2010 Philadelphia Union season

Review

Preseason

Philadelphia Union defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, 0–5, in their first ever pre-season match on February 13, 2010, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

On February 28, during a preseason tour of Mexico, The Union played to a 2–2 draw against the Chivas de Guadalajara reserves. Two days later, The Union defeated Mexican second-division side Universidad de Guadalajara 0–1.

On March 14, the Union played their first friendly against an MLS opponent, losing 2–0 to FC Dallas in a match played in Tampa, Florida. Five days later, in their final pre-season friendly, The Union played the Tampa Bay Rowdies (a fellow first-year expansion club, albeit in the second-division NASL) and lost 1–0.

March

Philadelphia began their first Major League Soccer regular season on the road with a nationally televised match against Seattle Sounders FC on March 25, 2010. Union central defender Danny Califf received the first booking in Union history, by receiving a Yellow Card 33 seconds into the match.

Rookie Toni Ståhl (playing out of position at the other center back) was the first Union player to be sent off, after being booked in the 22nd and 37th minutes.

Two first-half goals from Brad Evans and Fredy Montero were too much for the ten-man Union, as they went down to defeat 2–0 in their first match, in front of a crowd of over 36,000 rabid Seattle fans—and about 100 hearty Sons of Ben who made the trip.

After the game, the Union released Costa Rican defender David Myrie, and sent Ståhl out on loan to their USL-2 affiliate, Harrisburg.

April

Philadelphia's first home match was on April 10, against D.C. United. The Union scored a 3–2 victory with a hat-trick by Sebastian Le Toux in front of a crowd of just under 35,000 at their temporary home, Lincoln Financial Field. The Union was bolstered by the signing of defender Cristian Arrieta from the Puerto Rico Islanders earlier in the week.

On April 15, the Union began a four-game league road trip with a visit to Toronto FC. This was TFC's home opener and the first match played on BMO Field's new natural grass surface. The Union dropped the match 2–1 thanks to a first-half red card from captain Danny Califf and a late penalty. The Union showed heart being a man down for the majority of the match after pulling back a goal through Jordan Harvey.

The Union then played rival New York Red Bulls twice in four days at Red Bull Arena. First, on the 24th in a league match, the Union dropped a second straight 2–1 decision. After pulling into a tie thanks to Sebastien Le Toux, the Union again were made to suffer loss from a defensive blunder which led to a game-winning penalty. Later in the week, the Union again faced the New York Red Bulls, but this time in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier. The winner of that cup tie would host New England Revolution in the next round of qualifying, May 12. The Union was again on the losing side of a 2–1 scoreline with Sebastian Le Toux scoring a late goal to make things interesting after the Union had trailed 2–0 at the half. The Union were given their first major injury scare when leading scorer Sebastian Le Toux was carried off the field with what appeared to be a major knee injury. The Union were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup.

May

The Union continued their long road trip on May 1 against the league-leading and undefeated Los Angeles Galaxy. The Union were outclassed, giving up a goal in the first minute and ultimately trailed the match 3–0 at the half. Midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi was red-carded in the 44th minute. The Union played the entire second-half a man-down and held the Galaxy scoreless. The Union notched a goal through Jack McInerney, his first professional goal, making the final score 3–1.

The Union concluded their first major roadtrip on May 8 against defending MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake. The Union would lose the game 3–0, a scoreline which did not accurately reflect the competitiveness of a game played mostly in the midfield.

On May 15, the Union returned home to Philadelphia to play FC Dallas before a crowd of just over 25,000 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Union went behind early, but showed great attacking flair and were kept scoreless only thanks to the heroics of FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Late in stoppage time in the second half, the Union's number-one draft pick Danny Mwanga struck a beautiful volley into the lower left corner of the net to give the Union an important tie. Sebastian Le Toux returned to play for the first time since late April after recovering from a knee injury.

2010 roster

As of August 31, 2010. -- Do NOT add new players before their signing is officially announced by the club -- and do NOT assign unreferenced jersey numbers as well. -- Do NOT create articles for new draft picks until they make either their MLS or U.S. Open Cup debut, and do not add red wikilinks to these players as it prevents the creation of articles by people who don't understand the WP:FOOTY notability guidelines – Players with international caps should NOT be bolded – as per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Football/Clubs – This is Wikipedia, not a football gazette. – Any unconfirmed and unsourced signing/transfer will be reverted at sight. – Thanks in advance.

Competitions

Preseason

Salinas McInerney

Fabián Zimmerman

Califf Orozco Fiscal Luna

Friendlies

Zimmerman

Harvey Ståhl Miglioranzi

MLS regular season

League tables

Eastern Conference

Overall

Results

Montero Ståhl Myrie Moreno

Arrieta Barklage Quaranta Moreno Quaranta Jakovic Cristman

Usanov De Rosario Harvey

Ángel Petke

Buddle Gonzalez Nakazawa McInerney

Beckerman Beckerman Olave Saborio Borchers

Mwanga Pearce

Robinson Mullen Salinas Nakazawa Arrieta Miglioranzi Le Toux Mwanga

Brown McBride Pappa Mwanga

Jewsbury Zusi Wolff Harrington Arrieta

Fred Mwanga Noonan

Braun Gavin Jazic Torres Orozco Fiscal

Wondolowski Alvarez Corrales

Arrieta Orozco Fiscal Le Toux Barrett

Fred Perovic Perovic

Le Toux Lenhart

Cunningham Knighton Orozco Fiscal Jacobson

Mwanga Torres González Alexandre McKenzie Borchers

Larentowicz Cummings Pickens Jamie Smith

Zayner James

Stolica Gibbs McInerney McInerney Harvey Mapp

Orozco Fiscal Arnaud

Jacobson Conde

Convey Alvarez

Mapp Fred Fred Le Toux Umaña Nagamura

Thompson Amarikwa McInerney

Le Toux Davis

Stephens Kirovski

Orozco Fiscal Fred Borman Ángel

Renteria Renteria Mendoza Torres Le Toux

U.S. Open Cup

Borman Boyens Le Toux Miglioranzi

Statistics

Statistics are from all MLS matches. Ages are as of March 25, 2010 (the date of their season opener).

**** = Not currently part of team.***

Goalkeepers

**** = Not currently part of team.***

Honors and awards

MLS Team of the Week

Italics indicates MLS Player of the Week

MLS Goal of the Week

MLS Save of the Week

Transfers

In

Draft picks

Out

References

References

1. (March 25, 2021). "OTD 2010: Union play first match in club history".
2. (September 24, 2009). "MLS clubs' 2010 Home Openers unveiled". Major League Soccer.
3. link. (April 19, 2010)
4. Philadelphia Union Communications. (February 13, 2010). "Union Win First Exhibition Match". Philadelphia Union.
5. Philadelphia Union Communications. (February 28, 2010). "Union Tie Chivas de Guadalajara". Philadelphia Union.
6. Philadelphia Union Communications. (March 2, 2010). "Union Top Universidad de Guadalajara". Philadelphia Union.
7. Philadelphia Union Communications. (March 14, 2010). "Union Fall to FC Dallas 2-0 in Exhibition". Philadelphia Union.
8. "Rowdies get first win in preseason | TBO.com".
9. (October 22, 2011). "Standings". MLSsoccer.com.
10. Simon Borg. (April 12, 2010). "Le Toux bests rookie for Player of the Week honors".
11. (July 19, 2010). "Le Toux Wins POTW".
12. (August 6, 2010). "Le Toux curler wins AT&T Goal of the Week".
13. "Philadelphia Union Sign Cristian Arrieta".
14. "Union Sign Midfielder Eduardo Coudet".
15. "Union Acquire Midfielder Justin Mapp".
16. "Union Sign Midfielder J. T. Noone".
17. "González Gives Union Defensive Depth".
18. "Union Acquire D/M Williams".
19. "Cepero to Dress for Union Wednesday".
20. "Philadelphia Union Release Dave Myrie".
21. "Shavar Thomas Traded to Kansas City".
22. "Union Waive Goalkeeper Brian Perk".