CHESTER, Pa. – After Sebastien Le Toux’s eighth goal of the season gave Philadelphia a first half lead in front of 18,137 fans at PPL Park, Marko Perovic’s free kick in the 71st minute took a strange bounce and found it’s way into the net to help New England steal a point on the road.
The Revolution had the first near miss of the match after Sainey Nyassi ran onto a through ball in the 14th minute and struck a shot from within the area to the right of the goal. The angled, low attempt missed the far post by inches, preserving the scoreless tie.
Despite failing to generate many chances in the early going, Le Toux’s goal in the 25th minute put the Union on the board first to cap an impressive 10-pass build up in New England’s third. After Le Toux and Alejandro Moreno worked a give-and-go 30 yards from goal, Le Toux found Danny Mwanga at the top of the box. With Emmanuel Osei on his back, Mwanga shielded the ball and laid it off for Le Toux, who struck a bending ball to the far post past a diving Matt Reis to put the Union up 1-0.
Philadelphia had a chance to take a two goal advantage in the 36th minute. With numbers in their favor on a counter attack, Fred found Le Toux cutting into the middle of the field at the top of NE's area, but the Revolution defense converged on the Frenchman before he was able to unleash an attempt on goal.
The Union’s elusive first shutout was not to be after a Perovic free kick from 40 yards out took an unusually large hop off the pitch, finding it’s way over a diving Chris Seitz to tie the match at one goal apiece in the 71st minute.
Philadelphia had a few opportunities to take the lead in the 89th minute, but they weren’t able to punch home a bouncing ball in the box, and then Justin Mapp’s strike from within the area missed the far post.
The Union had one more chance to find a go-ahead goal in the 92nd minute, but the referee decided against blowing the whistle when Le Toux was pulled down going for a header off a Jack McInerney cross.
The Union will return to MLS action this Thursday, August 5 against Columbus at PPL Park.
New England, who reach a five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions with this draw, will take on Mexican First Division club Puebla FC in SuperLiga 2010 semifinal action on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium. The Revs will return to MLS play on Saturday, when they face D.C. United.
Scoring:
PHI -- Sebastien Le Toux 8 (Danny Mwanga 3) 25
NE -- Marko Perovic 4 (unassisted) 70
Misconduct:
NE -- Shalrie Joseph (caution; Reckless Tackle) 45
PHI -- Fred (caution; Reckless Tackle) 60
NE -- Marko Perovic (caution; Reckless Tackle) 85
Lineups:
New England Revolution -- Matt Reis, Kevin Alston, Emmanuel Osei, Darrius Barnes, Cory Gibbs, Sainey Nyassi, Shalrie Joseph, Pat Phelan, Chris Tierney, Zack Schilawski (Kenny Mansally 61), Marko Perovic
Philadelphia Union -- Chris Seitz, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Danny Califf, Jordan Harvey, Cristian Arrieta, Sebastien Le Toux, Fred (Andrew Jacobson 77), Stefani Miglioranzi, Alejandro Moreno, Danny Mwanga (Justin Mapp 56), Eduard Coudet (Jack McInerney 83)
Referee: Jasen Anno
Referee's Assistants: Thomas Supple; Steven Taylor
4th Official: Lee Suckle
Weather: Sunny and 83 degrees
Attendance: 18,147
