Union drop 3-0 lead to Montreal

Montreal controlled 60% of possession in the first half, and almost 70 in the second, however the time of possession didn’t paint the full picture. The first half saw 10 shots for the Union to 4 for Montreal, meanwhile the Union won 62% of its duels. The second half saw 2 shots for the Union to 7 for Montreal, with teams splitting duels won at 50%. It seems there is something about second halves that deflate the Union. Perhaps it is a case of fitness, and that the Union is stretching itself in the first half, only to drop deep and suffer late in the game.

Something should be said to the change in tactics at the half. Hernan Bernardello came off to make way for Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla. The young midfielder pushed Patrice Bernier from attacking mid to his more usual position in center midfield. Tabla was just the beginning for Montreal, as possession swung more heavily in its favor. While he helped control the midfield there was still more for coach Mauro Biello to do. He brought on Anthony Jackson-Hamel for Dominic Oduro, who missed two quality chances in the first half, at the hour mark. Jackson-Hamel ended up scoring the next 2 goals and tying the game for Montreal. Biello’s switch to a 4-4-2 brought Matteo Mancosu to life, and set up Jackson-Hemel to succeed. Meanwhile coach Jim Curtin failed to make any significant changes, as the game began to get away from him.

 

After the three game home-stand the Union walked away with 1 point. Some fans are letting their distaste for Jim Curtin known, calling for the gaffer’s head. The call for tactical adjustments were heard by Curtin, who brought in Ray Gaddis to deal with Ignacio Piatti, and switched Ilsinho and Chris Pontius on the wings. It seems Curtin made the necessary tactical changes before the game, but couldn’t finish out the game. Bringing on Derrick Jones for Roland Alberg in the 86th minute seemed to be the change that would seal the win, but a spilled save from Blake gifted the draw to Montreal. It’s tough to say any of his substitutions were at fault, but maybe that the team sat back too much and didn’t push the game after halftime, instead was happy with the scoreline and became complacent. It is still early in the season, however, and it looks like the Union will need a turning point sooner rather than later. This game brought promise, but ultimately was lacking.

Lets take a look at the match summary, my thoughts on the game as they happened, the line-ups and the box score.

Summary:

The Union scored with the first shot of the game in the 5^th minute. It started with a bad give away in the back from Montreal. CJ Sapong jumped on loose ball and unselfishly put Roland Alberg in on goal. Alberg raked a shot, sending Laurent Ciman flying past, and allowing Alberg to slot 1v1 with Evan Bush.

The first chance for Montreal was perhaps too close for comfort for Andre Blake in goal. Chris Duvall’s first-timed cross was put behind the Union center backs, and Dominic Oduro was able to get across Gaddis at the backpost. His flick sliced too much and curved away from Blake’s goal; a different Montreal player on the end of it could have put it away.

A deep freekick from Medunjanin resulted in a series of scrappy chances for Philadelphia in the 19^th minute. Chris Pontius rose well to win the initial header, sending the ball back across the box for Jack Elliott, who’s volley was blocked only as far as CJ Sapong. Bush closed down Sapong and made a good block from close range. Once again the ball came to Elliott off of the rebound, but his volley went just wide. The British defender did well to hit the ball with the inside of his foot and try and place it, but under pressure his effort hit the side netting.

The second goal for the Union in the 23^rd minute showed signs of a rejuvinatd Philadelphia compared to what we’ve seen so far this year. Medunjanin once again served in the ball, and once again Chris Pontius rose up to win the header after an almost identical play just seconds earlier. Pontius put the header across goal and this time Sapong latched onto the pass for an easy tap-in.

The Union almost struck again in the 28^th minute, but Sapong his volley wide from a tight angle. The play was the same as each attack of the first half; A cross and header across the net for a shot. This time Alberg won the header, but Sapong struggled with the tight angle under pressure, unable to wrap his foot around the ball.

A sloppy foul gave the Union a penalty in the 38^th minute after a short penalty. Alberg played short to Ilsinho, who flicked the ball over his defender into the path of Jack Elliott. Dominic Oduro bundled into the back of Elliott, in what seemed a silly challenge, and giving Mark Geiger no choice but to award a penalty. Roland Alberg stepped up to take the penalty, and opted to put the ball centrally. Evan Bush over committed on his dive and parried the ball back across the net. He couldn’t get enough on it however, and the ball continued with enough power to cross the line.

Montreal got one back in the 42^nd minute after a long run from Ignacio Piatti. He stormed past the Union midfield and ran at the Union defense. No one took the initiative to close the ball until Piatti had gotten in the 18, and at that point it was a simple matter for Piatti to slot the ball in the far corner. Marquez made an attempt to close the ball, but a slight fake was enough to freeze the defender and give Piatti the space to finish.

A chance for Montreal to close the gap to 1 goal went awry in first half stoppage time; in a play where two Montreal players failed to connect on a scrumptious cross. Ambrose Oyongo was the one to put the ball in the box, where both Patrice Bernier and Dominic Oduro’s attempt went wanting. Bernier might have put off both the Union defenders and Oduro after he missed the ball at the near post. Despite this Oduro still connected with the cross, only to put the ball off his plant foot, again off his shooting foot and behind for a goal kick. It was the second chance of the game where Montreal would’ve perhaps been better off with a different attacker getting on the end of the ball, as Oduro once again floundered in front of net.

Another strong first half for Philadelphia, but this time the Union came out with a lead. In the past 4 home games the Union have failed to keep a lead going into half, and this will certainly give hope for the fans going forward. Despite the 3-1 lead, the Union must be wary of Montreal, as the game could easily be 3-3 if not for a few wasted chances by the Impact.

Montreal made it a 1 goal game in the 69^th minute thanks to header by Anthony Jackson-Hamel. Oyongo put in a curving cross and Jackson-Hamel beat Elliott to the ball, and flicked his header to the back post, giving Blake no chance. At 3-2 the game suddenly became tenser, and Montreal gained hope.

A good chance for Montreal came in the 72^nd minute, where Matteo Mancosu found enough space to hit a left footed curler just outside the box. His shot didn’t have enough spin and continued wide, but gave the Union something to think about.

The speed of substitute Fafa Picault nearly gave the Union a 2 goal cussion, but Evan Bush denied the winger from close range. Sapong had the vision to hold up an early pass forward, and knock it behind the defense for Picault to chase. Picault got around Ciman with a big touch at the edge of the box, and maybe could have taken another to round Bush but instead tried to slot under the keeper, who went to ground and cleared the ball away with authority.

Montreal tied the game in the 87^th minute after a spilled save from Blake. Matteo Mancosu hit an initial choppy shot, and Blake couldn’t hold it, allowing Jackson-Hamel to jump on the rebound and put away an easy tap-in.

Thoughts:

Ilsinho and Fabinho are a big threat on the left side. The compatriots communicate well and provide good attacking flair.

With Ilsinho on the left he is seeing more space to run, but it ends up being into several defenders. Normally he gets in situations where he can 1v1 a defender and get around him to the outside onto his preferred right foot. Now he is marshaled into cover defense.

Medunjanin has really settled into his role and looks so comfortable on the ball. His long diagonal passes have been put on a platter, and he seems to be the only Union player who is looking to spring his forwards behind Montreal’s backline. At the end of the game Medunjanin led the Union in touches (62) and passes completed (50) doubling the pass total from any other Union player.

Pontius has been more lively Saturday night than all season combined. He has realized he is much more influential in the box and is winning most duels. He created 2 chances, both from headers, and completed 28 passes (tied with Bedoya)

In past games the second half was where things fell apart defensively and opponents took the lead. The Union has conceded 6 second half goals before tonight, and has only score 3. Lets see if the Union can pull out a strong second half. (I can’t help but feel i jinxed this one. Make that 8 second half goals (in 7 games). The Union have scored 5 goals prior to Saturday, meaning they scored 3/8 goals from 7 games in that match. It looks promising on the attacking front, but the Union have now conceded 14 goals in 7 games. Something has to change to protect the goal.

Despite 39% possession in the first half, the Union looked much stronger, notching 10 shots to Montreal’s 4, and winning 62% of duels (both aerial and grounded).

Union has done well to slow the game in the second half. The battle has moved to the midfield, which the Union will be happy to allow, as chances are at a minimum.

Despite a strong performance from the midfield the defense couldn’t seem to step up when called upon. Bedoya made 7 tackles, the next highest in the game was Ray Gaddis with 3, Jack Elliott made 0. At the post game press conference Bedoya voiced his frustration with the lack of physicality in the final minutes. “We played soft defense. We didn’t win second balls, didn’t put a body on guys in the box and we got punished.”

Line-up: 

Andre Blake (18)

Raymond Gaddis (28), Jack Elliott (3), Richie Marquez (16), Fabinho (33)

Haris Medunjanin (6), Alejandro Bedoya (11)

Chris Pontius (13), Roland Alberg (10), Ilsinho (25)

CJ Sapong (17)

Matteo Mancosu (21)

Ignacio Piatti (10), Patrice Bernier (8), Dominic Oduro (7)

Marco Donadel (33), Hernan Bernardello (30)

Amrose Oyongo (2), Laurent Ciman (23), Hassoun Camara (6), Chris Duvall (33)

Evan Bush (1)

Box Score:

Goal PHL: Alberg 5’

Goal PHL: Sapong 23’

Goal PHL: Alberg 39’ (Pen)

Goal MON: Piatti 42’

Yellow PHL: Gaddis 44’

Sub MON: Ballou Tabla for Bernardello 45’

Yellow PHL: Alberg 56’

Sub MON: Anthony Jackson-Hamel for Oduro 62’

Goal MON: Jackson-Hamel 69’

Yellow MON: Piatti 65’

Sub PHL: Fafa Picault for Ilsinho 66’

Yellow PHL: Bedoya 71’

Sub PHL: Fabian Herbers for Pontius 72’

Sub PHl: Derrick Jones for Alberg 86’

Goal MON: Jackson-Hamel 87’

Sub MON: Kyle Fisher for Hassoun Camera 90’