As Clear As Knighton Day: Union Grab Clean Sheet In 1-0 Win Over Fire

Headline h/t to @JRSilverstone.  Thanks for the text, Jon.

PPL was abuzz with happiness, an emotion that for much of the current season had not been heard from the Union faithful. Too many times now have Union supporters been blessed with a first half lead through dominate play, only to find themselves rooting for the losing side (or for a team that somehow drew). But for once the Philadelphia crowd would not be disappointed by poor play in the second half or at the end of the first half. Instead, the Union dominated the first, took the lead and never relinquished it. In fact, the Union recorded a clean sheet – something the Union had never done prior to the Fire match.

After the jump: Union player ratings and game notes…

Starters:

Brad Knighton – 7 – Solid, but not spectacular, benefited from an above average display from the defense and a weak offensive display from the Fire. Provided the Union with their first clean sheet of the season.

Sheanon Williams – 6.5 – His first start for the Union showed off his potential as an offensive threat, as his long throw-ins proved threatening throughout the game.  Needs to improve his marking, though.

Danny Califf – 6 – A “6” means average. For Danny Califf this was an “8” display but relative to a typical player it was plain average. He continues to draw stupid fouls, indicative of this was yet another hip check on an opposing player, but he was for once not the problem for the Union defense.

Michael Orozco Fiscal – 5.5 – Not an enlightening display but not a bad display either. Clearly not a central defender.

Jordan Harvey – 7 – As usual Harvey was the best defender. Even a switch to the opposite fullback position couldn’t stop Harvey from being reliable. Still poor on the ball, though.

Sebastien Le Toux – 8.5 – The winning goal and overall dominate play deserving of high praise – again.

Andrew Jacobson – 7.5 – Caused a lot of problems from his attacking midfield role. While not the main cause of the Union domination he most certainly helped it along.

Stefani Miglioranzi – 6.5 – The first game I was not calling for Migz’s head after stupid plays.

Justin Mapp – 8 – Assisted Le Toux on the goal and changed the game whenever he got a touch on ball.

Alejandro Moreno – 5 – On the ground for most of the game, Moreno never seemed to find any rhythm.

Danny Mwanga – 6 – Poor first touches mixed with his apparent injury limited his effectiveness. Still, Mwanga was an important factor in disrupting the defense during the first half.

Substitutes:

Fred – 6 – Made some good runs and a couple of passes but didn't do much in the game.

Shea Salinas – 7.5 – Made runs, passes and used his fresh legs to run circles around defenders as his introduction somewhat re-energized the Union.

Kyle Nakazawa – N/A – Didn’t really do much nor was he given much to do anything with. Did level Freddie Ljungberg.

Notes:

• Mwanga was forced out of the game due to the possible shoulder injury.
• Fred, a second half substitute, appeared to have reinjured his groin injury and was carted off the field in the closing minutes, but quickly found good health once again and finished the game without a problem.
• Shea Salinas made his first appearance for the Union since fracturing his fibula in the Union’s June 10th game versus the Kansas City Wizards. He entered the game in the 70th minute, replacing Alejandro Moreno.