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Philadelphia Union: Preview vs the DC United

By Ricky Zellefrow

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: Head coach Ben Olsen of D.C. United looks on during the second half against the Montreal Impact during their 1-0 win at RFK Stadium on March 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: Head coach Ben Olsen of D.C. United looks on during the second half against the Montreal Impact during their 1-0 win at RFK Stadium on March 7, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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To help prepare for Saturday’s game, let’s take a look at the preview for the upcoming game between Philadelphia Union and DC United.

The Ins and Outs

Philadelphia Union (1-2-3) VS DC United (1-2-3)

When: Friday at 3:30 PM Eastern – Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, PA)

Where to Watch: Unimas

PRO Referees: Head- Armando Villarreal, AR1- Mathew Nelson, AR2 – Kyle Longville, 4th – Robert Sibiga, VAR- Christina Unkel

Coaches: Jim Curtin (Philadelphia Union) – Ben Olsen (DC United)

Just Score

For a majority of last weekend’s game against FC Dallas, the Union were not out of the match. They had ample opportunities to come back and steal a win but were unable to capitalize on these opportunities in yet another game, as the offense continues to not help their young defense out.

With such a young squad defensively, bar Ray Gaddis moving into the Left Back position, the more experienced offense needs to counteract this by scoring, as the goals simply have not come. With only a single even-strength goal so far this season, it continues to worry the fans that the team might not have a lot of goals in them.

The Lineups

There were two big changes in last week’s lineup. With Jack Elliott out, Mark McKenzie became the third teenager to start this season in the back four. This likely also led to Mathew Real seeing the bench to add a more veteran defender in Ray Gaddis. With this weekend at home, and Elliott possibly back we may see a return to the previous lineup with a Real, Trusty, Elliott, Rosenberry back four.

The other area change is needed is likely in the attack, with no goals coming and Ilsinho looking rather strong in his bench appearances perhaps David Accam or Fafa Picault sees the bench. The more interesting move could be the insertion of a true defensive midfielder to help the young back four. With Alejandro Bedoya and Haris Medunjanin not exactly true number sixs, the team could use a shield in the form of Derrick Jones or Warren Creavalle.

Keys to the Game

The Union need to score. That is basically what needs to happen. Open the floodgates and get back on the track.

And this is a good matchup to do so in.

DC is at the exact same point mark in the exact same amount of games as the Union and could use this golden opportunity to score some goals and gain some confidence heading into the next set of games.

Next: Philadelphia Union: Preview vs the FC Dallas Toros

Player to Watch: CJ Sapong

The fact is while the Union have had their opportunities to win, they have simply whiffed on most of them. That must come back to the man in the front, CJ Sapong, at some point. While Fafa Picault, David Accam, and Borek Dockal have also have their misses, Sapong is the most egregious. While he did score 16 goals last season, he has one in many chances so far this season. He needs to change that. With such a high expected goal total this season for the side, they need to start putting the ball in the net.

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