Off to a sensational start to the season, Philadelphia's defense is about to receive one of its biggest tests.
Following an impromptu bye week, the Union look to put a disappointing result behind them and shut down Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski when the San Jose Earthquakes visit PPL Park on Saturday.
Philadelphia (3-1-1) has been off since playing to a 1-all draw with Seattle on April 16. The Union were scheduled to visit Real Salt Lake last Saturday, but with the 2009 MLS Cup champion competing in the CONCACAF Champions League final, the match was moved to Sept. 3.
"For these guys, having a couple of days off will be good," manager Peter Nowak told the Union's official website.
Philadelphia is in second place in the Eastern Conference, but would have been atop the East had it held off the Sounders.
The Union led 1-0 heading into extra time, but Alvaro Fernandez scored to take two points away from Philadelphia. It was just the second goal allowed by the Union this year.
As an expansion team last season, the Sounders surrendered 49 goals, second most in the league.
"I think defensively, we're playing with a lot of confidence from the backline to the midfielders and so on," midfielder Kyle Nakazawa told MLSSoccer.com. "I think we're going to get better as the season goes on."
The team will likely have to be at its best on defense to contain Wondolowski.
The striker has a league-high 23 shots and half of the Earthquakes' six goals. He recorded 18 of their 34 goals in 2010, and scored once to help San Jose sweep the two-game series from the Union.
While Philadelphia has been outstanding defensively, it hasn't been nearly as successful on offense. The Union are last in the league in goals with four and shots with 37.
Sebastien Le Toux, who led Philadelphia with 14 goals and 11 assists last season, has managed one assist while playing all 450 minutes this year.
"Last year I proved I can score goals for this team," Le Toux said. "But my biggest concern now, because I'm a leader, is to put this team on top."
The Union might have some better results offensively against a San Jose team that has yielded eight goals during an 0-2-2 slump.
"Anyway you can give up a goal we're giving up goals," defender Jason Hernandez said.
Like Philadelphia, San Jose (1-3-2) also surrendered a late score in it last match. Mariano Trujillo's goal in the 85th minute broke a 1-all tie and gave previously winless Chivas USA a 2-1 victory last Saturday.
Wondolowski opened the scoring in the 16th minute for the Earthquakes, last in the West with five points.
"That was a really, really poor performance for us, collectively and individually. I thought it was terrible," coach Frank Yallop said. "I need to shake it up now, because that ain't good enough. Not even close. ... There might be a few (new) guys starting."
