Union's 0-0 tie earns it a tie for first place
It was a 0-0 result, but it was good enough to put the Union back into a tie for first place in MLS' Eastern Conference.
It was a 0-0 result, but it was good enough to put the Union back into a tie for first place in MLS' Eastern Conference.
The one point earned for the tie with San Jose at Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday night gives the Union 28 points, the same total as the New York Red Bulls, a 1-0 loser to D.C. United on Saturday in Harrison, N.J.
The Union (7-4-7), with a four-game unbeaten streak, dominated play in the second half.
"With the chances [we had], we need to do better, much better," manager Peter Nowak told the team's website. "This game we were supposed to win by a couple of goals. Those games we lost last year. This is progress and we are still getting the points on the road, which is important as well."
Nowak left leading scorer Carlos Ruiz home for the trip and started Sebastien LeToux and Danny Mwanga, last season's deadly frontline. Mwanga had at least four shots saved by Earthquakes' goalkeeper Jon Busch.
"Absolutely it's frustrating, Mwanga said. "I think we had more chances than they had in the first half, and then in the second half we dominated until the end. It's obviously frustrating to not come away with a goal, but at the same time we didn't lose."
Next up for the Union is the New England Revolution at Foxborough, Mass., on Sunday night. And then come two international friendlies, with Everton (July 20, PPL Park) and Real Madriod (July 23, Lincoln Financial Field).
No all-stars
No Union player was named to the MLS' 16-man, fan-selected all-star squad that will face Manchester United on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. However, commissioner Don Garber will make two more selections before the squad is officially announced on July 18.
Independence in first
While Megan Rapinoe was setting up Abby Wambach's game-tying goal against Brazil yesterday, her Independence teammates were celebrating their fifth straight win. Tasha Kai and Sinead Farrelly scored goals that gave the Independence (7-2-3, 24 points) a 2-1 victory over the Western New York Flash.
Saturday's win at Widener University boosted the Independence four points above the Flash, whose best player, Marta, will be back from the World Cup following Brazil's shootout loss to the United States.