Despite racking up chance after chance against their Eastern Conference rivals, Philadelphia Union were forced to settle for a scoreless draw with D.C. United on Saturday night.
The Boys in Blue produced over three times the amount of shots as their I-95 rivals and held the visitors without a single attempt on frame but couldn't find a way through goalkeeper Sean Johnson who made four saves in the contest.
Philadelphia Union continues a busy stretch of games as they hit the road for a midweek clash at Toronto FC. Kick off for the battle north of the border is set for 7:30PM on Wednesday, April 22nd, with coverage on Apple TV.
How The Match Unfolded
LINEUP NOTES
Philadelphia made their return to Subaru Park with a starting lineup that featured just one change from the one used in last weekend’s 2-1 win in Montreal.Â
Replacing Ben Bender, Carnell added Ezekiel Alladoh the opening group up top alongside Bruno Damiani.
Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev, Jesus Bueno, and Jovan Lukic made up the midfield, while the backline was unchanged with Nathan Harriel and Frankie Westfield on the flanks, plus Olwethu Makhanya and Japhet Sery Larsen paired at centerback.
As has been the case in all eight league matches this season, three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake started between the posts, with Andrew Rick his backup, on the bench with Geiner Martinez, Phillipe Ndinga, Ale Bedoya, Bender, Danley, Jeremy Rafanello, Cavan Sulliva, and Malik Jakupovic.Â
As for D.C. United, former Union striker Tai Baribo made the start after missing his team’s last two matches with a thigh injury. The 28-year-old Desginated Player appeared on the team’s injury report as questionable, but was good to go from the start come matchtime.Â
12', Post! | Just one week after his game-winning heroics in Montreal, Jesus Bueno brought the intensity early, booting a shot from central position outside the box that was saved by the post.
25', Close corner chance | Philly's second corner of the night, executed by Milan Iloski from the left, was a promising one. The stadium crescendoed for the occasion, thanks in part to an enthuastic effort to engage the crowd from Lukic in the pause from play, and with loud fan chants behind him, Iloski sent the ball into the box where Westfield headed it toward Alladoh, who just missed his attempt at a final swing in.
41', Bueno blast! | Bueno nearly opened scoring with a one-touch shot off a cross from Damiani that was blocked by the back of D.C.'s Nikola Markovic.
43', Close chances to close the half | A short pass on a restart from Vassilev to Iloski back to Vassilev gave the midfielder a shot on net, and when Johnson punched it away, Bueno was quick to track the ball and send it back toward the box, where Iloski found Vassilev again, this time for the midfielder to set up Damiani for a volley off his chest that missed just shy of the left post.
45', Halftime | After a scoreless first 45', both teams retreated to the locker room for halftime.
52', Philly starts firing | Philly found five shots and two corners in the first seven minutes of the second half, with the strongest chances from Iloski and Bueno, with the Venuezelan bringing the same determination that highlighted the second half to the second. In the 50th, Iloski powered up the left sideline from a cross from endline, nearly finding Bueno who bulldozed his way into the net in an attempt to run onto his pass. Johnson ultimately made the stop.
64', Sullivan subs on! | Carnell made his first change of the night in the 64th minute, sending on 16-year-old midfielder Cavan Sullivan to replace Vassilev.
69', Union keep knocking on the door | Philly continued to rack up the set piece chances with a headed chance coming with just over 20 minutes left from Damiani that was just off the mark.
75', Blake stands ready | With the Union dominating the scoring chances, Andre Blake remained ready as he reacted first to punch away a dangerous cross with forwards crashing in.
76', Philly denied a golazo | Iloski continued to pester the D.C. back line with the midfielder unleashing a blast from the edge of the box that was only denied by an acrobatic stop by Sean Johnson.
76', Danley enters the match | With just under 15 minutes left, Carnell made his second swap sending in Danley Jean Jacques for Jesus Bueno.
90', Stoppage time | With such a brisk pace to the match, only two minutes were added to the second half again presenting the Boys in Blue the chance to nab a deserving goal. A trio of corner kicks were cleared away to see the two rivals split a point each.
