After picking up a 3-2 victory over New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Philadelphia Union continued its preseason slate against the University of South Florida at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida. Below is our live updates from the Saturday night contest.
The 2019 season kicks off at Talen Energy Stadium against Toronto FC on March 2nd at 1 p.m.. Get your tickets here.
8:37 pm: Despite numerous chances, the defenses and the weather claim the evening as the Union battle the Univeristy of South Florida to a scoreless draw. The Boys in Blue are next in action on Wednesday, February 6, when the face off against Birmingham Legion of the USL Championship.
8:33 pm: Przybylko beats two defenders and tries to lay it off for Fontana inside the box but connection just off.
8:32 pm: Burke earns the Union yet another corner. Fontana fires it in but the Bulls' defense gets yet another stop with five minutes remaining.
8:25 pm: Steel FC's Michee Ngalina nearly opens finds the back of the net but the keeper once again makes the stop.
8:18 pm: Matt Real creates on the left side, finds Burke but the Jamaican is denied by a matter of inches after a USF defender gets a piece of it.
8:16 pm: Bethlehem Steel FC's Michee Ngalina collects a pass from Burke, manages to fire off a shot despite the defender draped all over him.
8:15 pm: Cory Burke shown the Union's first yellow card of the night.
8:09 pm: #SaveByDre. Blake called upon to keep the shutout and he responds with a leaping stop.
8:07 pm: Some changes in the lineup for the Union in the 61st minute. Kacper Przybylko in for David Accam, Cory Burke in for CJ Sapong, Steel FC's Michee Ngalina in for Derrick Jones.
8:06 pm: Accam really settling into the conditions of the pitch contest but once against denied by the keeper.
8:04 pm: Quick build up from the Union, Sapong finds Accam but the USF keeper comes out to deny the scoring opportunity.
8:00 pm: Rain really starting to have an impact on the pitch and play, latest example sees the Union attempt to switch the attack and the ball land flat into the grass without a bounce.
7:58 pm: Union with the first corner of the final half. Medunjanin serves it in, Fontana tries to smash it on the bounce but the defense clears.
7:53 pm: Second half underway, here is how the Union line up: Andre Blake; Matt Real, Jack Elliott, Ben Ofeimu (Steel FC), Ray Gaddis; Haris Medunjanin, Derrick Jones, Anthony Fontana, Ilsinho; CJ Sapong, David Accam.
7:46 pm: Referee blows the halftime whistle with things scoreless. Union creating numerous chances but unable convert yet.
7:41 pm: Another corner for the Union but the Bulls defense clears.
7:35 pm: Rain starting to come down in Clearwater, still scoreless with roughly 10 minutes left in the opening half.
7:31 pm: A few changes up top for the Union. David Accam and CJ Sapong in for Sergio Santos and Fafa Picault.
7:27 pm: Free kicks starting to rack up for the Union. Latest delivery goes to Santos but his try is wide of the post.
7:22 pm: Referee shows the scrimmage's first yellow of the contest to USF for a late tackle in the 23rd minute.
7:17 pm: Bedoya with a scoring chance but the captain was a little eager and flagged offsides.
7:14 pm: Another free kick for Philadelphia Union. Aaronson goes for Picault at the far post but the keeper comes out and collects.
7:11 pm: Picault with a pair of chances but the keeper with a pair of stops. First, on the attack with a lower corner try and then off a corner kick header.
7:09 pm: Hand ball nets the Union a free kick opportunity from 30 yards out. Aaronson sprays it out wide but can't connect with a teammate.
7:04 pm: Picault uses his blazing speed to race down the wing, dribbles into the box and finds Aaronson but the rookie's shot is off the mark.
7:03 pm: Corner kick for the Boys in Blue, Aaronson with the delivery but nothing comes from the chance.
7:01 pm: Coronel tested early in the match but he comes up with the save in the first minute. Early corner for USF but the Union clear.
6:55 pm:
Squad is on the field warming up, here is tonight's starting XI!
