Chester, PA
The Philadelphia Union hosted Crystal Palace Wednesday night, as the British side came to town as a part of their preseason tour. The London based club started last season strong, and were in the top half of the table in the beginning of the year. As the season wore down so did Palace, who ended the year in 15th place, despite some strong performances against the Premier League elite.
Neither team started out with a full strength squad. Palace omitted a few big name players, with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Bakary Sako, Frazier Campbell and Connor Wickham starting on the bench. While we would get a chance to see these names, it wasn’t until the second half. Meanwhile the Union gave Leo Fernandes and Walter Restrepo their first starts. Josh Yaro and Ken Tribbet, while both have a considerable amount of games this year individually, played their first game as a center back pairing. The mainstay in the Union defense, Richie Marquez, was left on the bench Wednesdays friendly.
Here is how the line-ups look for both sides:
Julian Speroni (1)
Joel Ward (2), Martin Kelly (34), Scott Dann (6), Zeki Fryers (19)
Hiram Boateng (4), Jordon Mutch (22)
Andros Townsend (17), Jason Puncheon (42), Sulllay Kaikai (20)
Freddie Lapado (8)
CJ Sapong (17)
Walter Restrepo (20), Leo Fernandes (22), Roland Alberg (6), Sebastien Le Toux (9)
Brian Carroll (7)
Keegan Rosenberry (12), Ken Tribbet (4), Josh Yaro (15), Keegan Rosenberry (12)
John McCarthy (27)
Crystal Palace took the initial kick off on a day that may have made them feel close to home, with clouds stretching the horizon, and only the occasional break for sparse sunshine. Palace showed their considerable quality right off the bat, attacking into the Union’s box right away. Yaro did well to stop Freddie Lapado from registering an early shot, by tracking back and using his pace to cut off Lapado’s angle, forcing a corner.
The Union struck back, however, registering a shot on Julien Speroni’s goal. A near post cross by Keegan Rosenberry found a great run by CJ Sapong, who’s shot just missed nicking the near post, but in the end flew out for a goal-kick.
Palace were quick to break the Union’s pressure on multiple occasions. Palace would start their attacks from the back, and outlet to either Jason Puncheon or Freddie Lapado quickly to put the Londoners on the break.
Sapong was a menace in the box for the Union, getting on the end of crosses and passes in the channel. He had a decent shot in the 22nd minute, but his glancing header from 16 yards went just wide of Speroni’s net as the keeper scrambled across to make sure the shot was safely wide.
Sapong once again was targeted in the 27th minute. Martin Kelly and Scott Dann failed to communicate and their combined header fell to a nice area for the Union, but no one was able to get in position before the ball ran out for a corner. On the proceeding corner kick, Rosenberry found space at the back post for a volley after Roland Alberg’s cross flew over everyone. His first-timed effort from a good position was scuffed and bounced wide.
Sapong almost notched the first goal of the night from a corner. He beat Speroni to the initial cross, but his effort looped just over the cross-bar. The Palace keeper would be disappointed he got beat to the ball, and Sapong just as disappointed he missed the header, as he attemped to get the ball over the oncoming Speroni.
Palace had a terrific chance from a Joel Ward cross, which in the end was flagged for offsides. The English defender whipped in a great back post ball for Freddie Lapado, who’s header ended up straight at John McCarthy in net. The goal wouldn’t have counted however, as Lapado was offsides.
As the half went on, the chances for both teams improved. Perhaps the best attempt of the half came from Walter Restrepo. A long Rosenberry throw-in found Cj Sapong deep behind the Palace backline. He carried the ball to the end-line and cut back a perfect cross for Restrepo. The Union winger just got under the pass and launched his shot over the bar from 12 yards out. In truth he should have a better end product, though it was undoubtedly a more difficult chance than most expect. The cross had a lot of pace and Restrepo would have to strike it very well to get it past Speroni and keep it under the cross-bar.
Palace registered a tough shot from a Yaro error, letting the first year defender off of the hook. The young center-back failed to clear the ball, and Lapado jumped on his poor touch. Lapado’s shot from a tight angle was difficult for McCarthy, who did well to parry the ball out for a corner.
At the half the score was 0-0, but not without opportunities for both sides. Neither team had more than 1 clear cut opportunity, though either side could have scored, neither looked to have a lethal end product.
The Union subbed everyone but Leo Fernandes and Walter Restrepo at the start of the second half. The two midfielders started the game well, and despite limited playtime thus far, have performed well so far.
A great run and shot from Andros Townsend troubled the Union, but not substitute keeper Matt Jones. He been two defenders and found enough space to get a shot off from the corner of the 6. His shot was poor, however, and hit the side netting. After a great run like that, an end product would have rounded off a great play, and unfortunately, lack of a finish has been a facet of Townsend’s career.
Connor Wickham made a quick impact since coming on at halftime. in the 58th minute he had a great shot denied by Matt Jones. His powerful shot was parried away by the Union keeper, and was surely destined for the bottom right corner. Shots in the lower corner are incredibly difficult for keepers. Getting low on a powerful shot can sometimes be more difficult than ones near head level.
Palace again forced a great save out of Jones 10 minutes later. Zaha centered across the 18 yard box, in front of the Union defenders, finding Bakary Sako wide open, having just come on in the 66th minute. Sako took a touch in and ripped a near post shot forcing a great save out of Jones.
Connor Wickham was once again denied by Jones, this time on a 1-on-1. Wickham used a feint to trick Anderson, and drift past the defender. Once he was played in by Frazier Cambell the forward had time to get his head up and pick out a shot. Jones closed the angle well, and Wickham’s shot was right at him.
As the game wore on chances began to fall apart. Palace and the Union put together some promising attacks, but either the final shot or pass lacked the quality to result in a goal. Palace had a great cross to Connor Wickham at the back post in one such example. He attempted to head the ball back across the net to Frazier Campbell, but his header was too high and flew over Campbell’s head, in what would the last chance of the game. The score ended 0-0.
Thoughts:
Crystal Palace move the ball much faster than the Union. It has been the one real noticeable skill difference in the early part of the game. Players dribble with pace, even out of the back, which can be dangerous, but also a good way to break pressure.
Restrepo has been dangerous for the Union in the first half. His touch has been smart, and he has created his own space and chances.
The Palace midfield and defense were well organized and compact, making it hard for the Union to find space through the middle.
Hiram Boateng is mostly unknown to this reporter, but has done a fantastic job marshaling the midfield. His touch is secure, and he moves the ball well. Physically, he is a big presence in the midfield, and does well to block passing lanes.
Taylor Washington has had a big job to come in and defend Andros Townsend. He has done very well, and has frustrated the winger so far.
Gaddis has similarly done incredible to contain Zaha 1-on-1. The pacy British winger is incredibly tough to defend, and even gives the best Premier League defenders problems. Gaddis has met Zaha stride for stride in defense and marshaled him well.
Summary:
Yellow CRY: Hiram Boateng 36′
Sub Union: 45′
In: Fabien Herbers, Cole Missimo, Warren Creavalle, Derrick Jones, Taylor Washinton, Anderson, Richie Marquez, Ray Gaddis, Matt Jones (Fernades and Restrepo remaining from 1st half)
Sub CRY: 45′
In: James Tomkins, Damien Delaney, Coonnor Wickham
Out: Martin Kelly, Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon
Sub CRY: 54′
In: Wilfried Zaha,
Out: Sullay Kaikai
Sub CRY: 60′
In: Frazier Campbell, Lee Chung-Yong
Out: Freddie Lapado, Andros Townsend
Sub CRY: 66′
In: Bakary Sako, Luke Croll
Out: Jordan Mutch, Joel Ward
Sub PHL: 77′
In: Ryan Richter
Out: Walter Restrepo
Yellow PHL: Anderson 88′
