Featured image: Paul Rudderow
When Freddy Adu joined the Union, Roger Torres must have wondered if he would get relegated to
starring in reserve matches for the rest of the season. Fortunately, the Union's most improved
young player has found the minutes plentiful in recent weeks and has played some of the best soccer
of his Union career.
(Photo: Paul Rudderow)
With a weather-induced fixture logjam in their immediate future, the Union need to start scoring
goals (and earning points) quickly. Yet, the attack continues to be lacking as the Union languish
near the bottom of the MLS table in almost every offensive statistical category.
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New England Manager Steve Nicol put it best: "Both teams were as bad defensively as each
other."
In a game that featured eight goals—two by way of penalty kicks—the Union overcame a
three-goal deficit to salvage a draw at home against the Eastern Conference bottom-dwelling
Revolution on Wednesday night.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
As far as first starts go it was not what Zac MacMath would have wanted, but it was certainly
not a contest he will forget anytime soon. The rookie goalkeeper will fondly remember the night the
Union stormed back from 4-1 down in the second half to earn a gritty point.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Union
In this week's power rankings roundup, the Philadelphia Union move up one spot to no. 10 at
MLSsoccer.com ("They haven't won in a long time, their body language is not particularly good right
now, they're inconsistent offensively and the defense is suddenly leaky.
Photo: Earl Gardner
Whenever the Major League Soccer Players Union releases players' salary numbers, it's usually
the rare opportunity to step back and see who's worth their salary and who's not. So that's exactly
what we're going to do here, with a look at each Union player's salary and evaluation of whether
they're worth it or not.
Photo: Earl Gardner
The Union have three remaining matches to close out the month of September. First up is
Columbus, followed by Kansas City, and then D.C. United. The current standings have Columbus with a
five point lead on the Union, Kansas City up by four, and D.C. trailing by two.
On a chilly night in Chester against a listless first place Columbus Crew team, a goal from the
resurgent Sebastien Le Toux was all the Philadelphia Union needed to earn their first victory since
July 17. In an effort to breathe life into his team, coach Peter Nowak rang in the changes, most
notably bringing 16-year-old Zach Pfeffer into the starting lineup for his first MLS start.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
Winless since their 3-0 road victory over New England on July 17, the Union did just enough to
take three points off of a depleted Columbus Crew side before a packed house at PPL Park on
Saturday night. Zac MacMath earned his second clean sheet in three attempts and Sebastien Le Toux
continued his resurgent goal-scoring form with the game's only goal in the 32nd minute.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
His name on a Union lineup card results in instant vitriol on this and other websites.
His face in the Philadelphia locker room produces a very different result. Following a
spectacular three-goal turnaround that earned a 4-4 tie against the Revolution, Sebastien Le Toux
said with a laugh, "My teammates joke around with me, especially Stefani Miglioranzi, that in the
last ten games I'm going to score every game and help the team the best I can like I didn't do at
the beginning of the season.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Kansas City Watch
Chris Vito reports that the Union will be using a MLS pool goalkeeper as a backup to Zac MacMath
for the Kansas City game.
The Kansas City Star expects Sporting to defeat the Union, saying, while they "might plan on
playing the 'bunker' game on the road," the Union haven't shown "the strength to withstand
anyone.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
After starting the season with a conservative lineup and a string of low scoring but
positive-outcome affairs, Peter Nowak threw caution to the wind following a disappointing scoreless
tie against Kansas City in late June. In the next match, against Chivas USA, Brian Carroll was the
only thing vaguely resembling a defensive presence in front of the back four.
Photo: Garrett Field
DC United Watch
Sporting Kansas City's 2–1 win over Columbus on Wednesday night puts them in first place in
the East with 44 points. The Union would move into sole possession of second place with 43 points
with a win tonight.
Freddy Adu says of tonight's game, "For me, it definitely has a playoff feel to it, and that's
how I think we all are approaching it.
