In the season opener the Union are hosting Eastern powerhouse Sporting Kansas City. SKC had a landmark season by finishing first in the East and boasting the second best record in all of MLS. They also captured their first US Open Cup title. The Union will have their hands full with this game and they will have to keep pace with SKC’s lethal attack. On the other hand the Union are at home and should go out with the attitude that they will win.
You always want to start the season off with a win and the Union will be looking to do so today. It will be a special day for Le Toux who is looking to make his triumphant return to PPL and start the season with three points. In order for the Union to win this game they will need to be strong in attack creating chance. SKC has a strong defense with a solid goalie but he is beatable. Last season the Union beat SKC 4-0 in the biggest win of the season. Cohesion is needed between the forwards to keep SKC on the backfoot. The midfield will also have their work cut out for them; Torres and Marfan are the catalyst for the offense and are the guys who will have to pull the strings. They will need to orchestrate the offense and create chances. If they continually create chances that means the Union are dictating the tempo and that will be key.
SKC is a deep team with a high powered offense. They lost two players to EPL sides and are still one of the favorites to be the top team in the East. CJ Sapong, Teal Bunbury and new DP signing Claudio Bieler look to headline the attack. The Union also have to be wary of ex-national team member Benny Feilhaber who is looking to kick start his career after a turbulent time in New England. Graham Zusi will be looking to have a strong performance as he tries to make his case to Jurgen while he should be called up.
This game is sure to be a good one; the crowd will be electric and the atmosphere off the charts. The Union are looking to kick off the season off with a win and I predict they get that win. 2-1 victory for the Union with goals from Le Toux and Marfan. The Union will press early and score a first half goal and but give one up early in the second. It should be a highly contested and highly entertaining game.
Projected lineup
——–McMath———-
Williams-Soumare-Parke-G.Farfan
——Okugo-Carrol
Torres——————Marfan
———-LeToux
——————–Casey
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