Philadelphia Union 1-1 FC Dallas: Danny Mwanga Rescues Union

Expansion team snatches dramatic late draw.

May 15, 2010 7:31:00 PM

By Keith Hickey

More On :  FC Dallas, Philadelphia Union
Danny Mwanga, Philadelphia Union, MLS (Getty)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- They left it late, but a dogged Union attack eventually put the ball past an excellent Kevin Hartman, keeping Philadelphia's unbeaten home record intact. A crowd of 25,038 watched the match, in which Danny Mwanga's first professional goal equaled the first-half drive of FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea.
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First Half

The first half started brightly, with both teams seeking to establish a physical attacking presence. Philadelphia nearly took an early lead in the fifth minute, when Alejandro Moreno nodded a deflected Kyle Nakazawa free kick over the bar. The Union had another missed opportunity just two minutes later, when leading scorer Sebastien Le Toux thought he had scored, only to see the goal called back by the linesman's flag for offsides. The physicality settled down somewhat when referee Ricardo Salazar gave Union defender Michael Orozco a stern talking to in the 12th, following a rash challenge from the defender in midfield. 

Most of the first half's cohesive offensive impetus came from the Union, with Philadelphia seemingly spurred on by a partisan home crowd. The Union put nine shots on goal, compared to just four from Dallas. Philadelphia also led in corners, three to none. 


Somewhat surprisingly, it was the visitors, FC Dallas, who drew first blood, making the breakthrough in the 13th, when midfielder Brek Shea received a layoff at the top of the box from Jeff Cunningham, beat Christian Arrieta, and powered a shot past a helpless Chris Seitz from the edge of the area. Responding almost immediately, the Union nearly equalized when Roger Torres's close-range header forced an excellent reaction save from Kevin Hartman, who then used his hip to stop a shot from a streaking Le Toux breakaway in the 27th. 

Drawing closer to the end of the half, Hartman was again the hero, making stretching double saves to deny both members of the Union attacking partnership, Le Toux and Moreno, in the 37th minute. Shortly after, Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham, last year's top MLS top goalscorer, nearly doubled Dallas's lead, as all alone on a breakway, his shot flew just over the crossbar under pressure from Chris Seitz.

The Union had the lion's share of the attacking momentum, but an excellent performance from veteran FC Dallas keeper Hartman, who made four saves, kept Major League Soccer's newest team off the scoresheet in the first.
Second Half

The Union started the second half with attack in mind, but found putting their thoughts into action a more difficult proposition. Kevin Hartman had an easy save to make from Sebastien le toux's 49th minute free kick, while rookie midfielder Kyle Nakazawa should have done better with an unmarked shot from 25 yards in the 51st. Captain Danny Califf was another Union player who came close but failed, putting two second half headers off target.

As in the first half, FC Dallas again found themselves on the back foot under withering Union pressure, but keeper Hartman was again the hero, equal to the Union challenges and commanding his area with aplomb, making a number of important interventions, especially on the numerous Union corner kicks.

As the half wore on, Dallas became more adventurous, with Atiba Harris putting a shot wide from a narrow angle following an incisive run into the box. Dax McCarty's 73rd minute free kick was nearly headed home by George John.

With the field opened up, Philadelphia nearly found an equalizer from winger Shea Salinas, whose powerful long distance drive shot beat an outstretched Hartman but flew wide. 

Trailing, Union manager Peter Nowak went for broke, bringing on three attacking players, Shea Salinas, Jack McInerney, and Danny Mwanga. At times, the Union commited seven players to the attack, and it nearly paid off in the 87th, as Hartman picked the ball off of Moreno's toes after yet another Union foray into the Dallas penalty area. 

Philadelphia's desire to commit to going forward left them vulnerable, however, with Dallas making several counter-attacking forays deep into Union territory. Martin Chavez had an excellent opportunity in extra time, but his disappointing shot from twelve yards was routinely saved by Seitz. 

In dramatic fashion however, the Union's first draft pick, Danny Mwanga, scored his very first MLS goal, a late equalizer in the 94th minute. On a Union corner, the ball ricocheted several times in the Dallas area before Mwanga put a powerful volleyed shot past Kevin Hartman.

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