Coming into the 2013 season there were two teams that Philadelphia Union had never lost to: New England Revolution and Chivas USA.
The Revs' 2-0 win on April 27 removed one name from the list, so the distinction of being winless against Philadelphia now defaults solely to the Goats. The Union heads into Friday's game with a 3-0-2 all-time record against Chivas.
Like most Western Conference teams, the Union don't have a lot of history with Chivas USA. The teams haven't played in 15 months, and there have only been five total matchups in the series.
There have, however, been some interesting battles between the clubs. The 2011 games were especially influential in the standings, while the 2012 contest was among one of the most controversial and chippy games the Union has played.
1. July 3, 2010: Philadelphia 1, Chivas USA 1 (Home Depot Center)
Goals: Mwanga 21', Gavin 42'
The Union was fresh off a 3-1 victory at PPL Park and looking to take that momentum on the road.
There was an interesting tactical wrinkle in this game, with Shea Salinas starting at right back and Michael Orozco-Fiscal moving up to left midfield.
Danny Mwanga continued his fine form, scoring his third goal in four games in the 21st minute. It was a bit of volley ball from the Union, with Cristian Arrieta playing the ball into the air, and Roger Torres one touching to Sebastien Le Toux. The forward flicked on for Mwanga, who let the ball take a bounce before looping it over Zach Thornton's head and into the net.
Chivas would level before the half, with Arrieta's poor clearance falling right to the feet of Blair Gavin for a one-time finish from 20 yards out.
Fred had a chance to grab the game-winner in the 65th minute, but his 1v1 effort was well-saved by Thornton.
The Union settled for a 1-1 draw, the first time in history the team had earned a point on the west coast.
2. September 25, 2010: Philadelphia 3, Chivas USA 0 (PPL Park)
Goals: Moreno 25', Fred 45+', Le Toux 69'
A comprehensive home win for the Union.
Chivas started well enough, with a few opportunities in the first 20 minutes.
But the Union struck first, with Alejandro Moreno scoring one of his two career Zolo goals off a Justin Mapp corner in the 25th minute.
Fred doubled the score before halftime. This time it was a busted Le Toux free kick that ended up in the box for an easy tap-in.
Then Le Toux would get on the scoresheet himself, putting a deflected set piece past a hapless Thornton in the 69th minute.
The Union earned its most comfortable win of the entire 2010 expansion season. Chivas USA finished last place in the Western Conference.
3. June 25, 2011: Philadelphia 3, Chivas USA 2 (PPL Park)
Goals: Umana 28', Paunovic 48', Ruiz 64', Braun 77', Mwanga 82'
This was an important game in the 2011 playoff season.
Philadelphia was currently slogging through a 4 game winless streak, having scored just two goals in the last 360 minutes.
Not surprisingly, it was Chivas who opened the scoring through Michael Umana in the 28th minute. Philadelphia's set-piece defense again struggled and conceded after failing to clear from the danger area.
The Union was sparked with Veljko Paunovic's second half goal, his first for Philadelphia. The newly-signed Serbian forward chested down a Justin Mapp cross and volleyed home for the equalizer.
It looked like the Union had the game-winner in the 64th through Carlos Ruiz, but Justin Braun scored 13 minutes later to make it a 2-2 ball game.
Then Mwanga took over the game. He took a couple of touches, turned, and scored on a 25 yard rocket with just 10 minutes left to play. Now up 3-2, the Union defense held on for three critical points.
4. October 2, 2011: Philadelphia 1, Chivas USA 1 (Home Depot Center)
Goals: Mapp 58', Angel 90'
Philadelphia's playoff status was still not solidified with four games to play, three of which were on the road. With trips to Seattle and New York on the calendar, it seemed as though the home match with Toronto and road match with Chivas were the best chance at grabbing enough points to clinch.
It looked like the Union would grab 3 in Los Angeles, but Juan Pablo Angel found a stunning equalizer in the 90th minute of play. Ironically, it was soon-to-be Union midfielder Mike Lahoud that assisted on the goal, almost keeping the Union out of the playoffs.
But Philadelphia would go on to beat a a short-handed Sounders team in Seattle, then draw against Toronto to earn the a franchise-first playoff berth. Chivas would against miss out on the postseason.
5. August 21, 2012: Philadelphia 1, Chivas USA 0 (Home Depot Center)
Goals: Adu 40'
Ugly as all get out, the Union somehow won this game playing nine against 11.
The lone highlight of this game was Freddy Adu's 40th minute backheel game-winner, which was created beautifully by a twisting and turning Michael Farfan touchline run.
The drama overshadowed the result, and it started in the 75th minute with a straight red card for Keon Daniel. The Union midfielder was sent off for a tackle in which his left leg caught Ryan Smith high on the right shin.
The drama continued 10 minutes later, when Gabe Farfan was send off for a two-footed tackle on right back James Riley. Shoving matches broke out. Benches nearly cleared. Peter Nowak pushed Dan Kennedy and got tossed. The ugly scenes finally subsided and the nine-man Union held on for a second-straight win.
Contact Union writer Kevin Kinkead at k.kinkead@hotmail.com
