July 14 2016

Julian Speroni kept a clean sheet

Crystal Palace kicked off their summer campaign with a goalless draw against Philadelphia Union.

New signings Andros Townsend and James Tomkins turned out in Eagles colours for the first time with the former particularly impressing against the MLS side.

The first half produced a few half chances with Union going close through CJ Sapong, who fired into the side netting, and Kevin Rosenberry hit his shot over the bar.

Sapong beat Julian Speroni to the ball to head over the bar, while Walter Restrepo blasted off target as the hosts illustrated their superior fitness levels.

FREDDIE Lapado was given a starting role in attack and fashioned Palace's best chance by forcing Union keeper John McCarthy into a decent block.

Union made a number of subs at the break, while Palace boss Alan Pardew threw on Tomkins, Damien Delaney and Connor Wickham.

Pardew's changes seemed to inspire the Eagles as Townsend almost got on the scoresheet with a debut goal but his strike fired into the side-netting.

Then Wickham forced substitute keeper Matt Jones into a fine save with a ferocious shot that had to be pushed away and he had to be alert to beat out Bakary Sako's effort just afterwards.

Wickham was again denied by the Union stopper as the teams settle for a stalemate at the Talen Energy Stadium in front of a raucous band of travelling Palace supporters.

Union: McCarthy (M Jones 46), Fabinho (Gaddis 46), Yaro (Anderson 46), Tribbett (Marquez 46), Rosenberry (Washington 46), Carroll (D Jones 46), Fernandes, Alberg (Missimo 46), Restrepo (Richter 77), Le Toux (Herbers 46), Sapong (Creavalle 46).

Palace: Speroni, Ward (Croll 66), Kelly (Delaney 46), Dann (Tomkins 46), Fryers, Boateng, Mutch (Sako 66), Townsend (Lee 60), Puncheon (Wickham 46), Kaikai (Zaha 54), LADAPO (Campbell 60).

Not used: Perntreou.