Philadelphia Union Pick up Massive Home Win, Dramatically Defeat D.C. United

from: espnfc.com

In what has been a whirlwind week for Union manager Bill Curtin, the embattled front man finally got a massive home result and he did it in dramatic fashion.

Tactically, the Union came out in an aggressive 4-2-3-1 and Curtin went with MLS veterans Conor Casey and Sebastian LeToux up front to try to settle things down for the Union.

The decision to start the veteran Casey nearly paid off immediate dividends when Casey settled a cross and brilliantly buried the chance in the 16th minute however the goal was rightfully disallowed due to a handball.  Casey used his extended right hand to settle the cross and it was spotted by the referee.

In the 33′ midfielder Vincent Nogiuera tried from distance but his drive was deflected just wide of Bill Hamid’s goal and the game remained scoreless into halftime.

Although Philadelphia had the lion’s share of possession, holding the ball for 54% of the game, D.C. United was not without their chances.

The visitors used a counter attack to set up Miguel Aguilar on the break.  He created some space and fired upon new starting goalie, the on-loan Brian Sylvestre who could only watch as the ball whizzed by him.  However, the ball struck the right post and went harmlessly wide.

Stoppage time has been cruel to the Union all season long.

However, this time things would be different.

Philadelphia native Zach Pfeffer, who had subbed in for Andrew Wenger in the 71st minute, settled Fabinho’s cross and fired home with his favored left foot to send the Union and its supporters to dreamland.

The win was the first for the Union since a defeat of NYCFC last month.

The win was well-deserved as the backline was stout for Philadelphia all night.  D.C. managed just 5 shots and none hit the target.

Sylvestre picked up his first clean sheet of his MLS career and momentarily settled the unrest Philadelphia has in goal with the news that Rais Mbolhi will no longer train with the team.