The Union are currently standing in fourth place in the Eastern conference with 30 points (8W-6L-6T) and are on track to make the playoffs. The Union are having a strong offensive season netting 32 goals which is tied for most in the MLS. On the downside, the Union have let in 30 goals which is one of the worse in the MLS. Apart from defensive blunders the Union are quietly having an amazing season specially compared to last season.
Last season, the Union finished with 36 points and scored 37 goals both of those benchmarks will be greatly passed this season. The Union are pace to drastically improve over last season’s complete debacle. This Union team is completely different from last season’s squad. They are playing with more energy, more heart and are just enjoying their football. The Union are playing with a toughness and grit that keeps them fighting. Last year, the team looked uninterested at times and defeated just uninterested in general. This year they is a complete 180.
Rating the starting 11.
Zac MacMath: 5. Zac has shown some minor improvements over the course of the season. He has made a few big saves and has had some solid games. He still is inconsistent and makes many mistakes that often prove to be fatal. He has recorded 5 shutouts and in reality that number should be higher. I rate MacMath against other MLS goalies and I see Zac makes mistakes most MLS goalies don’t. His communication to the back line and coverage on set pieces is sub par compared to other MLS goalies.
Sheanon Williams: 8. Williams has been a great defender and catalyst for the offense all season. Sometimes he gets too far up and gets caught out of position but his 7 assist more then make up for it. His 1v1 skills have improved and seems to work well with Parke and Okugo. He truly deserves an all star nod and maybe even more.
Jeff Parke: 7.5. Jeff has been the stone wall in the back and leader of the defense. The Philly native has shown to be tough, intelligent and savvy. Jeff has his flaws, sometimes he isn’t as vocal as he needs to be and the Union get caught out of position. Sometimes he moves a little too slow and gets beat. For the most part Parke has been the perfect replacement for Valdes, if only the two could play together.
Okugo: 7.5 Amobi is having a terrific season just like Parke. He is inexperienced but often plays like a veteran who has been their and done that. Okugo has been a great target on corner kicks and thrown ins. His three goals have been a major surplus for the Union. Okugo has had his troubles in marking and positioning and sometimes gets caught ball watching. Okugo is a young promising defender who is only going to get better.
Ray Gaddis: 5.5: Ray has had an awful season and for the most part has been the main cause of the defensive lapses. He bites too easily and is often uncomfortable on the ball and very timid against players. His main quality is his speed but speed can only do so much. I have said it time and time again that Ray Gaddis has the speed to get beat by a player and then run back and get beat again.
Brian Carroll: 7. The Union’s Captain has been having an up and down season. For the first half of the season he showed his age and appeared to be a step too slow. His passes were off and was moving a little slow with his tackles being just a bit off. Then Brian has his games were he is spot on, acting lively and aggressive. Whether or not he is having an on or off day he is getting in the mix of things and creating for the Union in some capacity.
Danny Cruz: 5. Danny Cruz has been the bane of the Union’s existence this season. He is an uncoordinated brute who runs into people and ends up hurt. He has a horrible touch and he is not a good passer. He often trips over himself while walking/ running and his inability to run makes him a defensive liability. Danny causes heart ache and headaches with his predictability. He has aggression and heart but at times he has too much aggression and it bites him. Another problem with Danny is his soccer IQ is low and he tries things he shouldn’t do. Instead of playing a smart pass he will take on defenders or shoot the ball from an impossible angel.
Keon Daniel: 5.5: Keon has been one of the biggest let downs this season. Daniel has been playing negative balls and generally ineffective all season. His service has been nonexistent so far and he hasn’t taken on any defenders. Last season Keon would take on defenders, create plays and occasionally shoot the ball. We do not see any of that, he gets the ball and passes it back. He has recorded 1 assist and 0 goals in the 12 games he started. He looked decent at times but the Union need him to get his confidence back and start distributing the ball better.
Michael Farfan: 6. Farfan has been the biggest disappointment on the Union this season. His service and vision have hardly been their. He has scored 1 goal and 1 assist all season. I have such high expectations for Farfan and he is just not delivering. He has been playing better the last few games but he still is not at the level I expect him to be at. Farfan should be running at players with pace and taking them on. I want to see Farfan shine the pressure is on him.
Le Toux: 8.5: The Frenchman has returned with a vengeance (kind of). We give Seba a high rating because he has changed his game to tailor the needs of the team and because of that we are creating more. Le Toux is the assist leader of the MLS and his service has been quality. He cuts down defenders, distributes the ball and keeps everything moving fluid. He does not make many mistakes and he won’t commit a stupid foul. He serves as a leader and that is valuable, it is great to see Seba talk to Farfan or Hop and tell them where he wants them.
McInerney: 8. Jack has been the top goalscorer for the Union this season with 10 goals. He has shown phenomenal finishing skills and proven to be a deadly target in MLS. Jack scored with both his head and feet. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time; his versatility has drawn extra attention from defenders. Jack is still immature and that hurts him greatly. He takes too long to get onside and likes to complain. Sometimes he will get emotional and take him out of the game mentally for a few minutes. His 1 v 1 skills need to improve, and his passing could be better.
Conor Casey: 8.5. Casey is having an amazing season and has proven to be a solid number 2 striker. He has netted 7 goals and 4 assist on the season. He is lethal in the air and gives the Union a credible attack. McInerney has benefited the most from Casey because Casey and LeToux’s runs makes space for Jack to do work. He may be slow, he may have bad knees but he uses his size to his advantage. When he is on the pitch with the Union he is always getting in the mix of things. His little flicks of the head often lead to a dangerous possession. In short Conor has proven to be a valued part of the Union.
Next for the Union:
The Union have a tough stretch coming up and they are going to need to capitalize on every opportunity. The Union need to keep the results coming and win at home. They are at home against Portland and then on the road against Vancouver. After that they are then at home for 4 of 5 games In August. If they are able to win at home then they are going to find themselves standing alone at the top of the East. It is real simple win at home and the home crowd gets crazier, the crazier the crowd gets the more hostile PPL is. When PPL is rocking it is hard for a team to go against the Union.
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