Philadelphia Union looked to put a halt to their losing streak today as they played host to Sporting Kansas City. Sporting made it four games without a loss, playing to a 1-1 draw midweek with Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday evening. Sporting KC came into tonight’s match in second place in the Eastern Conference with 29 points from 13 matches. On the other hand, the Union came into the match in ninth place with 8 points from 12 matches. Philadelphia Union saw their winless run extended to six games, losing the first game of the John Hackworth Era, 1-0 to D.C. United at PPL Park on Saturday.
A couple thousand people hadn’t even taken their seats when the Union started off the game with a goal in the 1st minute. A well-played ball over the top to Freddy Adu allowed him to run onto it and cross the ball low from the right flank into the box where Lionard Pajoy flicked it back for teammate Jack McInerney who poked it high over two defenders and goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen into the near post. The crowd erupted in a frenzy, and this was certainly the start the Union were hoping for.
Sporting KC responded by a controlling the majority of ball possession and attacked down the flanks by sending many crosses into the Union’s box. Philadelphia Union were forced back into their own third, pushing them to defend and counter attack.
However midway through the first half, the Union were able to produce opportunities through short combinations in the midfield and then long balls over the top. Possession evened out through the mid first half with both teams electing to play a more direct style.
Towards the end of the half, the Union regained momentum with good ball possession and quality chances at goal. The Union were rewarded with another goal from a set piece in the 42nd minute when Freddy Adu whipped in a free kick from the left side of the box. The ball ricocheted off a Sporting defender and found its way to McInerney again, who poked it in from a two yards out giving the Union a 2-0 lead before halftime.
In the beginning of the second half Sporting came out strong with the majority of ball possession and good combinations in the final third as Philadelphia sat back and defended with all 11 men behind the ball.
Sporting produced quality chances and they were presented with their best opportunity in the 68th minute when Teal Bunbury received a laid-off cross inside the box and shot it wide left of the goal.
The Union were on the counter attack and were sure to get another goal in the 69th minute when Antoine Hoppenot received a well-played ball over the top from Amobi Okugo. Hoppenot found himself one on one with Sporting keeper Jimmy Nielsen. He tried lobbing Nielsen, but over hit it and the ball flew long over the goal.
Sporting was presented with a grand opportunity. Union gave up a free kick outside the box, which was taken by Sporting midfielder Graham Zusi who fired the ball to far post. His shot was acrobatically saved by the Union’s Zac MacMath.
The Union would sit and defend their two goal lead and counter attack. Then in the 81st minute on another counter attack Hoppenot would get taken down in the box by Sporting defender Aurélien Collin. Lionard Pajoy would extend the Union lead to 3-0 after stepping up and burying his shot bottom right corner.
Only six minutes later in the 87th minute Hoppenot found himself behind the Sporting defensive line with another one on one opportunity. This time he made sure to finish it and chipped Nielsen giving the Union an outstanding 4-0 lead. The goal was assisted by Michael Farfan.
After the game new Union manager John Hackworth said, “I’m proud of the boys. It was a great team effort all around in every possible way.”
The Union came into the game struggling, but after tonight’s 4-0 win over one of the best offenses in the league, it was hard to tell that they had been in a slump.
Philadelphia’s defense played a vital role in the win, and Hackworth went on to say, “even though we gave up a lot restarts, our back line kept battling, and to do that for ninety-plus minutes is fantastic.”
Jack McInerney, with two goals in the first half, was ecstatic with the teams overall performance and mentioned that, “leading up to this game our mentality throughout the week in training was that we are going to win this game.” But even he was a little surprised by how many goals the Union put in the back of the net.
Although the Union were out-possessed 60% – 40%, they defended well in the final third and on set pieces, while counter attacking at timely moments in the game. The early goal in the first minute helped the Union to a great start, and a 18,000-plus attendance certainly helped boost Philadelphia’s confidence from the first minute on. It was clear to say that the PPL Park had a strong supporting crowd with much Brotherly Love.
