Match Thoughts: Philadelphia Union vs. Colorado Rapids

Tony Cascio celebrates after scoring vs the Union. (Getty Images)

It was another East vs. West clash at PPL Park on Sunday as the Philadelphia Union hosted the Colorado Rapids. The Union came in after dropping their first match against the Timbers, while Colorado pasted the Crew the prior weekend at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Surely the Union were excited to get home in front of their supporters, but the Rapids had other ideas.

The Rapids got out of the blocks fast, creating a chance in the opening minute. Omar Cummings broke away on the Union goal, but Zac MacMath, who had a horrible match for Philly last week, managed to turn it away and deny the Rapids the early lead.

Philadelphia largely controlled the first half after that. Gabriel Gomez worked Matt Pickens in goal twice from free kicks, but the Rapids' 'keeper was more than up to the task. The Union got their first really good chance of the game in the 33rd minute, when newcomer Lionard Pajoy ripped a shot at the Rapids goal, only to have it drift wide. In the 41st minute Danny Mwanga announced his presence with a shot on target only to have it well saved by Pickens.

As the first half came to a close, Jeff Larentowicz picked up a yellow card for the Rapids in the 44th minute. That would come back to haunt him later, but the half ended 0-0.

The Union continued to create chances out of the gate in the second half. In the 48th minute Michael Farfan had a shot blocked. The ball then fell to Pajoy, but his return shot was easily saved.

In the 56th minute the Rapids finally made the Union pay for missing out on their opportunities. They sent an early cross into the area, and it looked like MacMath was going to collect it easily. Instead the ball went through his hands and fell to Jaime Castrillon, who easily tapped the ball into the open goal to make it 0-1 to the Rapids. It was another howler from the young Union 'keeper, the second in as many weeks.

However just two minutes later, the Union were handed a bit of hope. Larentowicz went in from behind on Keon Daniel in the midfield and picked up his second yellow card. Seeing the red, he went to the locker room knowing he had made a dumb mistake and wondering whether or not it was going to cost his team.

Luckily for the Ginger Ninja, the rest of the Rapids were up to the task. In the 62nd minute they went up 0-2 after Tony Cascio got loose and again beat MacMath to smack a ball into the goal at the far post. Yes, it had a lot of power, but MacMath did get a touch on it and in my mind should have done better.

The Union refused to go away though, still fighting on with the man advantage. Pajoy headed in a gorgeous goal off of a corner kick in the 67th minute to make it 1-2. They also had a couple more good looks before the end of the match. Farfan hit the crossbar in the 72nd, and Pajoy had a gorgeous look in the 89th, only to send the shot over the bar. In the end, the Rapids held on for the 1-2 win and picked up a valuable 3 road points that will surely come in handy in the Western Conference race.