Philly Sports Network’s Union crew preview: Can Philadelphia get a positive result in Dallas?

Hello everyone! welcome to Philly Sports Network’s Union crew preview, where our writers take a look at the Union’s upcoming match and give a score, and man of the match prediction. Today Our writers Jeff and Tim try to answer this question: Can the Union get a positive result in Dallas?

Jeff Green:

Do the Union ever have their work cut out for them as they do this week??? Not only do they have the league’s 2nd worst goals per game average (0.60); Seattle is last at 0.50, but they have to go to FC Dallas. That club is averaging a league best goals against average of an identical 0.60 goals per game.

Midfielder Roland Lamah has been their offensive star thus far with 3 goals and 2 assists, and goalkeeper Jimmy Mauer, registering 2 shut-outs in his first five MLS starts. Their midfield and back line is to be credited as well, as Mauer has faced only 22 shots on target so far this season.

The Union are under immense pressure this week. Win on the road. Something they aren’t used to doing. If they don’t, the next home match vs. DC United could get ugly as far as the fans are concerned. Don’t expect any changes in the starting lineup except for possibly Gaddis in for Real. My gut tells me midfielder Borek Dockal will break the ice with his first goal, but it won’t be enough for the win.

Prediction: FC Dallas – 1 Union – 1
Union man of the match – Borek Dockal

Tim Lovenguth:

The Union lost what we characterized as a must win match last weekend at home to Orlando. With that pressure thrust upon this team at such an early time of the season, a trip to Dallas provides a pivotal opportunity for the Union to turn their fortunes around or fall into obscurity once again.

Dallas is one of the last two undefeated teams in MLS, NYCFC be ing the other. While FC Dallas has shown that they are formidable, there is something about this team that makes me feel they’re going to break defensively. Their back four has been solid, but aside from Matt Hedges the defense doesn’t seem so strong. With the pressure the Union’s attack has on them, I see this as the game where the Union’s attack finally finishes chances. They will score two goals in the run of play of an 11v11 game! I see CJ Sapong opening the scoring, and David Accam opening his Union account. Because Dallas’ attack is so good, I expect them to score first, but that will be their lone goal of the match.

The Union’s young back line will hold firm. We’ll see a center back pairing of Trusty and McKenzie, and Rosenberry on the right and Gaddis on the left. Matt Real moves to the bench for the more defensive minded Gaddis. Newcomer, Oliver Mbaizo will make the eighteen, and could be used as a substitute should the defense cave under the pressure from Dallas’ attack. There you have it, I’m predicting the first road win of 2018, and for it to be the catalyst for a Union turnaround… However, knowing my predictions don’t usually come to fruition, I may have just doomed the Union’s 2018 hopes.

Prediction: FC Dallas – 1 Union – 2
Union man of the Match – David Accam