The Union enter their second half of the season with the hardest strength of schedule. The second half of the season kicks off with three games in Eight days for Philly. The Union started to pick up momentum heading into their week off. Will they be able to pick up where they left off?
The Union head to Montreal for a midweek clash. After a long off week, the Union look to keep their momentum going. Beating DC United and New England, then drawing at Sporting Kansas City has The Union on another unbeaten streak. Now they sit five points out of a playoff spot. Having three games in eight days, the Union could gain some serious ground in the coming weeks. They start that quest tonight at Montreal.
Derrick Jones out with a concussion and will be out until at least Saturday.
— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) July 18, 2017
Fabian Herbers will be out six weeks plus after having surgery for sports hernia
— Philadelphia Soccer Now (@phlsoccernow) July 18, 2017
The Union will be a little more shorthanded than they already were for this midweek match. Philly was already going to be without Andre Blake, and Chris Pontius who are playing in the Gold Cup. Alejandro Bedoya, who’s been away with USA at the Gold Cup, is back in Philadelphia. He is unlikely to play in this midweek match, do do the birth of his daughter who was born on Tuesday. Adding to this list, Derrick Jones is out with a concussion, and Fabian Herbers, who was close to a full recovery is now out due to sports hernia surgery. The Union will have to try to continue their streak without a good amount of players, so who will play for the Union?
The Union will likely try to stick to their normal 11 and fill the holes they have to deal with. Look for the Union to lineup like this:
McCarthy; Wijnaldum, Onyewu, Elliot, Gaddis; Creavalle, Medunjanin; Fafa, Alberg, Ilsinho; Sapong.
Subs: McGuire, Marquez, Rosenberry, Carroll, Epps, Najem, Simpson.
The Union will play the same way they did in Kansas City with this lineup. The back line will need to be stern agaisnt Montreal’s good attack. McCarthy will be called upon to make some tough saves. Medunjanin will have to try to spark attacks, while Creavalle will need to help win the ball. Fafa will bring the speed on the wing. Alberg and Ilsinho will need to combine well on the field together to produce the offense. Sapong will need to do his thing and use his hold up play to help create the attack. The team is solid and ready to get some points on the road. Luckily, the Union will have one break in Montreal.
Biello thinks Piatti will be available vs. FC Dallas on Saturday #IMFC
— Joey Alfieri (@joeyalfieri) July 18, 2017
Playmaker Ignacio Piatii will be out for the game agaisnt the Union. Montreal will be without him and defender Ambroise Oyongo due to injuries. The Impact also won’t have Patrice Bernier and Anthony Jackson-Hamel who are with Canada for the Gold Cup. Piatii, Jackson-Hamel and Oyongo were Union killers in the last meeting. Oyongo burnt the Union’s defense and helped create goals. Piatii and Jackson-Hamel were the goal scorers in the monumental comeback in the last meeting. Now the sides are set for a shorthanded showdown. The Union are ready.
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/887122409064497153
Both teams will be without big players. The team in form right now is the Union. They have momentum, and will have to continue that now. They play Montreal who are struggling. A win would mean so much for a Philly side who move into a home and away with Columbus. All three of these games are ones that are on the easier end of the hardest second half schedule. The Union need to take advantage!
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/887320555749167106
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Follow me on twitter @TGing21 for Soccer Twitter fun! Coming soon: A look at who made it through the Gold Cup quarterfinals. A look back at the Union’s match at Montreal, and a look forward to the Union’s weekend away match at Columbus. Until then, Peace out!
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
