An inconsistent performance with some individual mistakes led to a lopsided 4-1 loss to expansion side Los Angeles FC for the Borek Dockal-less Philadelphia Union. Unlike some early season road performances where Philadelphia looked completely devoid of ideas going forward, the Union had some nice spots of possession and were just a little unlucky (Ale Bedoya) or lacking confidence (C.J. Sapong) at the crucial moments, missing out on scoring another goal or two.
Auston Trusty will be especially disappointed to have given the ball away so easily to essentially gift LA their opening goal. The second goal for LA was a great team move going forward from the hosts, but Warren Creavalle seemed a step behind the play and I’m still not sure Ray Gaddis has seen Diomande’s run behind him two days later. Gaddis also looked out of position as LA’s scored their important third goal, driving down the Union left. Mark McKenzie seemed to be trying to do too much late in the match and gifted LA their fourth.
At least Benny Feilhaber didn’t score.
Player Ratings
Andre Blake – 3
Never a good look for the goalkeeper when the team gives up four goals. Probably won’t like to have been beaten from a tough angle on the first goal, though it was a very nice finish. Not much he could do with the second. Does well to initially save the shot on LA’s fourth but leaves a rebound to be tapped home.
Keegan Rosenberry – 4
Feels like Rosenberry’s overlapping qualities are never quite the same when he isn’t playing in behind Ilsinho. Should have done better to sort things out with Andre Blake or defend Diomande on his third goal.
Mark McKenzie – 3
Poor giveaway to gift LA their fourth goal. Won’t want to watch the video of getting turned inside and out on the opener either.
Auston Trusty – 3
Poor play to give away the ball on LAFC’s first goal. One of the few times this season you could look at a Trusty play and say “that looks like a rookie CB.”
Ray Gaddis – 2
No where to be found on three of the four goals. Not much going forward down the left in support of Picault.
Warren Creavalle – 4
After a strong performance against Vancouver last week, a bit of a mixed bag for the holding midfielder on the west coast. Some decent recovery work, but the midfielder’s poor passing was more obviously exposed against a higher pressing and better passing LA team. Was caught trailing the play for LA’s important second goal.
Alejandro Bedoya – 6
Unlucky not to score on his 28th minute header from Ilsinho’s corner. Should have gotten his 42nd minute header on target. Covered a lot of ground in the absence of Dockal and Medunjanin on both sides of the ball.
Marcus Epps – 4
Should have kept his early chance on target instead of skying over. Did well to fire in a strong cross in the build up to Picault’s goal. Seems to disappear for stretches too often.
Ilsinho – 4
We learned last season he isn’t the answer at the #10. We saw this further demonstrated against LAFC on Saturday. Dockal’s work rate to make himself available was sorely missed.
Fafa Picault – 5
Took his chance when it dropped to him. A couple of decent moments on the counterattack, but overall a queit performance for the winger.
C.J. Sapong – 2
Should have done better with his chance in the 12th minute, looked so void of confidence after being played in on goal. Failed to bring himself into the match after the early chance and looked completely off the pace in the second half.
Subs
David Accam – 2
Continues to look completely disinterested.
Cory Burke – 5
Some decent off the ball running, but a less impactful performance than we’ve seen in the last few games from the rookie forward.
Anthony Fontana – 5
Not many touches or much time to make an impact coming on in the 82nd minute.
Geiger Counter:
Robert Sibiga – 5
Typical MLS refereeing performance. Missed some for both sides. Sapong and Creavalle can have some honest complaints about being completely cleaned out with tough, late tackles that weren’t given as fouls. Didn’t miss too many big calls at least.
Player of the Game – Adama Diomande
Scored three goals, ’nuff said. Honorable mention to Latif Blessing, who had a goal and two assists on the night.
We are kinda crap without Haris and Dockal. It kind of explains why we don’t rotate the squad that much. Doesn’t explain why we are still starting CJ.
I disagree to an extent. If we are going to fail, I want to see players put in their best position to succeed anyway. If we fail with that, then oh well.
Ilsinho is not a 10, he proved it over a year of trying plus in the recent Toronto game.
As you said, Sapong is simply a net negative at this point.
Burke and Fontana needed to start. As these ratings said, Ilsinho has looked good at RW and makes Rosenberry better. Epps or Ilsinho at RW is a GOOD problem to have to solve every game.
Instead Curtin puts him at the 10. And after some decent early game plays, he disappeared like everyone else.
Yes, this! 100 times, this!
Too high for CJ.
.
I think you should rate the coach too.
+1 for manager rating
It’s the type of team that the Union need a strong defensive performance to get a result. When the kids had an off night it just wasn’t going to happen. Still, the fact that they are only 2 points out of a playoff spot and are generally playing better than they were early on leaves me with some hope for the rest of the season.
I concur with all these ratings!
same here. fair