The struggle for a home playoff game continued Saturday night, as the Philadelphia Union hosted the Montreal Impact in a 4th vs. 5th battle. Montreal had the upper hand in the last meeting between these two teams, taking a 5-1 victory, the Union’s largest margin of defeat in 2016.
With Andre Blake, Alejandro Bedoya and Josh Yaro missing in last weeks disappointing loss in Chicago, the Union were lacking, but were boosted with the trio’s return at home.
The first chance of the game fell to Lucas Ontivero, in a position where he really should have opened the scoring. Matteo Mancosu received a pass near the right corner of the 18 yard box, he cut in and pulled his right footed shot wide, which Ontivero was positioned perfectly for. The shot had too much pace, and Ontivero was unable to redirect it on to goal. A second wonderful chance fell this time to Patrice Bernier. A switch of play found Ignacio Piatti on the left side of the 18. He chested the ball down, and fired a cross behind the Union defense, finding Bernier streaking to goal. The midfielder just had to tap it in, but was lazy and his attempt continued wide in a lapse of concentration.
Both teams tried to keep a compact defensive shape early. Montreal especially was willing to sit deep without possession, egging the Union to try and break them down. Then, when the ball switched to the Impact, they would attempt to break quickly. The Union meanwhile, while keeping a good shape, was more willing to step up and pressure the Montreal backline.
After the two chances for Montreal, there was a lull period where both teams battled in the midfield. Montreal seemed to have the upper hand in the first 25 minutes, defending well and give the Union no space in the defensive 3rd. The Union have failed to create any counter attacking opportunities since the Impact consistently have 5-6 men behind the ball, even when in possession.
The Union’s first chance came to CJ Sapong, who desperately needed a goal to get some form back. Laurent Ciman misread a curved through ball, which went around the Belgian, in behind for Sapong. When 1-on-1 with Eric Kronberg, Sapong tried to round the keeper, which gave Hassoun Camara enough time to make a sliding tackle, deflecting the ball out for a corner.
Montreal got another great chance on a counter attack. Mancosu ran the channel, and after receiving a pass from Piatti, wound up for a shot, Blake came flying out and cut down the angle, smothering Mancosu’s shot, and regaining possession.
Play began to get sloppy around the 42nd minute. Both teams started to get stretched, and misplaced passes came from both sides, giving away possession cheaply.
Despite not creating many chances, the Union scored from a brilliant play by Tranquillo Barnetta. The Swiss midfielder took a layoff from Fabian Herbers, and proceeded to dribble across the Montreal 18, gliding past several Impact players. His left footed effort was taken across his body, a very difficult technique, and bounced into the far corner. His shot wasn’t exactly the most powerful, but because Barnetta positioned his body in a way where he shot across his body, Kronberg likely didn’t think the ball would be headed for his left post. The Montreal keeper stretched out and just narrowly missed the ball, as it nestled in the bottom corner, a position that is almost impossible for a keeper to save.
Montreal was quick to react. Ignacio Piatti picked off a pass from Keegan Rosenberry, who protested that he was fouled. Piatti drove with pace at the Union box, and was pulled down by Alejandro Bedoya, who may have poked the ball away in the process. The ref gave a free kick in a great position, but did not produce a card, much to the dismay of Piatti. His free kick was poor, and flew well over the net. It was a promising position, and he really should have put a better attempt on target.
The Union went into the half with a surprising 1-0 lead thanks to a moment of brilliance from Tranquillo Barnetta. Montreal had defended well all half, and played to their game plan on both sides of the ball. Patrice Bernier really should have taken the lead in the first 5 minutes, after missing a wide open net.
A great pass from Chris Pontius found CJ Sapong with space to turn. He then ran with pace at the Montreal backline, with a 3v2 opportunity. With Herbers open to his right, Sapong opted to take the shot himself, and launched a good effort that flew over the net, disappointingly. Perhaps Herbers was the better option but it is good to see Sapong with the confidence to take on these shots, and hopefully start bagging goals again.
A big decision fell the referee’s way in the 58th minute. Fabian Herbers fell under the challenge of Marco Donadel, and to the confusion of many in the stadium, Armando Villareal awarded Montreal a goal kick.
Blake once again came up big with a 1-on-1 save against Mancosu. Piatti played the big forward in with a great pass, narrowly beating Josh Yaro, who couldn’t get his leg out in time. Blake came out and once again made himself big, blocking all angles and taking the ball off his body, out for a corner.
Fabian Herbers registered a shot, albeit on that Kronberg could easily hold after Warren Creavalle improvised a bit of skill to spin away from his defender, and play Chris Pontius behind the Montreal backline. Pontius cut back, and slotted a pass for Sapong, who’s touch was heavy, and fell for Herbers, who’s back was to goal. The German rookie spun and shot, but was unable to create any power as Kronberg fell on the shot easily.
Herbers once again had a good opportunity, only this time he was facing goal, and powered his shot over the net. Fabinho picked out Barnetta in front of the Montreal defense with space to turn. The Swiss midfielder ran at the backline, with options to his right and left. Despite the crowd urging him to shoot, Barnetta laid the ball off for Herbers who wasted the opportunity, slicing the ball.
A great chance for Montreal almost came after a dangerous header by Didier Drogba. The Ivorian put his header down for Mancosu in a dangerous spot, but Creavalle read the pass brilliantly to smash the ball away at the last second, saving a great goal scoring opportunity.
Ilsinho made an instant impact after coming on the field. In his first involvement, the Brazilian initiated a counter attack, dribbling up the field before sending Rosenberry down the flank in acres of space. The cut back for Ilsinho was perfect, but the Brazilian pulled his shot to the left of the far post. Shortly later he latched onto a loose ball behind the Impact backline, going 1v1 with Kronberg. Ilsinho opted to chip the keeper, but again pulled it wide of the far post, as the ball curled past his intended target.
The Union piled on the pressure, and have had the stronger half of both teams. A free kick near the corner curled past everyone in the box, eventually falling for Chris Pontius, who proceeded to lay the ball off for Creavalle who tried to get in on the action. His shot was promising but flew wide to the left of Kronberg’s net.
Montral equalized through Matteo Mancosu in the 88th minute off a corner kick. The ball was initially cleared, and hooked back in the box by Harry Shipp to the back post. Mancosu read the pass brilliantly, heading home from a tight angle to tie the score.
The equalizer drained both teams as each side labored to create any attack, and gave the ball away cheaply. Neither team created any chances at the end of the match as it ended 1-1.
Thoughts:
Creavalle has worked hard to cover the backline, but he is mostly on his own as Bedoya doesn’t offer too much defensive cover.
Montreal really don’t want to let the Union get the ball behind. The Canadian’s will drop to their own 18 in an attempt to pack it in and lessen Union attacks.
Sapong has done terrifically in the #9 position. He is timing his runs well, and check to the ball at good times. Should players work off him a bit more, the Union are sure to create some decent chances.
While many seem disappointed with the ref, he is nothing but consistent. Many challenges from behind are not being called for both sides, as players were falling rather easily. Some calls perhaps were fouls, but he has been consistent in letting the play go.
Blake may have been shaky in 1v1 situations earlier in the year, but he has certainly improved at cutting down angles, and getting down to block the shot.
Eric Kronberg (22)
Donny Toig (25),Hassoun Camara (6), Laurant Ciman (23), Ambroise Oyongo (2)
Marco Donadel (33), Hernan Bernadello (30)
Lucas Ontivero (32), Patrice Bernier (8), Ignacio Piatti (10)
Matteo Mancosu (21)
CJ Sapong (17)
Chris Pontius (13), Tranquillo Barnetta (10), Fabian Herbers (14)
Warren Creavalle (2), Alejandro Bedoya (11)
Fabinho (33), Richie Marquez (16), Josh Yaro (15), Keegan Rosenberry (12)
Andre Blake (1)
Subs:
MON: Didier Drogba for Patrice Bernier 61′
MON: Dominic Oduro for Lucas Ontivero 70′
PHL: Ilsinho for Fabian Herbers 70′
MON: Harry Shipp for Marco Donadel 80′
PHL: Roland Alberg for Chris Pontius 82′
