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 Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Earn Draw against Eastern Conference Leader

August 31, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


Chester, PA - Philadelphia Union (10-8-9) earned a point against Eastern Conference leader Montreal Impact Saturday night at PPL Park, as a shutout from Zac MacMath propelled the home side to 39 points on the year en route to a scoreless draw.

The Union took the sting from a tough loss against New England and funneled it into a dominant performance against league leaders Montreal Saturday night at PPL Park. Creating numerous chances, the club kept the Impact on their heels for much of the match.

Unfortunately, it amounted to only a point as the Union battled to a scoreless 0-0 draw in an affair that saw Philadelphia edge Montreal in attempts on goal (12-4), shots on target (4-1) and corner kicks (6-1).

"It certainly was a little disappointing not to get the three points," said Union manager John Hackworth, postgame. "We executed our game plan and got the chances and didn't put them in the back of the net, and that happens. Montreal is a very attack oriented team and are a dangerous team. It's disappointing, but you have to take it in stride. "

The Union got things rolling as early as the fifth minute, as a counterattack in the box had to be slowed due to what looked to be a serious injury to midfielder-forward Sebastien Le Toux. Le Toux did play the full match and later said the knock was a shot to the jaw as he attempted to crash the box on a ball played into traffic from midfielder Danny Cruz.

What was great about this match was that the Union exhibited a complete 90 minute effort en route to the point. Many times this season found a sluggish first half followed by a furious second-half stanza. Not the case in this one, as the first place Impact chased the Union's attack up and down the flanks for the majority of the night.

"In my opinion, we had the better chances," said defender Sheanon Williams. "We could have snuck that one away with them, but we've got to take what we can and move forward. We've got another game on Sunday - a long road trip - and something that we need to get points out of."

Much of the Union's attack started from the back on this night. A catalyst for many attempts on frame derived from the play of Fabinho, the Union's left back created space with his speed delivered a slew of perfect balls into the 18-yard-box. In the 77th minute, he provided perhaps the biggest chance to go ahead playing a driven ball into the box that just missed the run of forward Jack McInerney. The play froze Montreal goalkeeper Troy Perkins momentarily, but both McInerney and an awaiting Conor Casey narrowly missed putting the Union up, 1-0.

"I thought we created some really good chances in the first half and the second half," said Hackworth. "The hardest thing to do in this sport is to score a goal. As long as we're creating [good chances], then I know they're going to come. We did that in both halves."

With the draw, the Union continues a streak of not losing back-to-back matches this season, improving their mark to 4-0-4 after a loss. The confidence that comes from pulling points against the Eastern Conference leaders will be tested next Sunday when the club takes its final West Coast jaunt this season to take on San Jose (11 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Union remained locked in a playoff spot, but as the season comes to a dramatic conclusion in the Eastern Conference, it's imperative the Union to put forth efforts like the one displayed under the lights at PPL Park Saturday night.


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