Halftime Recap: Union up two against Houston

After the first 45 minutes, the Philadelphia Union are leading the Houston Dynamo, 2-0. Fafa Picault and Ilsinho were the first-half goalscorers, striking in the 17th and 38th minutes, respectively.

Despite of the short turnaround time, Union coach Jim Curtin opted to keep the same lineup that demolished D.C. United 4-0 Saturday and it paid off.

Building on their stellar play as of late, Philadelphia controlled most of the play in the first half.

In the 17th minute, the Union were rewarded for their excellent start with one of their best team goals of the season. Ilsinho found Chris Pontius on the wing, where the former D.C United winger crossed the ball into the box and found the head of Fafa Picault for the 1-0 Union lead.

Bar. Down.#JoinOrDie https://t.co/e1iG5pFHUi

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 17, 2017

Speaking of Ilsinho, the Brazilian winger has looked very comfortable as the new number ten in this lineup. Aside from his hockey assist on the Union goal, he did well to link with the wingers and CJ Sapong to build a dangerous attack.

In the 38th minute, Ilsinho doubled the Union lead as Chris Pontius found the Brazilian wide open in the middle of the box for the easy goal. For Pontius, it was his second assist on the day and fourth assist in four games.

The Union headed into the locker room minutes later up two goals as well as adding to their clean sheet streak, which is now up to seven consecutive halves.