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Edu and Beckerman trade late goals as Union tie RSL

MauriceEduUnion (USATodaySports)

By TYLER GRAY

Maurice Edu played the role of hero for the Philadelphia Union with a surprising late-game strike, securing the 2-2 result and another tie for Union.

RSL took the lead twice, in the sixth minute thanks to midfielder Luke Mulholland’s quick reactions after Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath blocked Alvaro Saborio’s initial PK attempt.

The visitors took the lead in the 85th minute when Javier Morales played a ball back into the box from the endline to an onrushing Kyle Beckerman who placed it home. Strikes from debutant Andrew Wenger and Maurice Edu cancelled these both out and the match ended in a draw.

Philadelphia has had a propensity to give up goals late and this match was no different. Even though they once again allowed RSL a late-game strike, the Union can take heart in their response for an equalizer.

In the 85th minute, Cristian Maidana played the corner into the box where an open Maurice Edu rose up and headed the ball off the back post and into the net. It was the second time that Philadelphia had equalized in the match.

Forward Andrew Wenger, fresh off his trade from the Montreal Impact recorded his first score with his new team in the 55th minute. On the break, midfielder Vincent Nogueira picked his head up to find Wenger lurking all alone. Nogueira played a perfect ball over RSL’s defense where Wenger was able to control the pass and slot it past RSL ‘keeper Jeff Atinella.

Philadelphia possessed the ball for long stretches of the game but were unable to capitalize on many occasions. It was MacMath who had the most impressive match for the home side, recording five crucial saves throughout to keep the Union in it.

Despite snatching the 2-1 lead late in the 85th minute, RSL were unable to hold on and, even though they remain undefeated through six matches, the visitors should feel disappointed with their defense in the final minutes of the game.

The Union looked to have a penalty claim late in the match when Leo Fernandes went down in the penalty area, but referee Alan Kelly ignored the shouts, which led to a healthy amount of jeers from the Union faithful at the end of the match, and some careful comments from Union head coach John Hackworth after the match about the Union deserving two penalties while RSL’s penalty was questionable.

RSL will now return home for a much-needed home stand, their first match being against the Portland Timbers. Philadelphia travel to Red Bull Arena to take on the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday.

Here are the match highlights:

 

Comments

  1. As much as I don’t like saying it, the foul on Berry was very much a penalty. It was just lackadaisical, and the defending following the penalty rebound was pretty slack as well. Good response from the Union, but mental errors just continue to lead to disappointing results. Maybe should have had at least one penalty called, but the one thing I’ve learned from MLS is that it’s best to make your own chances at getting results, not depend on a ref to save you,

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  2. I know soccer can be emotional for fans and coaches. But, if Hackworth really thinks the RSL penalty was questionable, he is delusional. That was as blatant as I have ever seen as the defender just American Football tackled Garcia for no apparent reason. It was a crushing blow and there is not much that can be said about it.

    As for the penalty shout with Fernandes, I think the first dive impacted the call on the second one. The second tackle was wreckless for sure, however, there is not much contact at all. It was pretty obvious that Fernandes just hears the tackles and pulls up his feet. The shame of it is that he was walking in on goal all alone if he doesn’t dive. Even with a little contact, why not just finish the goal anyway???? The contact did not force him to the ground and that is unquestionable.

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  3. Mo is playing his way to a preliminary roster spot and even possibly a ticket to Brazil with his performance so far this year.

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    • Edu has been looking great for the Union, but the question is where does he fit. He’s looking good in that advanced role, but if MB is out there I want him in the advanced spot. Edu hasn’t looked as strong for the USMNT in the deep lying DM spot, I’d rather have Beckerman there honestly.

      All of this is disregarding JJ. It will be interesting to see how Klinsman approaches our line-up in this post-Vasquez era. I haven’t heard as much about Jermaine Jones since he moved to Turkey. Could there be space for both Edu and Beckerman?

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      • Edu as the role of sub off the bench to provide cover for tiring legs imo. He is getting it done right now, great to see

  4. It’s very suspicious that both plays where Fernandes getting fouled in the box are not shown. MLS please explain why all the “highlights” were not shown. The ref yesterday was terrible and they know it so they can’t show you how bad they were other than the first bad call.

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    • i don’t know if you’re curious but i rewatched the game and both were definitely penalties in my opinion. the contact for the second one was not huge but it was still a foul if you ask me

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    • True and almost eerie when these two both score in the same week, let alone the same game…

      I am genuinely surprised by the unanticipated benefit that MLS seems to be having on our USMNT players. Perhaps there something to be said for having guys compete in the same league under more comparable circumstances, even if the technical standard is not nearly so high. In Europe, players are clearly subject to high levels of scrutiny and competition for places, but there is always the fall-back that pretty much anything they do might somehow qualify them as being the first American to accomplish [whatever it is]. It provides a built-in excuse, even for normally self-motivating guys. Maybe just an intuition. But the concept that a culture of transparent competition improves team performance is a concept that has been driving management practices in U.S. sports increasingly over the past decade, espoused loudly (if not originally) by Pete Carroll among others. Interesting to see if the perception can be demonstrated as real.

      I don’t think either MLS or Europe is the “right” path in any exclusive sense, it obviously depends on the player and numerous circumstantial variables, but i’m pleased that MLS is emerging as a proving ground rather than a “safe haven”. The argument for bringing/keeping guys here used to be something I could dismiss more easily, even if it isn’t a good strategy for everyone. I wonder if JK has modified any opinions he may have held when his tenure began?

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      • Ultimately what will build a strong USMNT is having a strong MLS.

        I don’t doubt that future iterations of the USMNT are going to continue to feature a dose of dual-nationals like Jermaine Jones and Julian Jones, but if we’re going to progress as a soccer nation it’s going to be because we’re getting the lion’s share of our players from our own league.

        Jozy Altidore is a perfect example of what can happen to a player who has shown he can be an impact guy for the USMNT at the International level – sorry, I remember he had beautiful goals against the likes of Spain and Germany – and yet, he’s somehow not “good” enough to play in the EPL.

        Bull. There’s a disconnect there…and transferring leagues, and countries, is always a dicey proposition.

        The nice part is that Jozy can now make big money, and get guaranteed regular playing time, and hopefully continue to score a bucketload of goals, on an MLS team next year. I think he’ll get a ton more out of that than he will cooling his heels on Sunderland’s bench and U21 team.

      • I love waching they EPL (I’m sure most everyone here does) but over the past decade it has become poor destination for nearly any player who is concerned with their ongoing development. You needn’t look any further than the current crop of depressed, confidence deprived England players and prospects to see the problem. Even a world class, established player from a top European league stands no better than a 50% chance of actually seeing his stock rise, and this depends on a litany of variables aligning favorbly, many of which are outside of the player’s control. There are far better destinations in Europe at the moment– I would love to see some Yanks dominating the EPL but that is a selfish concern…

        Sunderland was always a poor fit for Jozy. It would be poor fit for Messi. It doesn’t need to be this big effing deal if he moves on– but people treat as some sort of “dishonorable discharge” and a public indictment of US Soccer. Whatever. Get out and be happy. He has loads of talent and he will find a more suitable place, I have no doubt.

        Goalkeepers seem to get a decent look, for some reason. Go figure. ..

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