Union Plays to 2-2 Draw With D.C. United

Report From Philadelphia Union 

WASHINGTON – Philadelphia Union drew with D.C. United 2-2 on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 16,392 at RFK Stadium. The Union finished the season series with United with a record of 2-0-1. Philadelphia is back in action next Saturday when they travel to Gillette Stadium to take on Eastern Conference foe New England Revolution.

 

D.C. United struck first in the 16th minute thanks to a tremendous run from defender Taylor Kemp. After a Union turnover Kemp went coast-to-coast making a run into the Union box. Kemp struck the ball with his left foot and was able to find the back of the net, to give D.C. United the early 1-0 lead.

 

Philadelphia was able to create chances to tie the match early in the first half. MLS All-Star Keegan Rosenberry got the opportunity started with a ball to Tranquillo Barnetta deep in the D.C. zone. Barnetta was able to gather the pass and dribble into the box and found Fabian Herbers streaking towards the net. Unfortunately Herbers attempt sailed over the bar.

 

The Union were able to tie the match in the dying moments of the first half. Barnetta delivered a superb free-kick that found the bottom left corner of the net beating United goalkeeper Bill Hamid who was cheating towards his left. The goal tied the match at one after 45 minutes.

 

Philadelphia was able to take the lead in the 57th minute thanks to the homecoming of Chris Pontius. The veteran who spent the first seven years of his career in D.C. was able to beat Hamid and gave the Union a 2-1 lead. The goal was set up by Ilsinho who was able to gain possession of the ball and then deliver a pass to Pontius.

 

The match saw multiple chances from D.C. United to tie the match in stoppage time. The Union saw a herculean effort from MLS All-Star goalkeeper Andre Blake to keep Philadelphia’s 2-1 lead in tact. In the 91st minute of stoppage time Blake made a double-save. Kennedy Igboananike sent a shot towards the net that sent diving to his right to make the save, but the ball bounced directly to Lamar Neagle who was again denied by Blake. The Union, however were unable to hold on to their lead as Steve Birnbaum tied the match in the 94th minute and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

 

Philadelphia will look continue to earn points on the road as they travel to New England to take on the Revolution next week. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on The Comcast Network.

 

MATCH RECAP

Philadelphia Union 2, D.C. United 2

RFK Stadium

Washington D.C.

 

FINAL MATCH STATS

Shots: 18-14 D.C.

Shots on Target: 8-6 D.C.

Possession:  50.3-49.7 D.C.

Passing Accuracy: 67-66 D.C.

Fouls: 14-8 D.C.

Corners: 6-5 D.C.

Duels won: 72-49 Union

Tackles won: 14-10 Union

 

SCORING SUMMARY

D.C. – Taylor Kemp (16’)

PHI – Tranquillo Barnetta (45’+1’)

PHI – Chris Pontius (Ilsinho) 57’

D.C. – Steve Birnbaum (Patrick Nyarko) 90’+4’

 

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

PHI – Richie Marquez (yellow) 5’

DC – Luciano Acosta (yellow) 58’

PHI – Ken Tribbett (yellow) 63’

 

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI

Andre Blake; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Ken Tribbett, Keegan Rosenberry; Brian Carroll © (Warren Creavalle 45’), Tranquillo Barnetta; Chris Pontius (Charlie Davies 80’), Fabian Herbers (Walter Restrepo 70’), Ilsinho, C.J. Sapong

 

Substitutes not used: John McCarthy, Ray Gaddis, Josh Yaro, Leo Fernandes, Roland Alberg

 

 

D.C. UNITED STARTING XI

Bill Hamid; Taylor Kemp, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin; Patrick Nyarko, Nick DeLeon (Julian Buscher 76’), Rob Vincent, Lloyd Sam (Lamar Neagle 62’); Luciano Acosta, Patrick Mullins (Kennedy Igboananike 70’)

 

Substitutes not used: Travis Worra, Kofi Opare, Jalen Robinson, Alvaro Saborio

 

OFFICIALS

Jair Marrufo (referee), Andrew Bigelow (assistant), Jose da Silva (assistant), Jaime Herrera (fourth)

 

ATTENDANCE

16,392

 

TEAM NOTES

• Taylor Kemp’s goal for D.C. in the 16th minute was the first allowed by Andre Blake in three matches against United.
• Tranquillo Barnetta scored his fourth career MLS goal. It was his third of the season and second in 2016 on a set piece.
• Chris Pontius scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season in his first game back at RFK Stadium.
• Pontius is three shy of tying a career high set in 2012 playing for D.C. United.
• The Union moved its road record to 1-6-4 on the season.
• The all-time series with D.C. remains deadlocked at 7-7-4.