The Union will be in a tough battle against the top team in MLS Real Salt Lake. To make matters worse the Union travel to Utah without their top goal scorer Jack McInerney who is on national team duty. This game is crucial for the Union if they want to keep pace in the playoff positions they will need at least a draw. The eastern conference is highly competitive and close this season and if the Union slip up they will find themselves on the outside looking in.
Salt Lake have climbed their way to the top of MLS by being extremely efficient. They have a number of offensive weapons but statistically none of them are excelling. They have three players with four goals and two players with three goals. They have a stingy defense that works like a well rounded unit and once they have a lead, they shut down the game and control it. RSL is a team that just knows how to win and grind them out. They do what it takes, to win; it may not be pretty in style. RSL will be missing some key components but are deep enough to where they can make up for their losses. Salt Lake will be without goal scorer Alvero Sabiro who has four goals on the season, they will be without goalie Nick Rimando and their captain Kyle Beckerman.
Even though Jack McInerney has been in a funk the last few games and has been unable to score he still has been valuable to the Union. Jack has been drawing the top defenders and has been warranting a lot of defensive attention. Conor Casey has been able to match up against lesser defenders and impose his strength on them. That is one of the reasons why Casey has been so effective the last few games. Now Without Jack we will see Casey get a lot more defensive attention. Casey is no spring chicken and this stretch of games will be a test for him.
This game is a time for Hoppenot to shine. He most likely will be awarded the starting spot up-top alongside Conor Casey. Hop has shown some improvements since last season but still has a long way to go. He has shown to be immature and allow defenses and refs to get under his skin. He has also gained a reputation of a flopper and when he does not get the call he has been known to throw a temper tantrum. Hop has his chance to shine; he can prove people wrong and maybe score some goals. If Hop does not produce then he may see his role reduced by Aaron Wheeler, who came on as a late sub and scored a beautiful goal against Dallas.
This game won’t be as exciting as the other Union games; it will most likely be bogged down in the midfield and a very defensive affair. Farfan will be one of the most important players in the game, if he can make an imprint on this game then the Union will be able to counter act the defense. He is one of the most creative players on the Union’s roster and in a defensive stalemate the Union will be looking for a stroke of brilliance from the midfield.
Prediction: 0-0 the Union escape with a tie.
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