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.
In a performance reminiscent of their late collapse against Kansas City, the Union had little possession or passing success. But the introduction of CJ Sapong changed the energy of the match and Philly rediscovered their counterattacking chops in a strong second half.
Philly travels one state over to New Jersey to face a Red Bulls team that has successfully built the midfield the Union thought they had a year ago. With Maurice Edu suspended, Philadelphia needs immense performances from the duo that steps into central defense.
DC has risen to the top through shrewd roster development. Philly has sunk to the bottom by failing at the same game. The Union must create opportunities against a tenaciously organized defense to take home points off the Eastern Conference leaders on Sunday.
Philadelphia Union had a chance to take the lead in Vancouver, but it was Vancouver that converted their first real chance and went on to dominate the rest of the match.
The Union are in danger of floating away, but the mediocre Eastern Conference is granting them time. To get a result on Saturday in Vancouver they should have one primary goal: Prevent Pedro Morales from getting the ball in space to stifle the Whitecaps’ counterattack.
Jim Curtin discussed the return of Rais Mbolhi, revealed that Andre Blake re-injured his knee and John McCarthy suffered a concussion, said Michael Lahoud is out for over a month, and tipped Richie Marquez as a likely – but not certain – starter in Vancouver.
Two teams that have struggled to defend face off at PPL Park. The Union need role players to step up while Toronto is counting on the big guns to carry them to victory.
In his weekly press conference, Jim Curtin said the Union have been “a disaster” in possession this season and said the team has earned an “F” defensively but gave the offense an “Incomplete” grade so far.
A sucker punch goal pulled the rug from under Philadelphia Union Saturday, and the remaining 69 minutes were as ugly as it gets.
Postgame quotes from Jim Curtin, Ray Gaddis, and Brian Carroll.
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