Union draw again, in scrimmage with University of Maryland

As they have in their first two league matches, the Philadelphia Union played to another draw in a scrimmage with the University of Maryland at Talen Energy Stadium on Sunday morning.

Charlie Davies scored a goal late in the first half with a tap-in off a cross from Roland Alberg after Ilsinho found space down the right side. The Union had a few other chances in the half but Maryland goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair stepped up with a pair of saves and the Terps back line did well to block a couple other shot attempts.

Goalkeeper John McCarthy and the Union back line – Auston Trusty and Jack Elliott pairing in the middle with Giliano Wijnaldum and Raymon Gaddis on the wings – didn’t have much to do in the first half save for a couple runs from Gordon Wild and Jake Rozhansky.

Maryland had their break through late in the second half when Amar Sejdic sent a long free kick into the box toward Sebastian Elney and after bouncing around the box found its way to Wild at the far post for the finish past McCarthy. Wild was second in the nation in goals with 17 for the Terps last season and spurned a Generation adidas offer to return for his junior season.

Marcus Epps created a few chances after subbing in down the left flank and nearly won the game late with a shot that missed high.

It was a frustrating finish for the Union after dominating possession and tempo throughout, but as these training ground matches go it still accomplished the desired result. Players like Trusty, Elliott, Wijnaldum, Creavalle all put in 90-minute shifts while others like Ilsinho, Alberg and Davies put in strong shifts. Rookies Adam Najem, Epps, Aaron Jones and Bethlehem Steel players Burke, Yosef Samuel and Hugh Roberts also got minutes.

Fafa Picault and Alberg were the only players who played in the 2-2 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday to appear in the match. Both came off the bench in the second half on Saturday night.

For Trusty, who was one of three Philadelphia Union Academy alums on the field Sunday – Samuel and Elney the others – it was a chance to play a full game with his club after missing most of preseason while away with the United States U20 team in Costa Rica for World Cup qualifying.

“Getting minutes in and getting some touches back on the ball with the Union is good and I’m happy to be back,” Trusty said, noting that his time with the U20 team has helped build his confidence.

The Union beat Maryland in a midweek scrimmage played in a downpour at Talen Energy Stadium last April by a 5-0 score line with a number of starters playing. That Terps team went on to go undefeated in the regular season before losing to Providence in a shocking 5-4 result in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Lineups

Philadelphia Union: GK: John McCarthy, D: Giliano Wijnaldum, D: Auston Trusty, D: Jack Elliott, D: Raymon Gaddis, MF: Brian Carroll, MF: Warren Creavalle, MF: Fafa Picault, MF: Ilsinho, MF: Roland Alberg, F: Charlie Davies
Subs: D: Aaron Jones, D: Hugh Roberts*, MF: Yosef Samuel*, F: Cory Burke*, MF: Marcus Epps, MF: Adam Najem

* Bethlehem Steel FC player

Maryland: GK: Dayne St. Clair, D: Connor Smith, D: Miles Stray, D: Donovan Pines, D: George Campbell, MF: Andrew Samuels, MF: Amar Sedjic, MF: Keegan Kelly, MF: Jake Rozhansky, F: Sebastian Elney, F: Gordon Wild
Subs: F: DJ Reeves, D: Griffin Bouchard, MF: Jorge Calix, MF: Luca Levee, MF: Eli Crognale, MF: Fola Adetola, MF: Mike Heitzmann