Union fall to San Jose, turnovers prove too costly in road loss

The Philadelphia Union suffered their first loss since April 8 on Saturday night against Western Conference foe San Jose Earthquakes 2-1. San Jose goals from Jeremy Ebobisse and Miguel Trauco proved to be too many too much for Philadelphia despite a first half goal from center back Damion Lowe. Lowe would eventually leave the match early due to injury during the loss that snaps a 9-game regular season unbeaten streak.

San Jose scored early to set the tone at Paypal Park. In a quick transition moment, San Jose captain Jackson Yueill played a long pass upfield to Ebobisse. Ebobisse managed to hold up the play nicely to find speedster Cade Cowell darting up the left wing. Cowell advanced forward into the box before stopping, pivoting, and then dishing a pass back to an on running Ebobisse for a left footed shot off the far post and in for the goal in the 8th minute of play.

Philadelphia battled back quickly, equalizing just nine minutes later off a corner kick chance. After a brief spell of possession in the offensive half created the corner kick opportunity, Kai Wagner launched a well-placed ball toward the near post where Lowe managed to find enough space for a clean and powerful header for the goal in the 17th minute.

However, the positivity from Lowe’s game tying goal was short-lived. Lowe’s right hamstring tightness became a larger issue than Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin likely anticipated when Lowe pulled up lame in the 24th minute. After a quick medical evaluation, Lowe was subbed off for Jack McGlynn and the three center back system was adjusted.

Two minutes later, Philadelphia forward Julian Carranza blocked a free kick with his head and almost needed to be swapped due to injury as well. But fortunately for Carranza and Union fans alike, he was able to continue playing after medical evaluation.

Philadelphia had three key chances to find a crucial go ahead goal before the half. Daniel Gazdag was at the heart of each opportunity as he continues to flourish as an offensive catalyst.

The best chance came in the 4th minute of first half stoppage time. Nathan Harriel played a nice entry pass into the feet of Gazdag atop the box. Jesus Bueno darted forward and Gazdag found him with a flicked pass forward. Bueno then played a pass back to an open Carranza who then unfortunately missed everything and skied it over the bar. A rare gaff from Carranza proved rather costly as the first half closed.

Carranza didn’t need long to have another shot at a goal in the second half. A solid save from San Jose keeper Daniel thwarted a great look at goal in the 49th minute.

San Jose then created a barrage of chances of their own in the 51st, 52nd, and 53rd minute. Cowell had the best chance in the 51st missing just high from inside the box.

Just five minutes later, San Jose found the crucial go-ahead goal thanks to a Philadelphia turnover – a consistent theme Saturday night for Curtin’s squad. Former Union midfielder Jamiro Monteiro forced a turnover deep in Philadelphia’s defensive end. San Jose wasted no time creating a chance as Carlos Gruezo sprinted forward to collect a pass from Monteiro. Gruezo then found Trauco who blasted a perfect left footed shot from outside the box into the back of the net. Trauco’s blast was a shocker of a goal.

Another Philadelphia turnover in the 67th minute almost put the game out of reach but they managed to escape without harm after a San Jose corner kick was cleared.

The best chance for Philadelphia to equalize came in the 73rd minute on a diving header attempt from Carranza. Unfortunately for Carranza, and right back Nate Harriel who played a perfect cross to the near post, San Jose keeper Daniel was up for the task and made a crucial save at point blank range.

A double substitution in the 76th minute forced early exits from Bueno and Uhre. Quinn Sullivan and Joaquin Torres entered in their place as Curtin decided to go for with two offensive minded subs. However, they ultimately failed to find the game tying goal late in the match.

Two more solid chances came in the 83rd and 90th minutes. Jakob Glesnes whiffed on a perfectly placed free kick to the back post and Jack McGlynn rifled a left footed shot on frame that forced a fingertip save from Daniel over the bar.

San Jose escaped with a well-earned 2-1 victory. Philadelphia were just too careless in their own half and San Jose were keen to capitalize on those errors. An injury to Lowe surely scrambled Philadelphia’s game plan during the loss. Philadelphia will now wait for more details on the severity of Lowe’s injury while they prepare to bounce back June 21st against Orlando City SC to hopefully start another unbeaten streak as the MLS season marches on.