The Union's Toughest Opponent is the Union

Four games into the MLS season, and the toughest team the Philadelphia Union has played, is the Philadelphia Union. First game was all Seattle after Stahl was sent off with two yellow cards. The second game, the Union went up 2-0 against their foe DC United only to let the game tie up by stupid mistakes from Orozco and Seitz. Luckily Le Toux could score a hat-trick off of a free kick as the Union would take 3 points at Home vs DC United.

Game 3 vs Toronto FC showed a Philadelphia Union team dominating their opponent. Califf would then make a stupid play which would give him a red card and the team going down to Ten Men. On the free kick, Seitz literally lets the ball slip through his hands and Toronto FC go up a goal. The Union were still the better team even with 10 men, and were able to tie the game by a beautiful cross by Roger Torres to be smashed into the back of the net by Jordan Harvey. Seitz would give up a penalty after missing the ball on a breakaway, allowing De Rosario to score once again, this time on a Penalty Kick. People started to question why Seitz is starting after two huge mistakes, and think Brad Knighton should get a chance between the pipes.

Game 4 vs  the New York Red Bulls showed the Union in control virtually 90% of the game besides the last ten minutes. The stadium appeared to have more Sons of Ben than Red Bull Fans as Le Toux could not score on two golden opportunities in the first half as Seitz made a miraculous save against Juan Pablo Angel. Second half the Red Bulls would be quick to score off of a cross that Seitz should have punched the ball out, instead he hit his teammate. The Union were quick to comeback as Le Toux would score his fourth goal of the season and the game tied 1-1. Once again Orozco would make a stupid play as he would commit hand-ball in the box as he failed to clear it. This would allow Angel to score from a PK and the Red Bulls would go up 2-1. The Union would miss 3 more golden opportunities, as the Red Bulls would capture all three points in the game.

The Philadelphia Union continue to shoot themselves in the foot. This team could be 3-0-1, as they certainly have played that way, but their actual streak is 1-0-3 with two very hard games coming against the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake before the return home against FC Dallas at Lincoln Financial Field. There is no clear weakness on this team. They are making stupid mistakes that should never happen in a soccer game. So far the team keeps handing victories to the other side by their own mistakes, which is why the Philadelphia Union's toughest opponent so far this season, has been themselves.

Christian N.

Christian is a Philadelphia native, and political and sports columnist for several newspapers across North America. He is also a Philadelphia Union Season Ticket Holder and can be followed on Twitter and his Website.