Adrien Ducharme: Quest to return Home (FM12)

[grismosw]

MLS Regular Season Match - Portland (6W, 3-2-2) vs. Philadelphia (5E, 3-0-4)
May 7, 2011
JELD-WEN Field
46 F / Strong Wind & Wet / 7:30 PM

Portland is favored with 4-6 odds.

Injury Report
PHI - McInerney (Out, Ankle), Nakazawa (Out, Concussion)
SJ - None

Squad
GK - Mondragon
D - Williams / Califf / Valdes / Farfan / Carroll
M - Le Toux / Okugo / Daniel / Adu
F - Mwanga

Bench - McMath / Gonzalez / Miglioranzi / Paunovic / Garcia / Mapp / Torres
Inactive - Nakazawa / McInerney / Harden

1st Half
11' - Portland gets the games first threatening opportunity off of a corner kick by Jewsbury when Cooper beats Valdes but the header shot grazes the cross bar!
17' - Jewsbury again creating issues for the Union, this time off of a free kick he bangs one off of the post but Philadelphia is able to clear it!
28' - Daniel plays a ball from midfield deep into Portland's area and Mwanga wins the ball but his shot goes wide!
41' - Portland's Zizzo comes off due to an injury, Marcelin comes on.
45' - Portland's Chabala comes off due to an injury, Danso comes on.

Half Time
POR 0 - 0 PHI
Philadelphia has controlled possession but only have 1 shot to show for it while Portland has 8.

Second Half
47' - A great run by Mwanga ends up uneventful as his shot is well wide of the goal!
64' - Portland's Jewsbury sends a cross into the area and the header shot is poor but almost goes in! It is off the cross bar, Okugo heads it clear but Jewsbury intercepts it and sends it into the box before Carroll is able to clear it!
65' - Carroll comes off, Miglioranzi comes on.
70' - Great teamwork from Mwanga and Adu leads to a nice goal for Adu up close! POR 0 - 1 PHI
71' - Portland's Johnson comes off, Perlaza comes on.
72' - On a counter Mwanga is all alone on the flank before playing it into the area to Le Toux who wins the ball and scores from up close!!! POR 0 - 2 PHI
75' - Daniel comes off, Paunovic comes on.
75' - Farfan comes off, Garcia comes on.
78' - Portland's Jewsbury scores on a PK after Califf commits a foul in the penalty area. POR 1 - 2 PHI
85' - Portland's Goldthwaite gets a red card for a foul committed against Mwanga - preventing a great opportunity for goal.

Final
Portland 1 - 2 Philadelphia
A much needed win for the underdog Union this evening. Mwaga, Adu, and Le Toux break out of their funk in a big way.

Portland Stats
Shots: 12
On Target: 2
Possession: 48%
Fouls: 23

Philadelphia Stats
Shots: 5
On Target: 2
Possession: 52%
Fouls: 11

Man of the Match: Danny Mwanga, PHI (7.9 FT, 2 assists)
Attendance: 14,190

[grismosw]

MLS Regular Season Match - Philadelphia (5E, 4-0-4) vs. Los Angeles (1W, 6-4-0)
May 10, 2011
PPL Park
51 F / Breezy / 7:30 PM

LA is favored with 4-5 odds.

Injury Report
PHI - McInerney (Out, Ankle); Nakazawa (Out, Concussion)
LA - Franklin (Out, Ankle); Dunivant (Out, Thigh)

Squad
GK - Mondragon
D - Williams / Gonzalez / Valdes / Farfan / Carroll
M - Mapp / Okugo / Daniel / Adu
F - Mwanga

Bench - McMath / Califf / Miglioranzi / Paunovic / Garcia / Le Toux / Torres
Inactive - Nakazawa / McInerney / Harden

First Half
12' - As much as the Union tried strategically to take Donovan out of the game it wasn't long into the match before he created LA's first goal. On a superb move splitting multiple defenders Donovan then passes into the open space in front of goal to Beckham for the easy goal! PHI 0 - 1 LA
36' - A great run by Mwanga ends a long drought of limited action but his goal is denied by LA GK Ricketts' diving save!
45+2' - A long sweeping free kick from Beckham near midfield leads to a great opportunity for LA but Donovan's header shot goes just high!!

Half Time
Philadelphia 0 - 1 Los Angeles
A boring first half comes to a close and the Union are trying to find a way to get on the board.

Second Half
45' - Garcia comes on for Williams (injury)
58' - An unbelievable pass from Mapp through to a running Daniel and he squeaks one past Ricketts for the goal!!!! PHI 1 - 1 LA
68' - Beckham with another threatening free kick but LA is unable to capitalize!
72' - LA finally gets something going and off a rebound Donovan bangs one home to give LA the lead!!! PHI 1 - 2 LA
73' - Paunovic comes on for Mapp.
75' - A horrible turnover leaves Donovan all alone with a one on one against Mondragon and he makes him look silly with the easy goal!! PHI 1 - 3 LA
78' - Okugo comes off for Miglioranzi.
90' - Things are getting chippy between both sides and Valdes gets booked for tripping.
90+2' - A long through ball gives Donovan a chance for the hat trick but he misses wide!

Final
Philadelphia 1 - 3 Los Angeles
Donovan continues his great season for LA and Philadelphia had no answer.

Philadelphia Stats
Shots: 4
On Target: 3
Possession: 43%
Fouls: 13

Los Angeles Stats
Shots: 11
On Target: 3
Possession: 57%
Fouls: 8

Man of the Match: Landon Donovan, LA (9.1 FT, 2 goals, 1 assist)
Attendance: 14,998

Injury Update:
Sheanon Williams is expected to miss 10 days with bruised ribs.

[grismosw]

MLS Regular Season Match - Dallas (8W, 2-2-5) vs. Philadelphia (5E, 4-0-5)
May 14, 2011
Pizza Hut Park
77 F / Breezy / 7:30 PM

Dallas are the favorites with Pick'Em odds.

Injury Report
PHI - McInerney (Out, Ankle); Williams (Out, Rib)
DAL - Benitez (Out, Ankle); Cruz (Out, Groin); Lloyd (Out, Thigh)

Squad
GK - Mondragon
D - Garcia / Califf / Valdes / Gonzalez / Carroll
M - Le Toux / Okugo / Daniel / Torres
F - Mwanga

Bench - McMath / Farfan / Miglioranzi / Paunovic / Harden / Mapp / Adu
Inactive - Williams / McInerney / Nakazawa

First Half
38' - An uneventful start to this one as both teams go ultra defensive. The first news worth event is Mwanga going down with an injury, Paunovic will come on and Le Toux moves to Striker.

Half Time
Dallas 0 - 0 Philadelphia
This is the type of game that gives soccer a bad name in the US.

Second Half
54' - On the counter attack Le Toux gets free behind Dallas' defense but he shots and misses just wide!!! A waste of an opportunity!
60' - Paunovic puts a nice cross into the box and Le Toux gets his head to it but it goes wide!!!
61' - Miglioranzi comes on for Okugo and Adu comes on for Torres.
77' - Dallas's Ferreira catches the Union defense napping with the quick free kick and he gets the ball deep in to Hall who nails it home!! DAL 1 - 0 PHI
90' - Dallas seals it with a corner by Ferreira that makes its wall to John for the header goal from deep in the area! DAL 2 - 0 PHI
90+1' - A corner by Paunovic makes its way to Valdes but his powerful header just misses the goal!

Final
Dallas 2 - 0 Philadelphia
Mondragon is playing himself out of a job at Goal for Philly.

Dallas Stats
Shots: 9
On Target: 4
Possession: 50%
Fouls: 7

Philadelphia Stats
Shots: 5
On Target: 1
Possession: 50%
Fouls: 15

Man of the Match: David Ferreira, DAL (8.7 FT, 2 assist)
Attendance: 7,868

[grismosw]

MLS Regular Season Match - Philadelphia (5E, 4-0-6) vs. Chicago (6E, 3-1-5)
May 21, 2011
PPL Park
53 F / Breezy / 7:30 PM

Chicago is favored with 4-5 odds.

Injury Report
PHI - McInerney (Out, Ankle)
CHI - None

Squad
GK - Mondragon
D - Williams / Califf / Valdes / Farfan / Carroll
M - Mapp / Daniel / Le Toux
F - Mwanga / Adu

Bench - McMath / Gonzalez / Miglioranzi / Paunovic / Garcia / Okugo / Torres
Inactive - Nakazawa / McInerney / Harden


First Half
14' - A deep shot from Chicago's Pardo is far more challenging than one would have thought but Mondragon deflects it wide of the goal!
17' - Mapp goes down with yet another injury but he's going to try and play through this one.
24' - The Union with their first credible threat of the match but Adu fires wide of the goal!
32' - Valdes gets booked for tripping.
45+1' - After a poor stretch of excitement Chicago puts a cross near the goal but Nazarit's header misses just high!

Half Time
Philadelphia 0 - 0 Chicago
Chicago has had more opportunities but none very threatening.

Second Half
45' - Gonzalez comes on for Valdes to avoid his 2nd booking.
53' - An amazing back heel pass from Le Toux leads to a run by Daniel and a quick strike that gets through for the goal!!! PHI 1 - 0 CHI
60' - A terrible throw-in by Garcia leads to a turnover and Chicago on the counter attack quickly works the ball into Chavez but Mondragon tips his shot wide of goal!!
63' - Califf gets called for a foul and Chicago is granted a penalty kick! Pardo blasts it past Mondragon to even it up. PHI 1 - 1 CHI
64' - Paunovic comes on for Mapp.
66' - Adu gets booked for tripping.
73' - Adu beats 2 Chicago defenders to get free but does not have a good angle and his shot is deflected wide by Chicago's keeper Johnson.
77' - Daniel with a run past a defender this passes it ahead to Adu at the top of the area and he passes it through to a running Paunovic who blasts it past Johnson for the goal!!!! PHI 2 - 1 CHI
78' - Miglioranzi comes on for Adu and moves to DM.
86' - Chicago's Paladini shoots from 35 yards out and nails it!!! PHI 2 - 2 CHI
90+1' - Chicago with a corner kick that leads to a strong header but Garcia heads it clear off the goal!
90+2' - Garcia gets booked for an elbow.

Final
Philadelphia 2 - 2 Chicago
The Union were could've won the match but were lucky to be that close as well as Chicago really dominated in terms of opportunities.

Philadelphia Stats
Shots: 6
On Target: 4
Possession: 48%
Fouls: 11

Chicago Stats
Shots: 21
On Target: 5
Possession: 52%
Fouls: 10

Man of the Match: Keon Daniel, PHI (7.6 FT, 1 assist)
Attendance: 14,956

[grismosw]

MLS Regular Season Match - Toronto (9W, 1-2-9) vs. Philadelphia (5E, 4-1-6)
May 28, 2011
BMO Field
41 F / Breezy & Wet / 7:30 PM

Toronto is favored with 5-4 odds.

Injury Report
TOR - Martina (Out, Ankle); Sturgis (Out, Shoulder); Frings (Out, Calf)
PHI - McInerney (Out, Ankle)

Squad
GK - McMath
D - Williams / Califf / Valdes / Farfan / Carroll
M - Mapp / Daniel / Le Toux
F - Mwanga / Adu

Bench - Mondragon / Gonzalez / Miglioranzi / Paunovic / Garcia / Okugo / Torres
Inactive - Nakazawa / McInerney / Harden

First Half
1' - Philadelphia quickly moves the ball forward and Mwanga gets the ball deep in the area and his shot is tipped over goal by Toronto's GK Frei.
7' - On a Toronto corner Williams gets called for a hand ball and Toronto is given a penalty kick! Koevermans blasts one top shelf and McMath cannot do anything about it! TOR 1 - 0 PHI
29' - Daniel plays a through ball into the area to Mapp but its too deep and wide for him to do anything! A missed opportunity there!
38' - Several failures to clear by Toronto and Williams has the ball wide, he plays a cross to the near side! Mwanga beats his man and gets the header goal!!! TOR 1 - 1 PHI
44' - Le Toux with a nice run down the right side and he sends the ball into the box! Mwanga is free and scores it easily!!! TOR 1 - 2 PHI

Half Time
Toronto 1 - 2 Philadelphia
A wild first half with momentum swings left and right.

Second Half
45' - Garcia comes on for Califf as he is still struggling.
47' - Mapp with a great passing from the left area to the right area on point to Le Toux who shoots and scores!!! TOR 1 - 3 PHI
67' - Farfan plays a ball near midfield into the area and Adu wins it but he is denied the goal by Frei from up close!!
71' - Okugo comes on for Daniel.
80' - A threatening corner by Toronto by a great diving save by McMath and clearance by Mapp ends the threat!!!
83' - On a counter a nice play ahead by Le Toux leads to a Mwanga with a chance! He beats 2 defenders but has a poor angle though he makes the best of it! Yet Frei makes a great save forcing a corner!
85' - Gonzalez comes on for Williams, who took a slight knock a few minutes earlier.

Final
Toronto 1 - 3 Philadelphia
Toronto was applying a lot of pressure let but was unable to create any quality opportunities against a determined Philadelphia defense.

Toronto Stats
Shots: 17
On Target: 5
Possession: 60%
Fouls: 13

Philadelphia Stats
Shots: 11
On Target: 7
Possession: 40%
Fouls: 9

Man of the Match: Danny Mwanga (8.8 FT, 2 goals)
Attendance: 19,179

Injury Update - Williams injury was a little more serious than though, he will miss 2 weeks with a twisted ankle.

[grismosw]

MLS MONTHLY REPORT

MLS Eastern Conference
TEAM	GP	W	D	L	PTS
Columbus	11	7	3	1	24
DC United	11	6	2	3	20
New England	12	5	3	4	18
Philadelphia	12	5	1	6	16
New York	11	4	4	3	16
Chicago	11	3	3	5	12
Sporting KC	9	3	1	5	10
Houston	12	2	4	6	10
Toronto FC	13	1	2	10	5

MLS Western Conference
TEAM	GP	W	D	L	PTS
Los Angeles	14	9	5	0	32
Seattle	14	7	4	3	25
San Jose	11	6	3	2	21
CD Chivas USA	11	5	4	2	19
Real Salt Lake	10	4	3	3	15
Portland	11	4	2	5	14
Vancouver	12	4	1	7	13
FC Dallas	13	3	3	7	12
Colorado	12	1	4	7	7

MLS Player of the Month

Steve Zakuani, Seattle

6 goals, 7.82 FT Rating

[grismosw]

Injuries Shred Depth

Chester, PA - Coming off their most impressive showing in at least 3 weeks the Union have had a dreadful week leading up to their next match at Colorado.

On Thursday, defender Nick Garcia was in some discomfort after training and had a MRI done on his right knee. The diagnosis is knee tendonitis and the physios have decided to shut him down for the rest of the season. Garcia has played in 8 league matches and just earlier this week Ducharme had named him a starter in place of Danny Califf.

On Friday, midfielder Roger Torres pulled a hamstring in an international match while playing for Columbia. His outlook is less grim, but he will miss at least 3 weeks of action.

On Saturday the Union play at Colorado and will only have 14 men available for selection due to injuries and international travel.

[grismosw]

MLS Regular Season Match - Colorado (9W, 1-4-8) vs. Philadelphia (5E, 5-1-6)
June 4, 2011
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
50F / Breezy / 7:30 PM

Philadelphia is favored with Pick'Em odds.

Injury Report
COL - Mastroeni (Out, Hip); Ceus (Out, Hernia); Kandji (Doubtful, Knee); Thompson (Doubtful, Hip)
PHI - Williams (Out, Ankle); Garcia (Out, Knee); Torres (Out, Leg)

Squad
GK - Mondragon
D - Harden / Califf / Valdes / Farfan
M - Carroll / Le Toux / Nakazawa / Mapp / Adu
F - Paunovic

Bench - Miglioranzi / Gonzalez / McInerney

First Half
11' - The first real action of the Match and Philadelphia works it in deep to Adu but his shot misses well wide!
21' - Colorado on a counter attack from a cross by Casey finds Nyassi for a powerful header goal!! COL 1 - 0 PHI
40' - Colorado's Mullan with a nice run and cross that finds Nyassi but this time Mondragon is able to tip the header over goal!
45+2' - Philadelphia works the ball into the area and Adu fires on goal but Colorado's GK Pickens dives and is able to deflect the shot off target!

Half Time
Colorado 1 - 0 Philadelphia
The Union's lack of depth is causing them to play a slow pace which they are not used to.

Second Half
48' - Colorado's Folan works right through the defense but his finishing is poor and the shot goes wide!
52' - Paunovic with a great pass ahead to Le Toux and he makes the defense pay for forgetting about him! COL 1 - 1 PHI
68' - Farfan booked for tripping.
70' - Paunovic booked for tripping.
71' - Colorado with another cross to Nyassi and this time his header bangs off the cross bar!!
72' - Mapp comes off for Miglioranzi.
90' - The Union defense lost Colorado forward Casey and he has a clean strike on goal but bangs it off the post!!!

Final
Colorado 1 - 1 Philadelphia
The Union are lucky to come away with a draw but in the end they have to be happy with the result despite the poor showing.

Colorado Stats
Shots: 11
On Target: 2
Possession: 56%
Fouls: 9

Philadelphia Stats
Shots: 5
On Target: 2
Possession: 44%
Fouls: 16

Man of the Match: Sanna Nyassi, COL (7.8 FT, 1 goal)
Attendance: 8,249