a tie.

FWD Ezekiel Alladoh- 6

His turn and quick shot (over the bar) after a pass from Cavan Sullivan was his best look of the evening before being replaced for the second half by Damiani.

FWD Milan Iloski – 7

A good game overall, with some excellent pressure and at least one big turnover in the attacking third. He and Lukic need a better chemistry.

Substitutes:

(45′) Frankie Westfield – 7

He’s still one the few sparks for the Union going forward, but is at times over-aggressive, with a tendency to over-pursue in defense and take himself out of play.

(45′) Bruno Damiani – 6

While his pressing and running off the ball is good, he continues to be wasteful in front of goal. At times, he seems unsure of his positioning when the Union are in attack.

(63′) Danley Jean Jacques – 7

Brought some solidity to the midfield and allowed Iloski to stay higher up the pitch. He probably should have taken the shot that Vassilev sent wide in the late stages of the game.

(63′) Indiana Vassilev – 6

He remains the dynamo of the team, but two misses in the second half wasted good build up production and interplay.

(81′) Japhet Sery Larsen – 7

Came on for the final ten minutes and mostly held his own

Substitutes not used: Andre Blake, George Marks, Alejandro Bedoya, Ben Bender, Jeremy Rafanello, Malik Jakupovic, Stas Korzaniowski.

Geiger Counter

Ref: Keylor Herrera – 6

Not afraid to show yellow cards (to Philadelphia), but nevertheless let some early fouls go.

Player of the Match: Raphael Veiga,

Scored the lone goal of the match. U.S. National Team player Alex Zendejas created a dangerous chance almost immediately thereafter, but it was wide of the post.

What’s Next

The Union will have to take the positives from this game and apply them quickly before they travel to Atlanta on Saturday, March 14 at 3:15p.m.