No blowout this time: Philadelphia Union play D.C. United to scoreless draw

The Philadelphia Union earned a point at home, completing a 0-0 draw against D.C. United. The draw ends a three-game MLS win streak. Philadelphia currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference with 18 points.

Out of all of the games the Philadelphia Union have played at Subaru Park, this certainly was one of them. While both teams played extremely physically, not a ton happened in this one. You were more likely to see a player hit the ground than a ball hit the net. Pretty much, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a mid-week “rivalry” match.

Fans in attendance thought they were going to get another yearly thrashing of D.C. early in this one. Just two minutes in, Joaquin Torres found the back of the net off of a Julian Carranza cross. Unfortunately, this would be called back due to offsides. It would be the best chance at a goal for the Union.

In the seventh minute Andre Blake made his first casually incredible save, denying a Mateusz Klich effort from just outside the box. Blake topped this with an even better save in the 35th minute, stonewalling Teddy Ku-Dipietro at point-blank range. It’s still a wonder how Blake even reacted in time to this shot that fell right at the feet of Ku-Dipietro. Blake finished the contest with three saves in the shutout.

There’s not really much else to say about the first half. it was one of those halves of MLS soccer. D.C. United led in shots at 3-1. The Union only managed .1 expected goal, which is not good for you folks at home.

Things livened up a bit more in the second half, the game getting a lot more scrappier. Unfortunately, as mentioned on the commentary, the constant stopping of play really hindered either side’s ability to find themselves in a groove. The Union players shooting the ball from distance over and over didn’t help either, but their best chance did come from this Jack Elliott long-shot.

Best chance of the night so far.#DOOP
pic.twitter.com/onOxz824mz

— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) May 18, 2023

After that stretch where the Union controlled a bit more of the ball and produced some shots near the goal, momentum shifted back in D.C. United’s favor. Kai Wagner came up big with a massive block in the box in the 68th minute. The Union caught a massive break just a minute later, as Christian Benteke’s header pinged right off the crossbar. Benteke rose through the air on a cross into the box, looking like his prime days at Aston Villa, but just couldn’t find the back of the net. This was the best chance of the night for either side.

Andres Perea nearly gave the Union the late minute winner. Coming off the bench, Perea sent a shot just inches over the bar in the 91st minute.

And just like that it was over, neither team able to overcome the other, splitting the point. It was not a particularly inspiring performance for the Union, unable to really generate anything on offense. D.C. United had their moments, but weren’t really able to put a full performance together either. On the bright side though, the Union are now on a five match unbeaten streak in MLS league play, their last loss coming to F.C. Cincinnati back in April. They gear up to play top-of-the-table New England on Saturday night.