Chester, PA- Despite generating a number of scoring chances and twice hitting the goal frame, the New York Red Bulls fell to the Philadelphia Union, 1-0, at PPL Park Saturday night in front of 19,027. It was New York’s first loss of the season, as it dropped to 1-1-2 (5 points) in 2011.
Philadelphia looked to put its name on the board in the 17th minute, when Justin Mapp’s free kick from the wing fell to Danny Califf on the back post, but the defender put his left-footed attempt wide of the target.
Four minutes later, the Red Bulls, which controlled much of the play in the opening stanza, earned the best chance of the match up to that point. A streaking Dwayne De Rosario, making his first start as a Red Bull, found space on the right side of the field and slid it to Juan Agudelo, who turned and rolled a 12-yard shot that knocked off the left post.
Agudelo again nearly put the visitors in the lead in the 31st minute. Joel Lindpere found the U.S. National Team member streaking into the box and Agudelo held off Califf and blasted a laser past Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon and off the crossbar.
New York continued to see much of the ball after the break and Lindpere was close to giving the Red Bulls a 1-0 advantage two minutes into the second half with a one-timed 20-yard shot that zipped inches by the left post.
Despite the Red Bulls’ opportunities, the Union took the lead for good in the 68th minute. A New York pass out of the back was intercepted by Danny Mwanga, who took it towards the box and slid it to Roger Torres. Torres was in alone on goal and fired it into the net for the game’s only goal.
The Red Bulls return to Red Bull Arena on Saturday, April 16, taking on the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 PM (TV: MSG; Radio: WQBU 92.7 FM; GET TICKETS).
Scoring Summary:
PHI -- Roger Torres 1 (Danny Mwanga 1) 68
New York Red Bulls -- Bouna Coundoul, Jan Gunnar Solli, Tim Ream, Rafael Marquez, Roy Miller, Dane Richards (Luke Rodgers 67), Teemu Tainio, Dwayne De Rosario, Joel Lindpere, Juan Agudelo (Mehdi Ballouchy 84), Thierry Henry.
Substitutes Not Used: Stephen Keel, Tyler Lassiter, Carl Robinson, John Rooney, Alex Horwath.
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (Juan Agudelo 2, Dwayne De Rosario 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Dwayne De Rosario 1); FOULS: 8 (Thierry Henry 3); OFFSIDES: 2 (Juan Agudelo 2); CORNER KICKS: 6 (Rafael Marquez 6); SAVES: 2 (Bouna Coundoul 2)
Philadelphia Union -- Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Carlos Valdes, Jordan Harvey, Stefani Miglioranzi, Brian Carroll (Amobi Okugo 6), Keon Daniel, Justin Mapp (Danny Mwanga 59), Carlos Ruiz (Roger Torres 67), Sebastien Le Toux.
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Agorsor, Michael Farfan, Juan Diego Gonzalez, Zac MacMath.
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (Sebastien Le Toux 2, Carlos Ruiz 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 3 (3 tied with 1); FOULS: 8 (Stefani Miglioranzi 3, Sheanon Williams 3); OFFSIDES: 2 (Danny Mwanga 1, Carlos Ruiz 1); CORNER KICKS: 1 (Justin Mapp 1); SAVES: 1 (Faryd Mondragon 1)
Misconduct Summary:
NY -- Rafael Marquez (caution; Dissent) 14
NY -- Dane Richards (caution; Reckless Tackle) 29
PHI -- Danny Mwanga (caution; Reckless Tackle) 77
NY -- Roy Miller (caution; Reckless Tackle) 82
Referee: Alex Prus
Referee's Assistants: Rob Fereday; Corey Parker
4th Official: Mark Kadlecik
Attendance: 19,027
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Cloudy-and-62-degrees
