Philadelphia Union drop final preseason game

The Union fell behind inside 20 minutes and conceded twice in the second half to fall 3-1 to DC United in their final preseason match in Clearwater on Saturday.

DC United’s Ulises Segura got behind the Union’s high press defense, drew Andre Blake away from goal and crossed the ball to Ola Kamara, who sent it into the net to open the scoring in the 18th minute.

Blake made an incredible diving save in the 31st minute, stopping a shot from the top of the box that would have gone in.

Late in the first half the Union were still down by one when Brenden Aaronson took the ball into United’s box and found Jamiro Monteiro. Monteiro curled the ball into the top right corner, tying the game 1-1.

The U gave up a penalty in the 55th for tripping a United player in the box. Kamara did a little stutter-step sending Blake to the opposite side of the net to put DC back in front.

Minutes later, the counter was on for DC United as Julian Gressel slipped the ball to Segura, who put the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1.

With a half hour left in the game, the Union made their first substitutions. Warren Creavalle, Jack Elliott and Sergio Santos came out, with Matej Oravec, Jakob Glesnes and Ilsinho coming in.

The 76th minute of the match saw more shots from the Union, as Monteiro (who looked to be the best Union player on the pitch on the day) shot from outside the box. The shot, which looked to have been deflected, was saved by Bill Hamid.

Saturday’s game brings the preseason to a close for the Union, which finished with a record of 3-4.

In seven days the Union will open the season in Frisco, Texas against FC Dallas, a team they just lost to 3-2 on Wednesday.