Union lose finale; playoff game in Toronto is next
The Union were hoping to gain some momentum heading into Major League Soccer postseason, and although they played better than a week ago, the result was the same.
The Union were hoping to gain some momentum heading into Major League Soccer postseason, and although they played better than a week ago, the result was the same.
Unlike last week's dispirited 2-0 loss to visiting Orlando City, the Union showed much more energy but lost their regular-season finale, 2-0, to the New York Red Bulls on Sunday before 18,500 at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Union gained their second playoff berth in the franchise's seven-year history and first since 2011 by virtue of the second tiebreaker, goal differential, over the New England Revolution. Their differential was minus-3 while New England's was minus-10.
Earning the sixth and final Eastern Conference playoff slot, the Union will travel to third-place Toronto for a one-game playoff Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
"Our goal is to go on the road and get our fans a home game," Union coach Jim Curtin said.
The Union (11-14-9) ended the season on a seven-game winless streak, going 0-5-2. They will enter the playoffs with their first three-game losing streak of the season.
"It is unfortunate, we are hitting a tough spot right now, but as long as all the guys continue to believe that we can play on any given day, when we all go out and do the work, we can play against any team," said Union keeper Andre Blake, who might be the team's MVP.
The Red Bulls (16-9-9) entered the game knowing they would earn first place in the East but played their regulars because they didn't want to be rusty after a first-round bye.
The Union were playing without leading scorer Chris Pontius, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury, but after the game he said he would be fine for Wednesday.
Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips earned his 24th goal to open the scoring in the 26th minute. He won the MLS Golden Boot Award for top goal scorer.
Taking a long pass from Aurelien Collin, Wright-Phillips chipped the ball to himself over a sliding Blake and then easily tapped it in.
"That has been the story since I got here, giving up soft goals and it kills our flow and everything," said midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, the U.S. national team member who joined the Union in August. "We were unable to score and it is frustrating. But it is one thing if you haven't been able to create chances, but we are creating them."
New York came close to scoring in the 43rd minute when Alex Muyl rocked a shot off the crossbar.
The Union came out attacking to begin the second half and Roland Alberg hit the post on a shot from close range at a left angle in the 46th minute.
New York took a 2-0 advantage when Sacha Kljestan found Muyl at the top of the 6-yard box and the Red Bulls midfielder easily converted in the 57th minute.
Edu done for season
Union designated player Maurice Edu, who has not played this year because of a stress fracture in his left leg, suffered a season-ending broken left fibula during training on Saturday. Before the injury, Edu was slated to start at midfield Sunday.
"A ball was crossed and I was trying to take the shot on goal, and my foot kind of got stuck in the turf, and my ankle rolled and twisted," Edu said. "It kind of snapped a little bit, I heard it crack, and a lot of pain from there. . . . It is frustrating, but all I can do is get back to work."
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