Union, San Jose Play to 1-1 Draw

Report From Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. (April 30, 2016) – Philadelphia Union tied San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 at Talen Energy Stadium Saturday evening in front of 16,079. Chris Pontius scored for the Union during the first half while Simon Dawkins found the back of the net in the second for San Jose. With the result, the Union are in second place in the Eastern Conference table, one point behind Montreal Impact.

The Union had the first real look on goal in the 18th minute when captain Tranquillo Barnetta crossed the ball to Pontius, who was unmarked in the six-yard box, but the midfielder was unable to make strong contact with the ball and the shot went wide.

In a similar play in the 30th minute, Pontius powerfully headed in Barnetta’s corner kick for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Pontius’ fourth of the season and it was the second consecutive game that the midfielder has scored from a Barnetta assist.

The Union saw several chances on goal during the remainder of the first half. Sebastien Le Toux crossed the ball to Sapong in the 35th minute who was in the six-yard box. Sapong got a foot on the ball, but the shot went well over the cross bar.

At the halftime whistle, the Union entered the locker room with a 1-0 advantage and looked to extend it in the second half. San Jose had other plans and despite playing with 10 men after Abibal Godoy received a second yellow in the 59th minute, Simon Dawkins tied the game in the 83rd minute.

Dawkins created space at top of the 18 and sent a well-placed shot into the left hand corner of the net. After four minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the final whistle and the game ended 1-1.

The Union will return to action on Wednesday, May 11 at Talen Energy Stadium against LA Galaxy. Kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on The Comcast Network. Single game and group tickets are still available by visiting PhiladelphiaUnion.com/tickets or by calling 1-877-21-UNION.

MATCH RECAP
Philadelphia Union 1, San Jose Earthquakes 1
Talen Energy Stadium
Chester, Pa.

POST-MATCH AUDIO
Union head coach Jim Curtin
Union midfielder Chris Pontius
San Jose head coach Dom Kinnear

SCORING SUMMARY
PHI – Chris Pontius (Tranquillo Barnetta) 30’ WATCH
SJ – Simon Dawkins 83’ WATCH

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
SJ – Fatai Alashe (Yellow) 31’
SJ – Anibal Godoy (Yellow) 35’
SJ – Anibal Godoy (Second yellow) 59’

PHILADELPHIA UNION STARTING XI
Andre Blake; Ray Gaddis, Richie Marquez, Josh Yaro, Keegan Rosenberry; Warren Creavalle, Vincent Nogueira; Chris Pontius (Ilsinho 73’), Tranquillo Barnetta © (Leo Fernandes 84’), Sebastien Le Toux (Fabian Herbers 86’); C.J. Sapong.

Substitutes not used: Matt Jones, Roland Alberg, Brian Carroll, Anderson.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES STARTING XI
David Bingham; Shaun Francis, Victor Bernárdez, Marvell Wynne, Kofi Sarkodie, Alberto Quintero (Matías Peréz Garcia 76’), Simon Dawkins, Anibal Godoy, Fatai Alashe (Adam Jahn 85’), Chris Wondolowski ©, Innocent (Shea Salinas 55’)

Substitutes not used: Tommy Thompson, Jordan Stewart, Bryan Meredith.

OFFICIALS
Ricardo Salazar (referee), Adam Wienckowski (assistant), Eric Weisbrod (assistant), Jorge Gonzalez (fourth).

ATTENDANCE
16,079

TEAM NOTES
The Union now have a 3-4-2 all-time record against San Jose Earthquakes.
No. 2 overall MLS SuperDraft pick Joshua Yaro made his third consecutive start for the Union after breaking into the first team for the April 16 game against Seattle Sounders.
Chris Pontius scored his fourth goal of the season for the Union and is now tied with C.J. Sapong as the franchise’s leading goalscorer this season.
Tranquillo Barnetta made his second assist of the season and is now tied with Fabinho for assists.
Ray Gaddis earned his first start this season after making his season debut for the Union Saturday April 23 against New York City FC.
Philadelphia Union return to Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday, May 11 to face LA Galaxy at 7 p.m.