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McInerney scores another winner as Union edge Revolution

JackMcInerney2 (ISIPhotos.com)

By FRANCO PANIZO

CHESTER, Pa. — For the second straight week, the Philadelphia Union were victorious and for the the second straight week it was Jack McInerney who made the difference.

The Union defeated the New England Revolution, 1-0, in a rainy game at PPL Park on Saturday afternoon, with McInerney providing the game’s only goal in the 76th minute.

The match helped the Union continue their dominance of the Eastern Conference series with the Revs, who they have never lost to, improving to 5-0-3 against New England.

McInerney, who scored the winner in last week’s 2-1 road win against the Colorado Rapids, netted his second of the season when he buried his own rebound from close range. The Union striker was initially denied by Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, but McInerney pounced on the loose ball.

The Revolution nearly equalized shortly after through Jerry Bengtson but his shot from the left side of the penalty area went wide of goal, leaving the Union to record their first cleansheet of the season.

Overall, the match was a physical encounter and ugly match played in frigid conditions on a slick field after hail fell at PPL Park. The teams combined for just five shots on goals, but produced 28 fouls on the night.

The result improves the Union to 2-1 while also dropping the Revolution to 1-1.

Here are the match highlights:

Comments

  1. Philly fans – don’t analyze this game too much. The Revs are only a semipro team at best that has no support by management and inept coaching. Beating them is really no accomplishment

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  2. McInerney is simply a natural pure striker. Not pretty or fancy but with the intangible killer instincts that it takes to get it in the net. I won’t be surprised to see him score a dozen even with crap midfield support and more if a playmaker is added.

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    • I think that’s a pretty generous assessment, but I see from where you’re coming. The problem is that the “natural pure striker” is an endangered species in soccer. In today’s game, forwards need to do so much more than just score goals, and there aren’t too many poachers/pure strikers still making an impact.
      All McInerney does is score goals, but as a wise man once said, “goals are overrated,” so he needs to bring something else to the table, no?

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  3. Philly dominated the majority of the second half and deserved the win following a very, very scrappy first half.
    First and foremost, Jeff Parke was an absolute beast and best player on the field by far. McInerney played terribly (again) but that’s fine so long as he keeps scoring game winning goals. Michael Farfan gave the ball away too much and hasn’t played so hot this season. Michael Lahoud played pretty well as did both Ray Gaddis and Sheanon Williams. Zach Macmath is still a mess and the stadium holds its breath every time the ball goes near him.
    Philly don’t switch field quickly enough or often enough. They have tunnel vision in midfield and could’ve taken serious advantage of Nguyen’s failure to track back if they had switched the ball to Sheanon Williams faster and more often.
    Nonetheless, a good win in difficult conditions.

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    • Soumare dresses and is on the bench, but I hear what you’re saying. Why not move Okugo up, drop Brian Carroll (who’s a bit limited) and have Soumare take the place vacated by Okugo.
      I guess Okugo is keeping him out of the starting lineup. As is Jeff Parke who was simply fantastic v. NE.

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      • Yeah, I thought the same thing, but I guess Hackworth wanted someone who would be comfortable on the outside who could prevent the ball being served into the middle. Nonetheless, the complete absence of Soumare from the field this season raises eyebrows, no?

  4. McInerney doesn’t even look like the same kid, physically, from just a few years ago. He’s really added some size to his stature.

    Always liked his play, too. He has some of that “it” factor and flair.

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  5. Philly still looks kind of weak in their finishing, and oh my the style of play by New England was just ugly and brutal to watch, too much long ball. Andrew Farrel has looked good in defense for the Revs though, if he keeps it up he could get a national team call up one day.

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    • Fair point about the Philly finishing, but I think their real problem is the pass before the finish. Too many inaccurate and poor passes in the final third.

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      • Yep. It’s clear that Keon Daniel and Michael Farfan are not string pullers. I guess real creative guys don’t have the discipline Hackworth requires and the ones that do are outta Philly’s price range.

        One playmaker in the midfield tho (and one steady goalkeeper that isn’t learning on the job with points on the line) and this team is off to the races.

      • I think that about covers it. It looked like Marfan was developing into the playmaker/creative source that Philly needed, but based on his play thus far it looks unlikely. Steady goalie def needed too. Good points.

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