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Top of the Match
Brad Knighton
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Sheanon Williams
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Flop of the Match
Collins John
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire
Fred
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Philadelphia Union 1-0 Chicago Fire: Union Earn First-Ever League Clean Sheet
Brad Knighton replaced Chris Seitz in goal, and the results were immediate.
By Ramin Majd
CHESTER, Pa. -- When it was all over, Danny Califf jumped into Brad Knighton’s arms as the sellout crowd at PPL Park erupted in delight. The Philadelphia Union—finally—got the franchise’s first MLS clean sheet.
Knighton’s start was not a huge surprise. Union team manager Peter Nowak made comments critical of incumbent keeper Chris Seitz after Philly’s last game. The former New England backup proved up to the task, making some quality saves to earn the Union their first win at home since July 17.
For Chicago, the loss came on the heels of a disappointing midweek draw, making a playoff run increasingly difficult.
First Half
Union fans got an early scare in the second minute, as Danny Mwanga collided hard with Chicago keeper Sean Johnson. Play was stopped and the training staff assisted Mwanga off the field. The rookie returned to the field in the next stoppage of play however, looking no worse for wear.
Chicago got a break in the eighth minute, with Freddie Ljungberg earning a free kick from contact with Califf. Nery Castillo’s strike from 20 yards out was headed in for a goal--but offside was called.
As he did when the Sounders came to PPL Park earlier in the season, Union defender Jordan Harvey blanketed Ljungberg. In the 31st, Harvey took the ball from the Swede on the right wing. The former Arsenal man did not give up, getting a shot off shortly thereafter, but Knighton made a strong save.
Ljungberg earned the ire of the home crowd—and Peter Nowak—after hitting the deck following a violent collision with Philly defender Michael Orozco Fiscal. Chicago was awarded the free kick, but no card was issued.
The Union got the game’s only goal in the 36th minute. Playing like a man possessed against his former team, Justin Mapp created an opportunity seemingly out of nowhere, passing through the Chicago defense to find Sebastien Le Toux alone in front of the net. The Frenchman finished cleanly, notching his 11th goal of the season.
Fire striker Collins John nearly evened things before the half, but Knighton stopped the Liberian native’s point blank shot from in close.
Le Toux nearly made it a brace in stoppage time. Taking a free kick from the left following a Wilman Conde yellow card, Le Toux got the ball on frame, but Fire keeper Sean Johnson got there first.
Second Half
Mwanga was subbed out in the 55th minute, perhaps still feeling the effects of the early-game collision.
Fire defender Dasan Robinson saved a goal in the 55th minute. Alejandro Moreno found Mapp streaking down the right side and passed him the ball. With only Robinson between Mapp and goal, the defender managed to get back and clear.
Knighton committed a goalkeeping blunder in the 55th minute, coming outside the 18 to his right to challenge for a ball. Fortunately for the Union, defender Sheanon Williams covered the goal, clearing a Chicago shot attempt.
The Union nearly made it 2-0—again—in the 78th minute and again, it was Sebastien Le Toux. The MVP candidate got a clear run down the right side, but his shot was just wide, hitting the side netting.
The Fire’s last breath came just before the 90th minute. Conde blasted from long range, but the on-form Knighton made the easy save.
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Knighton’s start was not a huge surprise. Union team manager Peter Nowak made comments critical of incumbent keeper Chris Seitz after Philly’s last game. The former New England backup proved up to the task, making some quality saves to earn the Union their first win at home since July 17.
For Chicago, the loss came on the heels of a disappointing midweek draw, making a playoff run increasingly difficult.
First Half
Union fans got an early scare in the second minute, as Danny Mwanga collided hard with Chicago keeper Sean Johnson. Play was stopped and the training staff assisted Mwanga off the field. The rookie returned to the field in the next stoppage of play however, looking no worse for wear.
Chicago got a break in the eighth minute, with Freddie Ljungberg earning a free kick from contact with Califf. Nery Castillo’s strike from 20 yards out was headed in for a goal--but offside was called.
As he did when the Sounders came to PPL Park earlier in the season, Union defender Jordan Harvey blanketed Ljungberg. In the 31st, Harvey took the ball from the Swede on the right wing. The former Arsenal man did not give up, getting a shot off shortly thereafter, but Knighton made a strong save.
Ljungberg earned the ire of the home crowd—and Peter Nowak—after hitting the deck following a violent collision with Philly defender Michael Orozco Fiscal. Chicago was awarded the free kick, but no card was issued.
The Union got the game’s only goal in the 36th minute. Playing like a man possessed against his former team, Justin Mapp created an opportunity seemingly out of nowhere, passing through the Chicago defense to find Sebastien Le Toux alone in front of the net. The Frenchman finished cleanly, notching his 11th goal of the season.
Fire striker Collins John nearly evened things before the half, but Knighton stopped the Liberian native’s point blank shot from in close.
Le Toux nearly made it a brace in stoppage time. Taking a free kick from the left following a Wilman Conde yellow card, Le Toux got the ball on frame, but Fire keeper Sean Johnson got there first.
Second Half
Mwanga was subbed out in the 55th minute, perhaps still feeling the effects of the early-game collision.
Fire defender Dasan Robinson saved a goal in the 55th minute. Alejandro Moreno found Mapp streaking down the right side and passed him the ball. With only Robinson between Mapp and goal, the defender managed to get back and clear.
Knighton committed a goalkeeping blunder in the 55th minute, coming outside the 18 to his right to challenge for a ball. Fortunately for the Union, defender Sheanon Williams covered the goal, clearing a Chicago shot attempt.
The Union nearly made it 2-0—again—in the 78th minute and again, it was Sebastien Le Toux. The MVP candidate got a clear run down the right side, but his shot was just wide, hitting the side netting.
The Fire’s last breath came just before the 90th minute. Conde blasted from long range, but the on-form Knighton made the easy save.
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
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |