 |
| (Photo: Zimbio) |
The Philadelphia Union are in a must win situation as they face the Chicago Fire this Sunday at PPL. The Fire hold the last playoff spot in the east with 35 points. The Union currently sit at 23 points and if they are going to make a surge to get in the playoffs they will need three points this Sunday. Chicago boasts a losing away record of 3-3-5 and the Union have been solid with five wins. It is going to be tough though; the Union are coming off a tough loss to Montreal who beat the Union 2-0.
Montreal did more than beat the Union they also claimed a few players. Montreal defender Nelson Rivas committed a heinous headbutt on Hoppenot that fractured the young striker’s nose. Hoppenot is not ruled out and he is listed as doubtful. In defense of Hoppenot, Jack McInerney got in the face of Rivas and was given a red card. With the Union down one striker and possibly down another they will have to look to lesser used players. I expect Pajoy to get the start along with Martinez. Coming off the bench maybe Perlaza or first round draft pick Chandler Hoffman. A very inexperienced attacking squad that is in a position where they will need to produce. THIS IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY for all the attackers to stake a claim for playing time. None of the goal scorers have been consistent; this is the perfect chance for someone to seize the moment. If Perlaza, Martinez, or Hoffman can get a goal then they will have to be in consideration for more time.
The midfield will also be missing some personnel with Gabriel Gomez and Keon Daniel on international duty. Marfan is listed as probable for the game as he is laboring his foot concision. The Union will keep the same formation and most likely start Carroll, LaHood, Adu, and Marfan. If Marfan can’t play I expect Martinez to move into the midfield or maybe Torres getting the start. Although Torres is not up to game speed and has not impressed. The midfield will need to step up and create opportunities. They will have their work cut out for them dealing with the speed of Oduro, Nyarko and the creativity of Pappa.
Captain Carlos Valdes is uncertain whether or not he will be in the lineup for the game as he is working out his flight schedule with the Colombian national team. If Carlos Valdes is out that means more than likely Bakary Soumare will see his first minutes as a Union player. He played 90 minutes at the reserve game last week in Montreal. The big defender will certainly add a new element to the Union. If he can regain his form he held when he played for the Fire in 09, then the Union will have an elite defender. But no matter how dominating Soumare is he cannot replace Valdes. Carlos is the team leader and the heart of the defense, so if Carlos is gone then WIlliams, Garfan and Okugo will need to step up big time to make the learning curb easier for Bakary.
For the Union to win they are going to need to neutralize the Fire’s speed along with having good cohesive attack minded movement. The Union will need to try not to do so much over the top play. During the Montreal game the Union began to play predictable and when a team plays predictable they are easy to defend. Philadelphia is going to have to clog up some missing pieces so I expect the regular starters to step their game up.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
