The Union and Galaxy have had two completely different seasons so far in the 2010 MLS campaign, and while the Galaxy will look to continue their hot streak, the Union will look to start one.

Going into tonight's game at the Home Depot Center, Peter Nowak's Union have had defensive problems. Goalkeeper Chris Seitz has been a model of inconsistency, and the defense has had red card problems with Toni Stahl in Seattle and Danny Califf at Toronto. The Union have also given up at least two goals in each game this season.

The Union have also caught another bad break with top scorer Sebastien Le Toux out for tonight's game after suffering a knee sprain mid-week in the Open Cup match with the Red Bulls.

That means that Alejandro Moreno will need to attack the goal more instead of trying to set up Le Toux like he normally does. The options up front are all young, but Nowak has decided to go with a 4-5-1 tonight with Moreno being the sole forward. This means the midfielders will have to find a way to get Moreno the ball.

The Galaxy have been the hottest team in the galaxy of MLS this year. One reason for the start is Edson Buddle. Buddle is potentially playing his way on to Bob Bradley's roster for South Africa. With seven goals in five games, Buddle leads the league by two over Dwayne De Rosario of Toronto FC.

With the Union susceptible to giving up easy goals, Buddle will be on the prowl to score one of those easy goals. And by the way, some guy named Landon Donovan plays for this team too.

The part of the team being overshadowed by Buddle's strong start is the defense. Galaxy defenders have given up only one goal in five games this season. Donovan Ricketts was great in goal against Kansas City last week in a goalless draw and has the defenders to help him lock down opposing offenses.

The return of Gregg Berhalter last week from injury helped Ricketts out. Also helping Ricketts are two of the best young defenders in the league, Sean Franklin and Omar Gonzalez.

Match-ups To Watch:

It is pretty obvious what to watch for tonight, but if you missed above, here they are again:

Alejandro Moreno vs. Galaxy back four

Edson Buddle vs. Union back four

The defenses will decide this game, and the two top forwards for each team will have to produce for their team to win.

Prediction:

Galaxy 2-0 Union

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Steve Nicol’s recent rant about the lack of referee protection for his creative players (namely the much improved Sainey Nyassi) was interesting on a number of levels.  

When I first read the quote, I was struck by the unabashed choice of words that sounded as to me as if Steve was expecting, or at least wouldn’t be surprised by, a league-imposed fine.

The soccer-literati picked up on the quote as well. Paul Gardner of Soccer America jumped on the apparent contradiction in such complaints from Steve Nicol. 

Gardner’s focus was on the fact that Steve Nicol’s teams push the physical envelope as far as they can as well.  

Though Gardner sneaks in a commentary about not thinking the Revs are a “dirty” team, the general theme is that you cannot have your cake (push physicality) and eat it too (have your “skill players” see no physicality applied to them).

He also uses some arguments about Nicol’s ESPN commentary on other matches that allude to Steve’s respect for a physical game.   Fine. 

Perhaps there is a some latent contradictions there, but Steve is not what I think most people would call out as a serial complainer; either when the Revs players are getting fouled or getting called for too many fouls.

Despite his (typically excellent) review of coaching, over-coaching and the many ways that the beautiful game is getting stifled, I was surprised Gardner didn’t comment more on Nicol’s potential motivation.

I’ve written about Steve Nicol’s coaching for the New England Revolution with admiration before, so my general view of his capabilities is fairly obvious. Given that, I looked at the commentary about too-lenient refereeing with more interest in “why did he go there?”

Given the week the New England Revolution have had (most notably losing Shalrie Joseph for an as yet undetermined length of time) and the month they have coming (eight games in a month, really?) the rationale for this commentary seems straightforward in two areas.   It is both a tactical calculation and a hope for self-preservation.

The cornerstone for either of these ideas is the belief that irrespective of referee impartiality, refs who know there are complaints out there by the Revolution/Nicol or that Nyassi (or others) have been getting little protection might have that in the back of their heads as they call upcoming Revs matches.  

Much like a rabid crowd can help influence calls for a referee, such thoughts lodged into the brains of referees may be able to sway decisions or demeanor. (And, given the reserved crowds the Revolution get, there’s little risk of a significant home-crowd advantage.)

The Revolution is dealing with a reality of a foreseeable future without Shalrie Joseph. Without him, the Revolution have looked downright ordinary.   It’s not that Pat Phelan or Joseph Niouky are bad players, but they are not players who are about to take over a game and own a midfield.

Without the ability to control the midfield, calm the game, and spring attacks, the Revolution are very vulnerable to opposing offensive moves.

What is a coach to do?  Clearly, Nicol will look at tactical changes he can make, and how to wring the most out of the players he has.  

But it never hurts to get a little outside help; and that’s where his complaint about the referees comes in.

In games that refs call tightly, more fouls and more stoppages are inevitable.   It slows the pace of the game and would allow the Revolution more time to organize their midfield and adjust positioning.  

It also means that forays into the other penalty area are a bit more likely to lead to a foul and a dangerous dead-ball opportunity.  (Which newcomer Marko Perovic has shown he can be quite useful with.)

On top of that, Steve Nicol is looking at a criminally busy month of games.   He has a roster limited by injuries, personal leave and MLS reality. 

He has to worry about playing his homestand on the punishing artificial surface that usually lengthens recovery time. 

He has to work about young, skillful players trying one too many tricks in front of grizzly MLS defenders.   Even if the games don’t appreciably slow down, any protection advantage that is there to be found would help.

So Steve bet that he might get referees to watch more carefully and call his games that much closer.   He’s hoping that his team can survive the month, and surprise some opponents while their two best and most expensive players remain inactive.

Steve played the card he had.   It may cost him personally, but it sounds like one of those “intelligent fouls” we hear so much about. 

It’ll be interesting to see how closely MLS is calling this game of public relations.

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Off the field, he looks like your average high school aged kid, hanging out with teammates, going shopping, and playing video games.

But on the field, he is unlike most high schoolers. In fact he is unlike most people on this planet.

Bryan Leyva, though only 18 years old, has the majestic touch and dribbling ability, and that if he continues to improve, could rival that of some of the top players in the world, including Bayern Munich midfielder Arjen Robben, A.C. Milan midfielder Ronaldihno, and Barcelona midfielder Xabi Hernandez.

The Mexican starlet also made history last year, when he signed professional terms with F.C. Dallas, becoming their first ever academy signing.

On April 27, 2010, on the campus of Indiana University, Leyva and his Mexican U-20 team coached by former El Tri member Juan Carlos Chavez, took on the Indiana Hoosiers men's soccer team.

With a large crowd on hand, including at least half of them dressed in the iconic green Mexico jersey, Indiana and Mexico U-20 kicked off for just the fifth time in history. 

Leyva and teammate Gil Cordero played together as attacking midfielders, playing off each other, dribbling through two or more Hoosier defenders at a time, and helping provide a patient attack from Mexico.

However the aggressiveness and physicality of Indiana was too much for El Tri to handle, and Mexico U-20 lost 2-0.

After the game, in the team hotel, Jeff Gordon, Juan Gamarra, and Daniel Karell spoke with Leyva. Here is the full transcript:

On the team's ineffectiveness in front of the net:

"I think we didn't create enough [chances], because we had three clear chances, but I think that's not enough, and I think we should have created more, and kept a zero [clean sheet]."

On facing teams that play a physical style of soccer:

"For us, its harder to play a very physical team than a technical team, because that's our style", said Leyva. "But I think we played hard, and even though we didn't score, that's soccer sometimes."

On the large amount of Mexico fans that came to the game:

"We didn't really expect that many people to come see us, its always great to play in front of a big crowd. Its fantastic, all the guys loved it and we talked about it [after the game]."

On the growth of the squad through out the USA trip:

"I think the team got better as the games went on, some of the guys are new to the team, and they adjusted very well, but the important thing is that the team gave it's best, and that we are getting better."

On playing in friendly games in a foreign country:

"Its hard because of the traveling. [On this trip] We were stuck in the airport for 14 hours because we missed a flight, and then it was a six hour drive from Chicago to here [Bloomington]. Some of the guys also don't like the food so they wont eat much. Its different and I think we have to adjust to all these things, but its no excuse, we should have won [tonight]."

On the overall experience of this trip through the USA:

"We love to come here, everything is great, the shopping, going to the mall. A lot of the guys love the mall because its not as easy to buy clothes over there [in Mexico], but the guys love it here and its a great experience for us to play these teams."

On passing time during the day:

"We play alot of FIFA, its a great way to pass the time."

On the difference between Mexican players and American players:

"I think the biggest difference is that the Mexican players are all dying to play for the first team. Even when they play U-16, they are looking to the first team, and they are working every day in practice trying to make it, even at a young age. There are some players that are 16, 17 years old and on the first team. And I think putting younger players with the older ones is great."

On the significance of Javier Hernandez signing for Manchester United:

"Its great, I mean, here's a guy who played for the U-20 in Mexico, and we saw him every day in practice [when we were in the U-17], and for him to go to Manchester, its very motivational for all of us that he did it, and he was in our spot just two or three years ago."

On his decision to sign with MLS and FC Dallas:

"Basically, my family wanted to live here [in the USA], and I got offered a very good contract with the first team."

On MLS and the Mexican league being a stepping stone to playing in Europe:

"Yea of course, every player that plays in MLS and Mexico wants to do well, and they know if they play well, their next step is Europe."

On being accepted by his teammates at FC Dallas:

"They're very good with me, they help me out a lot. I'm very happy to be there, its a great atmosphere, everyones really nice and supportive, and that helps a young player [like myself]. They give me a lot of advice, and they joke around a lot with me, of course the Rookie stuff."

On "Rookie" initiation:

They made me do a lot of things, like picking up the balls after practice. They joke around with me, asking me if my mom is picking me up after practice, or taking me to practice. Its all good though [said with a chuckle]."

On when he wants to debut for the Mexican National Team:

"I want to play with them in two years, that's what I want."

On his dream club to play for:

"I think Real Madrid, even though they aren't doing so well [with a chuckle]. I was there [once], and I just love the fans and its just a big club."

On his Football Idol:

"Of all time, I would say Ronaldo (Former Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and A.C. Milan striker), I think he is just phenomenal. The best player of right now, Lionel Messi (Midfielder for Barcelona), without a doubt."

On playing for Mexico:

"Its always an honor you know, every kid who'se ever touched a soccer ball [in Mexico] whether its amateur or just in the street, their dream is to play for the National Team, and we do our best to stay here, because its not that easy, with a lot of people trying out, and everyone wanting to be here."

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Seattle Sounders FC announced today that midfielder Stephen King has been traded to D.C. United in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2011 MLS Super Draft.

King is in his third MLS season. This was his second campaign with the Sounders. He made 10 appearances, including three starts, in 2009.

King also started five U.S. Open Cup matches, scoring three goals, including two-game winners. He added one assist.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who has not appeared in a match this season, made eight starts and a total of 20 appearances for the Chicago Fire as a rookie in 2008. He was chosen by Seattle in the 2008 expansion draft.

“Stephen is a wonderful guy and we want to thank him for his contributions,” coach Sigi Schmid said. “We wish him all the best.”

The high point of King’s Seattle career was scoring two game-winning goals in U.S. Open Cup play, including in the semifinal against Houston.

King had an impressive collegiate career at the University of Maryland. He led the Terrapins to the 2005 NCAA championship, scoring 15 goals. King was a two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist.

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Major League Soccer has long recognized the interest and value of the impressive fan base of the Seattle Sounders FC, and the enthusiasm with which locals fill the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field and root on the home team.

Based on current MLS attendance figures, the Sounders on three home dates have averaged an impressive 36,077, drawing a total of 108,231 thus far in the 2010 campaign.

Philadelphia Union was next with 34,870, based on one appearance.  It should also be noted that Philadelphia will be switching venues in late June when their soccer specific PPL Park is slated to open.  PPL Park will hold a capacity of around 18,500, according to Jonathon Feyerherm of The 90th Minute Soccer Blog.

Los Angeles Galaxy, while not at the level of support the team enjoyed when David Beckham was healthy, has drawn a solid 61,525 over three appearances, for an average of 20,508.

Toronto FC continues to draw solidly.  In two appearances, the Canadian club has played to 40,372 patrons, for an average of 20,186 per contest.

Real Salt Lake and D.C. United have averaged close to 20,000 fans per game.  The Utah club played to a throng of 19,970 in its sole home appearance this season.  D.C. United has drawn 39,071 patrons and an average of 19,535 average in 2 home matches.

The New York Red Bulls, playing in a new home stadium, Red Bull Arena, have played before 53,858 patrons in three dates for a solid average of 17,952.

Houston Dynamo has drawn 49,499 fans for three games and an average of 16,499 per contest.

Chicago Fire drew 31,588 viewers in two appearances, for an average of 15,794 thus far this season.

Columbus Crew has averaged 13,929 per contest for two appearances and a total of 27,858.

Four teams stand at the 10,000-plus per contest figure.  They are Colorado Rapids at a 10,784 average for two games, New England Revolution with 10,470 for two matches, Chivas USA at 10,418 for three dates, and the Kansas City Wizards with a 10,219 average for three appearances.

In terms of aforementioned Kansas City and the San Jose Earthquakes, with 19,671 in two games for a 9,835 average, MLS analyst Jonathon Feyerherm cautions, “San Jose and KC are in small stadiums, so their numbers are fairly low but both are on their way to new stadiums.”

FC Dallas is in last place in per-game attendance with three appearances and 27,084 patrons, for an average of 9,028.

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In sales parlance, one of the key phrases throughout the years has been to “close the deal.”

One of the key indicators that separates a poor (or average) sales representative and a stellar one lies in that important closing sequence, when a prospective buyer will say no and walk away or voice acceptance.  Often the narrowest of circumstances make the difference.

The Seattle Sounders can relate to the “close the deal” slogan with so many MLS contests this season. Following solid efforts, Sigi Schmid’s team has endured many ties when victories were at hand, or have seen a win or draw dissipate and defeat result.

The 2010 Sounders season got off on a positive note with an opening 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Union before the home patrons.  Seattle had been favored and secured a shutout for good measure.

One week later, on April 3, a game with negative future repercussions saw the Sounders fall to the New York Red Bulls 1-0.  A decided underdog, the Red Bulls registered the match’s only score in the 21st minute via a Macoumba Kandji kick.

The nagging factor, and something that would plague the Sounders in matches to come, lay in missed opportunities.  For instance, ask any knowledgeable soccer fan what one can expect if a team record of 12 corner kicks occurs and you are likely to draw a disgusted look and a tart rejoinder of “a win, of course!”

One would naturally anticipate a win given the achievement of 12 corner kicks.  This is what the Sounders did against New York and yet still lost a 1-0 heartbreaker.

There is more.  Given the preceding fact, an alert fan would want to know how the Sounders fared in the shots taken department.  The Sounders enjoyed a commanding shots edge of 17-10.

During that important phase of the match, when Seattle could “close the deal,” the sellout throng at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field saw attempt after attempt fall short.  A hustling team effort that, based on statistics, opportunity, and sheer hustle resulted in a perplexing and highly disappointing shutout loss.

Sigi Schmid, following the match, praised his team for sharp and consistent attacking prowess, then concluded, “But I am displeased with our ability to finish.”

The Sounders next visited last year’s MLS Cup winner, Real Salt Lake.  More of the same kind of disappointment occurred as an apparent victory dissipated with a stoppage time goal for the home team and a 2-2 tie.

Yes, a tie entitles a team to a point, and while ties are harder to achieve on the road, a club that had victory in its grasp is likely to walk off the field in the manner that the Sounders did that night, looking as if they had lost.

More of the same occured during last week’s tough two road games in a three day period.  In the first match against Dallas the home team got the benefit of a penalty kick after a “phantom foul” that ESPN replay footage failed to reveal.  Talented Dallas penalty kicker Jeff Cunningham converted the opportunity by firing a bullet past a diving Steve Boss to secure the tie.

After Dallas the Sounders traveled to Toronto for a Sunday afternoon test.  Despite drawing a nasty break from the schedule makers, the Sounders looked sharp in the first half, especially on defense, as action ended at zero-zero.

In the second half Toronto star Dwayne De Rosario took charge, booting home a goal at the 58 minute mark.  Shortly thereafter in the 76th minute, De Rosario generated an assist with O’Brian White converting the goal to complete the scoring in a Toronto 2-0 triumph.

While the Sounders defense was stellar most of the way, some miscues at crucial moments resulted in two scores.  After the match both Freddie Ljungberg and Kasey Keller expressed dissatisfaction with a lack of concentration leading to the two Toronto goals.

Now it is back home for the Sounders.  In the friendly confines of Qwest Field, they will be tested next Saturday night by Sigi Schmid’s former team, the Columbus Crew.

Plenty of soccer remains during a long season. This is a club that has looked sharp through must of the early campaign action and boasts speedy attack skill via Steve Zakuani and Fredy Montero, along with experienced leadership in Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg.

The major team need is the ability to “close the deal.”

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The Sounders are only six games into a 30-game schedule but they have come to an absolutely critical situation this season.

After opening the 2010 campaign with a 2-0 home victory over the expansion Philadelphia Union, the Sounders—MLS’ darlings of 2009—have made things difficult for themselves.

They won only once in the next five games, coming out with a record of 2-2-2 to date. They sit five points behind undefeated Los Angeles Galaxy for first place in the Western Conference with one extra game played.

Seattle was given a chance to pick up some ground the previous weekend with two games against winless FC Dallas and the defensively deficient Toronto FC. Instead of taking advantage of supposedly weaker opponents, Seattle drew Dallas and was then subsequently shutout in a loss against Toronto.

Now the Sounders will return home for a crucial match against undefeated Columbus Crew, with a game against the Galaxy looming next weekend.

The Sounders surprisingly are experiencing weaknesses all over the field. The usually strong defensive unit has allowed two goals in three of the past four games, giving the team a 1-1-2 record in that stretch.

The defense cannot afford to give up that many goals because the offense has had an incredible difficulty in scoring goals. The team has been shut out twice, including in the Toronto game against the team that has allowed the second most goals in this young season.

They are attacking and putting pressure on opposing defenses but finishing has been poor, especially on set pieces without striker Nate Jaqua, who is out because of an abdominal injury. Teams are playing physical with top targets Freddy Montero and Freddie Ljungberg and not allowing them any space for easy goals.

Seattle’s situation looks gloomy, but there is reason to be optimistic this weekend. They return to Qwest Field, where they are 2-1-0 and have outscored opponents 3-1.

Columbus also has only played three times this season, experiencing two bye weeks in the first four weeks. This makes for a team still figuring itself out.

However, the Crew has won the past two Supporters Shields and was MLS Champions two seasons ago. This is a team that knows how to win. Despite the uneven schedule they are undefeated. The Sounders look like the team still trying to work out the early season kinks, not Columbus.

Also, last week it seemed as if the Sounders had the upper hand, yet they still managed to come out with only one point in two games against weaker opponents.

If the team takes care of business against sub-par competition then it puts them in a better position to compete with the other top tier teams. However, not getting points from those matches puts a lot more pressure on the team.

Now the team is falling behind in the standings, dropping to third in the Western Conference. They need to come out with a win against Columbus for a number of reasons: they can’t stand to lose any more points in the standings, they need to re-energize the team and fan base, and they need to be able to go into following game against the surging Galaxy with some confidence.

It’s an extremely important game entirely too early in the season for Seattle.

If they can’t come out with a win, they may be putting themselves in a hole that is very difficult to escape later on in the season.

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For Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, the attention shifts from the Wiz[ards]...to Whiz Wits. As in a city blessed with cheeseteaks that are best made with Cheese Whiz and onions (hence, Whiz Wit).

The Galaxy will face the Philadelphia Union for the very first time on Saturday, May 1, at the Home Depot Center.

Arena himself welcomed the change of scenery with open arms. “Admittedly, we played poorly on Saturday,” said Arena during the team's Tuesday training session. "Despite the fact that you can complain about the field and it was a little slick and everything else, we weren’t good.

“You don’t ever want to play on that field in a game I think that means a lot because there is so much out of your control, it’s tough. It’s a tough venue to play in. I’m happy it’s out of the way and we’re out of there fairly untarnished. We didn’t play well so we need to accept that fact and move on from there.

"There’s no question about it. We have to get better this week like it is every week and be prepared to play a better game on Saturday.”

The Union are undergoing an inaugural year of growing pains, with a 1-3 record. Their only victory came against a struggling DC United side three weeks ago.

Despite the steep learning curve they are forced to adjust to under manager Piotr Nowak, they are a dangerous team when they have the ball in their attacking half.

Sebastien Le Toux is the Union's biggest offensive threat. Le Toux has four goals in as many matches. MLS veteran Alejandro Moreno, who began his career donning the Galaxy strip, leads Philly in assists with three.

New Jersey native Gregg Berhalter welcomed the new challenge.

"I think it's great," Berhalter said. "There are some real dedicated soccer fans there. Looking at the response to their first home game (at Lincoln Financial Field) was unbelievable.

"The goal is to get a concentration of teams in one area to get some rivalries, like they're going to do in the Northwest. It's what we have here with Chivas.

"You add Philly and Red Bulls to it, with D.C. not far away, and you start creating some interesting games.

"Having Philly is an important part of that. I like it."

Edson Buddle, who continues to lead the league in scoring with seven goals despite going scoreless last week, thinks highly of the Union's arrival.

"There's a lot of soccer in that area, so it's important," Buddle said during training. "I think the fans deserve it. It will be even better once they build their own stadium."

That stadium is PPL Park. Named after Allentown utility company Pennsylvania Power and Light, the long-awaited lighthouse in Chester is scheduled to open for business on June 25.

Buddle himself was looking forward to the first match at PPL Park on Oct. 7. "You're probably going to see a lot of fans from Philly when they play in D.C., and a lot of D.C. fans in Philly," Buddle said on the Union. "Hopefully there won't be any fights or brawls, but we like that as players, when fans are getting into it.

"It makes you play harder, especially if you're at home and you know the fans are behind you."

The Galaxy will come into the match shorthanded. Sean Franklin is nursing a left ankle sprain and did not make the trip to Kansas City.

Dema Kovalenko is also questionable (strained right hamstring), as are Leonardo (strained right quad), Eddie Lewis (left foot contusion), and Clint Mathis, who is recovery from an operation on his left knee.

“My observation with watching Philly play New York was that they outplayed them for 90 minutes and fell short,” Arena said on the Union. “They’re a good team. I was very impressed with what I saw out of Philly against Red Bull [New York] on Saturday.”

Prediction:

All right, who flipped the OFF switch on offense? Fess up. Thank you. Now that it's back to ON, I'm calling for goals, goals and more goals.

Expect the connection (you know what I'm talking about) to return, and Philly showing its meddle with some scores. Have fun with this match on May Day. Now, where are my cheesesteaks?

Los Angeles Galaxy 4, Philadelphia Union 2

The match will be televised on Fox Sports West.

INS AND OUTS:

Welcome back, Boca

Juan Roman Riquelme, Martin Palermo, Nicolas Gaitan, Gary Medel, Claudio Morel and the rest of Club Atletico Boca Juniors return to the Home Depot Center for a May 23 international friendly as part of their USA Tour.

While Los Xeneizes are not going to be relegated any time soon, they have not had a strong 2009-10 year, finishing 11th in the Primera Division Apertura and are currently 16th in the Clausura.

The plight of Boca was added as Alfio Basile and Abel Alves were unable to turn the sour fortunes around. As far as new manager Roberto Pompei should be concerned, the friendly is a badly-needed breath of fresh air.

Youth Academy update

Come down to Concordia University in Irvine to watch the young stars of the Galaxy Youth Academy take on the Irvine Strikers. Kickoff next Saturday in scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT for the U-16 sides and 1:00 p.m. PT for the U-18 sides.

On Sunday, the Galaxy Youth will be facing the San Diego Surf at Titan Stadium on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Kickoff for those matches are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (U-16s) and 3:15 p.m. (U-18s) PT.

Currently, the U-16 side is 3-3-3 (12 points) in the SoCal Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-15/16 West Conference. The U-18s are faring a little better, sporting a record of 5-2-2 (17 points) and sit third in the SoCal Division of the Academy's U-17/18 West Conference.

The U-20 men will begin their USL Super-20 League campaign on June 9 against Chivas USA. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at the Bell Gardens Sport Center.

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The seeds of a Philadelphia Union-New York Red Bull rivalry were actually planted long before the two teams first met this past Saturday thanks in part to the Union Supporters group, Son’s Of Ben.

You see the SOB’s have long made it a point to torment Red Bull fans with chants of "We've won as many championships as you have," and for those of you keeping count, that’s zero championships for NY in 15 years.

The Bens would actually book passage to Red Bulls games just to establish themselves as an up and coming supporters group and wanted to remind NY fans that they were here to stay.

That may be the case, but on the field, the Red Bulls have jumped on the early advantage, beating the Union 2-1 in league play over the weekend and by the same score again tonight in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup Play in game

New York, playing most of their younger players, carried the play of game in the first half and opened the scoring in the 16th minute, when Union goal keeper Chris Seitz failed to secure a Brian Neilson shot that eventually ended up on the boot of rookie Connor Chinn and into the back of the Philadelphia net.

Then in the 41st minute it was Chinn again, this time finishing off a nicely placed cross from Luke Sassano, with a header past Seitz.

It wasn’t until the 68th minute that Philadelphia was able to pull one back and guess who, that’s right Le Toux.

The Union’s leading goal scorer actually started the game on the bench, but came on in the second half as the fourth and final sub, per Open Cup rules.

Le Toux’s goal may have cut Red Bulls lead to one, but in the end it turned out to be a costly sub for Philadelphia, as Sebastien would be stretched off the field with a lower body injury in the 82nd minute.

I am sure an MRI is forthcoming for Le Toux, and hopefully the results will prove nothing too serious. Despite playing a man down for the remaining eight minutes plus, the Union did their part to keep New York off the board for the remainder of the game.

Tonight’s loss, by the way, eliminates the Union from the Open Cup tournament as they now set their sights on a two game road trip that begins this Saturday in L.A. against the Galaxy and finish the following Saturday at Real Salt Lake.

NY-Chinn-(16th minute)
NY Chinn-(41st minute)
PHI-Le Toux-68th minute)

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