Philly travels one state over to New Jersey to face a Red Bulls team that has successfully built the midfield the Union thought they had a year ago. With Maurice Edu suspended, Philadelphia needs immense performances from the duo that steps into central defense.
The Union did just enough on Sunday night to claim a crucial second victory of the season at home over DC United
Video from the Sons of Ben “Union fans deserve better” protest. Jim Curtin’s postgame press conference. Interviews with Brian Sylvestre, Ray Gaddis, and Zach Pfeffer. Postgame wrap with Eli Pearlman-Storch and Mike Servedio.
A stoppage time winner from Zach Pfeffer saw the Union break a four match losing streak and defeat DC United 1-0 Sunday night at PPL Park.
DC has risen to the top through shrewd roster development. Philly has sunk to the bottom by failing at the same game. The Union must create opportunities against a tenaciously organized defense to take home points off the Eastern Conference leaders on Sunday.
Philadelphia Union had a chance to take the lead in Vancouver, but it was Vancouver that converted their first real chance and went on to dominate the rest of the match.
A strong opening twenty minutes turned dark as Vancouver capitalized on Union mistakes to walk off with a 3-0 victory at BC Place. Philadelphia has now lost four consecutive matches.
UPDATE: Curtin says Mbolhi is “not going to play any more games with us.” Sakiewicz says Mbolhi “earmarked for summer transfer…due to potential injury, there is no reason for him to play.”
The Union are in danger of floating away, but the mediocre Eastern Conference is granting them time. To get a result on Saturday in Vancouver they should have one primary goal: Prevent Pedro Morales from getting the ball in space to stifle the Whitecaps’ counterattack.
Only one team could muster the necessary moment of quality on Saturday to walk away with three points. It wasn’t the Union.
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