The whistle blew Saturday night on another three-game in eight-day run of matches for the Union, with the final installment being a scoreless draw at home against the Houston Dynamo. While this game was devoid of goals, there were numbers that emerged from this one that were certainly interesting.
0: According the final stat sheet that was the number of shots on goal directed at Rais Mbolhi from the Dynamo. Technically, you could call his stop on Omar Cummings’ chance in the second half a save, but lucky for everyone MLS’ final score sheet doesn’t do technicalities.
270: The number of minutes the Union has gone without a goal against Houston this season. Talk about “playing them tough,” that always seems to be the way when head coach Dominic Kinnear is the opposition’s general.
2:The number of times the Union has had to play Houston on short rest, both coincidentally coming off U.S. Open Cup runs. The first was after the Union defeated FC Dallas in penalty kicks in August, then traveled to the Dynamo four days later
1:While the severity is unknown, defender Ethan White told reporters postgame that his hamstring injury he suffered in the first half of Saturday’s match is the first time he’s ever had a hamstring injury in his career, college or pro.
52,178: Combined attendance (paid) of the three matches played at PPL Park over the eight day span (New York, 18,091; Seattle, 15,625; Houston, 18,462).
10:The number of corner kicks for the Union in the match with Houston, with eight of those coming alone in the first half.
9-3-6:The record of Jim Curtin in all competitions since taking over the helm in June. Technically, Curtin’s record is 10-3-5, but the statisticians at U.S. Soccer count the Union’s semifinal win in penalties against FC Dallas as a draw.
Much to the chagrin of all of us at philadelphiaunion.com of course.
Contact Union digital editor Kerith Gabriel at kgabriel@philadelphiaunion.com
