|
|
Philadelphia Union 3-1 Seattle Sounders FC: Union Open PPL Park With A Decisive Win
The home side score three goals in the second half to make their new stadium's debut a happy one.
Jun 27, 2010 9:05:00 PM
By Ramin Majd
CHESTER, Penn. – The Seattle Sounders embarrassed the expansion Philadelphia Union back in March with a dominating 2-0 victory at Qwest Field. Tonight the Union exacted a measure of revenge, delivering their own two-goal triumph at the club’s new soccer-specific stadium on the Delaware River.
With temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity high, the sides alternated between periods of frenetic activity and sluggish recovery. The home team broke through for three goals in the second half, giving the 18,755 in attendance an exciting win to remember the PPL Park's debut.
First Half
The game started with both sides clearly jumpy for the occasion. For the first few minutes, passes struck too hard were the norm. Fred sent a pass from the midfield to his right, but the ball rolled out of bounds. Cristian Arrieta attempted to connect with back line mate Shea Salinas, but the defender could barely control the light cross.
With card-happy referee Baldomero Toledo running the game, the physical Union could have been in foul trouble early. But Toledo was content to let the players play. Philadelphia's Alejandro Moreno and Seattle’s Fredy Montero—both notorious for going down easy—fell early and often, but Toledo refused to hand out cards. The only yellow of the first half was well-deserved, on Seattle’s Patrick Ianni for challenging Philadelphia's Sebastien Le Toux from behind.
The Sounders' Freddie Ljungberg got off to a miserable start, and his mood did not improve. Union fans—remembering accusations that the former Arsenal man dove in the teams' meeting in Seattle earlier this year—booed him every time he touched the ball. Philly defender Jordan Harvey closed quickly whenever Ljungberg tried to get something started. The designated player was visibly frustrated with officials and teammates.
Despite the difficult road conditions, the Sounders were the first to get on the board. In the 45th minute, Steve Zakuani broke down the left side and crossed into Montero. The Colombian could not control the ball, and it bounced to Pat Noonan. The forward put it past Philly keeper Chris Seitz to give Seattle a 1-0 halftime lead.
Second Half
The second half opened with choppy play as the players continued to show the effects of the heat and humidity. In a typical sequence, the Union's Roger Torres passed the ball to no one, as he and the Philadelphia front line exchanged shrugs and shouts.
The momentum shifted for the home side in the 53rd minute, when Tyrone Marshall fouled Alejandro Moreno in the area. Le Toux converted the penalty, beating his former teammate Kasey Keller to the right post. The fans exploded into a frenzy, as Philadelphia players and supporters alike celebrated the Union’s first goal in PPL Park.
In what perhaps was a makeup call, referee Toledo called a penalty on Cristian Arrieta several minutes later for taking down Montero in the box. The Sounders' Pat Noonan, however, could not convert, as Philly keeper Chris Seitz guessed correctly, moved to his right, and cleanly saved Noonan's low shot.
The Union gained momentum following the penalty save. After several close calls, the dam finally broke in the 79th minute. Le Toux sent a cross right to left that Fred collected and blasted past the near post.
Philadelphia sealed the deal in the 84th, as the Union took advantage of a tiring Seattle team. Moreno chipped a ball from between the center line and the 18, finding Le Toux on the right side. The Frenchman crossed to an attacking Danny Mwanga, who put a shot directly on Keller. The keeper could not control the rebound, and the rookie tapped in for his fourth goal of the season.
For more from Goal.com contributor Ramin Majd, follow him on Twitter at @rmajd
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
With temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity high, the sides alternated between periods of frenetic activity and sluggish recovery. The home team broke through for three goals in the second half, giving the 18,755 in attendance an exciting win to remember the PPL Park's debut.
First Half
The game started with both sides clearly jumpy for the occasion. For the first few minutes, passes struck too hard were the norm. Fred sent a pass from the midfield to his right, but the ball rolled out of bounds. Cristian Arrieta attempted to connect with back line mate Shea Salinas, but the defender could barely control the light cross.
With card-happy referee Baldomero Toledo running the game, the physical Union could have been in foul trouble early. But Toledo was content to let the players play. Philadelphia's Alejandro Moreno and Seattle’s Fredy Montero—both notorious for going down easy—fell early and often, but Toledo refused to hand out cards. The only yellow of the first half was well-deserved, on Seattle’s Patrick Ianni for challenging Philadelphia's Sebastien Le Toux from behind.
The Sounders' Freddie Ljungberg got off to a miserable start, and his mood did not improve. Union fans—remembering accusations that the former Arsenal man dove in the teams' meeting in Seattle earlier this year—booed him every time he touched the ball. Philly defender Jordan Harvey closed quickly whenever Ljungberg tried to get something started. The designated player was visibly frustrated with officials and teammates.
Despite the difficult road conditions, the Sounders were the first to get on the board. In the 45th minute, Steve Zakuani broke down the left side and crossed into Montero. The Colombian could not control the ball, and it bounced to Pat Noonan. The forward put it past Philly keeper Chris Seitz to give Seattle a 1-0 halftime lead.
Second Half
The second half opened with choppy play as the players continued to show the effects of the heat and humidity. In a typical sequence, the Union's Roger Torres passed the ball to no one, as he and the Philadelphia front line exchanged shrugs and shouts.
The momentum shifted for the home side in the 53rd minute, when Tyrone Marshall fouled Alejandro Moreno in the area. Le Toux converted the penalty, beating his former teammate Kasey Keller to the right post. The fans exploded into a frenzy, as Philadelphia players and supporters alike celebrated the Union’s first goal in PPL Park.
In what perhaps was a makeup call, referee Toledo called a penalty on Cristian Arrieta several minutes later for taking down Montero in the box. The Sounders' Pat Noonan, however, could not convert, as Philly keeper Chris Seitz guessed correctly, moved to his right, and cleanly saved Noonan's low shot.
The Union gained momentum following the penalty save. After several close calls, the dam finally broke in the 79th minute. Le Toux sent a cross right to left that Fred collected and blasted past the near post.
Philadelphia sealed the deal in the 84th, as the Union took advantage of a tiring Seattle team. Moreno chipped a ball from between the center line and the 18, finding Le Toux on the right side. The Frenchman crossed to an attacking Danny Mwanga, who put a shot directly on Keller. The keeper could not control the rebound, and the rookie tapped in for his fourth goal of the season.
For more from Goal.com contributor Ramin Majd, follow him on Twitter at @rmajd
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.