Real Madrid holds on to beat Union

By John McMullen

PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) - Soccer royalty invaded Philadelphia Saturday night as part of the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge when Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid edged the Philadelphia Union, 2-1, in front of 57,305 fans at a steamy Lincoln Financial Field.

Fresh off a midweek friendly win over Everton, the Union defense wilted early against Real Madrid but the club settled down and gave one of the world's best teams quite a scare before succumbing.

In the third minute of the contest, Real Madrid's Alvaro Arbeola lifted a long pass to Jose Maria Callejon that Union defender Sheanon Williams should have been able to clear but he fanned allowing Callejon to beat MLS All-Star Faryd Mondragon on the far side.

Carlos Valdes was the culprit for Philadelphia in the 11th minute, failing to stay in front of Karin Benzema, who got loose for a crossing pass that Mesut Ozil easily deposited past Mondragon.

The Union settled down from there and generated a number of scoring chances on  Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, one of the best in the world.

Perhaps Philadelphia's best chance in the first half came in the 28th minute, just seconds after Mondragon stoned Callejon to keep the Union in the contest. Midfielder Justin Mapp sent a crossing pass the through the box and a pinching Williams fanned while trying to put it home.

Carlos Ruiz got loose on a breakaway in the 32nd minute after a Real Madrid turnover but his initial touch was far too heavy enabling Casillas to race out and clear.

A minute later, Sebastien Le Toux took a nice chip set from Keon Daniel but served it wide past the goal mouth.

The Union were never able to solve Casillas but did finally cash in during the 80th minute against backup netminder Tomas Mejias. Danny Mwanaga found Michael Farfan in the box, who floated a beautiful touch shot over Mejias' head to ignite the crowd and cut the deficit in half.

Roger Torres nearly evened things for Philadelphia in the 90th minute when his left-footed laser from distance found the top of the post on the outside.

The Union then had one final chance in stoppage time but Jack McInerney's sweeping shot was stopped by a diving Mejias as Real Madrid held on for the 2-1 win.

This was the second straight year that Philadelphia has hosted a high-profile international team at the Linc. The Union lost to Manchester United last July, 1-0.

Meanwhile, this was the third stop for Real Madrid on its tour of the States during the Herbalife World Football Challenge. The team beat the Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-1, last Saturday before 56,211 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, and then took a 3-0 win over Chivas Guadalajara on Wednesday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego before 38,211.

Real Madrid's two biggest attractions, 26-year-old Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps the best soccer player in the world, and Kaka did not play until the second half. Ronaldo has a pair of scoring chances but was unable to convert.

Philadelphia, which earned five out of a possible nine points on its recent three-game road trip to put themselves atop the Eastern table, will get back to work in MLS by hosting Colorado on July 29.

The Union's 31 points this season have already equaled their total from all of last year and the club is now 3-2 in international matches, winning three at PPL Park against Celtic F.C., Chivas de Guadalajara and Everton, while losing two at the Linc to Man U. and now Real Madrid.