For long stretches, the Philadelphia Union executed in a tough environment on their way to a 1-0 lead over Seattle Sounders FC Saturday night at CenturyLink Field.
But second half goals from Obafemi Martins and Chad Marshall gave the Sounders a come-from-behind win.
It also gave the Union (1-4-5, eight points) a tough loss to stomach.
Yet there were many positives which came out of the hard-fought match and the Union will carry those into a showdown on Saturday against D.C. United at PPL Park (4 p.m., purchase tickets).
“We just have to keep plugging away and hopefully we can get some luck on our side,” said Union defender Amobi Okugo. “I feel like the defense has a good game and the offense struggles or the offense has good game and the defense struggles we just have to have a complete performance from both sides and hopefully we can get a win.”
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The Union haven’t lost at home and they’ll take that momentum into this upcoming match against their I-95 rival.
Following this latest loss to the Sounders, the Union are obviously a bit frustrated. They held the lead for quite a while and let it get away at the end.
Between now and Saturday, the Union are fully aware of what needs to be done.
“We lost again, it’s a big disappointment,” said Sebastien Le Toux. “We played good in the first half, we were a little bit unlucky on the penalty kick but Zac MacMath had a great save. I thought we could have got the win tonight but we got another loss. Disappointment was the feeling right after the game, it’s just very frustrating. I thought we played well but a mistake here and there cost us the game. There’s a little bit of frustration and disappointment, but we have to move forward.”
Much like they have all season, the Union proved their mettle in many ways. It’s just a matter of holding onto a lead and maintaining that intensity for 90 minutes.
“It’s a difficult one to take because you came in and played well in the first half and we got up a goal,” Union manager John Hackworth said. “Even in the second half, we had some chances to get a second one and we didn’t put those away. You’re playing a really good team though; you’ve got to give full credit to Seattle. They came back to get back in the game and Chad Marshall makes a great play on the corner kick, don’t know what to say.”
After a difficult loss, the good news is this: another match looms shortly and it’s one against a heated rival.
What are your thoughts on this upcoming match against D.C. United? Leave a comment below.
Contact Union writer Andy Jasner at andy.jasner@yahoo.com
