The Union will have had two full weeks off to recuperate after struggling to get nine points from eight games. Coming out of the World Cup break the Union will have opportunities to pick up valuable points. As the dog-days of summer come will good results come with it, or will there be long, drawn-out disappointment? Here’s our in-depth look at the Union’s 2018 opponents: Part 3.
Matchday 16:
vs Vancouver Whitecaps.
Sunday, June 23rd. 5:00 pm.
2017 record: 15 wins 12 losses 7 ties.
2017 Western Conference Standing: 3rd.
The Union welcome Vancouver to Chester in 2018. Vancouver is one of those western conference teams that are hard to pin down. One year they’re at the bottom of the table, and the next they are in a playoff spot. Last season they followed up an eighth place finish, by taking third in the west. In a year where the west was considered the weaker conference of the two, Vancouver fought their way to the top. Can they do that again this coming season amidst all their change?
Off season moves:
| PLAYERS IN: | PLAYERS OUT: |
| F – Anthony Blondell (11/30/17 – transfer from Monagas SC)
M – David Norman Jr. (12/1/17 – Homegrown) F – Kei Kamara (12/10/17 – trade from New England) F – Myer Bevan (12/13/17 – USL) GK – Brian Rowe (12/15/17 – trade from LA Galaxy) D – Deklan Wynne (12/21/17 – USL) D – Doneil Henry (12/22/17 – allocation) M/D – Efrain Juarez (1/18/18 – transfer from Monterrey) |
GK – David Ousted (11/27/17 – option declined)
D – David Edgar (11/27/17 – option declined) D – Cole Seiler (11/27/17 – option declined) D – Sheanon Williams (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Christian Bolaños (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Nosa Igiebor (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Matias Laba (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Ben McKendry (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Mauro Rosales (11/27/17 – option declined) F – Kyle Greig (11/27/17 – option declined) D – Deklan Wynne (12/21/17 – trade to Colorado) F – Fredy Montero (12/31/17 – loan expired) D – Sam Adekugbe (1/8/18 – transferred to Valerenga) M – Marco Bustos (1/10/18 – loaned to Atletico Zacatepec) M – Andrew Jacobson (1/17/18 – retired) |
Vancouver lost some of their most important players from last season this off-season. Goalkeeper David Ousted, who could be considered the team’s best player, had his option declined. Their leading scorer, Freddy Montero, was the only player to record double-digit goals last season. He is no longer with the team after his loan expired. Losing these two players alone is cause for concern, their replacements will hope to live up to the standard set last season.
The replacement in-goal could be ex-LA Galaxy player, Brian Rowe. Rowe showed well in LA last year, and Vancouver seems to be high on him, since they traded for him. Will he be able to produce the same way though? We’ll see. Vancouver brought in Kei Kamara as their replacement for Montero. With only a one goal drop off between the two, Kamara could thrive in this system. Now that he’s out of New England, he may be able to replicate his numbers from his Columbus days. This team is a question mark, as are many of these teams that experience losses at these spots, so how will the stack up against the Union?
Prediction:
The Union haven’t had the best of luck against Vancouver at home the last two times they’ve played in Chester the Union have allowed three goals. This time should be different. The Union have a more disciplined team now than they did the last two times the Union faced this side at home. That, and they have an actual counter attacking style now. Philadelphia will be looking to make up some ground as they come off their two-week break. They should be able to get it done.
Result: Union 2 Whitecaps 1
Matchday 17:
@ LAFC
Saturday June 3rd. 10:30 pm.
2017 record: N.A.
2017 Western Conference Standing: N.A.
The Union visit the newcomers to MLS who reside in Los Angeles. LAFC will try to become the Atlanta of the west, with high stakes owners with big pocketbooks. The newbies will try to compete with a very improved LA Galaxy for the affection of the city of angels. Will they be able to be the team in LA?
Off-season moves:
| PLAYERS IN: | PLAYERS OUT: |
| M – Monday Bassey Etim (5/5/17 – free)
F – Carlos Vela (8/9/17 – transfer from Real Sociedad) F – Rodrigo Pacheco (9/6/17 – loan from Lanus) D/M – Omar Gaber (11/21/17 – loan from FC Basel) D – Walker Zimmerman (12/10/17 – trade from FC Dallas) GK – Tyler Miller (12/12/17 – Expansion Draft) F – Latif Blessing (12/12/17 – Expansion Draft) F – Marco Ureña (12/12/17 – Expansion Draft) D – Jukka Raitala (12/12/17 – Expansion Draft) D/M – Raheem Edwards (12/12/17 – Expansion Draft) D – Laurent Ciman (12/12/17 – trade from Montreal) F – Diego Rossi (12/14/17 – transfer from Peñarol) D – Jordan Harvey (1/2/18 – free agent) M – Benny Feilhaber (1/3/18 – trade from Sporting KC) M – Calum Mallace (1/17/18 – Re-Entry Draft) D – Joao Moutinho (1/19/18 – SuperDraft) M – Aaron Kovar (1/23/18 – loan from Seattle) D – Steven Beitashour (1/24/18 – free agent) GK – Luis Lopez (1/24/18 – free) D – Dejan Jakovic (1/30/18 – free) M – Mark-Anthony Kaye (2/5/18 – transfer from Louisville City) |
D – Jukka Raitala (12/12/17 – traded to Montreal)
D/M – Raheem Edwards (12/12/17 – traded to Montreal) |
LAFC have created an interesting team, using all avenues possible to fill their roster. The attack is stacked. Mexican international Carlos Vella, Uruguayan international Diego Rossi and ex-Sporting Kansas city players Benny Feilhaber and Latif Blessing could be one of the best front four in MLS. Their defense looks strong as well. Trading for MLS veterans Walker Zimmerman form FC Dallas, and Laurent Ciman from Montreal, creates one of the best center back pairs in MLS. Outside backs Jordan Harvey, and Steven Beitashour makes them even more solid.
The only place they seem to be lacking a great player is in the middle of their midfield. Unless they transform Feilhaber into a number 8 since they have so many attackers. Either way, coach Bob Bradley will have this team organized and ready to go. Will the Union be able to go to the brand new Banc of California Stadium, and get a result?
Prediction:
The Union will go into a brand new stadium to face a team that should be able to turn their house into a fortress. Over the last few seasons, when the Union have played teams who have the quality of this caliber of team they have come home with zero points. It will take a gargantuan performance to get three points from this match.
Result: LAFC 2 Union 0
Matchday 18:
vs Atlanta United.
Saturday, July 7th. 7:00 pm.
2017 record: 15 wins 9 losses 10 ties.
2017 Eastern Conference Standing: 4th.
The Union play their 2nd and final game against Atlanta at home. Atlanta are going to be one of the best teams in the league this season. They have all of the talent, and by this time in the season could be flying high, and competing with Toronto. That being said, the Union will be familiar with how they function which could be a huge advantage heading into what could be the most important game of the season.
Updated off-season moves:
| PLAYERS IN: | PLAYERS OUT: |
| N.A. | N.A. |
There have been no updated moves for Atlanta, because they have spent too much money already. Just kidding, they’re just a complete team, they could spend more if they wanted to.
Prediction:
At this point in the season the Union players will need to play the games of their lives. It’s going to be a very competitive eastern conference, so home points are a must. Getting those point against teams that will be above the Union is a must if they want to be a playoff team. The Union players will feel this, but will fall just short
Result: Union 1 Atlanta 2
Matchday 19:
@ Chicago Fire.
Wednesday, July 11th. 8:30pm.
2017 record: 16 wins 11 losses 7 ties.
2017 Eastern Conference Standing: 3rd.
The Union go to Chicago for their last meeting of 2018. The Union should be flying high after getting three points from Atlanta four days earlier, now they head to Chicago. The fire, are going to be in the thick of the playoff race. They will be trying to solidify all their work to get back to the top of the east. That being said, the Union’s David Accam will look to break their hearts.
Updated off-season moves:
| PLAYERS IN: | PLAYERS OUT: |
| N.A. | N.A. |
The Fire have not added anymore players. It looks like they’re going to stick with developing their draft picks instead.
Prediction:
David Accam will come back to Toyota Park looking to hurt the team that he helped return to a prominent place in the east. Chicago will be organized and play well at home, but this game will show the fire what they gave away. Accam scores two!
Result: Fire 1 Union 2
Matchday 20:
vs LA Galaxy.
Saturday, July 21st. 7:00 pm.
2017 record: 8 wins 18 losses 8 ties.
2017 Western Conference Standing: 11th.
The Union get to play the newly constructed LA Galaxy at home this season. The Galaxy’s 2017 season was very uncharacteristic. Finishing dead last in the west with 18 losses. With LAFC looming large, they will need to make a push back up the standings in 2018.
Off-season moves:
| PLAYERS IN: | PLAYERS OUT: |
| D – Jorgen Skjelvik (12/14/17 – free)
D – Rolf Feltscher (12/19/17 – free) M – Perry Kitchen (1/9/18 – free) GK – David Bingham (1/10/18 – free) M – Servando Carrasco (1/11/18 – Re-Entry Draft) GK – Brian Sylvestre (1/12/18 – free) D – Emrah Klimenta (1/16/18 – free) D – Tomas Hilliard-Arce (1/19/18 – SuperDraft) F – Ola Kamara (1/20/18 – trade from Columbus) M – Chris Pontius (1/22/18 – free agent) |
D – Robbie Rogers (11/6/17 – retired)
M – Jermaine Jones (11/27/17 – option declined) GK – Jon Kempin (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Rafael Garcia (11/27/17 – option declined) GK – Brian Rowe (11/27/17 – option declined) F – Jose Villarreal (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Jaime Villarreal (11/27/17 – option declined) F – Jack McBean (11/27/17 – option declined) M – Raul Mendiola (11/27/17 – option declined) D – Pele van Anholt (11/27/17 – option declined) GK – Clement Diop (11/27/17 – option declined) D – Nathan Smith (11/27/17 – option declined) D – Bradley Diallo (11/27/17 – option declined) F – Gyasi Zardes (1/20/18 – traded to Columbus) |
The Galaxy got rid of a lot of their long-standing players, the most noteworthy being trading Gyasi Zardes to Columbus for Ola Kamara. The Galaxy get a true goal scorer in Kamara, and have Romain Alessandrini, Gio Dos Santos, and Sebastian Lletget to round out their attack. In their midfield, they added Perry Kitchen to play next to Jonathan Dos Santos. In goal, LA added David Bingham. The main question mark that remains is their back line but their team is stacked with attacking talent. With rumors swirling of a possible Zlatan Ibrahimovic addition, the Galaxy are looking to score as many goals as possible.
Prediction:
The Union have played better at home vs LA Galaxy. In their last two meetings the Union have been able to squeak out draws. This season will be different. Needing crucial points, the Union should be able to find a way to stifle the talented LA attack.
Result: Union 2 Galaxy 1
Matchday 21:
@ Houston Dynamo. 
Wednesday, July 25th. 9:00 pm.
2017 record: 13 wins 10 losses 11 ties.
2017 Western Conference Standing: 4th.
The Union have played their fair share of tough games, but going to Houston, one of the hottest places to play, in July will be a true test. Houston has benefited from a resurgence last season. After being bottom-dwellers for seasons, the dynamo found their way into the playoffs last season. Could they find the same type of success in 2018?
Off-season moves:
| PLAYERS IN: | PLAYERS OUT: |
| M – Arturo Alvarez (12/10/17 – trade from Chicago)
GK – Chris Seitz (12/15/17 – free agent) M – Eric Bird (12/22/17 – free) D – Alejandro Fuenmayor (1/16/18 – transfer from Carabobo FC) M – Darwin Ceren (1/19/18 – trade from San Jose) |
D – Jalil Anibaba (12/2/17 – option declined)
GK – Calle Brown (12/2/17 – option declined) M – Ricardo Clark (12/2/17 – option declined) GK – Tyler Deric (12/2/17 – option declined) M – Jose Escalante (12/2/17 – option declined) M – Joe Holland (12/2/17 – option declined) D – Taylor Hunter (12/2/17 – option declined) M – Christian Lucatero (12/2/17 – option declined) F – Vicente Sanchez (12/2/17 – option declined) M – Alex (12/2/17 – out of contract) F – Erick Torres (1/25/18 – transferred to Pumas UNAM) |
Houston’s off-season has been an interesting one. Losing some important members from last years squad Alex and Erick Torres. They have only brought in a few new faces, most notably midfielder Arturo Alverez, and goalkeeper Chris Seitz. Houston will be relying on those newcomers to gel with the existing group, and for head coach Wilmer Cabrera to get this group to live up to their hype from last season.
Prediction:
This game is going to be played in almost unplayable weather. The heat and humidity will get to both teams, and produces everyone’s favorite score line. The Union always seem to have one Western conference game that ends this way.
Result: Dynamo 0 Union 0
Where will the Union stand?
In the dog-days of summer the Union will have to show that they want to keep pace with the rest of the east. They will have played 21 out of their 34 games. The Union will have to pull off an impressive record just to keep up with the race for sixth place. If they want to get back to the playoffs they will have to get some tough results. I think they get those here going 3-2-1 in these six games.
After 21 matches: 9-7-5 with 32 points.
Come back for part three next week! Missed parts 1 and 2? No worries, Click here for Part 1 | Click here for Part 2
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Peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
