With each side missing a key player due to international duty, the Philadelphia Union and Real Salt Lake played to a 1-1 draw at PPL Park Wednesday night.
Danny Mwanga and Fabian Espindola exchanged goals in the first 17 minutes as Philadelphia coped without forward Alejandro Moreno (Venezuela) and Salt Lake was without leading scorer Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica).
Jason Kreis' lineup appeared to be one more likely to be found in a U.S. Open Cup match, as he rested keeper Nick Rimando, midfielder Kyle Beckerman and defender Robbie Russell and brought U.S. forward Robbie Findley off the bench midway through the second half in anticipation of Saturday's match against Columbus at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Here are highlights from the match:
What did you think of the match? Hoping to see Mwanga in a U.S. jersey someday soon? Who do you think takes the RSL-Crew match this weekend?
Share your thoughts below.
RSL played pretty well for missing some key starters. Campos did an almost alright job up top, and Espi was pretty good, i only wish Findley could do something about himself to get back to multi-goal games.
Reynish was mos def man of the match.
Unfortunately, Danny Mwanga wants to play for Congo’s national team: http://www.phillymag.com/articles/good_life_model_citizen_danny_mwanga_teen_footballer/
I think JK was looking more to Saturday night. RSL wins saturday and they move into second in the League.
RSL also didn’t play Jamison Olave. That could have been the biggest absence of all. It showed to me that he makes nat borchers look good, and without him nat is not nearly as good or confident. RSL could have really used Will Johnson for 90 and to see Ned Grabavoy (who might be playing be in the best form of his career). Nobody seemed to be helping Morales out there in midfield. I don’t think RSL can complain too much about a draw on the road with that weak lineup.
I thought a really underrated player last night was Amobi Okugo, who won almost every tackle and had really good distribution. (Also, happily, a U-20.) Surely he’s light years better than Kyle Nakazawa.
Mwanga is such a monster. He may be having the best season for a rookie forward since Twellman bagged 23 goals, and he was already 22 years old. Mwanga could definitely go for 20 next year when he’s in the starting 11 from game one.
This match, and that first goal, show that Moreno has outlived his usefulness as a starter for Union. Le Toux/Mwanga is the way to go from now on. Moreno can be used to protect a late lead, should Union ever have one of those again.
He’s definitely got the heart to fit in with a US team.
LeToux already said he’d play for the US when called upon – he’s done enough surely. Maybe too old for the future, but a good stopgap.
Ream as well, the defense looks strong for the future – we only need a manager to come in with the balls to actually give them the experience and let them make the mistakes it’ll take to get them ready for the World Cup.
cap LeToux and Mwanga!
pretty daring of JK not start 8 regular starters for RSL
I am hoping Danny Mwanga keeps developing and qualifiers to play for the USA soon, don’t we all?
Mwanga, Shea, Bedoya, Opara, Gonzalez, Lichaj, Gabe A, Bowen, we gotta root for the promising players.
A lot of under 20’s that also look promising.
The good thing is with the arrival of Opara, Gabe A, Lichaj, we have an opportunity to fix our defense. We have to hope these guys live up to their promising displays. Maybe Greg Garza will be a good left back.
I can’t wait until we see who the coach is and who he starts bringing in.
LeToux is a beast. What an assist for the unmarked Mwanga.