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.