Adam played soccer for Haverford College and now writes about Philadelphia Union with the kind of tactical analysis rarely seen in the US. He believes soccer bars that don't open for the early game are not soccer bars. Follow him on Twitter @PSPadam. Email him at acann@phillysoccerpage.com.
New midfield signing Tranquillo Barnetta, head coach Jim Curtin and technical director Chris Albright spoke to the media Friday. Barnetta is unlikely to start but will be available tomorrow when the Red Bulls come to PPL Park.
The Union will need Zach Pfeffer to become more central to the offense if they want to challenge New York this weekend.
Ben Olsen used Fabinho’s arm injury late in the first half to tinker with his team shape. It paid off almost immediately and the Union never regained a foothold in the match.
Much like last season, Philly needs a strong run in the second half of the season to make a playoff push. A 120 minute midweek game will test the starters’ legs on Sunday.
John McCarthy was the star as Philadelphia Union played with ten men for 80 minutes and still came out on top of New York Red Bulls to book a place in the US Open Cup semifinal. They will play Chicago or Orlando City.
Toronto turned the tables on the Union, shutting down Philly’s playmakers and striking on their best move of the match.
Michael Bradley is missing, but the fourteen goals of Giovinco and Jozy Altidore mean Toronto are still plenty dangerous. The Union will be without the suspended Maurice Edu as they cross the border for a showdown at BMO Field.
A collection of stellar performances were rightly overshadowed by Andrew Wenger’s first goal of the season as the Union made their dominance count against a flaccid opponent.
Portland has won six of seven games, but injuries to Darlington Nagbe and Diego Chara could make them vulnerable on the road if Philly can transition quickly.
Tim Chandler, Clint Dempsey, and Chris Wondolowski added second half goals after a Carlos Castrillo own goal put the US ahead in the opening frame as the Americans breezed through their final tuneup before the Gold Cup.
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