It is funny what an in form striker can do to the confidence of a team. Although it is conceivable for teams to achieve results without one guy to depend, it sure does make things easier. That is what the Philadelphia Union have found with C.J. Sapong and what D.C. United long for. On Sunday, United will look to spoil Sapong’s comeback season when they host the Union at RFK Stadium at 5pm EST (ESPN2).
Across all competitions this season the Union hold a 2-1 advantage over their I-95 rivals. In the first match at PPL Park this year the Union would get the victory late thanks to a goal by midfielder Zach Pfeffer. However United would take one back just days later with goals by midfielders Chris Pontius and Chris Rolfe proving to be the difference. The two sides also met in the U.S. Open Cup fifth-round with the Union overcoming being down a man, winning 2-1. In seven matches all-time at RFK Stadium United holds a 3-1 advantage with three draws.
Ever since he returned from a league-mandated Substance Abuse and Behavior Health program stint, Sapong has proven to be one of the most effective goal-scorers in MLS (6 goals). Union coach Jim Curtin midway through the season opted to go with a 4-5-1 formation with Sapong at the top as opposed to forward Fernando Aristeguieta. With Cristan Maidana (1 goal, 9 assists) providing him service at the top of the penalty box Sapong appears to have turned his career around.
In the previous three matches against Sapong and the Union, D.C. had success with center-backs Steve Birnbaum and Bobby Boswell playing a bit of a high line aimed at limiting Sapong’s chances at a long-range strike. While that worked for a time, the Union have adapted with Maidana and fellow midfielders Vincent Nogueira (5 goals,) Andrew Wenger (1 goal, 2 assists,) and Sebastian Le Toux (2 goals, 4 assists) making diagonal runs towards the box. United struggled last week when F.C. Dallas went wide and back into the box. With right-back Sean Franklin still out with an achilles injury and utility defender Chris Korb out with a hip injury, defender Luke Mishu will be called upon to hold up against a difficult Union attack.
Keep an eye on midfielder Eric Ayuk Mbu for the Union. Curtin likes to mix and match his midfielders in the 4-5-1 depending upon the opponent. With United being more of a difficult squad to break down physically at RFK Stadium he may opt to go with Mbu on the right hand side to break up play. If he does, look for Wenger to go out to the left and Maidana and Nogueira to play in the center. Mbu, the 18 year old Cameroonian, is a short but stocky player who likes to go head on at defenders.
Photo Credit Jennifer Harrell
Meanwhile for United Sunday marks the first match in forward Saborio’s career with the Black and the Red. Saborio, who is Real Salt Lake’s all-time leading goalscorer, came to the club in a trade last week. United have struggled to find the back of the net recently with the club scoring just one goal in their last three matches (that was an own goal). United coach Ben Olsen will likely run a 4-4-2 with Saborio up top with the returning Fabian Espindola (1 goal, 5 assists) and Chris Rolfe (6 goals, 3 assists) serving as the left midfielder. It may be a bit unfair to ask but Saborio needs to come up big in his first match to help boost the confidence of a sagging Eastern Conference leader.
When Espindola played with Saborio at RSL back in the early 2010’s he was often the player who break up defenses and then concede the shot to a darting Saborio (3 goals in 2015) from behind. Although Philadelphia have improved remarkably on defense since the early part of the season (three shutouts in their last six games) it is a team that has trouble when squads confront them directly from the center of the pitch. In a 4-4-2 system, the Los Angeles Galaxy were able to put five past Philadelphia by having Robbie Keane and Gyassi Zardes drive directly at center-backs Richie Marquez and Maurice Edu. Although the duo did not score a goal their efforts pushed the Union back and provided space for teammates to do the damage.
Communication has also been a problem for Philadelphia. The club has run the same roster in exactly two games all this season. Injuries and suspensions have plagued the club and seemed to stymie whatever progress is made. With the club trading veteran left-back Sheanon Williams this week, Curtin’s defense will once again be asked to pull something together with players playing in unfamiliar arrangements.
That uncertainty should play to United’s advantage. If Saborio and Espindola can work off the rust then they should find opportunities against a beleaguered Union defense. The key is if D.C. can Philadelphia occupied on the outside and yet at the same time keep Sapong out of the penalty area.
