The Seattle Sounders once again could not muster enough in the attack as they fell to the Philadelphia Union on the road. The Sounders have now lost five straight matches, tying a club-high number of consecutive losses. An injury-ridden and timid squad were out-classes for much of the match.
A depleted squad rolled out for the Sounders. Officially seven players out for the match and another two listed as questionable. Three quarters of the regular starting back-four are out of the starting lineup, while captain Cristian Roldan continues to recover from a quad injury while with the USMNT.
The Philadelphia Union entered the game sitting last in all of MLS. Just two wins (one just three days ago) all season, and only 10 points on the table. Despite their struggles, the Union will be the favorites in this match.
Paul Rothrock had a chance in the 9th minute after a cross from Kalani Kossa-Rienzi was floated into the middle of the box. Rothrock’s header was less than perfect and was sent over the bar. Both teams were battling to set the tempo early on, but a decent half chance early for the Sounders was promising.
Philadelphia got a free kick in the 13th minute that was taken by Milan Iloski. The ball forced a save (not credited as the shot was deemed to be only a cross) from Andrew Thomas and went out for a corner. The first chance for the Union in the match as they worked to gain momentum in the match.
After a quiet first half-hour, a long ball over the top found Union striker Milan Iloski who was able to chip the ball up and over Andrew Thomas to open the scoring in the match. Thomas misjudged the flight of the ball and couldn’t decide whether to stay on his line or to go for it. He ended up in no man’s land and was easily beaten by a well-placed chip.
The rest of the first half went by without much to note. The Sounders never created more chances, and were chasing the game after the opening goal went in. The only positive was the play of Stuart Hawkins. While it was his man who scored the opener, the rest of the game he has been the best defender and sometimes the best player on the field for the Sounders. That’s a consolation at least.
Much like the end of the first half, the second half began with the Sounders on the back foot. The Union looked sharper and more put together compared to a battered and lowly Sounders team.
For the Rave Green, they failed to record a shot on target through the first 45 minutes. No one on the field looked rather threatening in the attack. Neither Paul, Arriola or Rothrock, could make much happen on the wings. Albert Rusnak was invisible for large portions. The team is clearly struggling to find a vision of who they want to be.
An MLS debut was made tonight. Gallatin Sandnes, who was on a short-term loan from the Tacoma Defiance, came on to replace Antino Lopez. Sandnes and Hawkins may just be one of the youngest CB pairings in a match for the Sounders to play in a match. Hawkins, 19, and Sandnes, 18, provided the Sounders with a steady 30 minutes of play from the back.
The Union thought they had scored a second goal in the 64th minute. Cavan Sullivan intercepted a pass in the midfield before sliding the ball in for Iloski, who was deemed to be just offside when the pass was played. The Sounders escaped going down 2-0 and at that point it would be all three points.
The Sounders registered their first shot on target in the 66th minute. It forced a simple save from Andre Blake, but it was a glimpse of life for the Sounders attack. The additions of Peter Kingston and Jesus Ferreira looked to be improvements.
The best chance of the second half for the Sounders came in the 75th minute. A looped cross was nearly met by Osaze De Rosario but was punched away by Andre Blake. The ball fell to Peter Kingston at the top of the box, whose chipped effort landed just on top of the net.
The final 15 minutes were uneventful. The Sounders lacked the intensity needed to fight back into the match, and were unable to really threaten Philadelphia. There were some good moments, but never really a clear chance. The full-time whistle came and the Sounders had lost a fifth straight match.
During the post-match press conference Brian Schmetzer said, “We just haven’t been able to be as dangerous as we should be on the attacking side of the ball.” Schmetzer was responding to a question regarding the problems in the attack. He also noted that during the match there was a chance with Arriola who crossed the ball in the air to the far post, when he would’ve preferred it to be a low-driven cross as De Rosario was ahead of his defender.
The Sounders will get a week to regroup and prepare for a rematch against Portland, this time on the road at Providence Park. If the Sounders were to lose to Portland again it would be the sixth straight loss, which would be the most consecutive losses in club history since joining MLS.
(Cover Photo Credit: Sounders FC Communications)
Sounders Starting XI:
(4-2-3-1)
A. Thomas
K. Kossa-Rienzi
S. Hawkins
A. Lopez
Nouhou ©
H. Dotson
S. Brunell
A. Rusnak
P. Arriola
P. Rothrock
O. De Rosario
Substitutions:
(57’)
ON: P. Kingston – OFF: K. Kossa-Rienzi
ON: G. Sandnes – OFF: A. Lopez
ON: J. Ferreira – OFF: P. Arriola
(80’)
ON: D. Musovski – OFF: O. De Rosario
ON: S. Gomez – OFF: H. Dotson
Scoring Summary:
PHI 1-0 SEA – 31’ M. Iloski (Ast: F. Westfield)
