Philadelphia Union Get Right In Shutout Win Over Chivas USA

May 31, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Philadelphia Union celebrate after a goal scored by forward Conor Casey (6) off of a penalty kick against Chivas USA during the first half at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

John Hackworth’s Philadelphia Union were able to put it all together on Saturday night against Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA and secure a solid 3-0 shutout victory at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The win gives the Union a 2-7-5 record (11 points), but they will need every victory they can get as the FIFA World Cup break looms. As for Chivas, they drop to 2-6-4 (10 points) and sink further back in the race in the MLS Western Conference.

Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between Chivas USA and the Philadelphia Union.

1. Chivas stand tall early in first half

Early on in the first half, Philadelphia were applying the pressure, forcing Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to be honest. Kennedy made his 123rd start for Chivas USA, an all-time record for most club starts. Brazilian Fred, a former Melbourne Victory bookend, returned to the lineup after a long layoff. In the first 15 minutes, Chivas were resilient defensively, frustrating the Union with solid organization in the back. A cross from Leandro Barrera for Martin Rivero in the 11th minute failed to connect. Danny Cruz tried a cross in the 12th minute but it was also cleared.

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2. Conor Casey puts Philly ahead from the spot

Sheannon Williams tried to find Conor Casey in the 18th minute but to no avail. Vincent Nogueira’s through ball for Raymon Gaddis was caught offside. Barrera’s cross in the 20th minute found no one to receive it. A cross from Fabinho for Casey was cleared by Chivas defender Tony Lochhead in the 22nd minute. Fred won a free kick outside the box in the 24th minute for a Chivas handball. Nogueira had another cross in the 26th minute collected by Kennedy. In the 28th minute, Rivero was whistled for a handball in the box off a free kick. Casey converted in the 29th minute to give the Union a 1-0 lead.

3. Both teams take their best shot late in first

With the goal, the Union settled into playing their game and the match would become a wide-open affair if Philly were able to slice apart the Chivas defensive shell. A Union free kick in the 36th minute was collected by Kennedy. Fred made a massive effort to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute but did win a corner. MacMath made a save on Erick Torres in the 39th minute of play. Nogueira tried to go coast to coast in the 44th minute but took too much time to make a decision. Torres had an attempt outside the box blocked in the only minute of first half stoppage time.

First Half Summary: Chivas USA vs. Philadelphia Union
0 Corners 3
0 Missed Chances 0
21 Duels Won 21
8 Tackles Won 7
1 Saves 0
11 Clearances 6
1 Offsides 1
8 Fouls 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

4. Buying a penalty won’t work

Early on in the second half, Mauro Rosales was brought in for Marco Delgado to provide some sort of providing ability for Chivas USA. With Rosales on the field, the Goats were able to create some solid sequences that just weren’t finished. In the 49th minute, a corner by the Union’s Cristian Maidana was cleared. Torres couldn’t cash in at the 50th minute of play. Barrera tried a cross in the 52nd minute, but Amobi Okugo was there to clear.

A free kick from Rosales in the 54th minute was headed away by Casey and botched by Lochhead. Torres tried to win a penalty in the 57th minute but was whistled for a hand ball. Maidana’s opportunity at the hour mark was collected by Kennedy and the transition was collected by Kennedy’s counterpart, Zac MacMath.

5. Cards beginning to pile up as Casey completes his brace

Midway through the second half, the play began to be chippy. A cross from Fabinho in the 61st minute was cleared. Barrera was cautioned for a foul on Fred in the 63rd minute of play. Torres was also given a yellow seconds later, in the 64th minute. In the 65th minute, Fabinho was cautioned for a foul on Rosales. Danny Cruz tried a shot in the 65th minute but sailed wide right. In the 66th minute, Casey headed in a ball from Maidana to make it 2-0 Philadelphia.

Once again, the Goats were forced to chase the game, down two goals Chivas USA reserves bookend Ryan Finley entered the game in the 68th minute for Carlos Alvarez. A Chivas corner in the 69th minute was cleared by MacMath. A shot from Cruz on the transition was blocked by Kennedy. Cruz again tried it again in the 70th minute, but was denied by Kennedy once more. Referee Allan Chapman issued a yellow card to Eric Avila in the 73rd minute.

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6. Union close out match with authority

Andrew Wenger was brought in to relieve Casey in the 75th minute but not before MacMath made another point-blank save on Barrera. Maidana made it 3-0 Union in the 77th minute, with a solid first touch that eluded Avila and Kennedy. Nogueira played a major role in that goal.

With the lead 3-0, the game definitely became a wide-open affair late. MacMath continued his solid night, denying Avila in the 79th minute. Rosales was marked in the 80th minute as the Goats won a corner that was cleared. Oswaldo Minda was given a straight red in the 84th minute for a serious foul, just to add to another sorry night for the Goats. This is the sixth game in which Chivas USA were forced to play a man down.

Zach Pfeffer was brought in at the 85th minute to relieve Cruz and Agustin Pelletieri was brought in at the 87th minute to relieve Barrera. Pfeffer tried his luck in the 88th minute but it was saved by Kennedy. Torres’s next attempt in the 89th minute was blocked by MacMath. Pfeffer almost broke loose again but was offsides in the 90th minute.

Team Statistics

(Chivas USA in blue, Philadlphia Union in red)

Chivas USA Player Ratings

Dan Kennedy 2, Donny Toia 3, Eric Avila 3.5, Eriq Zavaleta 3, Tony Lochhead 4, Carlos Alvarez 3, Leandro Barrera 3.5, Marco Delgado 4, Martin Rivero 3, Oswaldo Minda 1, Erick Torres 4.5, Mauro Rosales 5, Ryan Finley 3, Agustin Pelletieri NR
Philadelphia Union Player Ratings

Zac MacMath 7, Amobi Okugo 6, Fabinho 5.5, Raymon Gaddis 6, Sheannon Williams 6, Fred 6, Maurice Edu 5, Vincent Noguera 8, Conor Casey 10, Cristian Maidana 9, Danny Cruz 7, Andrew Wenger 4, Zach Pfeffer NR