The Union’s press was at its best against D.C. United, as Philadelphia moved back into first place in the Eastern Conference.
After back-to-back 4-0 drubbings on the road, the Philadelphia Union bounced back into form with a 5-1 win at Audi Field.
The biggest problem recently for Philadelphia was its mercurial nature on the road.
The Union are now 2-1-3 in its last six road matches, conceding four goals to New York City FC, Real Salt Lake, and the Montreal Impact. For the most part, the Union were underwhelming in those losses.
The two wins also came with an asterisk, as the Union got to play D.C. and Orlando for more than 45 minutes against 10 men due to red cards.
But even before the red card to Junior Moreno in the 40th minute, the Union were better than D.C., despite missing a penalty kick. (The Union are now 3 for 7 converting penalties, the worst in MLS and only team to convert under 50 percent of penalties.)
The Union amassed 16 first half shots against D.C. United, and went into the half with two goals and a man advantage.
Because of the massive adjustments Ben Olsen was forced to make after the red card and Chris Durkin’s injury, we’ll focus only on the first 40 minutes and how the two sides fared at full strength.
Each team’s formation ended up being vital in dictating how it would play, and where it would try to isolate opponents.
D.C. United lined up with a 3-4-3, while the Union played a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield.
D.C. had the chance to create overloads in wide areas, whether on the right side with Leonardo Jara and Paul Arriola vs. Kai Wagner.
Cover would have to come from Warren Creavalle or Aurelien Collin, and whether it was Colin or Creavalle sliding to help, an opening would be created.
If Collin steps over, Rooney should easily make a splitting run between the center backs, and at least draw Jack Elliott out of position and create a gap in the middle.
If Creavalle steps over, which is what the Union prefers from its wide midfielders, there should be more space in the midfield.
The situation was the same on the left side with Lucas Rodriguez and Lucho Acosta trying to overload Ray Gaddis.
Teams playing against the Union can make the most out of Philadelphia’s aggressive pressing by playing the ball into wide areas and forcing Creavalle and Bedoya to shuffle wide to the opposing wingback. D.C. benefits because either the Union midfielders wear down quickly, or Haris Medunjanin gets isolated in the midfield.
Unfortunately, D.C. were unable to take advantage of its advantage on the wings.
The other position where D.C. – and even the Union – looked to created space was with the front three attackers.
Rooney, Acosta and Arriola had the additional defensive duties of covering their two-man midfield, and were unable to get behind the Union midfield, and ideally play three versus four against the Union back line.
D.C. struggled to step up from the back, which would have allowed D.C.’s forward three to have more freedom.
United was also unable to clear beyond the Union press and find the forwards in advanced positions and initiate counter attacks.
The Union, like usual, opted to press D.C. and attempted to force these clearances through the middle where Medunjanin and company could pick up the loose ball.
Compared to recent losses, Philadelphia has improved on knowing when to press: how to hunt in packs, and how to not expose themselves once the press was beaten.
In previous years, and even certain games this season, Philadelphia pressed haphazardly or individually, and wily opponents took advantage (the opener against Toronto and recent loss to NYCFC are good examples.)
The key for the press was the Union outnumbering D.C. in the midfield. The two Union strikers pressed the three D.C. center backs, while Marco Fabian was free to cover either center midfielders, Moreno or Durkin.
The weak-sided midfielder then tucked in to stick to the other center midfielder. The near-sided midfielder then moved out to rush the outlet to the wing backs of Jara, Rodriguez and Moreno.
The Union forwards pressing the D.C. defense wasn’t revolutionary or necessarily a difficult tactic to counter, however, it did lead to the first Union goal.
Once D.C. cleared past the pressure and the Union sent the ball back, the front three for Philadelphia were then able to get enough space for three-on-three situations.
The biggest issue D.C. had in defending the Union was that the center backs sat off too deep.
Often, the three center defenders would be just yards from their own goal, and invited shots from range. The Union capitalized on the first goal, and a large percentage of the 16 first half shots came from D.C. giving Union players too much room to shoot.
It was really unfortunate that this match had a red card, as Ben Olsen would have had to make adjustments at half time.
D.C. is a much better squad than the scoreline suggested, and the second half could have been a much closer affair.
