Photo: Daniel Studio

Jim Curtin said after Philadelphia Union’s 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night, “You can only play the team that’s here.”

Luckily for the Union boss, that meant a Seattle Sounders that not only was missing the likes of Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, and Oswaldo Alonso, but also their entire backline.

These are the little breaks that come in MLS’ world of irrational scheduling and Curtin, speaking on the subject in his press conference, knew his side had to take advantage. With a flight back to the West Coast and a match against bitter rivals, Portland Timbers, on Sunday, Sigi Schmid fielded an extremely inexperienced side that was full of energy, but completely bereft of chemistry.

Too much midfield space

Pappa attacking (L) v Carroll defending (R)

It was the type of match where an early Union goal might have broken the Sounders spirit, but whether it was because of heavy legs from their own cross-country journey, a lack of runs into the box, or Maurice Edu’s poorly taken penalty, the goals simply weren’t coming.

And as Seattle grew into the match at different periods, they found time and space in the center of the park that should never be afforded to a team with so few attacking options. For all of his pace, Lamar Neagle is a fairly one dimensional striker. Out wide, Christian Roldan and Aaron Kovar shouldn’t scare any MLS fullbacks. Yet, with Marco Pappa standing out as the one true danger man in the side, the Union failed to maintain close enough contact with the Guatemalan attacker in the center of midfield. Refer to the chart at right for Pappa’s attacking involvement in a match during which he was surrounded by replacement players.

For all the yeoman’s work he has put in since returning to the starting lineup, Brian Carroll is only human and it is hard to chalk up Pappa’s time and space on the ball to anything specific, other than the Union veteran being a step slow to close him down on the night. But with Vincent Nogueira looking weary in his own right, the ongoing injury to Michael Lahoud leaves Curtin scrambling for answers at the base of his midfield. Other than returning Maurice Edu to his preferred box to box slot in order to rest Nogueira, there are few options to either deep-lying position on the Union’s paper-thin roster. And with one of MLS’ most exciting new players in Ignacio Piatti looming on the horizon, not to mention a US Open Cup match against DC United only three days later, Curtin’s managerial skills will be greatly tested as he weighs the benefits of his preferred starting XI with the very real need to rest certain players.

Thank goodness for Sapong

Sapong ran riot over Seattle’s defense

No Chad Marshall? Big problem. For Seattle.

The towering defender, who often single-handedly defeated the Union’s cross, crossity, cross, cross offense when he wore the yellow of Columbus, was rested on the night. That meant a free run at Zach “Foul Monster” Scott and Jimmy “S2” Ockford for the Union’s hottest player. And while his ability to measure the final pass was often found wanting, CJ Sapong stretched the Sounders defense to breaking point before eventually finding the yard of space he needed to stop being unselfish and grab a goal in his fourth consecutive match.

Given a consistent run in the team through both his red-hot form, and also the Union’s lack of healthy bodied strikers to spell him, Sapong’s goalscoring form obviously sticks out. After poaching his early goals in tight, set-piece situations, goal-scoring confidence brought the Union the wicked turn and shot that ultimately proved little consolation in LA, and his most recent display of quality, finding the soft spot between the centerbacks where he could apply a soft flick on Sheanon Williams’ cross.

But it is the manner in which he has improved his running off the ball and hold up play that should have Union fans excited. Despite netting in the Union’s last home match, a 2-1 loss to NYCFC, Sapong completed only 10 passes over 90 minutes of play, dropping out of the run of play for large spans of time. In that game, like Wednesday night’s match, Sapong faced a defensive pairing that should have rivaled Seattle’s in his ability to dominate play, 1 v 2.

Against Seattle, it was an entirely different story, with the Union’s front man looking to bring the ball down instead of simply flicking it on. That not only led to more possession and time for support to arrive, but it also allowed Sapong a chance to turn and run at defenders who, fearing his pace, gave him a cushion of space. His completed pass chart, at left, tells a story of a forward who is more than just a threat in the box, but also one who can bring in his teammates and help create for others, a fact to which his 3 key passes can attest.

Sheanon Williams is back

Most Union fans will agree that their team has contested too many matches in which a goal always seemed to be coming, yet somehow never materialized. Fortunately, in addition to Sapong’s timely return both to form and to the team, Sheanon Williams has also raised his game over the past month. If it was Curtin’s intent to motivate the, at the time, out of favor fullback, it certainly worked, though it may have backed him into a corner. In early May, Curtin declared Ray Gaddis to be his starting right back for the remainder of 2015, eschewing competition and giving the nod to the consistent, pacy Gaddis.

After Wednesday night’s match, Curtin referred to all three of his fullbacks as being at a level to play in any game, but after singling out Gaddis as his starter, it will be interesting to see how the Union manager handles the current situation. For all of his pace and 1v1 marking capability, Gaddis still lacks Williams comfort on the ball, and while he has made minor strides to become more aggressive going forward, he cannot compete with Williams’ ability to get forward in attack, both supporting his midfield as a flank option and providing the kind of service that can win a match, as it did on Wednesday night. But, while Gaddis has been a model of consistency for the Union, Williams has been subject to a veritable roller-coaster of form and injury, looking at different times both unstoppably sharp and surprisingly out of sync.

At the end of the day, there are pros and cons that can be listed for both of the Union’s talented right backs, but with Williams rounding into his best form in some time, Curtin may have to do an about-face, retracting a statement that never needed to be made as he continues to get his best players on the pitch.

Player Ratings

Brian Sylvestre – 6

Rarely tested, Sylvestre commanded his box well and never looked like being beaten. Distribution still remains a minor issue, as he occasionally loses focus and sends a ball into the seats.

Sheanon Williams –  7

Has added balance to his game when it comes to choosing times to attack and when to stay at home. Against Seattle, he mady tidy work of Aaron Kovar and exploited the space between the winger and left back Dylan Remick to deliver the ball Sapong needed to settle the match. Could have easily racked up two more assists immediately following, as he again got deep and put the ball on a platter for both Sapong and Pfeffer.

Maurice Edu – 6

Aside from the saved penalty he took, Edu was back to his solid best at the back for the Union. The penalty however, cannot be overlooked. Not only did he take it poorly, but as the captain he likely should have ceded the chance to a more renowned ball-striker.

Richie Marquez – 7

All Marquez has done is step into a lineup in chaos, not too mention a backline that was leaking goals, and play so consistently well that he is a no brainer to start each week. Not too shabby.

Fabinho – 5

Had little impact on the match, as he reverted to past tactics and failed to get deep against the aggressive Oniel Fisher. Fabinho’s delivery is most dangerous (as is most fullback’s) when he can make defenders turn to cope with his low, raking crosses. Without getting deep, it might be assumed that he was defensively conservative, though knowing Fabinho’s style, is to know that that was not the case. Conceded too much ground and too many chances down his flank during the final quarter of the match when Seattle were pressing for an equalizer.

Brian Carroll – 5

As mentioned above, Carroll made no glaring mistakes, but was unable to close down the space he normally patrols so efficiently. Now that he has again become a critical cog in the Union’s midfield, Curtin will have to manage his minutes to ensure he is available down the stretch.

Vincent Nogueira – 6

Continues to be the Union’s catalyst in possession, spreading the ball as quickly as his teammates movement will allow. The wear and tear of being a tiny player who is subjected to a string of heavy fouls in each match is something to watch for from Nogueira, who has begun to let a few errors slip into his ordinarily spotlessly clean game. The Union cannot afford to be without him for any extended period of time.

Andrew Wenger – 3

It was nice to see a player who is so often criticized for overthinking things win a penalty for using his head. (Apologies for the cheap joke, but there’s only so many ways to write the same things about the latest underwhelming Wenger performance.)

Zach Pfeffer – 6

Bright and energetic, Union fans will delight at the sight of a non-striker who loves to get into the box to try and finish. Unfortunately, Pfeffer failed to double the Union’s advantage when Williams’ cutback picked him on the penalty spot in the 72nd minute. The next step for Pfeffer will be to turn a series of bright spots into a more consistent performance, with the youngster still struggling to maintain his involvement for the full 90.

Chaco Maidana – 7

With Stefan Frei looking suspect under the high ball, Maidana picked a good game to serve up some of the best set piece delivery ever created off of a Union boot. Pushed out to the wing where his speed proved a liability, Maidana did well to drop back to help connect midfield and attack.

CJ Sapong – 8

If Sapong was as cool when he was looking to pick out the final pass as he was when he is trying to finish, he might have 6 assists to go with his 6 goals. Still, it was a masterful performance from a striker at the top of his game. Against Montreal, he’ll face a much stiffer test again Baky Soumare and Laurent Ciman. Should be fun to watch.

Substitutions

Eric Ayuk – 4

Disappointingly flashy as he again tried the fancy stuff when simplicity would have been best. Worked hard defensively, but often picked the wrong runner to track, most glaringly giving Pappa a clean look at goal in the 77th minute. Still, it is worth noting that less than a minute into his run out, Ayuk streaked into the box to nearly give the Union an advantage on a run that Wenger, the player he replaced, would never contemplate.

Fred – 6

After a string of disappointing substitute appearances, Fred proved to be the right call on the night. After having the run of the green for most of the match, he gave Pappa something to think about as he nipped at his ankles in midfield.

Ray Gaddis – N/A

Waste a little time. Add a defensive body. Finish out a victory.

Geiger Counter

Edvin Jurisevic – 3

As the years have gone by, Jurisevic has really settled into his role as an inconsistent, throw-in location obsessed, confrontational MLS referee. At least he saw Wenger get kicked in the face.

Starting XI for Saturday night’s match vs Montreal Impact

4-2-3-1

Sylvestre; Williams (RB), White, Marquez, Gaddis (LB); Edu, Nogueira; McLaughlin, Maidana, Pfeffer; Sapong

For all that he’s done lately, Carroll needs a rest, and you won’t find anyone more eager to get into the midfield than Edu.