Philadelphia has struggled against Western competition this season. With a 0-3-5 record, the Union have not won a single game against a Western Conference team, and only drew 3 games, against LA, San Jose, and Colorado. The Union had a chance to make things right Saturday, when they hosted Sporting Kansas City.
With 8 games left in the season the Union have equaled last years point total (37), exceeding all expectations going into the year. All of this was done without DP midfielder Maurice Edu, who has missed all of the season with an injury, and has only recently begun regaining match fitness.
Alec Kann (25)
Saad Abdul-Salaam (17), Ike Opara (3), Matt Besler (5), Jimmy Medranda (94)
Soni Mustivar (93)
Roger Espinoza (27), Benny Feilhaber (10)
Jacob Peterson (37), Dom Dwyer (14), Graham Zusi (8)
CJ Sapong (17)
Chris Pontius (13), Tranquillo Barnetta (10), Fabian Herbers (14)
Alejandro Bedoya (11), Warren Creavalle (2)
Fabinho (33), Richie Marquez (16), Josh Yaro (15), Keegan Rosenberry (12)
Andre Blake (1)
The first chance of the game came from Tranquillo Barnetta for the Union. After taking a knock near the left corner flag, he regained his balance to beat 4 Sporting players, and hit a curling effort just outside the 18. Alec Kann was up to the task, however, as the Sporting keeper leapt through the air to palm away Barnetta’s beautiful shot. Not 3 minutes later the Union passed up a terrific chance to open the scoring. Warren Creavalle played a great diagonal ball behind the Sporting back line to Fabinho, who proceeded to hit a first-timed cross across Kann’s goal-mouth. CJ Sapong was just a split-second too late, as the cross whizzed past his lunging effort. He perhaps expected Matt Besler was going to get a touch on the ball, causing the Union forward to hesitate for a fraction of a second, causing him to narrowly miss the ball from just feet away.
Fabinho got behind once again 5 minutes later after a quick 1-2 with Barnetta to get behind Saad Abdul-Salaam. He whipped in another cross and once again Sapong lunged in desperation, just narrowly missing the ball in a play that was eerily similar to the one earlier.
The Union continued to pile pressure on Sporting, unable, however to find the back of the net. A free kick 45 yards out by the left touchline was whipped in brilliantly to the back post by Barnetta. Chris Pontius flew above every Kansas City player, and hit a pile-driving header just past the left post. Kann had no chance as Pontius got everything behind his shot, unfortunately for him he couldn’t find the back of the net.
Barnetta has been terrific in the #10 role. He created yet another chance, playing Chris Pontius behind the defense, outside of right back Abdul-Salaam. Pontius was quickly closed down by Kann in net, who came up with a big save from a tight angle, knocking the ball out for a corner kick.
in the 30th minute Barnetta found space once again, opting for acrobatics in the Sporting box. Herbers ran the channel behind Jimmy Medranda, and played a lofted, cut back cross for Barnetta. The Swiss midfielder decided to try something creative, using a bicycle to smash the ball out of the air. He didn’t connect perfectly, however, and his shot floated over Kann’s net.
Sporting KC’s first chance came from a Graham Zusi corner kick. The near post cross was met well by Matt Besler. The defender couldn’t get the height he needed, as his redirected effort went over the net.
The Union will be extremely disappointed to not have the lead going into half time. Philadelphia had the better chances in the first half, and needed to take advantage of the times they had swings of play in their favor. Sporting has a chance to regroup at the half and change the game plan.
An early chance for Sporting left Andre Blake stranded. Roger Espinoza found space in front of the Union backline and ripped a shot just wide of the Blakes net.
A red card in the 60th minute took the wind out of SKC. Medranda received a second bookable offense for taking down Rosenberry as the defender attempted to play a give and go around Medranda. The resulting free kick by Barnetta was a swerving one, but Kann did well to parry the knuckling shot away from danger.
Despite being down a man Dom Dwyer worked himself a great chance. He took down a long ball from the back, turning both Yaro and Rosenberry before bursting down the channel. His shot from a tight angle just missed its mark and rolled just wide of the far post. It was SKC’s best chance of the game, and could have really made a huge impact for Sporting.
Substitute Roland Alberg took the lead for the Union with a brilliant strike from distance. He received a pass from Fabinho in the wide area just outside the box, turned with one touch, pushed the ball into space and curled the ball past Kann into the far top corner. It would have to take a brilliant strike to beat Kann, who has played wonderfully up until this point. It was Alberg’s 9th of the season.
Before the smoke could settle around Talen energy there was another chance for Alberg. The Dutchman was feeling lucky as he let loose from 35+. He must have stumbled as he hit the ball as he fell afterwards, and the ball flew over the net.
With just 10 minutes to go Sporting got a second wind. They began to control play more and even registered a few chances. Espinoza found enough space to curl one from outside the box, but his shot didn’t have enough bend and went wide.
Down on the other end Kann made a brilliant point blank save to deny Alberg his second goal. Davies found acres of space on the right side and was able to pick his head up and cross the ball to Alberg in front of the net. Alberg got the necessary touch, but Kann reacted in time to tip the ball up and over from just 3 yards away.
In a strange turn of events Espinoza received a straight red card while in possession of the ball. He turned to face Roland Alberg, who was pressuring from behind, and attempted to hold off the pressure. Alberg took the arm to the chest and fell hard. The ref didn’t hesitate to go to the back pocket and produce a 2nd red for SKC. The replay makes it look like there is very little in the foul. Espinoza looks up to find Alberg before holding out his arm as Alberg essentially runs into it. SKC will certainly be disappointed in the call.
The following free kick was taken by Barnetta, but Kann read his shot and got across to parry away Barnetta’s shot at the top corner.
In the dying minutes SKC got a free kick inside The Union’s half. after a flick-on Blake came up big to grab the ball amongst bodies of both teams.
Tranquillo Barnetta killed off the game in stoppage time. A great combination with Roland Alberg befuddled the SKC defenders who, hands on knees, were just too tired to follow the runs by both players. Barnetta made no mistake 1-on-1 with Kann and curled the ball into the far corner.
Despite everything going against them SKC continued to look for a goal. A whipped in free kick troubled Blake in goal, who tipped the ball off the cross-bar, unable to hold the shot. it came back out into play and Blake flew out and punched the ball away from danger, sealing his shutout and a 2-0 win.
Thoughts:
High energy from SKC. Looking to catch the Union on the back foot early. After the first 5 minutes it was the Union, however, who had the better pressure. Philadelphia often looked the stronger side in the first half, with Sporting unable to string together many attacking plays.
Yaro has impressed early. He hasn’t let Dwyer intimidate him, and was up to the task physically. On the ball he is also looking more confident, and is willing to play short more often. He still can be a bit shaky on the ball, and is more likely to knock it out than Tribbett. He rarely loses possession when under pressure, however.
Fabinho worked hard on the left side. He was often the furthest man forward, and would just as often be backtracking to make a last ditch tackle.
Barnetta is much more useful in the #10 role. Bedoya has done great in the #8, and has a much better defensive work rate than Barnetta.
The Union midfield can at times get too separated from the defense. Should SKC get the ball into Dwyer’s feet, the Union could struggle defensively, as of the first half he has been unable to get on the ball.
Opara is a menace in the SKC back line. He wins every header and 50/50 challenge. Sapong often looks a bit hesitant every time he has to challenge Opara.
Creavalle had a tremendous first half. He was the 2nd most involved player on either side, with 36 touches, 1 behind Fabinho. Meanwhile he completed the most passes (25) and made the most tackles (2) for the Union.
At the half Sporting’s pass accuracy was in need of work. Only two players completed more than 70% of their passes (Opara and Medranda). Meanwhile the Union had 7, and 6 of which had over 80%. (Rosenberry completed all 13 of his passes).
It looks like Sporting switched from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-4-1. This asks more from the wingers defensively, and also lets midfielders Espinoza and Feilhaber to get forward. With the red card SKC were forced into a 4-4-1
Dwyer has shown small moments of brilliance. He only needs a split second to make things happen, unfortunately for SKC he doesn’t get involved enough and could work on his hold up play as the lone striker. Maybe if Espinoza could have gotten forward more he, or Benny Feilhaber could have linked up with Dwyer and lightened the load for the lone forward.
Summary:
Yellow SKC: Roger Espinoza 20′
Yellow SKC: Jimmy Medranda 20′
Yellow PHL: Warren Creavalle 52′
Yellow SKC: Jimmy Medranda 59′
Red SKC: Jimmy Medranda 59′
Sub SKC: Edgar Alvarado for Jacob Peterson 61′
Sub PHL: Roland Alberg for Fabain Herbers 65′
Sub: SKC: Brad Davis for Benny Feilhaber 77′
Sub: PHL: Charlie Davies for Chris Pontius 79′
Sub SKC: Diego Rubio for Soni Mustivar 90′
Yellow PHL: Alejandro Bedoya 90+3
