| Match Pictures | Matches: 2009 – 2010 | 2009-2010 Pictures |
Trivia
- US pre-season friendly.
Review
(by BhoyNYC of KDS)
Just back from the match. Was going to head down earlier but had a professional development (only developed boredom) and picked up the gf in downtown NYC around 5:30. We got to Chester, a suburb of Philly, around 8:15 so missed part of the match.
The match was pretty boring aside from the last few minutes. It took me awhile to notice who some of the players were as we got there late and it wasn't exactly the first team. Aside from Hinkel, Loovens, Brown, McCourt, Cervi I didn't really know who was playing for Celtic until about 10 mins of sitting there.
We sat not too far from the Bronx bhoys and other supporters who were in good spirits. The songs were great and many rebel elements that have been banned from CP were heard. The highlight was in the last few minutes of the match when we almost scored twice. The absolute highlight was our support lighting up flares which blew smoke throughout the stadium. The Union supporters and others were astounded by this and I heard things like, "crazy Irish."
The security didn't know what to do at first with the flares but then some meathead type security clowns came and gave bother to a few of our supporters and, from my vantage point, overreacted hysterically and manhandled a few of our supporters. I hope the flare bhoys weren't too roughed up and that they weren't arrested as they were the highlight of the night for everyone. Well done.
The new stadium for the rookie Union team was nice and compact. It was far from a sell out. Driving back though I saw something that was illustrative of how far our brand has fallen, at least in the US. The American football stadium that hosts the Philly Eagles of the NFL will be hosting Man U against the Union. I'm sure we would have been the ones filling that stadium years ago… no more.
Typical pre-season garbage from Celtic. Won't stop me from heading to Boston for next Wednesday though so PM me anyone who's going to be in Boston! I'm not bothered, as Lenny will hopefully pick it up for the season.
Teams
CELTIC (4-4-2) Cervi; Hinkel, Loovens, Hooiveld (Mulgrew 45, Rogne 72), Misun; Caddis, Brown (Wilson 45), Crosas (Ledley 45) McCourt (Forrest 61); Rasmussen (Hutchinson 61), McGowan (Sheridan 75)
Not Used: Zaluska,
PHILADELPHIA UNION (4-4-2) Knighton (Perk 45); Harvey, Arrieta, Califf, Orozco; Fred (Stahl 45), Coudet (Noone 45), Miglioranzi (Okugo 45), Torres (Jacobson 43); Mwanga (McInerney 45), Le Toux (Zimmerman 45)
Not Used:
Booked: Harvey 37
Sent-off Stahl 89
Articles
- Match Report(See below)
Pictures
KStreet
Articles
celts open north american tour with narrow defeat Mark Henderson
CELTIC kicked-off their North American Tour with a 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union.
Sebastian La Toux struck the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute with a cool finish. And, although the Hoops dominated much of the second half, they were unable to force an equaliser in a match which saw both sides make a raft of substitutions.
In the spectacular surroundings of Philadelphia’s brand new PPL Stadium, which sits on the banks of the Delaware River, Neil Lennon had plucked for a mix of youth and experience for his first match since being appointed manager.
Notably, Dominic Cervi was handed a rare start between the sticks, while Milan Misun, made a welcome return at left-back. It was his first competitive match since picking up a serious injury during last year’s pre-season tour of Australia.
Up front, Lennon opted for a partnership of Paul McGowan and Morten Rasmussen.
The first real chance fell to the home side in the seventh minute. From a corner on the right, the ball ricocheted around the six yard box, before falling to the feet of La Toux. He turned and shot, but it went straight down the throat of Cervi.
Understandably, the Hoops struggled to match the e pace of their opponents – who are midway through their domestic season – in the opening 10 minutes. And La Toux threatened again, driving the ball past the far post from 25 yards.
Celtic’s crafted their first opening in the 13th minute. Neat play down the right between Paul Caddis and McGowan saw the latter’s attempted chip drift wide of the near post.
The MLS side continued to look the more threatening, though, and in the 23rd minute they opened the scoring.
After Jordan Harvey’s initial shot was blocked by Glenn Loovens, Eduardo Coudet picked up the ball and threaded a pass through the heart of the Celtic defence. The dangerous La Toux beat the offside trap, rounded Cervi and rolled the ball into the empty net.
Just after the half hour mark the French striker nearly doubled Union’s advantage. Racing on to a long ball, he flashed a shot across goal which shaved Cervi’s far post.
In the 35th minute, the Hoops came close to a leveller with a well-worked free-kick. It looked like Paddy McCourt was going to strike the ball, but Marc Crosas rolled the ball instead to Jos Hooiveld, who slammed the ball past the near-post from 30 yards.
The Dutch defender had another attempt from a set-piece three minutes later. Again, it was well struck, but flew wide of the near-post.
In the 42nd minute, the match was held up for a few minute, following an injury to Philadelphia midfielder Roger Torres, who had came off the worst from a determined but fair Scott Brown challenge. The Union player was forced to leave the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Andrew Jacobson.
Marc Crosas had the final effort of the half, but his shot from 25 yards flew over.
At half-time both sides made changes. Joe Ledley and Charlie Mulgrew came on to make their Hoops debut, while Mark Wilson took over the captain’s armband from Scott Brown and moved into central midfield. Philadelphia, meanwhile, made all five of their remaining substitutions.
Both debutants looked comfortable beside their new team-mates and indicated they will be good additions to the Celtic squad for the forthcoming season.
Indeed, it was Mugrew, who had the first shot on target in an insipid second half. His curling free-kick was on target, but it was too central to trouble Brian Perk in the Philadephia goal. Unfortunately, the former Hoops defender suffered a head injury and was replaced by Thomas Rogne.
As the half wore on Lennon made further changes, with Ben Hutchinson, James Forrest and Cillian Sheridan all entering the fray.
And, while Celtic had now exerted a grip on proceedings, they were finding it difficult to breakdown a well-organised Philadelphia defence.
However, in the 73rd minute, Forrest did carve open the defence with a well-weighted pass. Wilson, making a run from deep, collected the ball on the edge of the area, but was unable to get enough power on his shot.
As Lennon urged his side on from the touchline, the Hoops came agonisingly close to grabbing a deserved equaliser on two occasions in added time.
First, Hutchinson was unable to find the net from close range with two attempts after Andreas Hinkel’s low shot was blocked.
Then, in the final attack of the game, the striker rose highest to glance a header off the underside of the bar, which no Celtic player could force home.
Despite being unable to find a leveller, Lennon would have been pleased to see 18 players get some competitive action in the first match of the North American Tour.