Chester, PA
With the 5-1 loss to Montreal in the rear-view mirror, the Union look to bounce back at home against Real Salt Lake. Philadelphia was without Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta, who had accumulated 5 yellow cards and thus was suspended for this match.
The Union has never won a game against Real Salt Lake. In the 8 games these two teams have played, Salt Lake City has won 2, with 6 games ending in a draw. The Union has hosted Salt Lake City 4 times before Sunday night, drawing all 4. The Union has struggled all year against Western opposition, having failed to get a victory against a west coast team this year. In 7 games the Union have tied 3 times (against Colorado, LA, and San Jose) and lost 4, (against Houston, Seattle, Dallas, and Vancouver.) This game would be no different for the Union.
As the smoke settled by the River end Real Salt Lake kicked off the game. The hot, muggy weather subsided just in time for the kick-off, as the sun dipped toward the horizon. Real attacked immediately, earning a corner, though nothing came of it.
Real Salt Lake ended up recording the first shot of the game in the 4th minute. Joao Plata, who was a menace all game, created enough space on the dribble to hit a curler from the edge of the box. His shot was weak, however, and right at Andre Blake. The Union, on the other hand, looked to strike right back. As soon as Philadelphia regained possession, the ball was back in the Salt Lake box. In the first 10 minutes there was very little play in the midfield. Both teams were trying to bypass the midfielders, and go straight for their forwards. The result was an entertaining, end-to-end first 20 minutes.
A free kick for the Union resulted in a good Chris Pontius header. At first it appeared he missed the mark with his thumping attempt, but the ref whistled for a corner kick, having decided his header had deflected off of a Salt Lake player. The resulting corner was poor by Alberg, and flew over everyone’s head, relieving RSL of pressure.
Salt Lake City rattled the woodwork in the 16th minute after a beautiful play to put Joao Plata 1-on-1 with Andre Blake. Javier Morales picked up the ball and drove at the backline. Plata made a brilliant back-door run, and was found with a splitting pass between the Union’s two center backs. Plata tried to poke the ball around the oncoming Blake, but his shot just missed the mark, and bounced out off of the post and back into play where it was picked up by Richie Marquez, who was looking to start a counter attack immediately thereafter.
Things heated up after a few rash Union challenges in quick succession. Both Warren Creavalle, and later Fabinho appeared to win the ball, but head referee Juan Guzman decided too much force was used, and issued a yellow to Fabinho for his challenge. The fans didn’t like the call by the ref, and RSL players believed both challenges were too rough. Players from both teams quickly came together to argue about the necessity of each tackle.
Despite good pressure, and dangerous possession, the Union only had a couple shots by the 30th minute. Ilsinho ended up letting loose from 30 yards out, and his swerving effort just flew wide of Nick Rimando’s goal.
The energy that made the beginning of the first half so exciting ended up waning as half-time approached, though things would heat up just before the teams went to the locker room.
The Union came close from a floated Ken Tribbet header. His long range effort gave problems for Nick Rimando, who opted to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.
Just 5 minutes before halftime the Union were awarded a penalty for their continued pressure. A switch of play by Brian Carroll found Fabinho on the left wing. He laid the ball off for Chris Pontius who played the ball into CJ Sapong, who, in his attempt to hold the ball up, was pulled down from behind, resulting in a penalty.
Roland Alberg stepped up and slotted the penalty away, confounding Rimando in net with a stutter step. Alberg has looked lively early today, and much more dangerous than in some previous games. Every time he gets the ball he seems to get fouled in dangerous areas. His touch has been good, and he has worked hard both defensively and offensively. His involvement, however, has still not been up to snuff. He needs to take up the role of creator in the #10 role, or else the Union have to heavily rely on wing play.
The Union may have been fortunate in being awarded a penalty, though the call could have gone either way in truth. The score was 1-0 going into the half, with the Union looking the stronger of both teams, despite RSL hitting the post early.
Real Salt Lake wasted no time equalizing the score. It took an absolute wonder strike by Joao Plata to beat Blake. His curling shot dipped down and curled around Blake, giving him no chance as it rebounded off of the crossbar and into the net.
7 minutes later Salt Lake took the lead with another beautiful goal. Javier Morales was given just a little to much room on the right side of the box, and he curled another dipping shot that Blake had no chance to save. This one might have been a more difficult technique, as his right footed curler was moving away from the net, as opposed to Plata, who’s curler came back into the net. Both were brilliant, and both will likely be goal of the week nominees.
Philly now needed to get on the front foot to get a goal back. They began with controlling an extended period with possession, which ended with Warren Creavalle hitting a good attempt that was unfortunately blocked on its was through traffic.
Plata was on fire today, he almost got a 2nd but was denied a great near post save by Blake. Plata ran to the endline, chasing a through ball, and cut Rosenberry inside, using pace to create enough space for a shot. It was well saved by Blake, in a tough situation. Plata almost struck again shortly thereafter. He took down a ball amongst Tribbet and Marquez, and cut past Marquez. He couldn’t get around his shot, however, and sent it wide right.
The Union had a great chance to equalize through a great bit of play by Leo Fernandes. He ran right through the RSL back line and played a great ball across the box. Unfortunately it was just too far for Cj Sapong and it kept rolling past the goal to the chagrin of the crowd.
A flurry of chances in the 89th minute was just about the Union’s last chance. Rimando came up with a great save to deny the first shot by Brian Carroll. He needed to rely on his defenders for the other 2, one of which was cleared off of the goal line brilliantly.
The game ended 2-1 to Salt Lake City, the Union’s 2nd loss in a row, and 2nd loss at home. This game will surely set the Union’s hopes for 1st back, but their season has been above expectations, and 2 bad results shouldn’t set the tone for the rest of the season.
Thoughts:
Alberg and Ilsinho seem to be linking up well, and are working off of Sapong to good affect early in the game. As the game dragged on they seemed to run out of ideas, and the combinations and flair died out.
Ilsinho was immediately double teamed each time he touched the ball. Without support from surrounding players he struggled to play out of pressure. He had to rely on playing the ball backward, or risk losing possession.
Kyle Beckerman has been a rock for RSL. Cutting out counter attacks, and starting counter attacks. he was been the beginning of every attack, and the end of many defensive plays.
The Union has not be able to find Sapong often enough. His touches of the ball are few and far between. I contribute this to Beckerman cutting out any passes into him. Sapong might have to work a bit harder to get behind when he isn’t getting many passes to his feet.
Carroll has quietly had a great game. He comes up with plays when no one expects him to, but also does what is expected of him. He continues to put out great performances, despite results.
Plata has been phenomenal. Every time he touches the ball RSL look like they are going to get a chance. He has the potential to run by anyone, but also pick out a pass and continue around his defender.
Maund and Olave have done a great job to win aerial challenges over Sapong. He was quiet all night and credit should be given to the defenders for shutting him down.
A look at statistics:
Forward Comparison: CJ Sapong had 22 touches of the ball, and only completed 13 passes. Olmes Garcia had 35 touches and completed 24 passes. This shows how much better Garcia linked up with his team than Sapong, who appeared isolated for long stretches. The Union needs to get the ball forward more. Alberg and Sapong combined for 60 total touches, and only 29 passes. Morales and Garcia combined for 78 passes and 106 touches.
Players with the most involvement: For the Union Ken Tribbett had 73 touches and completed 59 passes. This shows how important he is with possession, and the Union starting attacks from the back. But it also shows there isn’t enough involvement of the forwards. Javier Morales, the ACM for RSL, lead his team with 71 touches and 54 passes. This is why RSL was more effective on the attack, because their playmaker had the most involvement for them, while the Union’s center back had the most involvement for them. Alternatively Roland Alberg completed only 16 passes for the Union in a similar role to Morales.
Alberg was the only player to complete 100% of his passes. With 16 passes he needs to distribute more to be viable in his role.
Summary and line-ups:
Summary:
Yellow PHL: Fabinho 21’
Goal PHL: Alberg 44’
Yellow RSL: Maund 44’
Goal RSL: Plata 49’
Goal RSL: Morales 54’
Yellow RSL: Javier Morales 55’
Sub PHL: Fabian Herbers (11) for Roland Alberg (6) 60’
Sub RSL: Omar Holness (12) in for Juan Manuel Martinez (7) 69’
Sub PHL: Leo Fernandes (22) for Warren Creavalle (2) 72’
Sub PHL: Sebastien Le Toux (9) for Ilsinho (25) 76’
Sub RSL: John Stertzer (27) for Kyle Beckerman (5) 86’
Sub RSL: Devon Sandoval (49) for Javier Morales (11) 90+2’
Nick Rimando (18)
Tony Beltran (2), Jamison Olave (4), Aaron Maund (21), Demar Phillips (17)
Kyle Beckerman (5)
Javier Morales (11), Luke Mulholland (19)
Juan Martinez (7), Olmes Garcia (80), Joao Plata (10)
Cj Sapong (17)
Chris Pontius (13), Roland Alberg (6), Ilsinho (25)
Warren Creavalle (2), Brian Carroll (7)
Fabinho (33), Richie Marquez (16), Ken Tribbet (4), Keegan Rosenberry (12)
Andre Blake (1)
Twitter: @emcconnell00
Philadelphia Union
