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Stalemate: Philadelphia Union Draw 0-0 against Columbus Crew

C.J. Sapong

Philadelphia, Pa. (March 17, 2018) – The Philadelphia Union continued their 2018 MLS campaign Saturday afternoon after a bye week. First place Columbus Crew SC visits Talen Energy Stadium hot off their last minute victory against the Montreal Impact.

Stalemate: Philadelphia Union Draw 0-0 With Columbus Crew SC

The Philadelphia Union started off the year on the right foot in their home and season opener against the New England Revolution. Thanks to goals from homegrown player Anthony Fontana and 2017 scoring leader C.J Sapong, as well as a pair of red cards from the Revolution, the boys in blue secured a 2-0 win.

Today marked Borek Dockal, Union’s new loan signing and midfielder, first appearance and start for the Philadelphia Union. Homegrown player Anthony Fontana was relegated to the bench to make room for Dockal.

Philadelphia Union: Blake/Fabinho;Trusty;Elliot;Rosenberry/Medunjanin;Bedoya/Accam;Dockal;Herbers;/Sapong

Columbus Crew SC: Steffen/Afful;Abubukar;Mensah;Valenzuela/Trapp;Artur/Santos;Higuain;Martinez/Zardes

The first shot of the game came off the foot of Borek Dockal in the 6th minute. The ball was laid off by C.J Sapong, but the ball sailed way over the bar.

Creative genius inside the 18 from new signee David Accam almost put the Union ahead in the 15th minute. However, a swarm of Columbus defenders clamped him up and cleared the ball out.

The 21st minute saw a Columbus foul about 25 yards out from the net. Dockal and Medunjanin stepped up to take the free kick. Both players are known for their free kick specialties, but only one could take the kick. Medunjanin took the kick and itsailed into the arms of Zach Steffen. Still 0-0 on the scoreboard.

The 27th minute saw Columbus’ first show taken by Gyasi Zardes that carried into the Sons of Ben section. Tons of opportunities for both teams.

Alejandro Bedoya would find himself with an open look in the 37th minute with a clear eye on goal, but Johnathan Mensah had other plans and got to the ball before the shot could reach Steffen and was cleared out.

The first half would end scoreless with the Union possessing much of the momentum going into the break.

Another free kick was called in the 54th minute. This time, Medunjanin tried to through the ball into the box but it was cleared out immediately.

Corey Burke and Anthony Fontana would see action after being subbed on in the 60-80 minute range for Borek Dockal and Fabian Herbers.

Throughout the rest of the game, both teams got open looks and decent chances, but neither could bury any goals as the game would end in a 0-0 draw. Union walk away with a hard fought point and Columbus gets a decent result away.

“Not out sharpest day today,” Coach Jim Curtin said. “We look at this as two points dropped when playing in Talen Energy Stadium. There were some positives today though. I thought Trusty and Elliot did really well taking care of [Gyasi] Zardes and Keegan Rosenberry played a solid game.”

The Philadelphia Union get another week off before traveling to Colorado to face off against the Colorado Rapids.

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