Union set to face another tough test out west at LAFC

After failing to score on the road at FC Dallas and allowing two second-half goals in week 1, the Philadelphia Union will travel to Western Conference powerhouse LAFC in week 2.

*Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports*

The odds are most definitely against them but they’ll hope to fight for a result despite LAFC’s advantages. Those advantages come in the form of star power and a high-octane offensive group, one that Philadelphia may struggle to contain Sunday.

To make matters a bit more muddied, Philadelphia surrendered a stoppage-time goal from Paxton Pomykal last Saturday in Dallas – a result of a total lack of defensive effort in the final moments of the match. They start their 2020 campaign with 0 points and -2 goal differential.

In 2019, LAFC tallied a new MLS record of 72 points behind 21 wins all while tying another MLS record for goals in a single season with 85. It’s safe to say Philadelphia is on the bottom of a very steep hill heading into Sunday’s battle.

LAFC added some promising young talent to their midfield with the acquisitions of Uruguayan youth international Francisco Ginella and Ecuadorian international Jose Cifuentes, the latter described as the club’s top priority this past off-season.

While they’re offensively heavy, their main weakness is their backline. But with the potential to burry 80+ goals for a second straight season, that weakness becomes less and less of a vulnerability.

For Philadelphia, their main weakness right now seems to be a lack of fluidity from front to back.

In Dallas, they found success in terms of firing off shots – 15 total. But those efforts were mainly frivolous with just 3 hitting the target. They played well defensively for large portions of the match, but a let down early in the second half allowed Zdenek Ondrasek to turn and fire a goal past keeper Andre Blake. It was a preventable goal considering newly acquired center back Jakob Glesnes failed to close him down allowing him too much room to operate with the ball at his feet.

Those minor defensive letdowns will be much more deadly if they occur Sunday at Banc of California Stadium. The reigning MLS MVP from a year ago, Carlos Vela, banged home a new MLS record 34 goals in 2019, and will surely punish any and all mistakes made by Philadelphia’s backline.

Union Head Coach Jim Curtin mentioned his group has known for weeks just how difficult the opening two matches were going to be to start 2020. And now, with a loss and -2 goal differential heading into LAFC, the task is even more daunting.

For Union fans, Sunday’s matchup may simply be all about the ‘eye test.’ While many may not expect a positive result, some may be satisfied with a strong showing hoping to avoid embarrassment out west.