Getty Images

Recap: Union drop road contest 1-0 to Sounders

SEATTLE, WA. -- The Union lost their second consecutive match on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Seattle Sounders by a score of 1-0 at CenturyLink Field. Mauro Rosales scored the game’s lone goal, finishing off an opportunity set up by Fredy Montero early in the second half.

Playing in front of their home fans, the Sounders threatened the Union goal early and often in the first half. Ray Gaddis, playing at left back for the first time in his professional career, cleared a Montero shot off the goal line in the seventh minute to keep the match scoreless.

The Union deployed the same four defenders that played against San Jose, with Sheanon Williams switching over to his more customary right back role. Despite an onslaught of pressure from the Sounders attack, Philadelphia managed to keep a clean sheet in the opening half. Zac MacMath made a handful of stops, including a strong diving stop in the 42nd minute to deny an Andy Rose strike from distance.

Philadelphia’s attack struggled to muster much on the offensive end, with just one shot attempt in the first 45 minutes.

The second half began with Seattle controlling possession, and the Union dodged a bullet in the 47th minute when a header from Rose off a corner kick rattled the crossbar. 

The Sounders eventually broke through, though, in the 63rd minute. Taking the ball from Eddie Johnson, Montero played a well-weighted pass across the field to a streaking Rosales. All alone in the box, the Argentine made no mistake with the chance, firing a low shot into the far corner.

MacMath and the defense continued to feel the heat in the minutes that followed, with the 20-year old goalkeeper making a diving stop to his right on a strike from distance in the 72nd minute.

In the 86th minute, Montero nearly doubled the Seattle lead, but his curling effort from 25 yards out hit the crossbar.

Danny Mwanga and Josue Martinez were brought on late in the second half, but the Union were unable to generate much in the final third against a Seattle defense anchored by FC Delco and Drexel alumnus Jeff Parke.

The 1-0 loss is the Union’s first against Seattle since the club’s inaugural match on March 25th, 2010. The result also snaps a three-game unbeaten run against the Sounders that included a 2-0 victory at CenturyLink field last October.

The team will look to rebound during Wednesday’s friendly against Schalke at PPL Park before playing host to the New York Red Bulls on May 13.


HIGHLIGHTS: Sounders 1, Union 0