4th of July Defeat: Union fall 2-1 to FC Dallas

The 4th of July is pictured as a day for barbecues, fireworks, spending time with family with a day off celebrating America’s birthday. For the Philadelphia Union, July 4th this year was just another day of business. The Union headed down to Texas in search of 3 points which could have potentially put them in the playoff picture. Let’s just say Independence day did not go their way and the Union fell 2-1 to FC Dallas.

FC Dallas opened the scoring with a goal by Tesho Akindele in the 26th minute. As per usual, the Union had a bit of a defensive disaster which led to Akindele’s goal. The Union fought back and Amobi Okugo secured a late goal in the first half to leave the teams level going into the locker room.

The second half seemed to be a series of unfortunate events. Minutes after the starting whistle of the second half, a textbook clearance turned into an own goal by the Union. Defender Fabinho attempted to clear a ball but it deflected off of Sheanon Williams and past goalkeeper Zac MacMath.

The rest of the game created many chances for the Union, none of which the team capitalized. The weather was not the only thing that was heated during this fourth of July showdown. The Union committed 15 fouls during the game while Dallas committed only 5. Sebastian Le Toux and Conor Casey were given yellows and Maurice Edu saw straight red.

The Union will try their luck in the US Open Cup July 8th versus the New England Revolution at 7pm at PPL Park. Their return to MLS action will be July 12th at home against the Colorado Rapids.

Line Ups:

Philadelphia Union ( 4-2-3-1)  

Macmath

Fabinho – Williams – Edu (c) – Gaddis

Okugo – Lahoud

Cruz – Maidana – Le Toux

Casey

FC Dallas (4-4-2)

Seitz

Loyd - Hedges – Keel – Hernandez

Watson – Ulloa – Moffat – Escobar

Akindele – Perez

 

Goals:

FCD: Akindele (Perez) 26′

Union: Okugo (Maidana) 43′

FCD: Union own goal 47′

 

Disciplinary:

Union: Casey (yellow) 65′

Union: Le Toux (yellow) 68′

Union: Edu (red) 89′

 

Substitutions:

Union: Wenger (Cruz) 62′

FCD: Hendry Thomas (Adam Moffat) 68′

FCD: Raul Fernandez (Chris Seitz) 72′

Union: Aaron Wheeler (Conor Casey) 78′

FCD: Mauro Diaz (Andres Escobar) 78′

Union: Fred (Okugo) 81′