For 40 minutes, the Philadelphia Union had Sporting KansasCity on the ropes in the opening game of the 2013 MLS season.
The Union wasn’t just leading 1-0 but were dominating inall facets of the game. Their passing was superb, so too weretheir runs off the ball. It seemed like everyone was in syncin the first half of play. They had so much possession thatSporting Kansas City was on its heels and pretty much outof the game. Normally that's what SKC does to their opponent. The return of Sebastien Le Toux was the big story and Sebacame through with a go ahead goal in the 17th minute.
For the Union, the one negative was the lack of finish.
Despite all of their chances, the club managed to score just once,and that, along with some defensive errors would be enough to ensure a bad result in the home opener.
If you leave a good team like Sporting Kansas City in the game,at some point they'll take it over. The Graham Zusi goal in the 41st minute gave MLS' two-time defending Eastern Conference championssome life, going into the locker room at halftime.
Watch:Union-Sporting Kansas City highlights
A goal off of a free kick turned out to be the game winner forOriol Rosell in the 66th minute. Later, Designated Player ClaudioBieler added an insurance tally in the 83rd to seal the deal.
For the Union, despite having more attempts at goal, more shotson goal, and more corner kicks, it was a cruel loss. Playing theirbest 40 minutes of soccer in at least the last two years meant nothing on this day.
Despite the loss, there's no reason to hit the panic button. It's justone game. The Chicago Fire lost 4-0 at the LA Galaxy, DC Unitedlost 2-0 away at Houston, and last year’s Supporters Shield winnersSan Jose lost at home to Real Salt Lake. No one should be panicking in any of those places today.
Instead, the Union needs to take some of the positives from Saturdayand take that into Colorado for their next game. Continue to play with confidence and bring numbers into the attack. Continue towork hard for each other and keep the spacing like we saw in thefirst 40 minutes at PPL Park.
Offensively, if you play like you did for the opener, you'll win, orat least draw on most nights. After all, how many
MLS
teams have a Jimmy Nielsen in goal? The reigning
MLS
Goalkeeper of the yearmade five saves in the game including a couple of spectacular ones, tokeep his team in the game. He was a difference maker for sure.
From a defensive standpoint, the Union need to improve theirmarking on those set pieces. It cost them many goals a year ago,and helped lead to their demise this past weekend.
The team will be traveling to Colorado (6 p.m., The Comcast Network) on Friday where theywill face high altitude and a Rapids team who lost their opener1-0 at FC Dallas on Saturday.
