Through 45 minutes of play, the New York Red Bulls are into the MLS Cup playoffs while the Philadelphia Union are in danger of dropping down to the wild card places from the top three in the East. The one goal on the board is on the box score as a Faryd Mondragon own goal, but that's harsh on the Union keeper. A Jan Gunnar Solli cross to Dane Richards created the goal, with Richards heading the ball off the post and Mondragon, into the back of the net. That was the only goal of the half, and RBNY are up 1-0 at halftime.
Red Bulls Vs. Union Live, 2011 MLS: Dane Richards-Created Own Goal Has His Team Up 1-0 At Halftime
The Red Bulls were on top for the most of the half, and they would be up 2-0 or 3-0 if it wasn’t for Mondragon. He’s made a couple of great saves when coming off his line to stop RBNY counter-attacks, and his defense needs to improve dramatically in the second half.
Philadelphia was poor for most of the half, but began to come back into the game at the end of the half. Young Zach Pfeffer has been impressive, but Sebastien Le Toux has been left isolated up top and hasn't made much of an impact. Danny Mwanga and Freddy Adu are both available on the bench, and the Union would be wise to bring one or both of them into the game at some point.
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