The Union bought forth a valiant effort that ended just short of victory. Philadelphia tied FC Dallas 2-2 in a game that may be looked back at as a pivotal turning point for the Union this season. If the Union won they would have been 1 pt behind first place Montreal and in sole possession in second place. This game had everything in it, goals, drama, controversy and four goals. The Union had this game all wrapped up with three points in the bag until MacMath dropped the ball.
This game started off with a flying tempo, the Union gained a free kick in the first minute after Fabian Castillo earned a yellow card. The Union continued to put on pressure and absorb the Dallas attack. A few times Dallas was able to get forward and create a chance but for the most part the Union held control. In the 19th minute, Philadelphia earned a throw in and Williams lofted in a ball deep into the box. Okugo jumped up and headed the ball elegantly into the back of the net. The Union were up 1- to nothing. In the 22nd minute, Dallas was awarded a free kick about 40 yards out. Michael took the kick and Walker Zimmerman headed the ball past MacMath. Gaddis was marking the much taller Zimmerman who bulldozed Gaddis and got open for an easy header. After the goal, the Union were lucky to ride the game out to the half.
In the second half the Union came out and the slugfest continued. Each team was creating and denying each other. In the 67th minute, Je-Vaugn Watson was given a red for embellishment. The Union were up a man and began applying more pressure. The game started to catch an uneasy feeling after a series of no/missed calls by the ref. The Union were pushing up but were unable to finish off FC Dallas. In the 86th minute the Union broke the deadlock. After knocking the ball around, it found Williams on the flank, and he put in a beautiful ball and Aaron Wheeler rose above the defenders and headed it home.
Dallas answered back 10 minutes later, deep into stoppage time. Defender Chris Albright made a dumb foul which gave Dallas one last chance. Then off that free kick Dallas’ Blas Perez was able to kick a free ball into the back of the net. On that free kick Zac MacMath ran out and had two hands on the ball. He took a slight knock and dropped the ball. His drop was a fatal error for the Union and that created the chance for Perez. MacMath has made a number of mistakes similar to this through out the season. He may or may not have been fouled, normally when a goalie gets hit in the box it would be a foul but there was just not enough contact. MacMath made a mistake that hurt his team.
Other observations from the game is that Hackworth has had trouble managing this game. Putting Albright in for Le Toux was a horrible idea. Albright was too slow to get to the play and if Le Toux was in he would have closed out and not cased a free kick. Hoppenot played extremely immature and spent more time taking dives and complaining to the ref instead of actually playing the game. McInerney did nothing but draw defenders and had an exceptionally poor game; it appears he is having trouble fighting the defense.
Honestly this game was amazing. If you haven’t watch the extended highlights on YouTube.
Follow along on Twitter @TotalSportsLive and like our page on Facebook.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
