The Philadelphia Union have had a strong start to the season but are currently in a rocky patch do to a number of games on short rest. The Union have hit the point in the season where they are playing multiple games a week and are short on rest. Needing a late goal to win against a PDL side and another late goal to equalize against TFC is a clear indication that the players are exhausted. Players are going down injured. The teams “depth” is not being utilized and thus the Union are limping on.
With that being said…..The Union are in a huge battle on Wednesday night against the Columbus Crew at home. This is a must win game, if the Union want to start building some leverage and staying in the playoff race. The Union hold the last playoff spot currently and the Crew are only two points behind in the standings. The Union need to pick up all three points because Montreal is starting to pull away with it; and teams like New England and Columbus are starting to pick up momentum. Also the Crew have a game in hand and that could be a fatal blow to the Union’s playoff hopes if they do not pick up a win now!
The Crew players are starting to pick up steam and are looking more fluent in attack while the Union’s defense has been lagging since the departure of Bakary Soumare. Jeff Parke was coming off an injury and had to play three games in a week and the Columbus game is a fourth game on short rest. Philadelphia currently has zero depth at CB, so the luxury of rest has been eliminated. On the wings the Union have zero depth also with Gaddis and Williams the only options. Also in the midfield Brian Carroll is showing his age and could use a day off. The captain has been turning the ball over easy and has been beaten many times against TFC.
The Union may have to rest an injured Le Toux and Kleberson who both have been the creating forces to the Union offense. Le Toux picked up various knocks in the game against Toronto and was subbed out in the 60th minute. Kleberson was subbed out after just 15 minutes of action due to a quad injury. There has been no word on weather or not he can play but one can speculate he will not be 100 percent thus leaving the door open for Keon Daniel to come in. Keon has had a sub-par season so far and has underachieved. The fans would like to see Hackworth go with another option but he seems to be set in his ways of using Keon over other players.
As long as Jack McInerney is scoring goals the game can go the Union’s way. He is proving himself to be a goal scoring machine but he will need help. If Cruz, and Daniel can provide service then the Union will see themselves walking away with a victory. A lot rides on Michael Farfan who has drastically underachieved so far this season. The Union need him to start creating and scoring. He has the skill to be an all-star in this league and the Union need him to show up. If Farfan can start beating defenders and distributing the ball. Then we will see a much more fluid attack.
The Union need this one. If they do not win they will see themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They will also have to wait to regain their position since the Union are off from MLS play till the 23. A win before the break would be huge for the Union but they come up short lots of pressure will be placed on Hackworth from the fans.
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