Silva’s early strike propels United past Philly

Same teams, same players, different stadium, same exact result.

For as much as these two teams have changed over the past four months, Saturday’s match between DC United and the Philadelphia Union was pretty much a mirror result of their first match back in. Although the Union had several convincing chances at the end of the match, it was an early strike by DC United forward Luis Silva that gave United the victory and edged them even closer to the MLS Playoffs.

At the beginning of the first forty-five, it appeared that United might gain the early advantage. Given that United had played a match earlier in the week, their game strategy was clearly meant to score early. In the 5th minute, Silva’s shot went over the bar, although the headed pass by midfielder Nick De Leon made many of the 19,000 in attendance rise to their feet.

Philadelphia would have their own opportunity just a few seconds later when Union midfielder Andrew Wenger would hit a shot from just outside the eighteen yard box. But United goalkeeper Bill Hamid would make the save. Much like in the first match, the United defense would keep the Union’s shots limited to mostly chances from long-range. The center-back combination of Bobby Boswell and Steve Birnbaum helped keep the duo of Conor Casey and Sebastian Le Toux occupied for large portions of the match.

In the tenth minute, United would gain the lead when Silva would finish off a cross laid in by defender Sean Franklin. The goal was Silva’s eleventh of the season, which currently leads the team.

Philadelphia’s chance at delivering an equalizer was dealt a crushing blow in the 22nd minute when midfielder Sebastian Le Toux left the match with a sprained right ankle. Without their top goal-scorer, the Union looked to midfielder Vincent Nogeuira to be the set-up person for striker Conor Casey. Nogueira’s pass into the box in the 29th minute almost found Casey with a solid opportunity on goal. But the referee ruled Casey off-side and thus ended Philadelphia’s threat.

United would come looking for another goal just a few moments later in the 27th minute, but Union defender Carlos Valdes would make two goal-line clearances to keep the result at 1-0. Both Valdes and Edu were instrumental in keeping the match within a goal by enforcing a high line against United forward Fabian Espindola.

In the second half, Philadelphia would continue to knock on the door of United and would come up with several potential goals. In the 48th minute, Union midfielder Cristian Maidana would serve an excellent pass into the box, looking for Casey to finish it off. But it was just beyond the reach of Casey and was easily cleared by Franklin.

The Union’s best chance in the second half would come in the 79th minute when Edu would hit a bullet into the box. Hamid would make the save, but bobble the catch and with a surging Dany Cruz, a few United supporters began to bite their nails. But Hamid would beat Cruz to the ball and end the threat. United would go on to win the match by the score of 1-0.

Three Stars:

1.) Luis Silva-Looked menacing all match and had a couple of opportunities to score. His goal in the 5th minute proved why he is starting over the likes of Pontius and Johnson.

2.)Perry Kitchen- Helped establish the tempo early and was able to lead United out of their own backfield early on. Also made Nogueira a non-factor in the match.

3.) Carlos Valdes- Two brilliant clearances kept this match close for the Union. His work on Espindola should be studied by other teams going forward.

Next Match:

DC United (15-9-6, 51 points:) Friday vs Sporting Kansas City (RFK Stadium, 8pm, NBC Sports Network)

Philadelphia Union (9-10-11, 38 points:) Wednesday vs Chicago Fire (PPL Park, 8pm, ESPN2)