-Courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Chester, Pa. (October 16, 2010) - Philadelphia Union ended their home schedule in style on Saturday night, topping the Eastern Conference leading New York Red Bulls 2-1 in front of a second straight sellout crowd.
The Union got early goals from Fred and Michael Orozco Fiscal and were able to hold off New York's second half onslaught after Danleigh Borman pulled one back for the visitors right after the interval.
The first half was dominated by Philadelphia, beginning with the Union taking a lead in the eighth minute to work the home fans into a frenzy. Sebastien Le Toux's corner into the middle of the penalty area found the head of Alejandro Moreno, and the veteran deflected it towards goal. After ricocheting off of Danny Califf, the ball bounced right to Fred, who was shielding goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. Turning his body, Fred hammered home the loose ball into a wide open net to give the Union a 1-0 lead.
Philadelphia nearly doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Sheanon Williams bombed a throw-in into the box, but Califf's flick-on header fell just over the crossbar.
The Union didn't have to wait long to strike again. Stefani Miglioranzi attempted a one-timer from distance, but the shot deflected off of Tony Tchani right to Le Toux at the edge of the area to the right of the goal. Le Toux wasted no time putting in a cross, finding an onrushing Orozco Fiscal in front of the net for an easy finish to put the Union up 2-0 in the 28th minute.
New York came out looking like a different team in the second half, and it paid dividends almost immediately. In the 48th minute, Borman found Mehdi Ballouchy at the edge of the box to the left of the goal with no defenders in sight. Dribbling into the area, Ballouchy slid a cross on the ground back to Borman, who tucked a one-timer inside the near post with his left foot to cut the deficit in half.
Brad Knighton helped the Union preserve their slim lead in the 69th minute, snagging Salou Ibrahim's header off a Borman cross from the left. Danny Mwanga nearly extended Philadelphia's lead twice shortly after Knighton's save, first heading Orozco Fiscal's cross just wide of the post in the 71st minute. A minute later, the Rookie of the Year candidate fired from distance off the dribble, but Coundoul made a terrific save, deflecting the blast wide of the goal.
New York had one final chance to equalize in the final minute of stoppage time, but Fred cleared
Philadelphia's line with Juan Agudelo's shot otherwise destined for the back of the net.
After a victorious home finale, the Union will conclude their inaugural season on the road next Sunday against the Columbus Crew, while the Red Bulls will look for a win in their season finale against the New England Revolution on Thursday to clinch the Eastern Conference title. The Union finished their home campaign with a 6-3-6 record and a 5-3-5 mark at PPL Park after playing the first two home matches of the season at Lincoln Financial Field.
Scoring Summary:
PHI - Fred 4 (Alejandro Moreno 6) 8'
PHI - Michael Orozco Fiscal 2 (Sebastien Le Toux 11) 28'
NY - Danleigh Borman 1 (Mehdi Ballouchy) 48'
New York Red Bulls -- Bouna Coundoul, Chris Albright (Jeremy Hall 78), Carlos Mendes, Tim Ream, Danleigh Borman, Dane Richards, Rafael Marquez (Juan Agudelo 78), Tony Tchani (Salou Ibrahim 46), Joel Lindpere, Juan Pablo Angel, Mehdi Ballouchy.
Substitutes Not Used: Austin Da Luz, Carl Robinson, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Greg Sutton.
TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 1
Philadelphia Union -- Brad Knighton, Sheanon Williams, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Danny Califf, Jordan Harvey, Sebastien Le Toux, Eduardo Coudet (Andrew Jacobson 65), Stefani Miglioranzi, Fred, Alejandro Moreno (Justin Mapp 62),Danny Mwanga (Shea Salinas 83).
Substitutes Not Used: Juan Diego Gonzalez, Roger Torres, Nick Zimmerman, Chris Seitz.
TOTAL SHOTS: 7; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 4; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 1
Misconduct Summary:
NY -- Danleigh Borman (caution; Reckless Tackle) 18
NY -- Juan Pablo Angel (caution; Reckless Foul) 55
PHI -- Fred (caution; Reckless Foul) 67
Referee: Paul Ward
Referee's Assistants: Philippe Briere; Cameron Blair
4th Official: Terry Vaughn
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear and 58 degrees
Attendance: 18,578
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