The Philadelphia Union pay a visit to Red Bull Arena this Saturday for the third and final regular season meeting between the two sides. It’s sure to be another exciting one between the clubs, as the budding rivalry is sure produce an intense matchup on the pitch.
In this article, we’ll take a quick look back at the season’s previous two matches between the Red Bulls and Union, as the series comes to Red Bull Arena Saturday at 8:00 PM, tied 1-1-0.
Mar. 30: Red Bulls 2, Union 1
The Red Bulls kicked off their regular season series against the Philadelphia Union with resounding success, as Dax McCarty and Thierry Henry each found the back of the net for the club’s 2-1 victory. The win not only gave the club a leg up on their Eastern Conference foe, but it also stood as the first win of the season and the first of Mike Petke’s head coaching career.
After both teams entered the half locked in a scoreless tie, McCarty was the first player to find the back of the net in the 55th minute when he took a feed from Jonny Steele and flicked a shot off the outside of his foot toward the far post to beat Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Eight minutes later it was Philly forward Connor Casey, fresh off the bench as a sub for Sebastien Le Toux, who was able to draw the score level with a header that beat Luis Robles.
Tied 1-1 with time winding down, Henry stood as the difference maker in the 81st minute, when Peguy Luyindula placed a pass into the penalty area that met his fellow Frenchman in stride. Off a one-touch volley, Henry turned and fired a left-footed shot home for his first of the season that provided the Red Bulls with a 2-1 lead and, ultimately, a three-point victory.
June 23: Union 3, Red Bulls 0
A tough outing in every sense of the word for the Red Bulls, as they were unable to find the back of the net at PPL Park, falling to the Union 3-0. The loss marked the first against Philly since Apr. 9, 2011, and also brought the Red Bulls’ five-match winning streak to a grinding halt.
Down 1-0 after Casey buried his fourth of the season in the seventh minute, the Red Bulls’ situation went from bad to worse after midfielder Lloyd Sam was shown a straight red card in the 28th minute after a controversial challenge on Philly’s Danny Cruz. Playing a man down, the Red Bulls entered the half down a goal, but were unable to muster up any offense over the remaining 45. Casey found the back of the net again in the 64th minute, before Antoine Hoppenot put the icing on the cake for Philly in the 88th to secure the 3-0 win.
The Red Bulls and Union kick off Saturday at 8 PM from Red Bull Arena. For tickets, visit Red Bulls Ticket Central, or call 877.RB.SOCCER.
