2018 Suncoast Invitational game 2: Philadelphia Union vs Montreal Impact

The Suncoast Invitational roles on tomorrow night, when the Philadelphia Union take on the Montreal Impact. This will be the clubs final preseason game against MLS opposition. What can be built on from the Union’s first game of the invitational against DC, and how will the Union stack up to Montreal? Here’s our 2018 Suncoast Invitational game 2.

Takeaways from the loss to DC:

The Union move on to their second game in the Suncoast Invitational, after taking an L against DC in the previous match. Here’s our recap to get a better idea of how the game went.

Without going into too much detail, here are some takeaways from the Union’s first Suncoast invitational game. Philadelphia couldn’t find a rhythm in the first bit of the game. They sat back, and tried to counter but the passes were not linking up. This, plus some sloppy defense, led to the Union being down in the first 20 minutes. After getting scored on the Union turned it up a notch and held the momentum for the rest of the first half.

In the second half they continued that momentum with different players, all this was culminated with a beautiful goal to tie the game. Najem put Burke in and he headed the chance home. Unfortunately, a lapse in communication gifted DC the game winning goal in the last 5 minutes. This performance showed that the Union can play well, but have issues in crucial moments.

The beginning of the game and late in the game can be crucial to getting/keeping points giving up goals at these times will doom this team. Let’s look at some players who helped their and/or hurt their standing with the team.

Standout players to watch closer:

Adam Najem. The young Number 10 was very lively in the Union’s first game his passing was great, and his ability to create offense could mean him getting the starting spot. However if the Union are on the market for a certain Czech #10, then he may find himself on the bench.

Corey Burke. Burke has scored four goals this preseason, and looks to have solidified himself as the second striker behind Sapong and ahead of Jay Simpson.

Ray Gaddis. Gaddis stood out for the wrong reasons. Having trouble marking runners, and moving forward won’t help his case to be the starting right back.

Richie Marquez. With the emergence of Auston Trusty, Marquez has been with the half team in preseason. He did not show too well, and was responsible for giving the ball away on the late goal.

Will any of these players do more, or better, to show their worth with this team? We’ll have to wait and see how they do against Montreal.

Montreal’s Preseason so far:

The Impact have had a perfect start to their 2018 preseason. They are 3-0 with scoring two goals a game, and giving up only two goals in the three matches. They beat USL side Las Vegas Lights 2-0, MLS playoff contenders Chicago Fire 2-1 and USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1.

Their most impressive win being against the Chicago fire, beating them 2-1. Ignacio Piatti and Matteo Mancosu scored in the first half to help the Impact start the match on a high. They will look to do the same against the Union who have had issues starting games. Will the Union be able to stifle this high-flying side?

2018 Suncoast Invitational game 2:

The Union will look to improve starting the match, and will have to be a lot sharper against Montreal. To do this they will need to keep possession, and look to attack early and often. Sitting back and countering against this team is playing with fire. If the Union Choose to do this, they will likely get burnt. The starters will have to treat it like a real game.

I’d expect the starting 11 to look like this:

Blake; Fabinho, Trusty, Elliot, Rosenberry; Medunjanin, Bedoya; Accam, Najem, Herbers; Sapong.

This 11 is built to keep possession and move forward in the attack. Using Fabinho and Rosenberry on the overlap to get numbers forward. If the Union get caught in possession too far forward there could be issues, but they would have room to recover. Sitting back and waiting for Piatti and Mancosu to come forward is asking for danger.

We’ll have to wait and see if the Union have learned from their mistakes against DC, and if they can give Montreal their first loss of the preseason. All the players vying for playing time, or a spot in the 18 will need to have a good showing against this very strong opponent.