On St. Patrick’s Day, the Philadelphia Union will be hoping for the luck of the Irish to be upon them this coming Saturday. The Union come off an awkward second week bye, and face a team that has dominated the first two weeks of the 2018 MLS season. Columbus Crew SC comes to Chester with an impressive undefeated record. Can the Union end Crew SC’s impressive start? Here’s Philly Sports Network’s MLS Matchday 2 preview.
Columbus’ hot start:
ICYMI: We caught up with Gregg to discuss how #CrewSC feels about facing off against Philly this weekend. Hear all the deets ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WrUcnknZo8
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 15, 2018
Crew SC went to Toronto for week one, and blanked the 2017 MLS Cup Champions 2-0. Last weekend, Columbus welcomed Montreal, and won a thriller 3-2. Their hot start has can be attributed to their structure, and getting the most from their players.
Striker Gyasi Zardes has scored three goals in the first two matches for the Crew. His new start has been rejuvenating, but the play of those around him has been inspiring. Federico Higuain has two goals on the season, netting his 50th goal of his MLS career against Montreal. Pedro Santos has made it his job to find Zardes and Higuain in dangerous spaces.
The Crew, lead by Gregg Berhalter, have shown that their style of play with their newly formed roster produces results. Who would have thought that a team losing a main striker, Ola Kamara, and a star winger, Justin Meram, would produce the way Columbus has?
How will Union fare after early bye?
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/974435104490745856
The Philadelphia Union have had a lot of time off early in the season. That can be good and bad at the same time. It’s good because it’s allowed players coming off of injury and new comer Borek Dockal get integrated into the team. It can be bad, because the Union haven’t been able to play in a meaningful match. So how will the Union react to this bye?
According to Andre Blake, they’ll be refreshed, and ready to execute their game plan. The extra time to prepare could help the Union with this effort. The back line has had time to gel and prepare for the threat that Crew SC pose. The rest of the team has had time to work through their attacking motions as well.
Hopefully there won’t be rust, and the Union are able to find a way to do what they have practiced. The Union have had Crew SC’s number at Talen Energy Stadium over the last few seasons.
MLS Matchday 2 – Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew:
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/974782488076832769
When Crew SC come to Chester, they usually have issues doing what they like to do. They love to control the play. Their build up usually concludes with long diagonal passes that find space behind the defense. Usually these result in chances on goal; however, they have not done this well in Chester over recent years.
This can be attributed to the way the Union love to possess the ball at home, and the way they press when Philadelphia doesn’t have the ball. The Union do this very well at home, and historically keep Columbus under raps. That is the Union’s game plan for this match, but can they do it against this new Crew SC side?
There’s something about this Columbus team that is different. In what could be the last season of the Crew’s existence the Club seems to be on another level. Whether it’s dominating on the road in a tough place (like they did in Toronto), or if it’s coming back late in a game (like they did against Montreal), this team looks like it could become a force to be reckoned with in the east.
The Union will need to execute and ride the way of the inevitably wild and drunk crowd at Talen Energy Stadium on St. Patrick’s Day.
Projected Starting 11:
CJ Sapong gets the start after inking a new multi-year deal with the Union. Borek Dockal makes his Union debut at the start of the game. Accam and Herbers will start on the wings again. Medunjanin and Bedoya man the center of the midfield. The same young back line gets the start in front of Blake against the hot Crew SC side.
On the bench, look for these players:
McCarthy; Marquez, Gaddis; Jones, Ayuk, Fontana; Burke and Simpson.
Of the seven reserves, I’d expect Jones, Fontana and Burke to feature at some point. Jones can come in to help grind out a result or add a defensive presence in the midfield. Fontana can come in and help the Union keep possession in the middle of the field, and add fresh legs to press Columbus. Burke can add more intensity to the Union’s front line, either in the attack or defense.
Prediction:
Before the season started, I had the Union winning this match handedly. I can now say that I thought the Crew would not get off to a hot start like they have. Now looking at this Crew side, I can say that this game will be a lot closer than I thought it would be; however, Crew SC tend to struggle when they visit Chester.
This game will be a tense back and forth battle. In the end I expect the Union’s home field advantage to take effect, and help carry the boys in blue to another W. Union win this one 2-1!
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Peace out Union fans!
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
