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Top of the Match
Danny Mwanga
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Sebastien Le Toux
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Flop of the Match
Juan Diego González
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Jean Alexandre
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Philadelphia Union 1-1 Real Salt Lake: Champions And Newcomers Share Points, Trade Fouls
Depleted Real Salt Lake side takes point in Philadelphia.
By Keith Hickey
CHESTER, Pa. -- PPL Park and 16,128 fans witnessed the defending champions, shorn of several key players, take a point from a spirited game against the expansion Philadelphia Union. Danny Mwanga and Fabian Espindola provided the early goals for their respective clubs. Six players saw yellow in a hotly contested match.
First Half
The Philadelphia Union have never been known for cagey starts, and this game was no exception. Almost immediately, the Union began pressuring Real Salt Lake’s Chris Wingert down the right flank, with Fred receiving a yellow card in the second minute for a robust challenge.
Rookie Danny Mwanga immediately showed why he was so highly prized by Union manager Peter Nowak. In the opening minutes, the first overall pick of the 2010 SuperDraft showcased his natural speed and killer instinct, while employing a workrate copied from his senior partner in attack, Sebastien Le Toux.
Mwanga’s industriousness paid dividends in the eight minute. Jordan Harvey sent a throw-in to Le Toux, whose smart flick put the ball on the feet of Mwanga. The rookie darted inside and with composure beyond his years, picked the perfect moment to slot home coolly past Kyle Reynish to put the Union up 1-0.
The pair almost combined for another just three minutes later. Working off of each other on the counter, Mwanga and Le Toux moved the ball upfield into an excellent position, but Mwanga lost control at the crucial moment and was dispossessed.
And just two minutes after that, Mwanga again was the catalyst for a dangerous Union attack. Powering down the left, he beat Tony Beltran to the byline and cut back deftly to an unmarked Kyle Nakazawa at the top of the box, but the rookie midfielder’s low shot was saved by Reynish.
Just when it seemed like RSL were being overpowered, Fabian Espindola sprang to life. Showing excellent footwork, he maneuvered himself into position for a strong shot, but it was blocked at the last second as he attempted to pull the trigger.
Espindola would not be denied, however. Pushing forward in the 17th minute, he took advantage of a lucky bounce off of Union defender Juan Diego Gonzales. Showing flashy footwork, he sidestepped Danny Califf to knock the ball past a hapless Chris Seitz.
Nearing the 30 minute mark, Le Toux almost put Philadelphia ahead again. Beating the offside trap, it took heroics from Reynish to deny the breakaway Frenchman and preserve the equal scoreline.
And just minutes later, the visitors had their shot. Catching Chris Seitz out of position, only a timely interception from Michael Orozco Fiscal prevented the loose ball from going over the line.
Second Half
The Union came out strong again in the second half, playing balls into the penalty area from the whistle. Danny Mwanga’s dangerous running brought a cynical foul from Real midfielder Jean Alexandre in the 51st. The resulting free kick lured another foul against Alexandre, this time on Danny Califf. Le Toux’s laserlike free kick skimmed over the top of the bar.
The game opened up as the half grew older. The pace of the Union’s front line created problems for the Salt Lake defenders. Only a misplayed first touch kept Danny Mwanga from doubling his tally in the 62nd minute. Fred and Le Toux also had close chances, Fred’s close range shot being saved by Reynish and Le Toux’s effort going over the bar.
Real grew increasingly physical in order to counter the Union’s pace with the ball. Rauwshan McKenzie picked up a yellow card in the 60th minute for hauling down Le Toux, as the forward was racing down the left wing. Nat Borchers was booked in the 79th minute as he took out Mwanga’s legs.
Real Salt Lake were not without their offensive teeth, however. Substitutes Collen Warner and Robbie Findley combined well late in the match, giving Union fullback Jordan Harvery a difficult task. A foul on Findley by Andrew Jacobson brought a free kick that required an acrobatic diving save from Chris Seitz to keep out of the net.
The closing moments of the match descended into a chippy affair. Both sides conceded needless fouls, and Union midfielder Roger Torres was awarded a yellow card for a particularly agricultural effort in the dying seconds.
The extra effort was ultimately in vain though, as the match finished 1-1, ending a two-game slide from the Union and extending the Royals’ unbeaten streak to four matches.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
First Half
The Philadelphia Union have never been known for cagey starts, and this game was no exception. Almost immediately, the Union began pressuring Real Salt Lake’s Chris Wingert down the right flank, with Fred receiving a yellow card in the second minute for a robust challenge.
Rookie Danny Mwanga immediately showed why he was so highly prized by Union manager Peter Nowak. In the opening minutes, the first overall pick of the 2010 SuperDraft showcased his natural speed and killer instinct, while employing a workrate copied from his senior partner in attack, Sebastien Le Toux.
Mwanga’s industriousness paid dividends in the eight minute. Jordan Harvey sent a throw-in to Le Toux, whose smart flick put the ball on the feet of Mwanga. The rookie darted inside and with composure beyond his years, picked the perfect moment to slot home coolly past Kyle Reynish to put the Union up 1-0.
The pair almost combined for another just three minutes later. Working off of each other on the counter, Mwanga and Le Toux moved the ball upfield into an excellent position, but Mwanga lost control at the crucial moment and was dispossessed.
And just two minutes after that, Mwanga again was the catalyst for a dangerous Union attack. Powering down the left, he beat Tony Beltran to the byline and cut back deftly to an unmarked Kyle Nakazawa at the top of the box, but the rookie midfielder’s low shot was saved by Reynish.
Just when it seemed like RSL were being overpowered, Fabian Espindola sprang to life. Showing excellent footwork, he maneuvered himself into position for a strong shot, but it was blocked at the last second as he attempted to pull the trigger.
Espindola would not be denied, however. Pushing forward in the 17th minute, he took advantage of a lucky bounce off of Union defender Juan Diego Gonzales. Showing flashy footwork, he sidestepped Danny Califf to knock the ball past a hapless Chris Seitz.
Nearing the 30 minute mark, Le Toux almost put Philadelphia ahead again. Beating the offside trap, it took heroics from Reynish to deny the breakaway Frenchman and preserve the equal scoreline.
And just minutes later, the visitors had their shot. Catching Chris Seitz out of position, only a timely interception from Michael Orozco Fiscal prevented the loose ball from going over the line.
Second Half
The Union came out strong again in the second half, playing balls into the penalty area from the whistle. Danny Mwanga’s dangerous running brought a cynical foul from Real midfielder Jean Alexandre in the 51st. The resulting free kick lured another foul against Alexandre, this time on Danny Califf. Le Toux’s laserlike free kick skimmed over the top of the bar.
The game opened up as the half grew older. The pace of the Union’s front line created problems for the Salt Lake defenders. Only a misplayed first touch kept Danny Mwanga from doubling his tally in the 62nd minute. Fred and Le Toux also had close chances, Fred’s close range shot being saved by Reynish and Le Toux’s effort going over the bar.
Real grew increasingly physical in order to counter the Union’s pace with the ball. Rauwshan McKenzie picked up a yellow card in the 60th minute for hauling down Le Toux, as the forward was racing down the left wing. Nat Borchers was booked in the 79th minute as he took out Mwanga’s legs.
Real Salt Lake were not without their offensive teeth, however. Substitutes Collen Warner and Robbie Findley combined well late in the match, giving Union fullback Jordan Harvery a difficult task. A foul on Findley by Andrew Jacobson brought a free kick that required an acrobatic diving save from Chris Seitz to keep out of the net.
The closing moments of the match descended into a chippy affair. Both sides conceded needless fouls, and Union midfielder Roger Torres was awarded a yellow card for a particularly agricultural effort in the dying seconds.
The extra effort was ultimately in vain though, as the match finished 1-1, ending a two-game slide from the Union and extending the Royals’ unbeaten streak to four matches.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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Top Scorers
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|---|---|---|---|
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11 | 2 |
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