Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Union
CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union fell to Real Salt Lake on Sunday night in front of a crowd of 18,091 at Talen Energy Stadium. The Union lost for the first time this season when leading at the half, now owning a record of 5-1-1. Philadelphia is back in action this Saturday when they travel to RFK Stadium to face D.C. United.
Tensions ran high from both sides early on before Real Salt Lake created the first big threat of the evening. In the 15th minute Joao Plata slipped behind the Union defense and sent a shot towards the net before colliding with Union goalkeeper Andre Blake. His shot hit the post and the match remained scoreless.
Philadelphia drew first blood in the match thanks to a workmanlike performance from striker C.J. Sapong. Chris Pontius dribbled into the box and fed Sapong with a pass in front of the net. Sapong was brought down in the box as he was making his turn and was awarded a penalty kick in the 42nd minute of play.
In the 44th minute, Roland Alberg converted the penalty kick beating Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando giving the Union a 1-0 lead. The goal was Alberg’s seventh of the season, one shy of Pontius for the team lead. Alberg’s goal was his seventh since June 18, which is second most in MLS behind NYCFC’s Frank Lampard.
Real Salt Lake started the second half on a mission. Plata put his club on the board in the 48th minute with a world-class goal. After a quick give-and-go from teammate Demar Phillips, Plata sent his shot from just outside the box that found the top corner of the net beating the outstretched arms of Blake. The goal was Plata’s sixth of the season.
Real Salt Lake took the lead after Javier Morales sent a floater from just inside the box that left Blake without much of a chance. The ball was struck perfectly sailing over the arms of the Blake to give the visitors a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute.
The Union created their best opportunity to even the match in the dying moments as Brian Carroll and Ken Tribbett were denied by Rimando back-to-back in the 89th minute. The furious comeback effort fell short and the Union dropped a 2-1 decision at Talen Energy Stadium.
Philadelphia will look bounce back this week when they travel just south to RFK Stadium when they take on Eastern Conference foe D.C. United. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be televised on TCN.
MATCH RECAP
Real Salt Lake 2, Philadelphia Union 1
Talen Energy Stadium
Chester, Pa.
POST MATCH AUDIO
FINAL MATCH STATS
Shots: 14-11 Union
Shots on Target: 6-4 RSL
Possession: 53.9-46.1 Union
Passing Accuracy: 80-74 Union
Fouls: 17-12 RSL
Corners: 10-3 Union
Duels won: 54-54
Tackles won: 18-13 RSL
SCORING SUMMARY
PHI – Roland Alberg (penalty) 44’ [AUDIO]
RSL – Joao Plata (Demar Phillips) 48’
RSL – Javier Morales (Olmes Garcia) 54’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
PHI – Fabinho (yellow) 21’
RSL – Aaron Maund (yellow) 42’
RSL – Javier Morales (yellow) 55’
PHI – Brian Carroll (yellow) 90’
PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI
Andre Blake; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Keegan Rosenberry; Brian Carroll ©, Warren Creavalle (Leo Fernandes 72’); Chris Pontius, Roland Alberg (Fabian Herbers 63’), Ilsinho (Sebastien Le Toux 76’); C.J. Sapong.
Substitutes not used: John McCarthy, Ray Gaddis, Josh Yaro, Walter Restrepo
REAL SALT LAKE STARTING XI
Nick Rimando; Demar Phillips, Aaron Maund, Jamison Olave, Tony Beltran; Javier Morales (Devon Sandoval 90+3), Kyle Beckerman © (John Stertzer 86’), Luke Mulholland; Joao Plata, Olmes Garica, Juan Manuel Martinez (Omar Holness 69’)
Substitutes not used: Jeff Attinella, Chris Wingert, Phanuel Kavita, Justen Glad.
OFFICIALS
Juan Guzman (referee), Peter Manikowski (assistant), Charles Morgante (assistant), Mark Geiger (fourth).
ATTENDANCE
18,091
TEAM NOTES
- Tonight the Union set a franchise-record eight penalty kicks in a season.
- Roland Alberg’s seven goals in the second most in MLS since June 18 trailing only Frank Lampard
- Keegan Rosenberry has played in every minute for the Union this season.
- Rosenberry entered the match as one of only seven players in MLS not to miss a minute.
- Sebastien Le Toux appeared in his 175th career match as a member of the Union.
- Warren Creavalle appeared in his 100th MLS match.
