Union continue to struggle offensively, fall to FC Dallas

FC Dallas' Brek Shea

Frisco, Texas (May 14, 2011) – Philadelphia Union’s attacking woes continued on Saturday night, and the club fell 2-0 to FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park.

Designated Player Fabian Castillo assisted on Brek Shea’s goal to open the scoring in the 29th minute and then added a goal of his own in the 43rd minute for the home side.

With a revamped starting lineup featuring Danny Mwanga and Roger Torres, the Union came out with far more attacking cohesion than in previous matches this year.

But against the run of play, FC Dallas capitalized first. Castillo beat multiple Union defenders to dribble free into the area and cross for a wide-open Shea far post, who easily slotted home the go-ahead goal to put FCD up 1-0.

Dallas took advantage of the momentum gained from the goal, creating chance after chance during the remainder of the second half. Union original Andrew Jacobson had a golden opportunity to double FCD’s lead in the 41st minute, but he hit his uncontested chance from 12 yards out over the bar.

Dallas kept pressuring, though, and found their second goal in the dying minutes of the first half. After Philadelphia cleared the area, Marvin Chavez collected and lofted a through ball down the right touchline to Jackson Goncalves. The Dallas defender took two touches and sent in a cross to Castillo, who headed past goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon for a 2-0 lead.

The Union made two offensive substitutions at the half, bringing on strikers Jack McInerney and Carlos Ruiz for Justin Mapp and Brian Carroll, but the visitors still had trouble finding the back of the net.

Mwanga forced Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman to make a diving save in the 77th minute, but Philadelphia ultimately were held scoreless for the third straight time on the road. On the season, the Union have only scored six goals in nine matches, the lowest total in the league.

The Union (4-3-2) will head back to Philadelphia and prepare for a home match against the Chicago Fire next Saturday, 8:00 p.m., at PPL Park. The match will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet.

Scoring Summary:

FCD – Brek Shea 3 (Fabian Castillo 2) 29’

FCD – Fabian Castillo 2 (Jackson Goncalves 2, Marvin Chavez 3) 43’

Misconduct Summary:

PHI – Danny Mwanga (caution; Reckless Tackle) 10

PHI – Brian Carroll (caution; Reckless Tackle) 34

Philadelphia Union -- Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Jordan Harvey, Roger Torres (Keon Daniel 73), Justin Mapp (Carlos Ruiz 46), Amobi Okugo, Brian Carroll (Jack McInerney 46), Sebastien Le Toux, Danny Mwanga.

Substitutes Not Used:  Gabriel Farfan, Michael Farfan, Kyle Nakazawa, Zac MacMath.

Philadelphia Union stats

FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Jackson Goncalves, George John, Daniel Hernandez, Ugo Ihemelu, Zach Loyd, Marvin Chavez, Eric Alexander (Bruno Guarda 89), Andrew Jacobson (Bobby Warshaw 83), Brek Shea, Fabian Castillo (Ruben Luna 67).

Substitutes Not Used:  Eric Avila, Moises Hernandez, Bryan Leyva, Chris Seitz.

FC Dallas stats

Referee:  Jasen Anno
Referee's Assistants: Chris Strickland; Frank Anderson
4th Official: Armando Villarreal
Time of Game:  1:51
Attendance: 12,109
Weather: Clear and 70 degrees

-courtesy of Philadelphia Union