Union explode for four goals, top RSL 4-1
Marcus Epps got an early goal, Borek Dockal scored 10 minutes later, and Ilsinho and Keegan Rosenberry added late tallies as the Philadelphia Union (4-5-2, 14 points) won consecutive games for the first time this season, defeating Real Salt Lake 4-1 at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday.
The Union had RSL (4-6-1, 13 points) on their heels for most of the first half, creating opportunity after opportunity and taking 11 shots in the first half to 6 for RSL. Epps opened the scoring in the 21st minute, taking a nice pass from Fafa Picault for a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
RSL's back four had trouble clearing for much of the first 45 minutes, and Epps nearly took advantage again in the 24th minute, coming in on Nick Rimando alone, but Rimando was able to get a fingertip on a rocket of a shot and send it over the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Dockal added to the lead, making a wonderful run and taking a beautifully placed pass from Alejandro Bedoya before chipping the ball over a charging Rimando to give the Union a 2-0 lead in the 34th minute.
RSL came out with more life in the second half, and Rimando made a great save in the 57th minute on a shot by Dockal to keep his team in the game.
RSL finally broke through in the 66th minute when Damir Kreilach took advantage of continued pressure, taking a pass from Sebastian Saucedo and putting the shot past Andre Blake.
That goal wasn't nearly enough. Ilsinho, who entered the game in the 64th minute, got an insurance goal at 74 minutes when the Union broke down the defense, giving the Brazilian an easy shot off strong play from Epps and Dockal, who earned the assists.
The pressure that RSL had initiated early in the second half dissipated, and Rosenberry connected in the 81st minute from 25 yards out, Dockal assisting again with help from Ilsinho, giving the Union the 4-1 victory and continuing RSL's road woes.
Real Salt Lake are now 0-5-1 away from home, with the only draw coming in the season opener on March 3.
Philadelphia's four-goal outburst matched half of its previous season total, as only one team in MLS had scored fewer than the Union's eight goals entering the week.
--Field Level Media
