Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union
While you were enjoying the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade today, Philadelphia Union were held to a scoreless draw versus the Chicago Fire in Clearwater, Florida. The Thursday scrimmage kicked off at 11:00 a.m. and both sides were unable to shake the slumber and find the back of the net.
The starting lineup consisted of John McCarthy in goal and Fabinho, Auston Trusty, Jack Elliot, and Ray Gaddis on the back line; Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya, and Ilsinho took the reigns of the central midfield, with Fafa Picault and David Accam out wide, and C.J. Sapong up top.
Scoring chances were hard to come by for both teams. Chicago controlled the middle of the pitch early, but the Union’s wings soon took control of the match with both Picault and Accam driving much of the Union’s attack.
The Trusty and Elliot partnership was solid in the back on the day, using their height and positioning to knock out any potential Chicago scoring chances.
The second half saw the inclusion of Keegan Rosenberry, Jay Simpson, and Adam Najem for Gaddis, Sapong, and Ilsinho, respectively.
Later in the half, Olivier Mbaizo, Josh Yaro, Warren Creavalle, Derrick Jones, Eric Ayuk, and Marcus Epps all entered the match.
In the 72′, Adam Najem had a free kick opportunity 25 yards from goal and nearly beat the keeper on the near post. The youngster had another free kick chance that he sent across the box, but it couldn’t find a taker.
The match ended rather placidly, wrapping up the scrimmage portion of preseason and setting the stage for the Suncoast Invitational. The Union’s next match will take place Saturday February 17 versus Montreal Impact at 7:00 p.m.
From my point of view, the 1st 45 was much smoother, more coherent soccer.
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The introduction of the 3 at halftime disrupted that somewhat, and then the mass sub at the 61st turning into jagged and semi-chaotic.
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I think we know who the first 22 are at the moment, including Marquez and Blake who did not play.
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Everybody was slow and tired, which is to be expected.
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Liked what I saw from Trusty. Optimistic.
Did not appreciate lack of finish from Simpson.
Ilsinho hasn’t changed his “I’m a dribbling tank” tactics – fun, but mostly ineffective.
Trusty? Positioning, good. Passing looked very shady to me – scary if same in real game.
Fafa and Accam – FIRE.
Harris – same killer left foot, thank God.
I wasn’t very impressed. They still feed the ball to the right and left back’s and put them in bad positions where they can only turn towards our own goal. Not a lot of creatitity going forward and with possession. I still see the same old counterattacking 24/7. Not really any progression in working on possession. That’s very troubling. I thought Ilsinjho looks pretty good too an extent, he had a nice rip on goal. Accam didn’t look too bad. Derrick Jones still looks promising. His passing wasn’t too bad. He still makes an impact on the field. Need to play a lot more and a starting role. Bedoya looked non-existing. Overall it still looks like the same tactics and formula. Not impressed