The Philadelphia Union bounced back from a disappointing midweek defeat to Columbus by picking up a point away to New England Revolution on Saturday evening – but were left frustrated after a dominant performance failed to yield a deserved three points.
The Union would control possession for long periods of the match on Gillette Stadium’s artificial surface, enjoying a shade under 70% of possession in the first half as the hosts were limited to not a single corner or attempt on Zac MacMath’s goal.
The visitors, on the other hand, would keep Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis on a constant state of alert, starting in just the third minute as Brian Carroll swung a wonderful cross-field ball to Gabriel Farfan and his dangerous cross had to be plucked from the air.
Rookie forward Antoine Hoppenot was given the opportunity to run the line by newly confirmed permanent Team Manager John Hackworth and he didn’t disappoint in the opening stages, keeping the Revolution defense spinning on their toes as Michael Farfan, Danny Cruz and the returning Freddy Adu tried to unpick the deadlock.
They came close after 32 minutes when Michael Farfan cut in from the right wing with a superb piece of skill before his low, hard cross was spilled and then collected by a grateful Reis.
Reis was finally beaten just a minute before half time but his woodwork would come to the rescue. Antoine Hoppenot cut in from the left and stung the keeper’s palms with a strong shot and from the ensuing corner, Danny Cruz’s excellent delivery was turned onto the crossbar via Amobi Okugo’s textbook header.
HALF TIME: New England Revolution 0-0 Philadelphia Union
The Union flew out of the blocks in the second period and could have been in front after just 19 seconds.
Freddy Adu’s clipped pass on the turn released Hoppenot one-on-one but Reis was there again, racing off his line quickly to close down and save low at the forward’s feet.
He would make his best save of the night six minutes later, diving to his right to turn over a point blank Brian Carroll effort which looked destined to open the scoring.
More than an hour would pass before the Revolution registered an attempt on goal; Stephen McCarthy heading well wide from a deep free-kick as Zac MacMath went untested.
While off target, it would be enough to see the home side grow in confidence as they finally landed a shot on target in the 66th minute.
More attempts would follow for Jay Heaps’ side as the game opened up in the final throes; the Union pushing forward to make their dominant display count and the Revs sensing a chance to steal the points with space left in behind an excellent defensive unit.
But the winning goal wouldn’t materialize, leaving Reis to take the accolades and the Union wondering what might have been.
FULL TIME: New England Revolution 0-0 Philadelphia Union
ATTENDANCE: 11,841.
LINEUPS:
NE Revolution starting XI: Matt Reis (c), Florian Lechner, Darrius Barnes, Stephen McCarthy, Kevin Alston, Fernando Cardenas (Kelyn Rowe, 59), Benny Feilhaber, Clyde Simms (Ryan Guy, 50), Lee Nguyen, Jerry Bengston, Diego Fagundez (Dimitry Imbongo, 75).
Subs not used: Tim Murray, Blake Brettschneider, Tyler Polak, Michael Roach,
Philadelphia Union: Zac MacMath, Sheanon Williams, Gabriel Farfan, Carlos Valdes (c), Amobi Okugo, Brian Carroll, Michael Lahoud, Michael Farfan, Danny Cruz (Josue Martinez, 83), Freddy Adu (Keon Daniel, 80), Antoine Hoppenot (Jack McInerney, 67).
Subs not used: Chris Konopka, Raymon Gaddis, Gabriel Gómez, Roger Torres.
GAME AT A GLANCE:
<strong>NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION</strong> |
<strong>PHILADELPHIA UNION</strong> |
|
<p align="center">Goals</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">Attempts on goal</p> |
<p align="center">9</p> |
<p align="center">18</p> |
<p align="center">Shots on target</p> |
<p align="center">3</p> |
<p align="center">7</p> |
<p align="center">Shots off target</p> |
<p align="center">4</p> |
<p align="center">8</p> |
<p align="center">Possession</p> |
<p align="center">35.1%</p> |
<p align="center">64.9%</p> |
<p align="center">Corners</p> |
<p align="center">3</p> |
<p align="center">10</p> |
<p align="center">Fouls</p> |
<p align="center">12</p> |
<p align="center">14</p> |
<p align="center">Offsides</p> |
<p align="center">3</p> |
<p align="center">3</p> |
<p align="center">Total passes</p> |
<p align="center">247</p> |
<p align="center">487</p> |
<p align="center">Passing accuracy</p> |
<p align="center">68%</p> |
<p align="center">84.6%</p> |
<p align="center">Yellow cards</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">1</p> |
<p align="center">Red cards</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
<p align="center">0</p> |
CARD SUMMARY:
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Yellow: Nguyen, 58;
PHILADELPHIA UNION
Yellow: Adu, 62