(http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soccer/20110723_Real_Madrid_tops_Union__2-1.html)
POSTED: July 23, 2011
By Marc Narducci
So this is what one of the world's best soccer teams looks like.
Real Madrid came to Philadelphia demonstrating the pace, the touch, the teamwork and, more important, the skill that has made it such an international soccer power.
Despite Real Madrid's abundance of talent, the Union hung in there before losing a 2-1 decision Saturday night in the World Football Challenge before 57,305 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Even without its top two offensive players starting the game, Real Madrid led, 2-0, at halftime.
Frequently, Real Madrid put together sequences where it connected on 10 or more passes, alternating between short touches and long crosses.
Despite the flawless offense, Real Madrid gave the Union several first-half scoring chances. Just as in their MLS season, where the Union have failed to cash in on numerous scoring opportunities despite an 8-4-7 record, they didn't take advantage of several Saturday night.
Real Madrid's regular season doesn't begin until next month, but the team has taken the World Football Challenge seriously, beating the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas Guadalajara by a combined 7-1 score in the first two of the three games it will play in the U.S.
MLS all-star Faryd Mondragon, who got the night off in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Everton in another friendly, was back in goal for the Union, who basically went with their regulars to start the game.
Mondragon, who made a key diving save in the first half, was replaced in the 65th minute by Zac MacMath.
Forward Danny Mwanga, who has started nine games for the Union and is among their best offensive players, didn't start but replaced Carlos Ruiz to begin the second half.
It didn't take Real Madrid long to show its offensive prowess. Jose Maria Callejon one-timed a long pass to open the scoring in the second minute.
In the 11th minute Real Madrid made it 2-0 on the old give-and-go, with Karim Benzema feeding German national team standout Mesut Ozil, who connected from inside the box.
In the 13th minute Union defender Danny Califf was wide on a header from a Sebastien Le Toux corner. Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas made a kick save from close range on Le Toux in the 19th minute.
Union defender Sheanon Williams had a close shot blocked and cleared by defender Raphael Varane in the 29th minute.
Casillas beat Ruiz to the ball in the 32d minute. Le Toux shot just wide from 12 yards out in the 35th minute.
The Union continued to apply the pressure but couldn't cash in.
What made Real Madrid's first 45 minutes more impressive was that its top two offensive weapons, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian midfielder Kaka, didn't play.
Both Ronaldo and Kaka were among seven new players inserted by Real Madrid to begin the second half. In the 57th minute Ronaldo had his first scoring chance, heading wide a cross from the extremely active Callejon.
In the 63d minute, Ronaldo sent a 25-yard blast just past the near post.
Every time Ronaldo touched the ball, the crowd would anticipate something spectacular. The white-shirted Real Madrid fans were plentiful, and the team they were rooting for gave them plenty to cheer about.
The Union cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Michael Farfan in the 80th minute. Taking a feed from Danny Mwanga, Farfan chipped the ball from near the 18 over the head of keeper Tomas Mejias.
Mejias preserved the win by making a diving save on a shot by Jack McInerney in stoppage time.
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