Previewing Sporting KC

This Saturday, the Union take on Sporting KC at PPL Park. The Union are fresh off that tough defeat where they outplayed Eastern leaders DC United. SKC are coming off a midweek draw against the Sounders. Union management seems confident that they will be able to make playoffs but with each passing winless week the disparity between the Union and rest of the league grows bigger and bigger.


Fear KC But Don’t Fear KC: The Union need to fear KC and at the same time play with no fear at all. KC are coming off a 1-1 tie in Seattle, which is one of the most hostile crowds in the league. They know the Union are hurting and are going to look to pounce all over the U. KC is a young and talented team with three incredibly dangerous goal scorers.


The Union defense has to be at a premium and they certainly cannot commit any dumb fouls in dangerous areas. KC is a big team and physically imposing in the box, they can score off set pieces, and the Union struggle to defend them. A lot of pressure is on Carlos Valdes for he is the only natural centerback (other than Albright who is often injured and old) on the team and will need to put on an All-star performance.


Gabriel Gomez most likely will start at defensive mid alongside Brian Carroll making the Union a more defensive minded team. That cannot stop the Union from attacking. They need to play fearless and bold going up against the second place team. Hopefully last week’s performance was no fluke. The Union showed they can attack, create and play entertaining football.


Keys for the Union:
Normally if a team is over matched they rely on execution of set pieces as an equalizer but Philly has been utterly atrocious on corners and set pieces. If The Union want to win they need to attack early and often. Jimmy Neilsen, the SKC goalie is dominant between the sticks and he needs to be worn down and challenged. The longer the game goes without a goal the greater the chances SKC are they get a late goal and walk away with a one nil W. The game will be won in the midfield, all the pressure is on the midfield to keep possession make the right passes, have progressive movement and jump start the offense. 


If the Union get an early goal they must continue to attack, playing possession never works for the Union. If the Union get a lead they cannot change formation, or mentally just keep pushing till the game is over. It would be a Nowakian move to have the lead and switch the formation only to lead in defeat.


Prediction:
I am the ultimate Union optimist I will always believe that this week is the week they turn it around. With SKC having heavy legs from a midweek battle the Union win 1-0.


Nice Goal:
Here is a nice goal from the SKC v Seattle game with sounders. Not entirely relevant but a very nice goal hopefully the Union can produce something like this.

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