Storyline: Fan brawl mars big win on a beautiful day in Philly.
Courtesy: philadelphiaunion.com
This past Saturday the Philadelphia Union squared off against New York City FC at Talon Energy Stadium. It was a beautiful day for a match–the sun was shining with a slight breeze.
The match would not include NYCFC stars, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard. But David Villa was at the striking position as usual for the visiting squad. Opposite Villa was Union striker, C.J. Sapong, who has been putting the ball in the net lately.
This would be a match to watch!
The Union would start with possession on this beautiful day. The game saw 25 minutes of scoreless action until Chris Pontius scored in the 26th minute off a straight cross from Tranquillo Barnetta. The play happened right on the goal line. The stadium erupted as the ball crossed the line and the whole squad celebrated with the midfielder after his third goal this year.
C.J. Sapong (photo, zimbio.com)
In the 41st minute, C.J. Sapong would score off a service ball from fan favorite, Sebastian Le Toux. It, too, happened directly in front of the goal–Sapong’s fourth this season. That goal extended the Union lead to 2-0. Talon Energy Stadium got even louder and the fan section for NYCFC was absolutely quiet.
The first half ended 2-0.
In the second half negativity defined both teams. No goals were scored, but a total of three yellow cards were distributed in the final 45′. Sebastian Le Toux would miss a beautiful curler just inside the box. The game ended at 2-0 for the Union.
With the win Union goes into 1st place in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Montreal Impact.
It was a great game full of excitement, intensity, and intoxication–a huge vitory for the Union–except for one, big exception. Around the 88th minute the fan sections for both teams began to act violently. Bottles of beer and water were thrown across sections. Heads were targeted. An ugly sight, brawls continued and fans were ejected.
The feeling was like being at a Philadelphia Eagles game. I was not amused.
