The Rapids played the final 20+ minutes of Saturday night’s game down a man to the hometown Union, but found a way to hang on and steal a point at PPL Park, playing Philadelphia to a scoreless draw.
The home side controlled the field for much of the first half and created several key opportunities at goal. Unfortunately for the home crowd, they were unable to capitalize on any of those chances. Much of that was thanks to Rapids’ goalkeeper Clint Irwin, whose sprawling saves kept away several Philadelphia scoring chances. One of those chances came late in the first half, as Sebastien Le Toux split two defenders and had a clear shot at the goal, but Irwin sprawled in front of the charging attacker, saving the shot attempt with his feet.
Union forward CJ Sapong went down after an inadvertent elbow in Colorado’s box to close the first half and was replaced with Chaco Maidana after the intermission. With Maidana in, Philadelphia’s attack sprang to life and the team spent the early part of the second half flinging shot after shot toward Irwin and the Colorado defenders.
When Colorado centerback Bobby Burling collected his second yellow card and was sent off in the 68th minute, the hometown fans sensed victory. But the Union offense found surprisingly few opportunities with the man advantage, one of their best coming in the 80th minute as Fernando Aristeguieta’s cross found Le Toux’s forehead. But the ball sailed just wide of the goal and the scoreboard remained blank.
In a last ditch effort for the home side, manager Jim Curtin pulled a double switch in the 85th minute, bringing in Conor Casey and Zach Pfeffer to liven the Union attack. It seemed immediately effective as Casey nearly headed in a free kick from just outside the box. However, Irwin made an incredible save on the attempt to keep Colorado alive. Even six minutes of stoppage time did not aid the Union, as Casey sent the team’s last-chance header just wide of the net in the extra time, past a leaping Irwin.
Colorado was not without their share of scoring chances. The Rapids found a few good opportunities, especially on the counterattack. But even as Dominique Badji led a breakaway and fired a the club’s best hope wide of the goal in the 61st minute, they were generally unable to put very much pressure on the Philadelphia defense during the contest.
Regardless, manager Pablo Mastroeni’s Rapids celebrated with handshakes and high fives after surviving the onslaught and disadvantage to earn the hard-fought point.
For the Union, on the other hand, the point leaves a bittersweet aftertaste. Fans can see the positive in their club’s ability to create numerous golden chances with their potent attack, but are likely unimpressed with the team’s ability to capitalize on those opportunities; especially with a man advantage for such a long stretch.
The Union travel to Utah to take on Real Salt Lake next Saturday evening. Colorado, however, must wait until Match 21 for their next game as they will play host to New York City FC.
(Photo courtesy of @PhilaUnion)
