Union get a point for first time in over a month, draw Red Bulls 0-0

The Philadelphia Union returned home in dire need of points and something positive. Ironic since two negatives make a positive and the Union have been adding up negatives left and right. They entered the match losers of five straight and winless in eight. Awaiting them was a familiar foe, the New York Red Bulls, currently 5th in the table, who came in with a win, loss, and three draws in their last five. Both teams were plenty active in this contest but couldn’t find the final touch needed to take the points.

It didn’t take long for RBNY to put some trepidation into the home faithful and 18-year-old keeper Andrew Rick (5 saves). Dante Vanzeir made a darting run onto a ball played through the right channel. Vanzeir, who caused havoc all game, was patient before laying back to Lewis Morgan, returning from international duty for Scotland. Morgan took it first time off the in-step of his right cleat and pushed the shot across his body just wide of the far post.

The Union would respond minutes later when Gazdag did well to hold the ball in the box before playing back to Jack McGlynn‘s left foot at the top of the 18-yard box. His strike forced a tip over the bar from Carlos Coronel (6 saves), who was also back from international competition with Paraguay. The ensuing corner resulted in nothing, unfortunately.

Vanzeir appeared again in the 13th, a bad Union header being the catalyst. This time it was Lewis Morgan finding the errant header on the left side and lifting a left foot ball into the box. Vanzeir was able to get a toe to the ball before an on-rushing Rick got out, the ball just rising over the bar. In the 22nd, he got onto a ball over the top on the left, Rick coming out big to take it in the chest and deny him again.

Rick was called on again early in the second half when the Red Bulls attack came running at the Union backline. The ball was played out wide then crossed right to the near post and Cameron Harper. His right-foot shot was kicked away with the left foot as Rick went down to his backside.

Perhaps the Union’s best chance came three minutes later in the 56th minute. Jack McGlynn took the ball and made an attacking run infield from the left side of the pitch. As he got to the middle of the field, he played a crafty through-ball with the outside of his left boot to Gazdag. Gazdag was in on the left side 1v1. His five-hole bound shot was stopped by the knees of Coronel, who was quickly back up to stop Thai Baribo with his right foot.

Quinn Sullivan found himself in on goal in the 74th minute and chipped his shot into the outside netting for the Union. Elias Manoel had a low cross placed right on his foot in the 86th minute, his redirection going just wide to Rick’s left. Rick threw out a right hand in the 87th to stop a close-range quick shot from Dennis Gjengaar. The chances were available both ways.

In a game of geographical rivals and familiar foes, each team had opportunities to seize the match. Neither did, both goalkeepers helping to do their part. Jim Curtin‘s team can take some bright spots out of this game. Most importantly for them they got a hard-earned point, which may not seem like much. For a team reeling like never before in club history, it is a positive they can hopefully build on to move forward and salvage this season.

Next Saturday will be the Union’s next bite at the apple, venturing up north to face a Toronto FC squad they drew nil-nil with at the end of May. Gametime will be 7:30 EST and available on Apple TV.

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